2023 New Ford Ranger Wildtrak -This Is the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Pickup
11This Is the Next-Gen Ford Ranger
The new Ranger hopes to bring a new level of sophistication to the mid-sized pickup market. While the Ford Ranger has only been on sale in the US since 2019, the current generation truck has been on sale globally since 2011. It's the company's middle child in the truck space, not quite as big and burly as the F-150, but stands a rung above the smaller Maverick. After a long wait, the new generation of the Ford Ranger has been revealed, set to bring new features and more refinement to the fore.
Models shown in the reveal consist of the XLT, the Sport, and the Wildtrak. These will likely serve as a mid-range model, a rugged weekender, and a higher-level adventure truck respectively. Depending on individual markets, expect the range to expand to further trim levels covering everything from basic two-wheel drive work vehicles with minimal equipment, to fully-loaded luxury trucks and high-end off-road models.
Looks were a major focus for the new Ranger, which aims to follow Ford's now-established truck design language. Thus, the new bold grille design features the signature Ford C-clamp headlights, seen across the truck range. The wheel arches and a well-defined shoulder line serve to give the new design a clear work-like appearance. Customer feedback was key in this area, according to chief designer Max Tran. “Customers told us the Ranger needs to look tough and needs to inspire confidence,” said Tran, adding "They were very clear in what Ranger should be, both in the way it looks, and the way it makes them feel.”
Powertrain choices are many and varied for the global-market Ranger. Naturally, there's a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost gas engine available. There's also a 2.0-liter diesel four cylinder available in both single and twin-turbo variants. The former offers two performance levels, while the bi-turbo is the option for those wanting a further step up in power. The big daddy diesel, though, is the 3.0-liter turbo V6, the pick of choice for heavy-duty towing applications and serious off-roading.
Ford also note that the engine bay has more space than before, something which "helps future-proof the Ranger for other propulsion technologies." No word from Ford as of yet, but a hybrid, or even an all-electric model, could one day be on the cards. Meanwhile, diesel options are unlikely to come to North America, where demand is limited. The previous Ranger model was also available with a range of turbodiesel and gasoline options worldwide, but the US market only saw the latter available in the form of the familiar 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine.
Transmission options include an updated 10-speed automatic, as well as a six-speed manual transmission, complementing the existing six-speed automatic available on the current T6 Ranger. However, expect transmission availability to vary widely depending on the given market, as per expected consumer demand.