Ford Ranger Wildtrak hybrid review: just a ute whose intentions are good

Is the Ford Ranger the most misunderstood plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on the market? Might just be.

While plug-in utes like the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV aim for maximum EV-ability with huge batteries, the brief for Ranger PHEV was to compromise nothing of the donor vehicle's 4x4 or towing abilities, while reducing real-world emissions as much as possible and providing battery capacity for the Pro Power Onboard (PPOB) system to run external work and lifestyle electrical devices.

At the risk of sounding like a Ford-PHEV apologist, the plug-in Ranger has a relatively small battery to help with packaging and weight, and that's quite deliberate.

But that means it can only drive 43km on electric power (Ford says global data shows an average of 40km daily travel for Rangers) and in fact the AC-only charging is also unusually slow: just 3.5kW. No need to bother with a 7kW wallbox, might as well just plug into the 3-pin at home. It'll take about 5 hours to charge that way.

But the idea is also that you can charge the battery with the engine while you drive to the place (worksite, campsite) where you'll want to use PPOB. Or you can simply run the engine as a generator while you're there.

Really, the Ranger is more hybrid than PHEV; the plug-in aspect is just a bonus.

At the risk of sounding like a Ford-PHEV apologist, the plug-in Ranger has a relatively small battery to help with packaging and weight, and that's quite deliberate.

Which is possibly why Ford calls it the "Ranger Hybrid" in much of its marketing, although it also presents as "Ranger PHEV" in places. The badge on the front guards says PHEV, too.

Ford NZ sells Ranger PHEV in three versions: XLT, Wildtrak and a new specification unique to the plug-in, Stormtrak. Our test vehicle is the familiar Wildtrak.

On the outside: what are the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV's main design features?

The Ranger Wildtrak PHEV exterior looks like... a Ranger Wildtrak. You'll be hard pressed to pick one without getting pretty close. Like the other plug-in versions, it has a unique design of alloy wheel that's actually less aero-looking than that fitted to the XLT or Stormtrak, but better looking overall. At least we think so.

The greatest physical change to the exterior of Ranger PHEV is something you probably wouldn't notice unless somebody told you: the tray.

And of course it has two "fuel" flaps, side-by-side on the left wellside. Petrol goes into the one the furthest forward, while the AC charge port is under the rearmost lid. Look especially close and you'll see there's a tiny lightning bolt embossed on the leading edge.

What else? Just the PHEV inscription on the front-guard garnish, but that's pretty hard to read from any distance.

The greatest physical change to the exterior of Ranger PHEV is something you probably wouldn't notice unless somebody told you. The tray is mounted 31mm higher to accommodate the battery hardware underneath, but Ford has slightly reshaped the inner and created an extra indentation so that the PHEV has exactly the same cargo volume as the standard model.

On the outside, the Wildtrak PHEV looks like... a Wildtrak. On the inside, the Wildtrak PHEV looks like... a Wildtrak.

Necessary? No, probably not, given it's such a small change. But it shows how determined Ford was to avoid accusations of any compromise.

Under the power roller-cover, the tray houses twin 3.45kW outlets for PPOB; together with the 2.3kW socket in the cabin, it can power up to 6.9kW at once. It draws from the traction battery, but if that's not sufficiently charged you can run the petrol engine as a generator right down to 80km driving range.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV cabin like?

The Ranger PHEV interior looks like... a Ranger Wildtrak. Chunky and black, with bright orange detailing/stitching and that 12-inch portrait infotainment screen.

There's additional instrumentation of course, to cater for the EV-related drive modes, charging and PPOB controls, including the activation of the engine-generator if needed. In the back, the underseat storage houses the bag with the 3-pin charge cable.

In general, the Wildtrak remains a pleasingly luxurious truck: power-adjustable leather seats with heating, B&O sound system... the list goes on. Some suprise-and-delight stuff too, like Zone Lighting tht allows you to illuminate the area outside the truck via the infotainment screen. Lights in the tray too, of course.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV like to drive?

