2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X ute busts out

Just when you thought the Ford Ranger couldn’t find another niche to fill, the Ranger Wildtrak X rocks up, slotting in between the Raptor and Wildtrak models.

Available in Ford dealerships now priced at $65,290 for the 3.2-litre turbo-diesel (147kW/470Nm) and $66,790 for the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (157kW/500Nm), the adventurous Ford Ranger Wildtrak X dual-cab ute is pitched at buyers who plan to accessorise their pick-up.

About 1000 examples of the 4x4 dual-cab Wildtrak X will be sold in Australia and although the special edition attracts a $2000 premium, it's fitted with $6000 worth of accessories according to Ford.

Preceding the December arrival of the new-look 2020 Ford Ranger line-up, the 2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X adds a black front nudge bar (with LED light bar), black wheel-arch extensions and 18-inch black alloy wheels with a 35mm offset adding tough-truck appeal.

It also features a snorkel for deeper water fording, which Ford says is designed to 'take full advantage of Ranger's best-in-class 800mm water wading'.

Smaller touches like dark finishes on grille, door handles and lower bumper round out the Wildtrak X's exterior upgrades.

Inside the special edition Ford Ranger dual-cab ute there's overt orange stitching around the leather-appointed seats, gear-shifter, steering wheel and handbrake shroud.

Features standard to the regular Wildtrak include adaptive cruise control, an active parking assistant, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and an 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system dubbed Sync 3.

This features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay plug-and-play functionality and other convenience features include a tyre pressure monitoring system and keyless entry and engine start.

As mentioned, two engine types are offered. The 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel is hooked up to a six-speed automatic while the $2000 dearer 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel is matched with a 10-speed automatic.

Fuel economy figures are rated at 8.9 and 7.4L/100km for the 3.2 and 2.0 engines respectively, both of which can tow up to 3500kg.

With a five-star ANCAP safety rating, five-year warranty and capped-price servicing program priced at $299 per annual service, with free loan car when the ute is off the road, Ford is confident of finding customers for the Ranger Wildtrak X.

The Ford Ranger is the second best-selling new vehicle in Australia in 2019, behind the Toyota HiLux.