New Ford Ranger 2022: what to expect from the new ute range in Australia

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Ford unveiled the new-generation Ranger ute this week and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

A new beefy V6 turbodiesel, wider tray, more modern interior and enhanced off road capability were among a list of notable features and upgrades that Ford says were implemented due, in part, to customer feedback in Australia.

Australian-specific details are few and far between but with the Ranger regularly topping the sales charts, Ford’s local arm clearly has a formula that works and this gives us clues on what to expect.

Read more about the new Ford Ranger that is set to be released in Australia in mid-2022:

• Ford Ranger 3.0-litre V6 diesel explained
• Ford Ranger platform could spawn hybrid and full-electric variants
• Ford Ranger Raptor to debut in February 2022, twin-turbo petrol V6 power possible

What will the Australian Ranger line-up look like?

Ford has confirmed the new Ranger will be offered globally with at least six grades: the entry-level XL, followed by the XLS, XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and top-spec Raptor.

The first five grades will launch first with the performance-focused Raptor making its debut in February 2022 meaning it is likely to go on sale later that year.

Ford currently offers all the aforementioned grades for the current generation Ranger, with the FX4 and FX4 Max not mentioned for the new model at this stage but could make a return at a later date.

Dual cab ute and extended cab options, compete with freestyle rear doors have been confirmed so far, but cab-chassis options in both dual and single cab guise will almost certainly follow.

What engines will be offered?

All three engine options will likely be offered in Australia with the 3.0-litre V6 derived from the F-150 likely to be the most powerful with expected outputs of 190kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

The engine will likely find itself in the higher variants such as the Ranger Raptor and Wildtrak, though could be offered on other grades as Ford Australia has historically been quite flexible with its engine availability throughout the Ranger line-up.

Ford will continue to offer the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine that currently makes 157kW/500Nm. Both will be paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

Also new to the range is a new single-turbo version of this diesel engine, that will be offered with both a five and six-speed manual transmission globally, with Australia likely to receive the latter of these two alongside a six-speed automatic option.

Outputs are yet to be confirmed but it will likely trump the previously entry-level 2.2-litre turbo-diesel in terms of both sheer grunt (118kW/385Nm) and fuel economy.

Ford will offer two four-wheel-drive systems on the Ranger, including a familiar switchable system and Ford’s new advanced full-time 4×4 system.

What will be offered on each grade?

A full specification list for the Australian Ranger will be announced at a later date but based on official information and the ute’s previous history this is what Chasing Cars thinks will be included on each grade.

XL – Kicking off the Ranger range is the XL, which has traditionally been focused on the single and dual-cab tray-back body styles that operate exclusively as work vehicles – however dual-cab ute options have also been available. 

In making the announcement, Ford spoke of the importance of the more affordable rear-wheel drive option for buyers, so this will likely continue as an option for the Ranger.

It remains to be seen if Ford continues to offer the XL in both the ‘Low-Rider’ specification alongside the traditional ‘Hi-Rider’, with the former offering an easier loading height and the latter greater ground clearance.

Ford will offer the Ranger XL with the 10.1-inch touchscreen display alongside hard-wearing cloth seats, halogen headlight and steel wheels wrapped in chunky tyres.

XLS – Building on the features of the Ranger XL, the XLS adds alloy wheels, front parking sensors, side steps and likely a slightly nicer but still hardy interior to suit the commercial focus.

The current Ranger XLS is currently offered exclusively in the dual-cab ute body style in Australia though this could expand on the new model.

Ford has previously paired the XLS with the 3.2-litre five cylinder engine but the updated grade will likely feature the single and twin-turbo versions of the 2.0-litre diesel.

XLT – Ford describes the Ranger XLT as the ‘stylish’ grade in the lineup and the effects of that can be seen at the front, where designers have swapped in the new LED headlights with C-shaped daytime running lights matched with LED tail-lights.

With more of a focus on private buyers there is likely to be more soft-touch materials around the cabin and the more safety features.

Ford has previously offered the Ranger XLT in dual-cab ute and dual-cab chassis guise in both rear and four-wheel drive options, paired to the twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine.

Sport – The Ranger Sport will become a full time variant in the global range and is likely to be the first grade to receive the stonking 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 as an option.

The engine will likely be paired with the more advanced full-time 4×4 system that drivers can simply set and forget, leavin the Ranger to send power where it is needed – when it is needed.

Images show the Ranger Sport wearing a slightly more gruff appearance with a sports bar at the rear and adopting a slew of darker touches on the grille and mirrors.

Other possible features include leather interior trim and the larger 12-inch touchscreen and safety features like the 360-degree are likely to be among the list of features.

Wildtrak – Aimed squarely at private buyers, the Ranger Wildtrak is a seriously plush ute and is equipped as such with its full leather interior with stitching that matches the burnt orange paint.

Similar to the Sport, the Ranger Wildtrak will likely be offered as standard with the 3.0-litre V6 and the more advanced 4×4 line – though the twin-turbo inline four engine paired with the switchable 4×4 system is likely to remain for those who want a plush ute at a lower price.

Ford has retained the rollable tray tonneau cover but added newer features like a wireless phone charger that will work well with wireless Apple CarPlay.

With anticipation building for the new-generation Ranger we expect to see more information emerge shortly so stay tuned.