Test all limits in the Nissan Navara
Test all limits in the Nissan Navara

The balancing act

Not everyone can afford a Raptor, the halo model in the Ford Ranger line-up with a price tag of R910 000. Settle for slightly older drivetrain tech and a few less toys, and the XL Sport might just hit the spot.

At a shade, under R580 000 the XL Sport does not exactly qualify as a budget option, and while it does not have all the amenities of a Wildtrak (which is priced at R806 000), it is no commercial workhorse either. Call it a useful middle point.

Styling

The current T6 Ford Ranger was introduced in 2015 to rave reviews, and it has only been mildly facelifted since then. I mean, why change what works? With the XL Sport, Ford has upped the style game with a black bumper, black sports bar, and a striking all-black grille with Mustang-like nostrils – imparting an aggressive look. This derivative also comes standard with attractive black 17-inch alloys shod in 265/65 R17 all-terrain rubber.

Interior

The interior, like the exterior, has not changed much, apart from an infotainment upgrade. It loses out on some of the tech and safety features compared to higher-end models, but it is hardly lacking. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone connectivity as well as front and rear 12V sockets. What it could do with is cruise control.

The driver and front passenger have the best seats in the house, though the second row is both spacious and practical. The Ranger is refined and comfortable, making it a treat to drive, just as one has come to expect from Ford.

Performance

The XL Sport uses the older Duratorq 2.2-litre TDCI four-cylinder engine, boasting 118kW of power and 385Nm, coupled to either a six-speed manual or the preferred six-speed auto. Our test unit had the latter, and this is a treat to use in real-world conditions.

I don’t mind the 10-speed gearbox in the 2.0-litre variants, but I prefer the six-speed as the manual mode is far easier to use. The Wildtrak and FX4 feature an annoying button on the side of the gear lever which is hard to reach and inconsistent in the way it works. The Raptor uses paddles located just behind the steering wheel, which makes far more sense. The XL Sport uses the older gearbox with its entirely logical system: push the lever to the right, and pull towards you to upshift and away to downshift. Far more intuitive.

Off-roading ability is what you would expect, given low-range gearing, a rear diff-lock and hill descent control. The Ford traction and stability control system is pretty decent as well, sorting out where the power needs to be transferred in a cross-axle situation.

Two airbags up front and ISOFIX points at the rear are part of the safety gear list, along with a good array of electronic driving aids, including ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as well as Hill Launch Assist, Roll-over Mitigation, Adaptive Load Control, and Trailer Sway Control. All helping to keep you pointed the right way up.

Pricing

Compared to its competitors, the XL Sport is priced extremely well. Our test unit, an XL Sport 2.2-litre TDCi double cab 4×4, will set you back R573 800 before any extras. This makes it one of the more affordable high-end double cab bakkies in the market now.

The XL Sport is sold with a six-year/90 000km service plan, four-year/120 000km warranty and a three-year unlimited distance road assistance plan.

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

You might also like

No need to reinvent the wheel

The competition within the bakkie market has been spiking recently, with the introduction of the all-new Ford Ranger and the imminent arrival of the Volkswagen Amarok. Toyota’s answer to this renewed onslaught on its rule of the bakkie roost comes in the form of the formidable Hilux GR-S. Anton Willemse Jnr recently put it through its paces.

Read More »

Ready to humble

There was great excitement when Jeep revealed the Gladiator for the first time in 2018. The first units rolled off the assembly line in 2020 and caused an even bigger stir thanks to a ruggedly attractive design, a plethora of standard features, and great performance, both on the road and off the beaten track. Here in South Africa, the Gladiator was finally launched in June 2022. ANTON WILLEMSE SNR recently put it to the test.

Read More »

A pass to a forgotten world

While only four-wheel drive vehicles with good ground clearance will cope with the harsh conditions of the Richtersveld, this dramatic mountainous desert in the north-western part of South Africa is on many adventurers‘ bucket lists. And with good reason – it is absolutely stunning. It also plays host to seven official passes and poorts, ranging in difficulty. Trygve Roberts of Mountain Passes South Africa explores one of the two most challenging passes, Akkedis Pass.

Read More »

There’s gold in them hills!

Roger Gaisford has a Jeep, a CJ2A to be precise, which he bought on a military surplus vehicle disposals sale in Pretoria in 1971. It is one of the 300 or so that were supplied to the South African Defence Force in 1948 by Stanley Motors, the Willys agents in South Africa. He has many fond memories of not only the vehicle, but also the places it has taken him.

Read More »

Difficult, but worth it!

Located within the boundaries of the Marakele National Park near Thabazimbi, one should not be fooled by the tarred nature of the Lenong Pass. This is quite a challenging pass on a narrow road that clings precariously to the side of the mountain with extreme unprotected drop-offs and, according to TRYGVE ROBERTS of Mountain Passes South Africa, it is certainly not for anyone suffering from acrophobia (fear of heights).

Read More »

Like a Bat out of hell

Meat Loaf’s 1977 hit song could just as well have been written about the new Ford Ranger Raptor. ANTON WILLEMSE SNR insists that this is probably the craziest and most fun vehicle he has ever driven, and that it might be a while before we see anything similar on the roads.

“Well, I can see myself tearing up the road, faster than any other boy has ever gone.”
– Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell

Read More »