2022 RA Ford Ranger XLS

The XLS looks a bit lonely in the line-up, with just a double-cab pick-up bodystyle and a choice of rear- or or wheel drive.

The Ford Ranger XLS is the second model in the Ranger line-up. There were two different variants of the XLS starting from $46,730 through to $54,330.

This is a story about the Australian-delivered MY22 RA Ford Ranger XLS released in 2022.

The XLS is a pick-up only variant, with a 4×2 and 4×4 version. Building on the modest specification of the XL, the most notable additions are the switch to carpet flooring from hose-out vinyl, the addition of side steps, halogen fog lamps and alloy wheels replacing the steels of the XL.

A welcome addition to the XLS is front parking sensors, important in a vehicle like this where it is difficult to see the front corners.

• Carpet flooring
• Fabric seats
• Power front windows
• Power rear windows (dual cab only)
• Climate control
• Six-speaker stereo
• 10.1-inch LCD central touchscreen
  • Sync 4A software
  • Remote start with FordPass app
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay
  • Wireless Android Auto
• 8.0-inch digital dashboard
• 8 way manually adjusted driver’s seat
• 4 way manually adjusted passenger seat

• 16-inch alloy wheels with all season tyres
• 16-inch spare wheel
• Black front grille
• Black Side steps
• Halogen headlights, DRLs
• LED taillights (pick-up only)/halogen taillights (Chassis Cab)
• Halogen fog lamps
• Steel underbody protection including transfer case (4×4 only)
• Trailer tow body wiring (tow bar was an option)
• Cargo (pick-up models only)
  • additional securing points at front of load box
  • box capping to protect metal on the box with integrated fixing points
  • integrated rear load box access step behind rear wheel
  • tailgate with lift assist
  • power tailgate lock

The 2022 Ford Ranger scored five ANCAP stars in 2022. This rating will expire in 2028 unless Ford re-tests the vehicle beforehand.

Ranger’s high score is due in part to the front centre airbag that helps prevent head clashes in a side impact for front passengers, which also explains the absence of a front bench-seat option.

The XLS adds just front parking sensors to the XL’s specification.

• 9 airbags, including
  • front centre airbag to prevent head clashes in a side impact
  • knee bags for driver and passenger
• Collision mitigation
  • forward autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • lane keep assist
  • lane departure warning
  • road edge detection
• Blind spot warning
• Reverse cross-traffic alert (pick-up only)
• Reversing camera (pick-up only)
• Front parking sensors
• Rear parking sensors (pick-up only)

The XLS’s options are similar to the XL’s, with the addition of the Tech Pack. This package adds dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, keyless entry and adds the feature-packed SYNC 4A media and navigation system to the 10-inch touchscreen.

• XLS Towing Pack – $1700
  • integrated trailer brake controller
  • tow bar
• XLS Tech Pack – $750
  • SYNC 4A with satellite navigation, DAB digital radio and TMC
  • dual zone climate control
  • second row air vents
  • keyless entry and start
  • body-coloured door handles
• XLS 17-inch wheel pack (4×4 only) – $750
  • includes all-terrain tyres
  • 17-inch steel spare
• Prestige Paint – $675
• XLS 4×2 Off-Road Pack – $1150
  • rear diff lock/locking rear axle
  • steel underbody protection (replacing plastic)
  • 17-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tyre
• XL 4×2 heavy duty suspension – $500
• XL spray-in bedliner – $900

• Arctic white – solid – $0
• Absolute black – $675
• Meteor Grey – $675
• Aluminium – $675
• Blue Lightning – $675
• Sedona Orange

The XLS 4×2 and 4×4 were fitted with just the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel.

The twin-turbo four was inherited from the PX3 Ranger Raptor and is paired exclusively with all-wheel drive and the ten-speed automatic.

Across the board, the XL is capable of towing up to 3500kg of braked mass. Ford specifies a maximum towball download of 350kg..

Keep in mind that whatever you load on the towball comes off your payload. Subtract the load on the towball from each model’s payload to ensure you stay within the legal gross vehicle mass.

Taking the heaviest XL variant, the 2247kg 4×4, the payload is reduced to 630kg from its 983kg starting weight.

This means you will have to be careful loading the tray with cargo if you’re running a full cabin of people.

Also bear in mind that over 6200kg of gross combination mass is a of a lot of weight for the XLS’s front discs and rear drums.

Trailer coverage is a part of the Ranger XLS’s blind spot monitoring system. This detects you have a trailer and adjust its detection to include the extra length. This means an object travelling both beside the Ranger and the trailer will trigger an alert.

It works by punching in the dimensions of your trailer in a profile in the SYNC system. It will accept trailers up to 2.4 metres wide and 10 metres long to ensure safe operation when changing lanes.

You can also consult the checklist in the SYNC system and the trailer light check function can ensure all your trailer lights are working.

The T6 platform grew for the RA, starting with a wheelbase stretch of 50mm, from 3220mm to 3270mm. Similarly, the track has increased by 50mm, now spreading out across 1620mm up from 1570mm.

The RA Ford Ranger XLS is fitted with a locking rear diff as standard on the 4×4 and as part of the option pack on the 4×2. Steel underbody protection is in place on 4×4 version, instead of the plastic of 4×2.

The XLS is also the first model to feature driving modes, with Normal, Eco, Slippery and Tow/Haul available as an option on both 4×4 and 4×2.

Ford says the drive modes adjust gearshift, throttle response, traction and stability controls, ABS “and more.” The Tow/Haul mode made its debut on the RA Ranger, intended to optimise gear shift timing to maintain power while climbing and to provide engine braking on descent.

The RA Ford Ranger’s tub is larger, now accommodating a Euro sized pallete, which is a result of Ford’s collaboration with VW for the Amarok.

Access to the tub is via drop-down tailgate, which is undamped. On the way up, however, is a lift assist system.

Additionally, Ford has added a step or footplate to the lower side of the tub to allow step-up access to the load area. You can also check the depth of your load with a ruler imprinted on the side of the tub (as long as you don’t have a drop-in or spray-in bedliner).

The tub also features various lights, a 12-volt power outlet and partition slots.

According to Ford’s documentation, the tub sizes – or pick-up box dimensions – vary slightly between variants Supercab and Dual-Cab versions.