Ford->ke31 has just introduced the Wildtrak trim level on its all-new global 2015 Ford Ranger pickup truck. The Wildtrak sits atop all other trim levels in the Ranger->ke1060 lineup and offers a wide array of standard features, such as electronic driver’s aids, along with a unique look inside and out.

Ford says the Wildtrak is the truck for those wanting “...genuine 4WD capability with stand-out styling and premium features.” That’s certainly the case when scanning the truck’s features list. The truck boasts a slew of electronic driver assist features like Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid; Adaptive Cruise Control; Forward Alert; and Driver Impairment Monitor.

Such features make the Wildtrak sound like a high-end luxury sedan, but the Ranger still offers some impressive truck-like stats. Like the standard Ranger, it can ford 31.5 inches of water, clear obstacles with its nine inches of ground clearance, and tow an impressive 7,716 pounds from its hitch.

Sadly for us in the U.S., the Ranger remains out of reach. Its high levels of luxury and capabilities make it too competitive against the F-150.->ke423 Adding the truck to the U.S. lineup would simply cost too much money and would rob sales of the F-Series – or so Ford has said.

For those markets around the world that get the Ranger, including Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa, the Wildtrak bridges the gap between utilitarian trucks and high-end crossovers.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 158
  • Torque: 284
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Wildtrak trim level adds some unique features that dress it up, while keeping the Ranger’s overall design. Up front, the grille gets a dark grey treatment that looks something like a five o’clock shadow. Matching mirror caps, door handles, roof rack and bed rails carry the look around the truck. Special 18-inch alloy wheels add even more flair, while graphics on the side keep the sporty look alive.

The Wildtrak offers five paint options that include Cool White, Black Mica, Aluminum Metallic, Metropolitan Gray, and Pride orange. That exclusive orange color, as shown in the photos above, earned its name after a pride of lions. “We call it Pride Orange, not just because of our pride in the new Ranger, but also because it calls to mind a pride of lions,” says Dave Dewitt in a company press release. “It conjures up the Wildtrak’s potential and adventurous spirit.”

Ground Clearance

9 inches (230 mm)

Approach Angle

28 degrees

Departure Angle

25 degrees

Fording Depth

31.5 inches (800 mm)


Interior

Beyond the paint is where things get really different for the Wildtrak. Ford has loaded it with nearly every conceivable safety device and connectivity feature currently on the market. At the heart of truck is Microsoft’s SYNC 2, which is optional in the standard Ranger. The system includes updated voice commands, redundant climate controls, entertainment options, and of course navigation. The natural voice commands allow occupants to give commands like “Temperature 75 degrees,” or “Play Ella Fitzgerald.” Commands like “I’m hungry” pulls up nearby restaurant choices.

As for the safety equipment, the list is extensive. Lane Keeping Alert works in conjunction with Lane Keeping Aid. The pair monitors the truck’s path via the forward-facing camera and keeps the driver from unintentionally drifting from his lane. If the truck fails to maintain its lane, the steering wheel vibrates. If the driver doesn’t correct the steering angle, Lane Keeping Aid will nudge the truck back on course using the electronic steering rack.

Adaptive Cruise Control is becoming more prevalent these days, but it’s still surprising to find the option on a mid-size truck. Simply set the desired speed via the cruise control, and the truck maintains the speed, slowing down if needed due to traffic conditions. Forward Alert warns the driver if his closing speed is too great when approaching a vehicle ahead.

Also offered is the Driver Impairment Monitor. It keeps tabs on the driver’s inputs and detects if he is driving drowsy. The forward-facing camera keeps track of movements outside the vehicle’s lane while watching for sudden corrected movements from the driver. If detected, the system will sound an alert that gets progressively louder.

Though there are several other systems present, perhaps the most notable one for truck duty is Adaptive Load Control. The system monitors how much load the truck is carrying and adjusts the Electronic Stability Control to deal with the added weight.

Beyond safety systems, the Ranger Wildtrak offers a more luxurious cabin. The dashboard is padded and accented by Pride Orange stitching. That stitching continues onto the door panels, center armrest, seats, and shifter boot.

Drivetrain

The standard Ranger offers three engine choices with four output levels, however the high-end Wildtrak only offers the range-topping 3.2-liter TDCi five-cylinder turbodiesel and the high-output version of the 2.2-liter TDCi four-cylinder turbodiesel.

The 3.2-liter I-5 offers up 197 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.2-liter I-4 puts out 158 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come with an Auto Start/Stop feature that saves on fuel.

Opt for the 3.2-liter and the only transmission choice is the six-speed automatic, though the six-speed manual is available with the I-5 in lower trim levels. Ford does not specify what, if any, restrictions the 2.2-liter I-4 has in regards to transmission choice, however, it is offered with both the automatic and manual options in lower trim levels as well.

Though 2WD is standard, the Ranger is offered with 4WD. The system uses an electronic-shifting, two-speed transfer case to send power to the front wheels when needed. An electronic locking rear differential also greatly aids in traction when the going gets tough.

2.2-liter TDCi

3.2-liter TDCi

Configuration

Inline four

Inline five

Fuel

Diesel

Diesel

Horsepower

158

197

Torque

284

347


Prices

Ford has not yet announced pricing of the 2016 Ranger Wildtrak, though we can expect it to be in the upper $30,000 range.

Competition

Chevrolet Colorado

The Colorado->ke1193 is technically a global truck, though there are two versions. The first ships to nearly every other country on the planet except the U.S. and the second is the one offered here that’s almost a completely different truck.

In the U.S., the Colorado comes with either the 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, or the 3.6-liter V-6 making 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of toque. A 2.8-liter turbodiesel option is coming for 2016 as well.

Read our full review here.

Toyota Tacoma/Hilux

Like the Colorado, Toyota’s->ke4258 mid-size pickup truck comes in two flavors: the U.S. spec Tacoma->ke1042 and the global Hilux.->ke1957 While the trucks share a similar size, they are inherently different. The Tacoma caters more to the adventurous types that do truck-like work on occasion, while the Hilux is more at home on the job site or traversing the Australian Outback.

The Hilux comes with a multitude of engine options, including both gas and diesel. New for 2016, the U.S. spec Tacoma will come with the carryover 2.7-liter four-cylinder gasoline mill and an all-new 3.5-liter V-6 running on the Atkinson combustion cycle.

You can read the 2016 Toyota Hilux review here and the 2016 Tacoma review here.

Conclusion

Ford’s new Ranger will certainly be a sales hit in the markets it caters to and the Wildtrak will surely act as a great halo trim level. Though the world doesn’t treat trucks in same regard Americans do, luxury-lined pickups are starting to catch on. It makes sense as folks gravitate from having separate vehicles for work and pleasure, making their one vehicle do it all.