If there is one type of vehicle that is extremely popular in South Africa, it would have to be the Bakkie, the workhorse of hard working South Africans. While there are many bakkies to choose from, each having their own style, there is one bakkie that stands out for me. This bakkie is the Ford Ranger FX4 and it is a beast.
Based on the XLT double-cab, the Ford Ranger FX4 is a beefed up version of the popular Ford Ranger. What makes the FX4 different? For starters, on the exterior, you get black finishes for the radiator grille, fog lamp bezels, side mirrors, roof rails, door handles and the tailgate handle. The huge 17 inch alloys are also finished in black and they look super cool. If that is not enough you also get black finishes on the side steps, rear bumper and sports bar.
How could I forget the fX4 decals which add the finishing touch!
Interior
Inside, the Ranger FX4 is comfy, kitted out and spacious. You get a large 8-inch touch screen display, an infotainment system, navigation and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a reverse camera and front/rear parking sensors. For those hot days, there is air con and super comfy seats for long and bumpy drives. The best of all is all of this is standard.
With seats for 2 in the front and 3 at the back, the Ranger can be a work vehicle during the day and perfect family vehicle at the weekend. With ample charging ports and a really good sound system with surround sound speakers, everyone will be happy. If you have big items to move, the long load bed can take up to 1000kgs so you are good to go!
Engine
The Ranger FX4 is powered by a 3.2L Diesel engine which gives 147kW & 470Nm of torque.
Available with either a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission. The automatic model that I drove had smooth gear changes and ample power delivery in the lower gears. With a tiptronic gearbox in the automatic transmission you can change gears manually when you need to get the extra oomph.
While quoted fuel efficiency is 9 litres per 100km, I was averaging around 11.1 liters per 100km. I do have a bit of a heavy foot..
The Drive
Ford don’t call the Ranger FX4 the beast for nothing. Firstly, climbing into the vehicle you realize how high the vehicle actually is. Secondly, the Ranger FX4 has loads of power. On road, the drive is quick, smooth and sturdy. The Ranger FX4 has no problem when it comes to keeping up with sports cars but can go somewhere the sports cars can’t…
While the Ranger FX4 is perfectly comfortable on the road, it is best suited for off road driving, with lots of bumps and dirt!
The Ford Ranger FX4 makes use of a dual-range transfer case with three settings for different terrains. Switching a knob, you can choose from 2H, 4H or 4L which will vary the amount of torque driven to the wheels. With this setup, you can get adventurous with the Ranger FX4. The suspension really ensures that you can go over potholes, ditches and bumps without damaging your goods or the goods at the back. With 4×4 capability, 3,500kg of towing power and 800mm water wading ability, the Ranger FX4 can go anywhere!
The FX4 is pretty heavy to drive yet I found manoeuvring in tight areas to not be as difficult as you would expect thanks to the light power-steering system and good all-round visibility.
When it comes to parking, you are going to need a lot of space. The Ranger measures in at around 5.5 meters so you will find the rear sticks out in parking lots. Thanks to the rear camera and sensors, I was able to park easily.
Available in 4 colours, there is bound to be a look to suit your style. I drove the black model and it looked super tough!
Pricing for the Ford Ranger FX4 in South Africa:
- R593900 (Manual)
- R608900 (Automatic)
The Verdict
Bakkies are the ultimate workhorse in South Africa. They can take a beating, have loads of space for tools or as common in South Africa, people and are just the most versatile vehicles. The Ford Ranger FX4 with its super comfy and kitted out interior is a big contender amongst the likes of the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux!
