The Toughest Diesel Ranger You Can Buy New! (Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2023 Review)

We test the new T6.2 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, which combines hard-core mud-kicking upgrades with twin-turbo 2.0L power to create its new flagship diesel off-roader for MY24.

The Wildtrak X is one of the Ford’s highest-specificed ute grades, joining the new Platinum near the top of the MY24 Ranger tree that currently offers no fewer than 25 different variants.

The upmarket off-roader is wider and sits taller than the regular Wildtrak and fits a revised 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine and full-time 4x4. It also fits a host of cool features exclusively reserved for other high-spec versions such as the Platinum and Raptor.

The Ford Ranger competes with the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max, Volkswagen Amarok and other B-segment utes in Australia.

Time codes:
00.00 - intro
00:07 - Ranger 4x4 Dual-Cab lineup
00:14 - What is Wildtrak X?
00:31 - Wildtrak X vs Platinum
00:57 - Where it sits in range
1:16 - Wildtrak X’s three aims
1:55 - Features
2:05 - 17-inch mud kickers
2:15 - Wider and higher
2:32 - Clearances
2:42 - Bilstein suspension
3:03 - Kerb weight
3:10 - 3500kg towing
3:20 - Design tweaks
4:15 - Flexible Rack System
4:42 - Interior
4:48 - 12.4-inch driver’s screen
5:09 - Ebony colour theme
5:22 - Front seats
5:46 - 12.0-inch media system
6:20 - Row two
6:55 - Ownership costs
7:17 - Off-road driving
7:24 - ‘Global’ bi-turbo powertrain
7:55 - Euro 6 compliance
8:03 - 10-speed auto and full-time 4x4
9:06 - It’s thirsty
9:29 - Locking rear diff
9:53 - Drive modes with Rock Crawl
10:09 - Trail Turn Assist
10:18 - Trail Control
10:50 - On-road driving
11:03 - Ride and comfort
11:25 - Powertrain on road
12.03 - Verdict
12:15 - Wildtrak X V6?
13:07 - Wildtrak X vs Toyota Hilux GR Sport