Ford Ranger 2023 review: XLS Bi-Turbo long-term | Part 2

A worksite on wheels

When Ford launched the latest ‘Next Gen’ Ranger it claimed some new design features, particularly in the load tub, were the direct result of feedback from existing owners to improve ease-of-use and versatility for tradies and adventurers alike.

These start with the side-steps neatly integrated within the bodywork behind the rear wheels. These make accessing the load tub from either side easier and safer than standing on top of the rear tyres, as owners often do, because if the tyres are wet or muddy it’s easy to slip off.

The Ranger’s wider track has allowed an increase in the distance between the rear wheel housings to 1224mm, which means it tops its predecessor in being able to carry an 1165mm-square Aussie pallet which can be secured using a choice of six load-anchorage points.

The XLS features side-steps that are neatly integrated within the bodywork behind the rear wheels. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The load tub also has internal lighting thanks to small but bright LEDs set into the tub’s sidewalls. These are welcome not only when accessing the load tub at night, but also in poorly-lit internal spaces and if the load tub is fitted with a hard tonneau cover.

The top edge of the tailgate has a pair of spring-loaded ‘trapdoors’ which allow access to the tailgate’s internal cavity. This simple but practical design allows for the use of G-clamps, which can be inserted into these holes when using the open tailgate as a workbench to hold materials in place when cutting, drilling, sanding, etc. We tried this when cutting a length of timber and it worked well.

We also used the 1.3-metre ruler, which is integrated in the top edge of the tailgate, to mark-up the timber for cutting. While this ruler would probably not be the choice of a fine furniture maker, it’s certainly accurate enough for basic measuring requirements in the absence of a tape measure.

The Ranger's steel-frame bulkhead at the front of the load tub is a welcome carry-over XLS feature. (Image: Mark Oastler)

However, we reckon this built-in ruler needs to be made from a tougher material than plastic, because in a previous Ranger test vehicle we noted that some if its increments were missing after being bumped or scraped off during loading by a previous tester.

There are also six plastic caps (three each side) along the top edges of the sidewalls, which when removed provide access to mounting points for numerous structures like ladder racks, etc.

And although not a new Ranger feature, the steel-frame bulkhead at the front of the load tub is a welcome carry-over XLS feature. It doubles as both robust protection for the cabin’s rear window and a handy place on which to lean and secure lengths of timber, PVC pipe/conduit, copper tubing, etc which are too long to fit in the load tub.

Its flush-fitting load retainers can pivot and lock into a vertical position on each side to effectively ‘book-end’ loads when securing them to this bulkhead.

Living with the XLS

It’s proving to be a competent all-rounder and surprisingly comfortable given its base model XL workhorse origins.

I’m particularly pleased with the amount of rear seat room for tall occupants, like my 21-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter who are both nudging 180cm in height.

They have no complaints in the key areas of headroom or knee room and the adjustable vents in the rear of the centre console (only available in XLS as part of the optional 'Tech Pack') provide ample airflow. There’s also large bottle holders and bins in each rear door.

However, these positives must be weighed against some rear seat negatives. They include the lack of any USB ports for charging devices, only one storage pocket (on the front passenger seat backrest) and the absence of a fold-down centre armrest with small-bottle/cupholders.

The Ranger is proving to be a competent all-rounder. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The latter means there’s nowhere to carry smaller containers like soft drink cans, coffee cups, etc.

These shortcomings expose the XLS’s work-focused specification. However, the aftermarket offers extendable 12-volt USB hubs that allow for rear seat locations and the storage issue could easily be addressed with cabin organisers installed on the front seat backrests or a travel caddy in the centre seat position with integral cup/bottle holders.

There are numerous brands and designs to choose from and from personal experience we’ve found them inexpensive and effective in improving road-trip comfort and convenience, in vehicles like the XLS that don’t provide these features as standard equipment.

Fuel consumption

This month we’ve added 538km to the odometer, which has comprised the usual city and suburban daily driving duties plus some short day-tripping east of Melbourne to popular destinations like Yarra Glen and Healesville in the Yarra Valley.

Although the autumn weather wasn’t always great (cue Melbourne weather gags), the XLS took these driving tasks in its stride.

We were also pleased to see a slight reduction in the average combined fuel consumption figure displayed on the dash, which dropped from 10.2L/100km at the end of our first month to 9.5 at the end of this month.

During its second month of ownership, 538km has been added to the Ranger's odometer. (Image: Mark Oastler)

That number was close to our own 9.7, calculated from fuel bowser and tripmeter readings. So, the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel is now delivering sub-10L/100km economy which is excellent for a vehicle of this size and weight operating in ‘real world’ urban driving conditions.

It will be interesting to see how much this figure is affected (if at all) by heavy towing which we plan to put to the test next month by hooking up a caravan, so keep an eye out for that report which will conclude our third and final month of Ranger XLS ownership. 

Acquired: March 2023

Distance travelled this month: 538km

Odometer: 2686km

Average fuel consumption (at pump): 9.7L/100km