The Ford Ranger is not just a workhorse; in fact, with the Wildtrak, Platinum and even XLT guises, you will get enough comfort items, premium upholstery and soft-touch areas that could easily convince occupants that they are in a luxury SUV. With the Ranger SuperCab derivative, however, you will quickly remember you are in a bakkie when you turn to look at the back of the cabin.
But before we go into the details of the Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4x4, remember that you can sell your car quickly and easily on the AutoTrader website here. You can also search for new or used Ford Ranger Wildtrak models on AutoTrader here.
Related: Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 AWD Wildtrak (2023) review - Setting a new benchmark
Styling
Like with the double-cab Wildtrak, the SuperCab can be had with either 18-inch alloy wheels, such as those fitted to our test unit or can be optionally specified with 20-inch units. Upfront features a mesh grille finished in Boulder Grey; the same colour can be found on the mirror caps, door handles as well as the model-specific sports hoop behind the cabin. Customers can also expect to get aluminium tie-down rails, LED fog lamps and roof rails.
Other excellent features are the power outlets installed in the protected load bin and the side steps on the rear bumper, which allow easy access to the load bin.
Interior & Space
The interior, like the exterior, offers a retro-like styling but with very modern touches. There are strong horizontal lines only broken up with the vertical infotainment screen; more on the latter later. While the SuperCab is definitely built for practical purposes, the partial leather seats, the soft-touch materials around the cabin and the premium floor mats will make you feel like you are in a premium SUV.
While the SuperCab will only accommodate two occupants, there is a lot of space behind the seats to stow luggage. With the small access doors, it is easy to load and unload this space.
Comfort & Convenience
In terms of insulation, very little road noise enters the cabin, and the suspension provides a very supple drive, unlike many bakkies. Overall, the inside is spacious and very premium in its feel. While it might not tick the boxes for a family, it certainly does for a couple or single individual needing the practicality of a bakkie but wanting the comfort and premium feel of an SUV.
Bolstering the premium nature of the Ford Ranger SuperCab in Wildtrak guise is the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system makes connecting your smart device effortless with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Furthermore, the sound system fitted is clear and has very good sound range.
The driver also benefits from Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering. These systems are very well-calibrated and have very smooth braking and acceleration. The Lane Keeping System also just gives a nice gentle vibration through the steering wheel and will indicate on the digital instrument cluster which side of the vehicle approached the road edge or lines. Once again, it is very smooth and subtle, unlike the panic-inducing sounds and aggressive steering inputs you might experience from other systems.
Performance
After having a short stint in the double-cab Ford Ranger Wildtrak, which was fitted with the 3.0-litre turbodiesel, V6. There was some concern that the 2.0-litre, BiTurbo, 4-cylinder, diesel in our test unit might be underpowered. The opposite is true, as the 154 kW and 500 Nm sent through the 10-speed automatic transmission proved more than ample.
The throttle response was quick, and because of all those gears, the motor wasn't under heavy strain even at higher speeds. However, because our test unit was used as a display vehicle during the AutoTrader Dealer Convention, we had to empty the fuel tank as quickly as possible to adhere to safety protocols. Thus, our average fuel consumption was 10.3 L / 100 km.
The writer feels confident that, with less aggressive acceleration and more traditional use, the 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4x4 will achieve very close to the claimed average fuel consumption figure of 7.5 L / 100 km.
Safety
In addition to the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering systems as mentioned above, the driver also benefits from Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Road Edge Detection, Blind Spot Monitor with Trailer Coverage, Cross Traffic Alert, and Pre-Collision Assist. All these assistant systems, while effective in their duties, don't feel like they are encroaching on the overall driving experience.
If a collision does take place, both occupants have front, side and curtain airbags that should cushion them and keep them safe. A Post-Collision Braking system will also bring the vehicle to a halt to help in mitigating any secondary collisions taking place.
Price
If you are considering a new Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4x4, at the time of writing this article, you can expect to pay R813 000 without additional options. This includes a 4-year / 120 000 km warranty; however, service and maintenance plans are optional and will come with an additional cost. The maximum time and mileage you can specify for the optional service and maintenance plans is up to 8 years and 165 000 km.
Competitors
The closest competitors at the time of writing this article are the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Xtra cab 4x4 Legend auto and the Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD Extended cab LSE 4x4. While the Isuzu is R54 200 cheaper and comes standard with a 5-year / 90 000 service plan and 5-year 120 000 km warranty, it has less power and torque.
The Toyota, which is R25 800 cheaper than the Ford Ranger, might have very similar power figures but isn't as well-specified as the American model. However, the Toyota also includes a 3-year / 100 000 km warranty and a 9-services / 90 000 km service plan.
Verdict
While the reviewer respects bakkies and understands the segment's popularity locally, the thought of owning a bakkie became appealing for the first time after spending time in the Ford Ranger SuperCab in Wildtrak guise. Indeed, there are more affordable options available, and perhaps a double-cab Ford Ranger 4x4 in XLT trim is a smarter choice if you are planning on starting a family or might need to transport friends or colleagues every so often.
But at the same time, it is the balance between practicality and luxury within the Ranger SuperCab that makes it such an attractive option especially if those rear seats are not needed.
