2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 AT
Can you believe the Wildtrak is now nine years old? While its luster has been dimmed somewhat by the Raptor and the FX4 Max, there was a time it was the hottest Ford truck with a bed in the country.
Quietly, the American automaker has spruced it up with updates from its more well-endowed siblings. I drive it for a week to see if it still lives up to its reputation as one of the most capable trucks in the market.
The whole body shape is unchanged and is a little long in the tooth. It’s good that it received a few minor enhancements by way of Saber accents on the grille, painted gloss black wheels, numerous glossy accents, a sports bar over the bed with Saber insert, roof rails, and even new ‘Wildtrak decals, including a 3D version on the tailgate.
Only the sharpest of eyes will actually be able to spot these little nuances but it does help freshen up the overall look somehow. The new addition I really like the most is the power roller shutter that covers the entire bed. It comes as an option with this trim and can be controlled fully from the keyfob; although there are also buttons on the dashboard and the bed. Plus, it comes with a power tailgate lock.
Its edgy looks aren’t what they used to be but by no fault of its own. Age is a tiny factor but it’s more because of the newer and bolder Ranger variants that have come out.
That being said, this tamer look feels more distinguished and that’s enhanced further by the 18-inch alloy wheels, sports bar and the versatile power roller shutter. I’d still give it a solid 8/10.
As one of the purveyors of tech in this segment, smart keyless entry is standard along with a push-button Start system.
The cabin is largely unchanged. First thing I noticed were the leather seats with the Wildtrak accent and leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with contrast stitching.
I like how, despite the age, this cockpit layout still looks as modern (and stylish) as its counterparts. It has an eight-inch touchscreen display that runs on Ford’s proprietary SYNC3 system. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three USB ports (one mounted on the windshield), and even a built-in navigation system.
Dual color 4.2-inch cluster screens are in the instrument panel. These show the multi-information display that contains a tremendous amount of data about the Wildtrak. It’s a little complex to manage in the beginning but it gets easier with time.
It has dual-zone climate control, two auxiliary 12-volt outlets in the cabin, and a 230-volt inverter in the second row.
The cabin is more than properly appointed for a pickup truck. It has all the essentials and then some. The bonus is space. As an American brand, it knows how to provide roominess. It even comes with plenty of storage spaces, including under-seat bins at the rear.
One of the biggest changes to the Wildtrak 4x4 happened in 2019 when the old 3.2L turbodiesel was replaced by the Raptor’s 2.0 BiTurbo diesel engine. The result is a significant power upgrade, giving it 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque.
It feels more responsive now and surprisingly, minus any turbo lag. Acceleration is quick and the torque pull only depends on how hard you go on the throttle. The throaty engine doesn’t even flinch to get and maintain 100 km/h, making it hard to stay just on SLEX’s speed limit because it barely scratches the bare minimum of the Wildtrak. Fuel consumption is 8.9 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
EPAS (electronic power-assisted steering) is balanced out well to give it real feel, so there’s proper weight behind the wheel to go along with the heft and height that it comes with. But it’s a joy to bring around. It may be bigger than the usual weekend drive but steering is so good that it can wiggle its way along traffic smoothly and with the power under the hood, it zips along pretty quickly too. And surprisingly, while it doesn’t have those fancy Fox shocks in the Raptor and FX4 MAX, it’s pretty poised along curbs even at high speed.
The Wildtrak had the most comfortable ride in the segment when it came out in 2013. While the competition has trimmed the gap somewhat, most everyone is still coming in second. This still has the softest ride of any pickup truck out there. Asphalt cracks, disfigured humps, potholes barely register in the cabin so it goes without saying that noise, vibration, and harshness levels are extremely low.
Except for the fact that it’s probably the oldest truck in the market, it still hasn’t lost its edge. Price is a reasonable P1.728 million (without the power roller shutter), which is even a bit lower than the competition.
Tamer? Maybe a little, but definitely older. Better? With these minor enhancements, definitely.