2023 Ford Ranger Ute

Stick your name down on the list for a new 2023 Ford Ranger.  The backlog of orders (thanks to COVID) is slowly being worked out, and customers are gradually receiving there brand spanking new Ranger Ute.  What a machine!  I can see why a new Ranger owner has a smile as wide as a frog!

The 2022/2023 Ford Ranger has a boxy, distinctive shape that looks larger than life and makes it look bigger than many of the other Ute alternatives out there.  Though the new Mazda BT-50 is as big, its lines are sleeker than the ‘go hard’ Ranger’s shape, and when the Ranger is a Wildtrak or Raptor model, then the styling just got epic – with the huge wheels, flared wheel arches, big tray bars, a massive grille with FORD in bulging bold lettering – you get the picture.  These versions kind of reminds me of the cool, chunky Tonka Toy Trucks you could buy your kids for the sandpit a few decades ago.

Six different models of the latest Ford Ranger are offered.  These include the XL, XLS, XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, and Raptor.  Of course, these models are spread over single-cab, extra-cab, double-cab, cab-chassis or pick-up body shapes, and the line-up offers as many as 4 engines to get the job done, 2 transmission options, and RWD or part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD capability.  You can get the base model 2023 Ford Ranger XL Single Cab Chassis 4×2 for well under $40k, and the top of the range flagship Ranger Raptor comes in at well under $90k.

2023 Ford Ranger Ute

Entry level Ford Rangers work with the strong 2.0-litre single-turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine that puts out a quality 125 kW of power and a lusty 405 Nm of torque.  This grunt is put through a 6-speed automatic transmission, and RWD and 4WD completes the powertrain package.

Move up from the entry level Rangers, and you can step inside a mid-range Ford Ranger Ute.  And with these versions you get the upgraded 2.0-litre diesel engine with twin-turbo technology.  This motor does feel very strong, outputting a creamy 154 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque – feeling very handy, particularly when passing slower traffic or pulling 3000 kg is on the cards.  Linked to a clever 10-speed automatic transmission and coming standard with 4WD, this Ranger still feels like the king of the Ute world.  Of course, it gets even better than this, with the Ford Ranger XLT, Sport and Wildtrak models specced with the 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel V6 that develops 184 kW and 600 Nm.  This engine only adds around $3k to the price tag, and it also boast the same smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD.

Having the flagship Ford Ranger kind of makes a bold statement that everyone wants, so the big and bold new Ford Ranger Raptor blasts onto the scene with its huge 292 kW power rating and 583 Nm of torque.  All this muscle comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that drives the full-time 4WD system.  The smooth 10-speed automatic gearbox does a marvellous job of harnessing the power.

I love the new Ranger’s boxy looks, but what can I get in a new 2022/2023 Ford Ranger?  To answer this, let’s break the Ranger range down into groups according to equipment.

Entry level models (which include single-turbo or twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engines – in Single, Super or Double Cab, pick-up or cab-chassis shapes – and with the option of 2WD or 4WD), like the bread and butter Ford Ranger XL, provide you with decent equipment that includes: a 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen that sits centre stage, an 8.0-inch digital instrument display, a full suite of advanced safety systems, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rear parking sensors.  Safety kit in these base models offer premium features like adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning.  XL models also get things like 16-inch steel wheels, an all-black front grille and vinyl flooring.

The XLS versions add features like 16-inch alloys, black side steps, carpet floors, a 6-speaker sound system, and front parking sensors to name a few additions.  Ford Ranger XLT models start offering the new V6 diesel motor into the mix, while also providing rear disc brakes, LED headlights, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation, a leather steering wheel, proximity key entry/start, and an upgraded lane-keep assist system with adaptive cruise control.

Head for the Ford Ranger Sport trim versions, and you’ll see that these models gain black exterior accents, the larger and meaner looking 18-inch wheels, a powered driver’s seat, and leather-accented trim.

Then the Ford Ranger Wildtrak versions get you the big 12-inch touchscreen centre stage, a unique set of bold bumpers as well as the funky ‘sail plane’ sports bar, all-terrain tyres, electric heated front seats, and a roller tray.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Ute

Top of the ladder Ford Ranger Raptor Utes get the biggest/boldest exterior trim, the 292 kW engine and raised chassis are seriously set-up for major off-road terrain, and features like the big 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a matrix LED headlight set, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, full LED tail-light clusters, and a spray-in tray liner all make their way into the bold Raptor’s list of features.

Ford Ranger Raptor Ute

Ford Rangers drive nice on the road, and even the base models sit sweetly on the road and deliver a comfortable seat for all its occupants.  The Ranger line-up goes from there, building on this ethos of comfort, solidity, and performance.

2023 Ford Ranger Ute

The current Ford Ranger models include the:

• Ranger XL Single Cab Chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XL Single Cab Chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Super Cab Chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XL Super Cab Chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Super Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Double Cab Chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XL Double Cab Chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Double Cab Chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XL Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre single-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XL Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XLS Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XLS Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XLT Super Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XLT Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×2
• Ranger XLT Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger XLT Double Cab Chassis 3.0-litre diesel V6 4×4
• Ranger XLT Double Cab Pick-Up 3.0-litre diesel V6 4×4
• Ranger Sport Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger Sport Double Cab Pick-Up 3.0-litre diesel V6 4×4
• Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab Pick-Up 2.0-litre bi-turbo 4×4
• Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab Pick-Up 3.0-litre diesel V6 4×4
• Ranger Raptor Double Cab Pick-Up 3.0-litre EcoBoost petrol V6 4×4

For any more information on the 2022/2023 Ford Ranger Ute, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!) we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Ford dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!