Likes
- Solid off road credentials
- Excellent on road dynamics
- Impressive safety kit
- Showing solid long term reliability
Used Ford Ranger review
2011 - 2020
Dislikes
- Wide turning circle can be a pain
- Must be cared for to maintain long term reliability
- It feels big in metro areas
- Doesn’t hide its size well
Stuff you should know
Since it was released in 2011, the Australian-developed Ford Ranger has consistently dominated various comparison tests and earned countless accolades.
This, in addition to Ford’s constant onslaught of variants, model updates and special editions, has seen the Ranger become one of Australia’s highest selling vehicles.
Especially in 4×4 dual-cab ute configuration, its sales dominance has resulted in the used car market being flooded with options when it comes to buying a second hand Ranger.
But should you buy a Ranger at all and if so, which one should you buy?
What goes wrong
- Injector and injector seal failures
- EGR valve and cooler failures
- Occasional reports of clutch and dual mass flywheel issues
- Engine oil leaks
- We highly recommend fitting an oil catch can
- The major potential issue is if you attempt an oil change yourself, it is critical to be refill the engine with oil within 10 minutes. If not, the oil pump may drain out and fail to re-prime, leading to a failure to run
- Injector and injector seal failures
- EGR valve and cooler failures
- Occasional reports of clutch and dual mass flywheel issues
- Engine oil leaks
- We highly recommend fitting an oil catch can
- The major potential issue is if you attempt an oil change yourself, it is critical to be refill the engine with oil within 10 minutes. If not, the oil pump may drain out and fail to re-prime, leading to a failure to run
- Injector and injector seal failures
- EGR valve and cooler failures
- Occasional reports of clutch and dual mass flywheel issues
- Engine oil leaks
- We highly recommend fitting an oil catch can
- The major potential issue is if you attempt an oil change yourself, it is critical to be refill the engine with oil within 10 minutes. If not, the oil pump may drain out and fail to re-prime, leading to a failure to run
Should you buy it
We ask so much from 4×4 dual cab utes and the Ford Ranger balances lifestyle, work, safety and efficiency arguably better than any other vehicle in its class.
While Toyota has built the HilLx’s reputation (and popularity) on decades of incredible reliability, Ford have had to create a vehicle that can not only match its sparring partner HiLux, but one that can beat it in almost every category, and they have.
The Ranger is proving to be just as reliable as its equivalent generation HiLux yet the Ranger has far better on road driving dynamics, arguably superior off-road ability, equivalent safety tech, infotainment and practicality.
Yes, you should buy one, but which one?
Our pick is the post-facelift XLT and preferably one with the optional Tech Pack.
The XLT comes with all the best bits of the Wildtrack while only really missing out on some of the cosmetic treatment, and now that a 2016 XLT can be had for around $35,000 here in Australia, we think these are the sweet spot of the range.
We ask so much from 4×4 dual cab utes and the Ford Ranger balances lifestyle, work, safety and efficiency arguably better than any other vehicle in its class.
While Toyota has built the HilLx’s reputation (and popularity) on decades of incredible reliability, Ford have had to create a vehicle that can not only match its sparring partner HiLux, but one that can beat it in almost every category, and they have.
The Ranger is proving to be just as reliable as its equivalent generation HiLux yet the Ranger has far better on road driving dynamics, arguably superior off-road ability, equivalent safety tech, infotainment and practicality.
Yes, you should buy one, but which one?
Our pick is the post-facelift XLT and preferably one with the optional Tech Pack.
The XLT comes with all the best bits of the Wildtrack while only really missing out on some of the cosmetic treatment, and now that a 2016 XLT can be had for around $35,000 here in Australia, we think these are the sweet spot of the range.
Should you buy it
We ask so much from 4×4 dual cab utes and the Ford Ranger balances lifestyle, work, safety and efficiency arguably better than any other vehicle in its class.
While Toyota has built the HilLx’s reputation (and popularity) on decades of incredible reliability, Ford have had to create a vehicle that can not only match its sparring partner HiLux, but one that can beat it in almost every category, and they have.
The Ranger is proving to be just as reliable as its equivalent generation HiLux yet the Ranger has far better on road driving dynamics, arguably superior off-road ability, equivalent safety tech, infotainment and practicality.
