Pros
- Sublime refinement and comfort for a bakkie
- Onboard tech is impressive for an entry-level model
- Impressive utility and practicality
- Reasonably low running costs
Cons
- Optional packs increase the price
- Lack of standard service plan
- The rattle behind the dash became irksome
The AutoTrader team's 4-month stint behind the wheel of a new Supercab version of the Ford Ranger has come to an end, with the Blue Lightning-coloured bakkie having done duty with the team on video shoots, attending events and negotiating the daily grind.
Related: Ford Ranger (2023) Single cab and Xtra cab cross country launch review
Features recap
Standard features include a multifunction steering wheel, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digitised instrument cluster, USB A and C functionality, remote central locking, front and rear 12V charging ports, cloth-covered seats and automatic lights. This writer once owned a previous-generation XL-spec SuperCab Ranger, and it's incredible to see the improvement in quality, the additional features and other niceties that may go unnoticed, such as the improvement in seat comfort and the vastly improved audio and media experience, to name just two!
As previously mentioned, our press unit is fitted with the XL Upgrade Pack, which adds 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rear-view camera with PDC, cruise control and an off-road pack with steel underbody protection for the front, engine and transfer case, a plastic fuel tank guard.
Related: Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT SuperCab XL 4x4 auto (2023) Long-term update 2
We had it detailed!
With the ever-rising cost of vehicles in general, we live in an era where a basic (relatively speaking) extended can bakkie is closing in on the price of a bachelor pad, meaning that these depreciating assets can become costly. With this in mind and factoring in the sort of use and abuse your average bakkie endures, we thought having our long-termer ceramic-coated would be a good idea. We enlisted the help of Morne Coetzer, owner and operator of MC's Detailing, who decontaminated the paint and applied a ceramic coating.
You can see what he managed with the car by checking out our video below:
Lasting impression
Dare we say it, but the 125kW/405Nm 2.0-litre single-turbodiesel engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is our favourite powertrain option within the Ranger line-up. We feel that it provides enough power and torque to complete most tasks effortlessly while being less complicated than the bi-turbo motor with the 10-speed automatic, while those towing large boats or caravans may find the V6-equipped Rangers more appealing.
Safety
The Ranger was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 and achieved a 5-Star rating, including 84% for driver safety, 90% for occupant safety, 74% for pedestrian safety and 84% for its safety assistance systems. Despite being a relatively basic model within the broader line-up, our XL long-termer still has traction and stability control and 6 airbags.
Fuel consumption
Ford claims that this model will consume diesel at a rate of 7.7 L/100km; however, our four months with the model yielded a combined figure of 9.1 L/100km. This includes what was predominantly urban driving to and from the office, drives to the local karting track with the kart at the back, and slow and steady drives to obtain b-roll footage for other reviews of vehicles, as seen below. We know the vehicle can dip into the mid-to-low 8.0 L/100km with more open-road driving, but we were more than satisfied with the overall running costs.
Pricing
The Supercab XL 4x4 was priced at R 570 100 at the time of writing. This makes it cheaper than the Toyota Hilux Xtra cab Raider auto (R575 200) and slightly more costly than the Isuzu D-Max Extended cab LS auto(R541 000); however, the Ranger is the only model with four-wheel drive! It is also worth considering that our model, with its optional extras and a service plan added in, would be closer to R650 000!
Verdict
In the world of workhorse extended cab bakkies, the latest Ranger stands out as the most comfortable to drive, the most tech-laden, among the most frugal and the most practical, making it the obvious choice in the segment until key rivals release their new contenders, at least! Our SuperCab is set to be replaced by another Ranger in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for our introductory story!
