SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Pass me the phone: 2021 Ford Ranger FX4, 2.0 a/t dc 4x4

Fine brag machine

Posted: May 17, 2021

The numbers
Prices: 4x2 @ R634 200, 4x4 @ R704 500
Engine: 1996 cc, CRDI, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder with single turbocharger
Power: 132 kW at 3500 rpm
Torque: 420 Nm between 1750 and 2500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 10.0 l/100 km
Turning circle: 12.7 metres
Tank: 80 litres
Tare: 2044 kg
GVM: 3200 kg
GCM: 6000 kg
Maximum towing mass within GCM: 3500 kg
Ground clearance: 237 mm
Standard tyre: 265/60R18 Continental Cross Contact LX
Spare: Full size alloy
Maximum wading depth: 800 mm
Approach/departure rampover angles: 28.7/25.4/21.5 degrees
Warranty: 4 years/ 120 000 km, with 3 years’ roadside assistance
Service plan: 6 years/90 000 km at 15 000 km intervals


When we cut through the hyperbole, Ford Ranger’s new FX4 is actually a special release of the two XLTs, 4x2 and 4x4, with added appearance items and extended connectivity.

In other words, a double-cab pickup with the single-turbo version of Ford’s 2.0-litre diesel, ten-speed autobox, and regular four-wheel drive with low range and separate difflock.

Fancy fittings consist of a black mesh grille like the one on Thunder but without the red accents; macho black 18” wheels; decals, badges and seat logos; a bin liner with 12-volt/20-amp socket and a bespoke bin bar with extended “legs.” Those are for lashing your trail bike or camping gear to.

But the big news is FordPass Connect; essentially what makers of luxury cars and SUVs have been punting for years, but not available in pickups until now. It’s a smartphone app that facilitates remote command of various functions whenever the phone is paired with the vehicle. It communicates via a dedicated modem within the truck – from across your yard or across the world - as long as both have internet connectivity.  

It’s then possible to lock and unlock doors, start the engine to activate climate control, locate the vehicle, or access information like fuel level and oil life. The app also allows the driver to search for available parking within South Africa, find Ford dealers across the country, schedule maintenance and servicing bookings, keep track of past and future services, and view the vehicle’s warranty information. Further, FordPass enables direct access to Roadside Assistance, the owner’s manual, tutorial videos on key features, and seamless over-the-air updates for the vehicle’s software.

(Gasp!) How did we ever live without all this back in the days when people thought for themselves, when cars and trucks were looked upon as family members in mechanical form, rather than like iPads on wheels?  Such old-fashioned thinkers might stick with plain XLTs and put the R30 000 price difference toward about 2000 litres of fuel! 

Moving on: Like its XLT sisters, FX4 provides seven airbags; ISOFix mountings but no top tethers; easy-lift tailgate that locks with the doors; tow hitch; spare wheel lock; dual-zone air conditioning; leather seats with manual adjusters; locking rear differential; hill descent on the 4x4; hill launch; roll-over mitigation; active load control; trailer sway control; side steps; auto-on headlamps and wipers; front and rear foglamps; DRLs; ABS with EBA, EBD, traction control and ESP; Sync3® connectivity with satnav; cruise control; keyless entry and starting; parking sensors front and rear, alloy wheels and reversing camera. Much in common with those luxury cars we mentioned earlier, then.

We criticised the vehicle’s new, softer suspension after testing an XLT in August 2019; we weren’t happy with the way its magic carpet ride, over dirt at speeds above 60 km/h, lost the plot and turned dodgy when backing off to 40 or so. We’re happy to report that that example was either faulty or Ford listened to reviewers’ grumblings in the interim. It feels much better now.

Can it carry all your stuff?  Loading height is at 87 cm, the bin is 1.5 metres long and 1.56 wide, measures 1115 mm between the wheel arches and is 511 mm deep. There are four tiedown eyes and the power socket mentioned earlier.

Will it fit into your garage? It’s 5354 mm long, 1851 mm high and 1860 mm wide.

The back seat area is decently spacious with ample head-, knee- and foot room. The one-piece seatback is released by a single strap, there are three head restraints and belts although a tall central hump could make life awkward for a fully grown middle passenger. Comfort items include a fold-down armrest with cup holders, a 12-volt socket, seatback storage pockets, medium sized door bins and a central courtesy light for finding your phone after dark. Or strapping in the babies.

Grab handles are fitted at all doors but only those in front get climb-in assisters. There’s also plenty of space up front, ample storage, a foot rest for the driver and most minor controls are easy to get at. The big exception is that ventilation direction controls can only be accessed via a menu.

FX4 is a fine brag machine, with all that connectivity, but purists would probably choose XLT and use the saved money elsewhere.

Test unit from Ford SA press fleet


What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.