Yes, you should buy one, but which one?
Our pick is the post-facelift XLT and preferably one with the optional Tech Pack.
The XLT comes with all the best bits of the Wildtrack while only really missing out on some of the cosmetic treatment, and now that a 2016 XLT can be had for around $35,000 here in Australia, we think these are the sweet spot of the range.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech Specs
Body Styles
- 2 door Cab Chassis
- 2 door Utility
- 4 door Cab Chassis
- 4 door Utility
Engine Specs
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 226Nm (XL 2011)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 110kW / 375Nm (XL 2011 – 2015, XL Hi-Rider 2011 – 2015, XLS 2014 – 2015)
- 3.2 litre, 5-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 470Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2011 – 2022, XL 2011 – 2022, XLT 2011 – 2022, Wildtrak 2012 – 2022, XLS 2013 – 2022, XL Plus 2014 – 2018, XLS Special Edition 2016, FX4 2017 – 2022, Sport 2019 – 2022)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 225Nm (XL 2012 – 2014)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 118kW / 385Nm (XL 2015 – 2022, XL Hi-Rider 2015 – 2022, XLS 2015 – 2016)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 157kW / 500Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2018 – 2022, XLT 2018 – 2022, Wildtrak 2018 – 2022, Raptor 2018 – 2021, FX4 2019 – 2022, FX4 Max 2020 – 2022, XL 2021 – 2022, Raptor X 2021 – 2022)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (XL)
- 6-speed Manual (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XL, XLT, Wildtrak, XL Plus, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 10-speed Sports Automatic (XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, Raptor, FX4, FX4 Max, XL, Raptor X)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.8 – 8.4 / 100km (XL, XLT, Wildtrak, FX4)
- 6.7 – 9.7 / 100km (XL Hi-Rider)
- 6.2 – 7.7 /
Body Styles
- 2 door Cab Chassis
- 2 door Utility
- 4 door Cab Chassis
- 4 door Utility
Engine Specs
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 226Nm (XL 2011)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 110kW / 375Nm (XL 2011 – 2015, XL Hi-Rider 2011 – 2015, XLS 2014 – 2015)
- 3.2 litre, 5-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 470Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2011 – 2022, XL 2011 – 2022, XLT 2011 – 2022, Wildtrak 2012 – 2022, XLS 2013 – 2022, XL Plus 2014 – 2018, XLS Special Edition 2016, FX4 2017 – 2022, Sport 2019 – 2022)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 225Nm (XL 2012 – 2014)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 118kW / 385Nm (XL 2015 – 2022, XL Hi-Rider 2015 – 2022, XLS 2015 – 2016)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 157kW / 500Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2018 – 2022, XLT 2018 – 2022, Wildtrak 2018 – 2022, Raptor 2018 – 2021, FX4 2019 – 2022, FX4 Max 2020 – 2022, XL 2021 – 2022, Raptor X 2021 – 2022)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (XL)
- 6-speed Manual (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XL, XLT, Wildtrak, XL Plus, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 10-speed Sports Automatic (XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, Raptor, FX4, FX4 Max, XL, Raptor X)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.8 – 8.4 / 100km (XL, XLT, Wildtrak, FX4)
- 6.7 – 9.7 / 100km (XL Hi-Rider)
- 6.2 – 7.7 / 100km (XLT Hi-Rider)
- 7.4 – 11.4 / 100km (XLS, Sport)
- 8.6 – 12.4 / 100km (XL Plus)
- 7.5 – 9.4 / 100km (Raptor, Raptor X)
- 7.3 – 9.2 / 100km (FX4 Max)
Length
- 5110mm – 5426mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis)
- 5110mm – 5362mm (2 door Utility)
- 5351mm – 5560mm (4 door Utility)
Width
- 1850mm – 1977mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis)
- 1850mm – 1860mm (2 door Utility)
- 1850mm – 2028mm (4 door Utility)
Height
- 1703mm – 1804mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 2 door Utility)
