Know the Ford Ranger XLS range

The XLS variant of the Ranger may be the entry level of the 12-variant lineup of the Ford’s brand of pickup trucks, but that’s not to say that it is bare, unexciting, and less capable.

It can haul, tow, pull just like any Ranger can while also having cabin conveniences that regular passenger vehicles offer.

In many tests, it has been shown to possess the same prowess as its more expensive siblings, looks just as good, comes with a more affordable price tag, and more importantly, built Ford tough.

You can get it in a 4x2 drive layout or a full-on 4x4, in either MT (manual transmission or AT (automatic transmission), or even in Sport trim. The only thing you won’t find as an XLS is a 4x4 AT trim.

Best of all, priced within the ballpark figure of P1.032 million to P1.211 million, you’re buying a legit pickup truck for the price of a premium subcompact vehicle.

Think of it this way: If you’re unfamiliar with the Ranger lineup and you want to give it a try, you’re not shelling out an outrageous amount and you’re still getting a vehicle that’s more powerful than your average car.

If you still need more details, read on as we give you the details of the five trims of the Ford Ranger XLS variant.

Even though there are five trims in the XLS variant, you’d think they’d all come with the same dimensions. Well, they do except for the front track width of the 4x2 which is 30mm shorter than the rest. So officially, it has the same length (5,354mm), width (1,860mm), height (1,821mm), and wheelbase at 3,220mm. But the front track width of the 4x4 is 1,590mm while the 4x2 is 1,560mm. Ground clearance and water-wading depth is the same 232mm and 800mm, respectively.

Powering all trims of the XLS is a 2.2L TDCi (Turbo Diesel Common Rail Injection) diesel engine with 158hp and 385Nm of torque sent to either a 4x2 rear-wheel drive layout or 4x4 layout via two gearbox options, a six-speed MT (manual transmission) or a six-speed AT (automatic transmission). Fuel tank capacity is 80 liters.

They all come with double wishbone with coil springs front suspension, leaf spring rear suspension, a rear differential, ventilated front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, hydraulic power-assisted steering and use 16-inch alloy wheels with 255/70 R16 tires.

The exterior comes with reflector headlamps, halogen front fog lamps, variable intermittent windshield wipers, power-adjustable side mirrors, a high-mounted stop lamp with cargo light, and inner tie-downs.

Steering wheel is made of polyurethane, it has power windows, single-zone manual air-conditioning system, vanity mirror on the passenger side sun visor, fabric six-way manual-adjustable while the passenger’s seat is fabric four-way manually adjustable, and the rear seat is bench-type with center armrest and fold-up function.

What the young market will love is the eight-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls and audio streaming, two USB ports, DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) digital radio, and six speakers.

Safety features are cruise control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, driver and passenger airbags, and child seat Isofix anchorage points.

All of the above are standard across all XLS trims. We break each trim down below to see what one offers over the other.

Between the AT and MT trims of the 2.2L XLS 4x2, only the transmission differs but both get a couple of auxiliary 12V power outlets in the cabin.

Above it is the 2.2L XLS 4x4 and its advantage over the previous two is the drive layout with all four wheels getting drive from the engine and three of auxiliary 12V power outlets in the cabin.

Minor upgrades in equipment begin with the 2.2L XLS Sport 4x2 AT and 4x4 MT trims.

For starters, both the 2.2L XLS Sport 4x2 AT and 4x4 MT get 17-inch alloy wheels with black finish.

Both also get side steps, but while the 2.2L XLS Sport 4x2 AT gets four auxiliary 12V power outlets in the cabin, the 2.2L XLS Sport 4x4 MT gets five auxiliary 12V power outlets in the cabin.

The improvements are very incremental, which explains why the price adjustments are also very small as they properly reflect the additional equipment each higher trim gets.

It’s very obviously designed as a workhorse but with the advanced infotainment features it offers, it is clear that Ford didn’t scrimp out on what the young market demands from their vehicle, even if it’s just an entry-level pickup truck.

The Ranger 2.2L XLS 4x2 MT is priced at P1.032 million; the Ranger 2.2L XLS 4x2 AT is priced at P1.092 million; the Ranger 2.2L XLS 4x4 MT is priced at P1.181 million; the Ranger 2.2L XLS Sport 4x2 AT is priced at P1.122 million; and the Ranger 2.2L XLS Sport 4x4 MT is priced at P1.211 million.

Colors of the XLS include Arctic White, Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Gray, Blue Lightning, Diffused Silver, Sunset, and Deep Crystal Blue.

As it is a Ford, it comes with the standard three-year roadside assistance, and the Detroit automaker’s once-a-year or 10,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) preventive maintenance schedule.

 

Photos (of an Ranger XLT trim) by Eric Tipan