Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2021 blacks out with fender flares, LED light bar

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The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X will return to the Australian market next year, its maker announced this morning, in a follow-up to a 2019 special edition that proved popular with high-end dual cab ute buyers.

Priced at $66,490 before on-road costs for the 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre turbo diesel five-cylinder version, or $67,990 before on-road costs for the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, all Wildtrak X utes will make use of an automatic gearbox: a six-speed unit in the five-cylinder version, and a ten-ratio gearbox in the four-cylinder.

The return of the Wildtrak X grade, which is priced $2,200 above the standard Ranger Wildtrak model, will see the Ranger lineup swell to a whopping eight variants, with several permutations offered within each trim. The Wildtrak X competes quite directly with the Toyota HiLux Rogue as well as the Volkswagen Amarok 580TDI.

The Ranger Wildtrak X builds on the relatively premium appointments of the Wildtrak with a range of exterior and interior modifications designed to give the pick-up a tougher stance. For next year, black accents outside replace the dark grey hues of the previous ‘X’ edition.

What special features does the Ranger Wildtrak X get?

Over and above a standard Ford Ranger Wildtrak (from $64,290 before on-road costs), the Wildtrak X version grabs a bunch of distinctive kit:

• Lumen 20.5-inch front LED light bar
• 18-inch wheels in black with a 35mm offset
• Black wheel arch flares
• Black front grille with orange nostrils
• Black sailplane with orange accents
• Black side steps
• Black nudge bar
• Black finishes for the roof rails, lower front bumper, rear bumper, mirror caps, fenders, and handles
• Illuminated scuff plates with Wildtrak X branding
• Unique seat trim with orange detailing

In some ways, this is a black pack – but Ford does go further with the widebody flares worn by the Wildtrak X that have allowed the brand to push out the wheels by 35mm, offering a slightly more aggressive stance.

What’s under the bonnet?

As with the standard Ford Ranger, there is a choice of Ford’s long-running 3.2-litre single-turbo diesel five-cylinder or a newer 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder.

The five-pot produces 147kW of power and 470Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The five-cylinder offers a towing capacity of 3,500kg and a payload of 913kw.

Spending a further $1,500 gets you into the 2.0-litre four-cylinder, which produces a healthier 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque. The lighter two-litre allows a more generous payload of 943kg while towing capability remains 3,500kg.

Fuel consumption for the two-litre is rated at 7.4L/100km while the five-cylinder is rated for 8.9L/100km.

What is the Ranger Wildtrak X’s interior like?

The Wildtrak X picks up unique seat detailing with orange trim, while there are also unique, illuminated scuff plates you’ll notice each time you open the door.

The rest of the Ranger Wildtrak X’s interior is modelled on the popular Wildtrak trim that offers one of the more premium cabins in the dual-cab segment.

There are leather seats with heating up front and electric adjustment for the driver, while technology is taken care of by way of an eight-inch touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 3 software. Satellite navigation is standard, as are (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What else do you get as standard?

Like the underlying Ranger Wildtrak model, the Wildtrak X sports a number of other conveniences as standard:

• FordPass Connect modem
• Power roller shutter for the tray
• Electronic rear differential lock
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Semi-autonomous parking assistance

A five-year warranty is included with all Ford Ranger models. Service intervals are set at 15,000km and 12 months.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak X: prices in Australia

• 2021 Wildtrak X 3.2L auto: $66,490 before on-road costs
• 2021 Wildtrak X 2.0L auto: $67,990 before on-road costs