Mid-range never sounded appealing for several reasons. Most of all, because it does not have the premium stuff that made you want to buy that model in the first place. Some automakers avoid making it blatantly obvious on the outside, but it is woefully evident in the cabin and its performance. It is not the case with the Ford Ranger XLT. It may be third in the 2023 Ranger lineup, but it still makes a compelling argument, and it is even more than half a million pesos cheaper than the Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 AT.
The Blue Lightning body color is eye-catching, especially when paired with the new styling. That horizontal chrome bar across the grille makes it look elegant for a truck, and the C-clamp LED multi-reflector headlamps frame the entire front fascia quite nicely. It has halogen front fog lamps (the Wildtrak and Sport use LEDs), but it still has the essentials like automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and even a bedliner. What you’ll miss are things like daytime running lamps, roof rails, front tow hooks, and an easy-lift tailgate.
My only gripe is it is not a fresh, all-new exterior. It still looks like the outgoing model, albeit with minor differences, because it uses the same T6 platform. Several changes were made under the sheet metal to improve the ride, like the repositioned shock absorbers for better handling and pushing the front wheels forward to future-proof the engine bay. If you have your hands full with a pizza box, groceries, laptop bag, etc., you’ll love one of my favorite parts of the XLT. Free up a hand by laying some stuff on the flatbed rail cap. This way, you can get the keyfob to unlock the doors. Sorry, it does not come with a smart key.
The cabin looks plain at first but not after seeing the 10-inch portrait touchscreen with SYNC 4A, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth audio streaming. The display is vivid and better than what is in any pickup truck in the market locally. It is shorter by two inches compared to the Wildtrak but barely noticeable. It also has a wireless charging pad, although it will not work with thick cases. There are a few soft-touch points, which is great to see at this price point, but plenty of storage spaces. All seats use fabric upholstery but are bolstered adequately for comfort and fit.
I like the flat dashboard surface and the analog, single-zone climate control system. The former allows you to see further up the road, and the latter is a quicker way to turn on the air-conditioning when you want to cool down the cabin fast. Its power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that sends 170-PS and 405-Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. These numbers look modest, but with the torque kicking in at an early 1,750 RPM, the truck gets going early and easily stays at 100 km/h on the highway, no problem. Shifting is seamless and almost feels like a dual-clutch transmission, but it does linger longer than expected when downshifting. The close gear ratios feel good when moving up the gears from a standstill, as it feels almost like a sportscar accelerating. The suspension system is a plain double wishbone with coil springs and an anti-roll bar in front, leaf springs in the rear, but they are tuned perfectly for the weight and dimensions of the XLT. It is one of the most comfortable pickup trucks I’ve ever been in and is several cushions softer than its closest rival. If for this alone, it is worth every centavo. Handling is lighter than I expected/wanted, but I accept that I’m a few decades beyond Ford’s target market for the Ranger. Young buyers want the tech and they will get it, plus they want it to handle like a crossover, which it does. It robs a little bit of the feel and feedback a driver needs but makes this relatively large vehicle easier to handle/maneuver around tight spaces. Ford does a great job of managing expectations while satisfying the market’s demands for an affordable yet equipped pickup truck. Compared to other mid-trim variants in the market, the 2023 Ford Ranger XLT offers the most bang for your buck (P1.374 million) and then some. And yes, it sets a new standard again that other manufacturers will trip over themselves trying to match.