Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2020 Review

These days there's no shortage of special-editions in the ute world, and the broad Ford Ranger family is no exception.

Leaving Ford's apex tough-truck, the Ranger Raptor, to one side, the 4x4 Ranger Wildtrak has headed up Ford's dual-cab styleside ute fleet since the arrival of the T6 Ranger in 2011. Now the Wildtrak has spawned a special-edition of its own: enter the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X adds a black nudge bar with LED light bar, a snorkel, grey fender flares and unique 18-inch alloys, with the wheels featuring a 35mm offset to better match the flares.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is based on the 2019-spec Ford Ranger Wildtrak, and not the mildly updated ‘MY20.25’ model that went on sale at the start of this year. That means the Wildtrak X misses out on the updated bi-LED headlights, a USB outlet behind the rear-view mirror (for dash-cams) and a power Mountain Top roller shutter.

Production of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is limited to around 1000 units.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is priced from $65,890 plus on-road costs with Ford's 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel (147kW/470Nm) with six-speed automatic transmission as reviewed here, or $67,390 plus ORCs with Ford's 2.0-litre four-cylinder biturbo-diesel (157kW/500Nm) and 10-speed auto.

Ford Australia says the extra gear in the Ranger Wildtrak X totals $6000 of additional value, while the special-edition costs only $2000 more than a standard Wildtrak (auto models only – the Wildtrak is also available with a six-speed manual, priced at $61,690 plus ORCs).

The model is covered by Ford Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service intervals are pegged at every 12 months or 15,000km, with service costs capped at $299 for the first four services, rising to $405 for the fifth service. A loan car is provided.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is offered in Arctic White (pictured) or the 'prestige' hues (add $650) of Aluminium Silver, Saber, Meteor Grey or Shadow Black.

With its list of extras, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is a good choice for Wildtrak buyers who regularly plan to head bush or even just for country driving.

The 15-LED light bar isn't the most powerful set-up we've seen but it does add useful extra punch on dark country roads. Meanwhile the nudge bar, which incorporates the front parking sensors, adds some additional frontal protection from kangaroos and other wildlife.

For those buyers, it makes good sense to spend the extra $2000 on the Wildtrak X and roll out of the showroom with these factory-fitted extras, ready to go. But for metro buyers who have few plans to roam beyond the city limits, there's little benefit to be had here over the standard Wildtrak, tough-truck aesthetics aside.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is on sale now. The model builds on the 2019 Wildtrak in much the same manner as another special-edition, the Ford Ranger FX4, builds on the mid-spec 2020 Ford Ranger XLT.

Clearly the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X will appeal to tradies who need a capable but stylish workhorse through the week, but who enjoy a bit of off-roading come the weekend.

In that scenario it's supremely competent, with healthy off-road geometry and ground clearance, a dual-range transfer case, electronic locking rear differential, reasonable underbody protection and an 800mm wading depth (now complemented, in Wildtrak X form, with a snorkel).

Of course, it also offers a benchmark 3500kg braked towing capacity, and 922kg of payload.

Rural tradies will also appreciate the added functionality of the light bar and protection of the nudge bar, although if you frequently find yourself dodging 'roos you're more likely to go for a full three-loop bullbar instead.

The fender flares, 18-inch alloys, 35mm wheel offset, sail plane and (manual) Mountain Top roller shutter over the tub add to the Wildtrak X's tough stance and visual appeal, although we think a set of chunky all-terrains would fit the bill far better than the original-fitment rubber, Bridgestone Dueler highway tyres.

They just look a little tame under those flares, in our opinion, even if they do run quieter on sealed roads.

And the manual roller shutter, while offering security benefits, is a little fiddly to use and it shortens the available length for storing taller items in the tub.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X lies in the FCAI VFACTS pickup/cab-chassis 4x4 segment. At the end of February the Ford Ranger had accounted for 5449 new registrations for a market share of 24.3 per cent, ahead of Toyota's HiLux (4978 units, 22.2%) and Mitsubishi's Triton (3287 units, 14.7%).

While an LCV at heart, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X also falls into in the 'lifestyle 4x4 dual-cab ute' niche, with this special-edition's off-road-oriented extras adding to standard Wildtrak niceties like parking assist, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a comprehensive suite of safety features.

To that end, its closest rivals include Toyota's HiLux Rugged X and Nissan's Navara N-TREK Warrior.

If you're hunting for an upmarket dual-cab 4x4 ute and you plan on spending a bit of time in the bush or on country roads, the Ranger Wildtrak X adds a pragmatic list of extras for what appears to be a pretty reasonable price premium.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is a less compelling proposition for city buyers, but is nonetheless a stylish and feature-packed version of Australia’s most popular dual-cab 4x4 ute – for good reason – that can turn its hand to a variety of applications, work or play.

How much does the 2020 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X cost?
Price: $65,890 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 234g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2015)