Millennials use ‘wild’ in local parlance to describe how outrageously good or cool something is, as in “Grabe, wild, ang ganda nung movie.” Now when it comes to the Ranger Wildtrak 4x4, every letter of that word is well deserved.

My first experience with the next-generation Ford Ranger was at the 2022 regional launch in Phuket, Thailand. The right-hand drive version impressed me then, but time constraints prevented me from soaking in all its new stuff. 

I recently had a comfortable week with the PH-spec version of the Ranger’s top-of-the-line model, the Ranger Wildtrak 4x4. Seven days with it was enough for me to try every feature. Here are the five that stood out the most.

2.0-liter Bi-Turbo diesel engine

It may have one of the smallest-displacement engines in the segment, but it does not disappoint. First, the numbers: 210-PS and 500-Nm of torque. Second, the drive and acceleration are arguably the smoothest I have experienced versus all other local pickup trucks I have driven. Third, there are a couple of reasons why. 1. Its intake manifold is cast as part of the cylinder head and not bolted on, which leads to optimized airflow through all ports, better heat management, and fewer sources of vibration. 2. A 10mm crankshaft offset reduces the jiggle of the diesel engine. A week under mixed driving conditions returned 10.4 kilometers per liter.

Dashboard

There is nothing like it in the segment right now. That is because no other compact pickup truck sports a 12-inch colored touchscreen. It is gorgeous, but the amount of menus and systems it controls requires a slight learning curve. It runs on Ford’s SYNC 4A system that offers wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. I like that it has a wireless charging pad, but its position puts mobile devices under direct sunlight, and the enclosed location causes batteries to heat up faster.

USB ports

Today, two USB ports should be the minimum. Ford took it to the next level and added four in the Ranger Wildtrak 4x4. There are two in the first row — a Type-A and -C — and a similar set in the second row. With four ports to connect to, I do not think there will be a shortage for all passengers unless all five did not charge their devices before the trip.

Bigger, wider bed 

It may look the same to the naked eye, but the Ranger’s bed has more of everything. It is bigger and wider to take more cargo and is easily accessible via the box steps on each side of the rear bumper. Plus, it has two power supplies (12-volt and 230-volt outlets) and clamp pockets to secure items on the tailgate when it is down. If there are smartphones and cars, this is a smart bed.

Advanced Driver Assist Technology

All that intelligent/smart tech you see in cars and SUVs, this Wildtrak 4x4 has it. This suite of safety features is one of the most comprehensive I have seen in a pickup truck, so it means there are a lot. My favorites include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering (set a speed, and it will do the rest), Auto High Beam, and the 360-degree camera. What impressed me most was how Ford toned down the aggressiveness of the system’s alerts and prompts. It is now gentler, which made my experience with it the second time around more pleasant.

Wild price

Along with the Raptor, this is the only other model with the smoother Bi-Turbo engine, which is explains the P1.910 million price tag (P300k more than the Wildtrak 4x2). Pricey for a pickup? Yes. But consider this. It undercuts the range-topping Hilux and is just P5,000 more than the D-Max LS-E AT. Wild right?