We did make an effort to charge the Wildtrak PHEV as often as posible during our review time, to get the experience of driving a silent Ranger. Well, silent apart from the rattle of the towbar and the leaf springs, which creak and groan when there's no engine noise to cover them.

When you lock Ranger PHEV into electric mode ("EV Now") all you've got is 75kW. It's fine actually, but not quick; if you ask for full power you get a prompt on the instrument panel asking if the petrol engine can be activated. One click and you're away.

It's still a 10-speed Ranger in EV Now, because the electric motor is in the gearbox. So for the same reason, it can be a full-electric 4x4 if you want to hop along some rocks silently.

But yes, let's be a bit more hybridy and get the most out of this ute. In EV Auto mode it's fun driving a petrol Ranger that revs, and the PHEV has more torque than any other model, Raptor V6 included. It's also quite heavy, mind, the plug-in hardware adding more than 250kg to the Wildtrak's weight compared to a diesel model.

It keeps the Ranger faith as a good ute-drive though, Ford's attention to detail extending to slightly wider wheels and tyres to compensate for the extra bulk. The PHEV also gains a Sport drive mode, something previously only offered on the Raptor.

The official fuel economy figure is 2.8l/100km, but you'd have to really keep it charged up to replicate that. On longer runs when the battery is depleted, expect 8-9l/100km: as good as, or better than, a 4-cylinder Ranger diesel.

Word to the wise if you're planing to use all of the Ranger Wildtrak PHEV's considerable towing ability: it can haul 3.5 tonnes, but add that to the 2615kg kerb weight and you're over the 6 tonnes allowed on a car licence. Ford couldn't quite get the kerb weight down under 2.5 tonnes, even on the entry-level XLT PHEV.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV warranty and servicing situation?

Ranger comes with a 5 year/unlimited km warranty, plus Ford PHEV/BEV cover of 8 years/160,000km for the electric parts of the powertrain.

Servicing is required every 12 months, 15,000km or when the intelligent oil life monitor (IOLM) activates - whichever comes first.

On the whole: what do we think of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV?

The PHEV powertrain adds a lot to the price of a Ford Ranger Wildtrak: there's a $13k difference between this and the current biturbo Wildtrak, and that gap will get bigger when the new (slightly cheaper) single-turbo Wildtrak arrives mid-year. Or should we compare it to the $85,990 V6 Wildtrak?

But if a hybrid Ranger is what you really want, you're getting a vehicle with a unique combination of talents.

Both the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEVs are better electric vehicles by virtue of having much longer ranges and DC fast-charging. The BYD matches the Ford for on-road dynamics and on-board power options, but Ranger is in a different league for 4x4 ability and towing.

The GWM is acknowledged as a top-class 4x4 and can tow 3.5 tonnes, but it's much bigger and heavier than the Ranger and doesn't have anything like PPOB (just a simple V2L connection from an adaptor on the external port).

For a lot of people, the Ranger Wildtrak PHEV will hit a sweet spot.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV FAQs

What kind of car is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV ute?

A double-cab 4-door wellside ute.

Does the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV ute have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a plug-in hybrid with an electrical system that also runs the Pro Power Onboard vehicle-to-load system.

What’s the fuel economy of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV ute?

It's rated at 2.8l/100km by Rightcar, but real-world economy will depend on how often you charge the 11.8kWh battery (estimated EV range 43km).

Is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV ute safe?

ANCAP undertook specific tests for the PHEV in addition to the rest of the Ranger lineup and all except the Raptor (which is unrated) achieve 5 stars, valid until 2028.

What safety and assistance features does the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV ute have?

What are the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV's main rivals?

• Ford Ranger Wildtrak diesel plus GT Power 6000W generator ($76,990 + $3000 approx): Just saying. 
• BYD Shark 6 ($69,990): Beats Ranger as a PHEV, can't match it for 4x4/tow ability.
• GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV ($69,990): Big 4x4 ability, big battery, but lacks V2L versatility.
• (Geely) Riddara ($66,990): Pure-electric, crazy fast, tows 3 tonnes.
• Jac T9 PHEV ($TBA): Plug-in version of the Jac T9 is on the way this year. Stay tuned.