Ford Ranger Wildtrak X Review: A South African-Built, Adventure-Ready Bakkie

There’s no doubt, Ford loves a good Ranger derivative. No matter your lifestyle, there’s a Ranger to match. The latest variant to the widely loved Ranger Wildtrak is Ford’s adventure-loving Wildtrak X. While the Wildtrak is known for its luxury features, the Wildtrak X is a more off-road-oriented offering. It’s still a luxury bakkie, but the Wildtrak X is aimed at 4×4 enthusiasts or those who spend most of their time driving on rough roads rather than smooth urban highways.

Priced at a smidge over R1 million, the extra tough Wildtrak X fits in nicely between the standard Wildtrak and the Raptor, both in terms of price and features. It’s undebatable, this derivative is exceedingly capable off-road. If you spend your weekends seeking out adventure then you can’t go wrong with this Ranger. It will make your 4×4 adventures a lot more fun, and comfortable.

But, if you live in an area where there are more potholes than functioning traffic lights, it will also be a tempting choice. The Wildtrak X eats potholes for breakfast, there’s nothing this bakkie can’t get you through. Driving over a pothole-plagued road on a rainy winter’s day was child’s play in this bakkie. This makes me think we’ll be seeing a lot more of these driving around the northern suburbs of Johannesburg in the coming months.

Wildtrak X design and features

Ford’s new-generation Ranger bakkie is no doubt a familiar sight on South African roads, but with the Wildtrak X trims, you can stand out from the rest with a few specific design features. With the X, you get a more macho and adventure-ready look and performance. The design details are subtle, but any Ranger fan will be able to follow the clues to tell the Wildtrak X apart from its siblings.

The Wildtrak X has a more rugged base. Compared with the standard Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X’s track widths are 30 mm wider and its ground clearance has been increased by 26 mm. The variant is fitted with dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in gravel-ready General Grabber AT3 265/70 tyres) as well as Bilstein Position-Sensitive dampers that are purpose-built for regular use on harsh terrain.

A few of the other Wildtrak X features include a new off-road-specific grille with integrated auxiliary driving lights and a “Cyber Orange” accent. You’ll also get a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, black Ford oval badges front and rear and a few Wildtrak X badges.

A stand-out feature of the Wildtrak X is Ford’s new Flexible Rack System. While this system is an optional extra, it’s a must for anyone who has plenty of awkward stuff to haul around. From surfboards to fishing rods, kayaks to kiteboards, this system makes transporting it easy. A sliding load rack can be locked into 5 different positions along the length of the load tray to match the length of any cargo. Plus pop-up roof racks can be stored away in the rack when not in use. Even more impressive, the rack system can transport loads of up to 80 kg, and can support up to 250kg of weight when the bakkie is stationary. Camping enthusiasts dreaming of a roof tent will love this vehicle.

Inside the beast

The Wildtrak X might look tough on the outside, but on the inside, it’s every bit as luxurious as its Wildtrak sibling. You get the comfort, contemporary design, and tech you’ve come to expect from the Wildtrak with a few X-specific interior details. The X model includes leather-trimmed seats (with Miko suede inserts) embroidered with Wildtrak X logos, plus suede features on the dashboard, instrument cluster hood and door trim. The derivative’s Cyber Orange exterior detailing is echoed in the cabin with contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, transmission lever, doors, and upper glovebox.

The high-tech cabin in the Wildtrak X is dominated by a 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, fitted with Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment system. The screen functions as the cockpit of Wildtrak X with almost every detail being controlled from this central hub. This includes dual air-conditioning zones, safety features, music, maps and more. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported. What’s more, rear passengers can access a built-in 400W/240V inverter.

The 10-speaker B&O premium audio system fitted in the Wildtrak X deserves special mention when it comes to discussing the interior features. Listening to music in this car is like a concert experience. The sound is so good you’ll feel like you’re listening to your favourite songs for the first time. You don’t have to crank it up to insanely loud levels to appreciate the sound system in the Wildtrak X, the sound is so well-balanced and you truly get a premium listening experience at any volume.

Features aside, the Wildtrak X cabin is spacious and you feel like you have plenty of room for activities, whether you’re the driver, front passenger or rear passenger. This is a super comfortable family car that will make long road trips an absolute pleasure.

Under the hood

Tucked under the bonnet of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is a zippy 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine that’s got some serious personality! This beauty pumps out 154 kW of power and a beefy 500 Nm of torque, making it ready to tackle anything. Paired with a super-smooth 10-speed automatic gearbox and a clever on-demand 4×4 system, this bakkie’s got four driving modes to keep things fun and flexible.

In 4A (automatic) mode, it smartly shifts power between the front and rear axles for optimum traction. You can also flick to 2H for cruising the tar, or switch to 4H and 4L (low-range) when the going gets tough on more challenging terrain.

Behind the wheel

The Ranger Wildtrak X delivers a smooth ride, no matter the surface. The suspension changes and tyre choice for the Wildtrak X have greatly improved the bakkie’s off-road ability, without compromising its everyday usability. I felt just as comfortable cruising around the suburbs in this variant as I did taking it off-road.

But, there’s no question, the Wildtrak X was made for exploring off-the-beaten path. Driving on farm roads with loose surfaces is a blast. You get incredible grip and control on gravel and dirt roads, which makes switching from tar to dirt feel like a blip on the radar.

Even better, mountain curbs and tackling rocks and climbs feel easier than ever in the Wildtrak X. Thanks to the X’s higher ground clearance, the variant offers a better approach, breakover, and departure angles than the standard Wildtrak. The gains are marginal but it’s amazing the difference it makes.

The X also offers a few driving assist tweaks to make off-roading even more pleasurable. The adventure-loving bakkie is equipped with a Trail Turn Assist system to enable it to make tighter turns off-road and manoeuvre around obstacles easily. This handy tool tightens the turning circle by 25% when in use and can be activated using the Wildtrak X’s touchscreen. It can, however, only be used on loose surfaces at speeds of under 19 kph. Drivers can engage it when the vehicle is either 4H or 4L and the rear differential lock is not in use.

For even more assistance off-road, the X’s Trail Control system is there to help maintain a constant speed while driving off-road. The system automatically engages to help manage the vehicle’s acceleration and braking when the driver selects a set speed. It’s a great way to take your mind off the speedometer when tackling dirt roads, so you can focus on steering.

The nitty gritty

The locally assembled Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is the ideal bakkie for 4×4 lovers looking for a car that can tackle both urban driving and weekend exploits in rougher country. For a family who loves camping, weekend getaways to farms and other hard-to-reach places, the Wildtrak X will prove to be an essential people mover and adventure vehicle all rolled into one.

The Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo Double Cab Wildtrak X 4WD retails for R1,039,500 (as of March 2024). It comes with 4-year/120,000 km general and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranties; along with 4 years’ of roadside assistance (unlimited km).