• Advertise with us
Thursday, May 29, 2025
  • Login
Torquecafe.com
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV
No Result
View All Result
Torquecafe.com
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
Home 4x4 & ADVENTURE

Ford Ranger XLT review: cheapest V6 ute tested

Plenty of grunt and minimal frills make the XLT the budget towing rig of choice.

Dylan Campbell by Dylan Campbell
24 May 2024
in REVIEWS
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Ford Ranger XLT

What is it?

The cheapest ticket to V6 dual-cab ownership in Australia, the XLT grade of the T6.2 Ford Ranger – designed and engineered in Melbourne, made in Thailand.

While most other dual cab utes are four-cylinder, just the Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok – which is based off the Ranger – can come with proper six-pot power. (That’s forgetting the class of American ute-based behemoths now hitting Aussie roads.)

The cheapest V6 Amarok is the Style which more closely matches the Ranger Wildtrak for price and spec, meaning the XLT sits out on its own as the least expensive way to get yourself a new V6 ute.

READ MORE: Roland Dane on why the Ford Ranger is #1

Does it have any racing pedigree?

Ford Ranger Raptor in the Finke Desert Race

A current-generation Ranger won its class at the Baja 1000 in 2022 (although it was in a class of its own – literally) and did the same at the 2023 Finke Desert Race, that one with multiple class entrants. Ford is also taking on the epic Dakar Rally with a Ranger-based prototype in 2025, with defending champion Carlos Sainz at the wheel.

READ MORE: Ford Ranger gets WRC-inspired upgrades

What’s under the bonnet?

2024 Ford Ranger Platinum

A 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 producing 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm from 1750 to 2250rpm. Codenamed Lion PSA, this engine dates back to 2004 and in its various iterations has been used in Fords, Jaguars, Land Rovers and even Peugeots and Citroens.

In the Ranger we have today, the V6 is mated to Ford’s own 10-speed torque converter automatic transmission, in turn connected to a selectable all-wheel-drive system and a locking rear differential.

ROAD TEST: New Ford Ranger line-up tested

How does it handle?

Ford Ranger XLT

The Ranger is probably inherently the best-handling of all the dual-cab utes, although that’s like saying Nathan Cleary is the most balletic of all the rugby players.

While this is the same platform that underpins the twin-turbo V6 Raptor, the XLT is decidedly more lumbering and less appealing to any keen driver, especially on its all-terrain tyres which work off-road and that’s about it.

It makes much more sense in the tradie-infested suburbs where you sit very high (looking over even most SUVs) and enjoy good ride quality by workhorse ute standards. But there’s no getting away from the fact this is a large vehicle with plenty of utilitarian genes, as evidenced by the slow steering which will have you all arms-a-flailing if you need to do a three-point turn in a hurry.

Where would you most like to drive it?

The XLT V6 would be snorting at its happiest with a massive caravan on the back and a big, wide, open Aussie road through the windscreen, we reckon. That’s exactly what it’s made for and, not that we tried it, where it would excel.

What’s the interior like?

Ford Ranger XLT
Ford Ranger XLT
Ford Ranger XLT

Simple yet comfortable with plenty of space, and a nice splashing of tech. You can tell you’re in a middling grade by the cloth, manual front seats, although there are some nice little luxuries like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry and start.

There’s an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch portrait central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Space in the back is pretty good for a dual-cab ute, while the tray is lovely and large, with a maximum 1047kg payload and famously able to fit a standard-sized pallet.

How much does the Ford Ranger XLT V6 cost?

Without options the Ranger XLT V6 is $67,590 before on-road costs. The vehicle we assessed came with $3230 of options, including the $1650 Touring Pack (which adds a 360-degree view camera and a system that can semi-autonomously reverse-park a caravan), $700 all-terrain tyres and $700 premium paint. The as-tested price was $70,820 before on-roads.

Would I buy one?

Ford Ranger XLT

If you’ve got something large to tow, regularly, and don’t care for things like larger digital instrument clusters and ventilated seats, you can’t go too wrong with the Ranger XLT V6. It’s a workhorse with some frills, but not too many – it’s like the SV8 of dual-cab V6 utes (remember the SV8?)

We wouldn’t be surprised if the V6 used less fuel while towing big things than the four-cylinder, as well – justifying the $4200 premium. If you don’t regularly tow a large caravan or boat, you can get a four-cylinder Wildtrak with a lot more goodies for just $1800 more.

Dylan Campbell

Dylan Campbell

Contributor
A former Editor of Wheels and MOTOR Magazines, Dylan Campbell has reported on the automotive industry since 2006. An experienced road-tester with a passion for performance driving, Dylan has driven racetracks around the world from the Nurburgring to Laguna Seca.

Discussion about this post

Related Posts

Hemi V8 return one step closer
4x4 & ADVENTURE

Hemi V8 return one step closer

1 hour ago
Is Kia toughening up the Tasman?
4x4 & ADVENTURE

Is Kia toughening up the Tasman?

5 hours ago
Australian car industry could be reborn with unexpected brand
4x4 & ADVENTURE

Australian car industry could be reborn with unexpected brand

7 hours ago

4×4 & Adventure Partners

Other News & Reviews

Hemi V8 return one step closer

Hemi V8 return one step closer

29 May 2025
Is Kia toughening up the Tasman?

Is Kia toughening up the Tasman?

29 May 2025
Australian car industry could be reborn with unexpected brand

Australian car industry could be reborn with unexpected brand

29 May 2025
GM could give Hyundai a HiLux fighter

New threat coming to Ranger, HiLux and more

28 May 2025

Torquecafe Newsletter

Try our daily email, The best way to get your news first, fast and free!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Sign Up

  • Registration
  • Newsletter

About Us

  • What is Torquecafe?
  • The Team
  • Our Values
  • Privacy Policy

Help

  • Contact us
  • General Feedback
  • Advertise with us
  • Site map

Our Network

  • Speedcafe.com
  • SpeedSales.com.au

Our Partners

  • Mobil1
  • Pirtek
  • Truck Assist
  • R&J Batteries
  • KTM
  • Michelin
  • Supercheap Auto
  • Meguiar’s 

Apps

  • Our Team
  • Become a partner
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy & Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV

Copyright © 2023 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV

Copyright © 2023 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.