- 1804mm – 1821mm (4 door Cab Chassis)
- 0mm – 1873mm (4 door Utility)
Wheelbase
- 3220mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1486kg – 1969kg (2 door Cab Chassis)
- 1789kg – 1863kg (2 door Utility)
- 1759kg – 2105kg (4 door Cab Chassis)
- Unknown kg – 2342kg (4 door Utility)
Towing
- 750kg (unbraked) – 3500kg (braked) (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Utility)
- 750kg (unbraked) – 2500kg (braked) (2 door Utility)
Ancap Ratings
- 5 stars, tested 2015 (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, XLS, XL Plus, Wildtrak, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Raptor, Sport, FX4 Max, Raptor X)
Body Styles
- 2 door Cab Chassis
- 2 door Utility
- 4 door Cab Chassis
- 4 door Utility
Engine Specs
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 226Nm (XL 2011)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 110kW / 375Nm (XL 2011 – 2015, XL Hi-Rider 2011 – 2015, XLS 2014 – 2015)
- 3.2 litre, 5-cylinder turbo diesel, 147kW / 470Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2011 – 2022, XL 2011 – 2022, XLT 2011 – 2022, Wildtrak 2012 – 2022, XLS 2013 – 2022, XL Plus 2014 – 2018, XLS Special Edition 2016, FX4 2017 – 2022, Sport 2019 – 2022)
- 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 122kW / 225Nm (XL 2012 – 2014)
- 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 118kW / 385Nm (XL 2015 – 2022, XL Hi-Rider 2015 – 2022, XLS 2015 – 2016)
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel, 157kW / 500Nm (XLT Hi-Rider 2018 – 2022, XLT 2018 – 2022, Wildtrak 2018 – 2022, Raptor 2018 – 2021, FX4 2019 – 2022, FX4 Max 2020 – 2022, XL 2021 – 2022, Raptor X 2021 – 2022)
Transmission
- 5-speed Manual (XL)
- 6-speed Manual (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 6-speed Sports Automatic (XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XL, XLT, Wildtrak, XL Plus, XLS, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Sport)
- 10-speed Sports Automatic (XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, Raptor, FX4, FX4 Max, XL, Raptor X)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.8 – 8.4 / 100km (XL, XLT, Wildtrak, FX4)
- 6.7 – 9.7 / 100km (XL Hi-Rider)
- 6.2 – 7.7 / 100km (XLT Hi-Rider)
- 7.4 – 11.4 / 100km (XLS, Sport)
- 8.6 – 12.4 / 100km (XL Plus)
- 7.5 – 9.4 / 100km (Raptor, Raptor X)
- 7.3 – 9.2 / 100km (FX4 Max)
Length
- 5110mm – 5426mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis)
- 5110mm – 5362mm (2 door Utility)
- 5351mm – 5560mm (4 door Utility)
Width
- 1850mm – 1977mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis)
- 1850mm – 1860mm (2 door Utility)
- 1850mm – 2028mm (4 door Utility)
Height
- 1703mm – 1804mm (2 door Cab Chassis, 2 door Utility)
- 1804mm – 1821mm (4 door Cab Chassis)
- 0mm – 1873mm (4 door Utility)
Wheelbase
- 3220mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1486kg – 1969kg (2 door Cab Chassis)
- 1789kg – 1863kg (2 door Utility)
- 1759kg – 2105kg (4 door Cab Chassis)
- Unknown kg – 2342kg (4 door Utility)
Towing
- 750kg (unbraked) – 3500kg (braked) (2 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Cab Chassis, 4 door Utility)
- 750kg (unbraked) – 2500kg (braked) (2 door Utility)
Ancap Ratings
- 5 stars, tested 2015 (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, XLS, XL Plus, Wildtrak, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Raptor, Sport, FX4 Max, Raptor X)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 3 years / 100,000 km (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, XLS, XL Plus, XLS Special Edition, FX4)
- 5 years / unlimited km (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XL Plus, XLT, XLS, FX4, Wildtrak, Raptor, Sport, FX4 Max, Raptor X)
Servicing
- 15,000 km / 12 months (XL, XL Hi-Rider, XLT Hi-Rider, XLT, Wildtrak, XLS, XL Plus, XLS Special Edition, FX4, Raptor, Sport, FX4 Max, Raptor X)
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Sep 18, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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