At this point, I think we’re all quite aware of Ford’s biturbo Ranger lineup in the Philippine market, including the Ranger Raptor which I happened to drive on the lahar fields in Zambales. That was the reason why I got excited after hearing a Ford Ranger Wildtrak lend-out; I wanted to feel that biturbo power on a normal daily drive to and from the office. To my slight disappointment, it wasn’t the biturbo; rather, the single-turbo Wildtrak 4x2 AT variant. But, was it really a disappointment though?
Ford Philippines introduced the 2019 lineup for the Ranger nameplate in September 2018. It tagged alongside the much-anticipated Ranger Raptor at a dirt course in Taguig City. It features minor changes on the exterior and a notable improvement under the hood. With its introduction, Ford Philippines was also proud to announce the new 2.0-liter turbodiesel and 2.0-liter biturbo engine during the event. So, how do these smaller engines compare to the outgoing 3.2 and 2.2 mills? Well, I might have an answer for the 2.0 turbocharged.
4.1 / 5
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 3.5/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 3.5/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.0/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.0/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
- Great on acceleration even on uphill inclinations.
- Has superb fuel consumption for a pickup truck.
- Notable features like the rain-sensing wipers and adjustable speed limiter come handful in various occasions.
What You Won't Like
- Almost no significant changes in the cabin.
- Noise can be heard even when all windows are fully closed.
- Connecting via Bluetooth can be tricky when using certain devices.
Exterior
Although I consider the changes on the exterior as minor, I still find it refreshing to see the Ranger without the black slab on the bumper – which kind of looks like a mustache. It isn’t bad but the new look has this simplicity to it that takes it a bit further when it comes to the visual aspect. The grille now extends down to the middle section of the bumper and is painted black. Replacing the ‘mustache’ bumper accent is a set of blacked-out fog lamp housings on the lower side portions of the bumper.
A side profile will give you the same view as to what the older model looks like, except a small detail on the badge at the front quarter panel. While old models have 3.2 and 2.2 indicated on the badge, 2019 models have a ‘Ranger’ for the non-biturbo and ‘biturbo’ for the higher variants.
Interior
You shouldn’t also expect to see a different layout upon entering the cabin. As this is considered to be a little-over-to-a-facelift upgrade, the interior wasn’t really tinkered with. However, the upgrade took away the need for a key ignition, as the 2019 model now features a push-button start. Considering that this is a Wildtrak variant, Wildtrak logos are found all over the cabin, be it on the seats’ backrest or the dashboard. Another thing worth mentioning is the absence of orange accents on the seats’ upholstery, which I personally like better without. I just like things simple so I think the orange stitching is enough.
Oh, there are illuminated inside door handles, which I know are little details but, hey, they’re good to look at with those red lights in the dark. For charging, there are 230-volt and 12-volt sockets found at the back, while a USB socket is located in front of the transmission stick.
Technology
Entertainment is still highlighted by an eight-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system. This comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice commands and they’re pretty convenient especially when you’re driving with your young ones. Also, the rearview mirror is electrochromic, which means it regulates reflections of headlights tailing you as it automatically darkens. This makes night drives pleasurable despite cars that are on high beams.
As mentioned earlier, the truck now has a push button start for its ignition system. It’s worth adding that it now has a passive smart entry system, which is absent on the previous model. Better late than never for this feature, right? I also do have to point out that the adjustable speed limiter is a convenient help when it comes to driving on the expressway, as well as the rain sensing wipers – now that we’re experiencing sudden changes in the weather.
Driving and Handling
Pickup trucks are known for their bouncy suspensions. No wonder the Raptor features those Fox Racing shock absorbers, which control the movement of the springs. Although the Wildtrak 2.0 4x2 AT didn’t have those, I wasn’t able to find uneasiness on the ride. Maybe, if I played with it a bit more on a gravel road, I could come up with a different conclusion. However, the fact that I drove the Wildtrak 4x4 on the lahar field of Zambales still assures me that the suspension isn’t that bad. Of course, nothing compared to the Raptor but that’s already given.
Handling for the 2019 model, I believe, is more fun as it is somehow lighter. The steering wheel is light on turns and is on point on sharp curves. That even felt better with the pulling power of the 2.0 single-turbo diesel engine, which generates 180 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Give your desired pressure on the pedal and off you go, it’s as simple as that. Turns out that the initial disappointment finding out this was not the biturbo is a premature judgment on this machine, as it still handles the job pretty easily and it’s impressive. And while you think it’s harsh on braking as it is a big vehicle, it was surprisingly gentle; it wasn’t throwing me forward as I was stepping on the brake pedal.
Safety
The 2019 Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 4x2 AT is equipped with tons of safety and convenience features. Airbags run from the driver and passenger front, all the way to the side and curtain, which I, together with Ford, pray you won’t be needing forever. There is cruise control to help you manage your speed, an anti-lock brake system with electronic brakeforce distribution for well-managed emergency braking, and hill-start assist for inclinations, among others.
The seats, on the other hand, are all equipped with three-point seatbelts and are complemented by Ford’s seatbelt reminder system. The rear seats feature ISOFIX anchors for easy baby car seat installation. I also do know for a fact that kids are often adventurous in their own right, which is why the doors have childproof locks as standard across all Ranger variants.
Fuel Economy
Aside from being a candidate for a daily driver, the 2019 Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 4x2 AT also showed great numbers on the fuel consumption meter. Knowing that this truck has a small engine and a turbo slapped on it, seeing the readings didn’t surprise me. A good run of an average speed of 80 to 90 km/h on SLEX registered 18.2 km/L on the screen. Now, I might have to admit that this isn’t a steady, gentle pressure application on the gas pedal. You may expect higher readings if you follow strict inputs on acceleration. Meanwhile, driving through heavy traffic in certain areas in Laguna gave me about 12.3 km/L.
Verdict
I might have felt a little disappointed at first, knowing that what I would be driving wasn’t the biturbo 2.0 Wildtrak. Yet, at the end of the day, Ford proved that disappointments are a natural thing, especially if you can’t tell the difference. Not to mention, it has a price tag of P1,455,000, which is not bad with all the tech stuff and power you get. The 2.0 single-turbo is indeed powerful, efficient, and most importantly comfortable to drive. These three are rarely observed together on a pickup truck so if you think this one will disappoint, be its guest and find out what ‘Built Ford Tough’ really means.
2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 4x2 Exterior Gallery
2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 4x2 Interior Gallery
Specifications
Engine
2.0 LFuel Type
DieselPerformance
178 hp @ 3,500 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
-
Name Ford Ranger 2.0 Wildtrak 4X2 AT Body Type Pickup Truck Price ₱1,540,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
-
Engine Size 2.0 L Displacement 1,996 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type 10-Speed Automatic Transmission -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 178 hp @ 3,500 rpm Max Torque (nm) 420 Nm @ 1,750 rpm *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Diesel Emissions Standard n/a Fuel Capacity 80.0 L Combined Fuel Consumption 6.7 km/L *estimated -
Dimensions
-
Length 5,354 mm Width 1,860 mm Height 1,821 mm Wheelbase 3,220 mm Deck Length 1,422 mm Deck Width 1,574 mm Deck Height 559 mm Payload Capacity 1,120 kg Turning Circle 13 m Ground Clearance 232 mm Trunk Capacity n/a Number of Doors 4 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) With Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 18 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy Airconditioning System Dual-zone EATC Entertainment System 8-inch Multi-function TFT Touch Screen Display, AM/FM/CD and SYNC 3 via 6 speakers Connectivity iPod, USB, Bluetooth Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years (100,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes n/a Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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