MY23 Ford Ranger XL

Ford kicked off the all-new RA-series line-up with the 2022 Ford Ranger XL workhorse. It was available in four bodystyles and a choice of two engines and two drivetrains, 4×2 and 4×4.

The Ford Ranger XL is the entry-level model in the extensive range. There were 10 different variants of the XL starting from $35,930 through to $53,430.

This is a story about the Australian-delivered MY23 RA Ford Ranger XL released in 2022.

• Vinyl floor covering
• Fabric seats
• Power front windows
• Power rear windows (dual cab only)
• Climate control
• 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 steel wheels with all season tyres
• Halogen headlights, DRLs
• LED taillights (pick-up only)/halogen taillights (Chassis Cab)
• 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

The MY23 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.

• 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)
• Rear parking sensors (pick-up only)

• XL Towing Pack – $1700
  • integrated trailer brake controller
  • tow bar
• Open wheel centre caps – $20
• XL 17-inch wheel pack (4×4 only) – $750
  • includes all-terrain tyres
  • 17-inch steel spare
• Prestige Paint – $675
• XL 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 XL featured two turbo diesel engines, both of them 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels.

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 2173kg twin turbo dual-cab pick-up, the payload is reduced to 727kg from its 1077kg starting weight.

Down here in the cheap seats that does leave a lot of room for packing the cabin with people and the tray with gear.

Also bear in mind that a 6200kg GCM is a heck of a lot of weight for the XL’s front discs and rear drums.

Trailer coverage is a part of the pick-up’s blind spot monitoring system (not available on other body styles). 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 XL 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.

For those keen to take a two-wheel drive Ranger off-roading, the 4×2 Off-road pack adds 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres, steel underbody protection and the 4×4’s rear locking diff.

In the 4×4 you can choose 2L, 4A, 4H or 4L to best suit the conditions.

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.