Tow Test: Ford Ranger FX4

Tarted up Ranger kit adds to top tow tug’s appeal

In recent years ladder-framed utes, or pickups if you prefer, have split into two different schools: traditional work trucks, and more comfortable, better-appointed 'lifestyle' machines.

The latter has been particularly well received by the RV set, which can now choose from eight or more models with both the pulling power to drag a decent-sized caravan or camper trailer, and the refinement to make life palatable on the long haul.

Case in point: Ford's Ranger FX4.

The FX4 joined the Ranger line-up in February and it's based upon the XLT – one grade down from the flagship Wildtrak. For a $3500 premium FX4 buyers get new Stark Grey 18-inch alloy wheels, leather accented seating with FX4 branding, front and rear carpets, roof rails, and a host of blacked-out bits.

Those black items include bonnet and tailgate decal wraps, sports bar, rear bumper, side steps, door handles, front grille, fog lamp bezels, side mirrors and fenders, along with a host of black interior highlights. Unlike the XLT, the FX4 is only available as a four-wheel drive, with either an automatic of manual transmission.

Why wouldn't you just buy a top-of-the-range Wildtrak? Well, the Wildtrak will cost you $700 more than an FX4, but the FX4 does miss out on a few niceties like ambient lighting, puddle lamps, the roller shutter on the tub, electric driver's seat adjustment, seat heating and lane departure warning (standard on the Wildtrak, an option on the FX4).

And of course the FX4 is a special edition model with its own unique look, while there's seemingly a Wildtrak around every corner.

Actually, that last statement isn't too outlandish. Nearly 37,000 Rangers were sold in Australia in 2016, with Wildtraks accounting for a fair slice of that pie. Dual-cab utes are big business in this neck of the woods, and so it's only logical that Ford attempt to capitalise with models like the FX4.

Hit the beach

Caravancampingsales recently grabbed an auto Ranger FX4 to transport a family of four on an Easter break at Point Leo, on the eastern side of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. With a braked maximum towing limit of 3500kg, the FX4 barely noticed the light little Southern Cross camper behind it, which weighs in with an ATM of 750kg.

The reversing camera makes light work of hooking up and the tub swallows a heap of gear. For RV applications, we'd always go for a locking lid at the very least for the security it provides, if not a full fibreglass canopy.

Ford quotes the FX4's payload at 995kg, so even with a family of four it can still swallow a heap of gear.

The plastic tub liner collects rainwater at the front – nothing climbing a hill can't fix – but we appreciated the twin LED downlights built into the back of the sports bar, and the 12-volt outlet. If it were ours, we'd be investigating mounting a frame to hold a portable fridge/freezer and a deep-cycle house battery.

The tub measures 1520mm long and 1120mm between its wheel arches, and there are six tie-down anchor points fitted. The moulded cup/can holders in the tailgate and just above each taillight is a thoughtful inclusion.

Interior comfort

Inside, however, commercial practicalities have been blended seamlessly with creature comforts. The leather-accented upholstery is a nice touch, and easy to clean for anyone with kids. Speaking of kids, the side steps are a must for those with kids aged, say, six or under, although they do shave a bit off your ground clearance at each side when off-roading.

The manual, six-way adjustment on the driver and front passenger seating seems a little low rent at this price point, but the driver's seat itself is comfortable enough. The steering wheel is only adjustable for tilt, not reach, but we found it relatively easy to find a comfortable driving position.

We're only a two-hour drive from Point Leo but kids being kids these days, they were looking forward to the 'screen time'. It's a bit of a shame, then, that there's only a single 12-volt outlet for the second-row seating, and no USB ports. Instead, there are two USB ports in the front, at the bottom of the centre stack, which are nicely illuminated with blue rings.

We love the Ranger's instrumentation, which features neat TFT displays either side of a large central speedo. It doesn’t take too long to familiarise yourself with the various menu systems and generally speaking all the controls are laid out well, and where you'd expect them to be.

The Ranger FX4 also has Ford's Sync3 multimedia system, which works well and comes with sat-nav and very effective voice recognition.

Our test vehicle was fitted with the optional technology pack, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, driver fatigue monitor, auto high beam dipping and lane departure warning.

The latter is an 'active' system – it gently guides the ute back into its lane if the vehicle begins to stray. They're all very worthy features, the adaptive cruise control in particular, and in our opinion it's an extra $800 well spent.

Dependable performance

As for the ride? It's as good as the Ranger has always been. Yes, it's a big rig to park like just about any four-wheel drive, but the reversing camera and sensors are a big help. The acceleration is surprisingly brisk, even with a load on board, and the low-down torque is just superb – brilliant for towing or heading off-road.

Noise suppression is good – you can hear the growl of the five-cylinder diesel under acceleration, but in the cable it's pleasingly quiet.

It's remarkably competent out in the bush, too. With a dual-range transfer case, hill descent control and a locking rear diff, all selectable at the push of a button or a twist of a dial, the Ranger has the ground clearance (237mm), wading depth (800mm) and approach angle (29 degrees) to handle plenty of rough stuff.

Of course, whether you'd want to subject your nice, shiny, special-edition Ranger to that sort of carry on is another matter. With all the blacked-out components and those trick wheels in our books it's certainly easy on the eye, although we noted that the black panels on the bonnet and tailgate are in fact decals, and their matte surface seems to attract dirt and isn't the easiest to clean.

The Ranger FX4 was certainly a solid travelling companion for our long weekend at the beach, and when we rolled back into our drive it had sipped just 10.3L/100km over the duration of the trip. That's great going and reflective of how our light camper didn't come close to touching the FX4's potential.

Summing up

These lifestyle-oriented pickups really are a godsend for the RV fraternity. They may not have the space, grunt or fuel capacity to match a 200 Series LandCruiser, but they represent a brilliant blend of payload, towing ability, off-road ability and comfort that makes them ideal for life on the road.

The Ranger FX4 is a winning prospect in each of those areas, with a high level of comfort and amenity into the deal. It might not be the cheapest pickup going, but it's packed with performance and loaded with features – all capped off with some sharp looks to help it stand out from the pickup pack.

2017 Ford Ranger FX4

Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 147kW/470Nm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)

Towing: 3500kg, 350kg (towball)
Price: From $57,990

Tow Test: Ford Ranger FX4

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