Buying a used Ford Ranger (2015-2018)

The Ford Ranger had existed in various forms on the North American market since 1982, but a totally new version, developed by Ford Australia in conjunction with Mazda and built in Thailand, was not destined for North American sale when it arrived Down Under in 2011.

Rangers designated PX (or PXI) came in three body styles and with three engine choices including two turbo-diesels and a very inadequate 2.5-litre petrol.

A Ranger PXII version appeared in 2015, maintaining previous trim levels while dropping the petrol engine. Off-road competence and sporting appeal were boosted by the addition of an FX4 with improved ground clearance. There was also a heavily equipped Wildtrak version.

For 2019, a more advanced PXIII model was introduced with the same two turbo-diesel engines plus a new 157kW 2.0-litre biturbo engine and 10-speed auto transmission in the Ranger Raptor.

A new-generation Ford Ranger scheduled for release in June 2022 will ensure the latest ute stands apart from earlier versions. A redesigned front-end brings strong visual cues, while under the bonnet will sit a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel to replace the long-serving 3.2.

Buying Used: Ford Ranger PXII (2015-18) – Quick Checklist

The Ford Ranger PXII series was sold in nine model designations with 2.2-litre four-cylinder or 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

XL models were briefly sold with two-door bodies (tray optional) and there were Supercabs as well, but the vast majority of PXIIs on the Australian market will be dual-cabs.

XL Rangers were supplied with the 2.2-litre engine, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission. Front brakes were disc, the rears drums and an XL in this form would only tow 2.5 tonnes (braked). Before on-road costs or accessories were added, the 4x2 XL cost $24,740 in the showroom.

Dual-cab XL Rangers were also available with the 3.2-litre engine, automatic transmission and a 4x4 driveline. These features were shared between two supplementary models, the XL Plus 4x4 and XL Hi-Rider which was 2WD but offered greater ground clearance for owners who might occasionally venture off the bitumen.

XLs all came with air-conditioning, front power windows, cruise control and remote central locking.

Next step up in the PXII Ranger line-up was the XLS. It sold here only as a dual-cab but with 2.2 or 3.2-litre engines in 2WD, 4WD and Hi-Rider versions. An XLS 2.2 auto brand-new in 4x4 form cost $47,590 plus on-road costs, with the 3.2-litre manual only $200 dearer.

XLS buyers didn’t get huge swathes of equipment for their money. Major additions were alloy wheels in place of the XL’s steel rims, body-coloured bumpers, an uprated sound system with six speakers, better-quality screen display and metallic mirrors.

Step into an XLT and the trim was still cloth but between the seats sat a cooler compartment, the mirrors were heated, the wipers sensed rain and the multifunction screen had a colour display.

Outside the XLT ran 17-inch wheels, with alloy steps, a sports bar, fog lights, chromed bumpers and grille. Even with all this gear, an XLT 3.2 4x4 started at less than $54,000. Time for bigger spenders to emerge…

At around $65,000 for the manual and over $67,000 if you chose automatic, the PXII Ford Ranger Wildtrak wrapped luxury in a practical off-road package that wouldn’t leave you stuck and looking pretentious while waiting for help from a ‘proper’ 4WD.

True, there was a bit of flashy nonsense about the presentation, but underneath sat all the gear needed when getting to most places and home again. Amongst the electronics – and these aren’t exclusive to the Wildtrak – were hill ascent and descent assistance, rollover mitigation and load adaptive control. The latter alters suspension settings and power delivery depending on how much extra weight the Ranger is carrying and where it is situated in the vehicle.

Inside were part-leather seats that were heated and electrically adjustable, plus voice control for important functions. Externally the wheels grew bigger again and there was a retractable cover to keep gear in the tray protected from weather and theft.

Late in the day came the FX4 with enhanced off-road abilities and some features not found in the XLT. Pricing if you wanted a six-speed manual was less than $60,000.

If you like to stand out from the dual-cab crowd without funnelling big bucks into a Dodge RAM, then get a PXII Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

This is a good-looking unit with full 3.5-tonne towing capacity, superior seats to the ones in cheaper versions and lots of other inclusions.

Note that even without a tow hitch, the Ranger measures 5.43 metres, which makes it too big for some suburban garages. Measure your available space before heading out to buy one.

Both sets of doors provide good access to their respective rows, however you need long legs to climb aboard without using the side step.

Unless you’re dawdling in traffic, use the automatic’s Sport function to shock the lazy diesel into action and don’t try for any snappy overtakes until you get a feel for the big Ford’s leisurely acceleration.

It’s pretty slow from a standing start to 100km/h, and its overtaking ability from 80-120km/h leaves a lot to be desired.

In other respects, the Ranger inspires confidence via its dynamics and secondary safety inclusions. The wide track and ample rubber provide decent grip and the rear-end seems resistant to hopping or sliding even when unladen or on a wet road.

Steering at low speeds feels under-geared but the Ranger’s 12.8m turning circle is about average for models in the category. Maybe it needs a better steering wheel.

Those heading for the wilds or a bit of beach camping will find the combination of rear diff locks, hill assistance, good clearance and reasonable ramp angles delivering competent off-road performance.

Ford also made a conscious decision to mount the air intakes and major electrics more than 800mm above ground level to minimise risk when fording creeks.

All except the most basic Ranger models have six airbags as standard, electronic traction and stability control and ABS braking. The XLT adds a speed limiter and tyre pressure sensors, but you need to buy a Wildtrak before the reversing camera is included. It also includes park distance sensors front and rear.

All PXII Ford Ranger models qualify for a five-star safety rating, and in local ANCAP crash testing in 2014 a 2.2-litre dual-cab recorded an impressive 35.72 from a possible score of 37.

Fuel economy is the reason many people buy diesels as family transport, but then they choose one like a Ranger Wildtrak auto that weighs 2.2 tonnes even before you start loading it with people and stuff.

We don’t have long-term figures but 9.4L/100km is the official combined-cycle (city/highway) figure and the fuel tank takes 80 litres, so you can put a fair distance between stops.

Towing is the exception to that, of course, when the auto wants to drop more ratios than is needed when encountering an incline. Here a perceptive driver with a manual vehicle, or one using the auto’s Sport mode, can save on fuel.

If the family is full of adventurous types, if you’re more into ‘how far up the beach can we get this thing?’ than ‘geez, it’s comfy back here’, then go for it.

The Ranger has been designed as a multifunctional vehicle which will cart a pallet in the back while towing three-point-something tonnes yet still looks hot at school pickup.

The front seats are broad and accommodating, the rear area not quite so good. Upmarket models get patterned seat inserts front and rear but there is really nowhere for the backrest to move and the head restraints are unyielding.

Unless you are very short, the tray isn’t large enough to sleep in, but you can back your Ranger up to the screen at the drive-in movies and use the 12-volt outlet to run the drinks cooler.

Used vehicle grading for Ford Ranger PXII 2015-18
Design & Function: 13/20
Safety: 13/20
Practicality: 13/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 14/20 (Wildtrak)
Score: 65/100

Also consider: Isuzu D-MAX, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Volkswagen Amarok