Ford Ranger Wildtrak X – Long Termer introduction: Leisure Wheels

Leisure Wheels has welcomed the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X to its long-term test fleet. Over the coming months, we’ll be exploring how this off-road-focused bakkie performs both in everyday driving and on extended adventure trips.

There’s a certain nostalgia in being reunited with this Ford Ranger model. Two years ago, I found myself in Central Otago, New Zealand, carving through mountains behind the wheel of a car that had yet to touch South African soil. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X was brand new then—an experiment in merging factory-built capability with overlanding authenticity—and I remember thinking that it marked a significant moment in how bakkies were being conceived. The same model sits in my driveway as Leisure Wheels’ long-term test vehicle for the rest of 2025.

The Wildtrak X was conceived as a response to a long-standing South African truth: most bakkie owners want their vehicles to be ready for adventure straight from the showroom floor. While the standard Wildtrak brought style and tech, and the Raptor offered sheer performance, the X was engineered to meet the needs of those who actually go off the beaten path. Ford’s development team knew that aftermarket modifications—suspension upgrades, all-terrain tyres, lift kits—had become a default step for serious off-roaders. So, they simply built a Ranger that required none of it.

Two years on, and this bakkie still represents one of the most complete factory-built off-road packages available in South Africa. Slotting between the standard Wildtrak and the flagship Raptor, the Wildtrak X remains a perfectly judged balance of comfort, capability, and engineering intention, and remains one of the best-looking double-cabs – segment wide – on South African soil.

Ford’s familiar 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine is torquey, tractable, and efficient and has repeatedly proven itself to be a segment-leading powertrain since the next Gen Rangers and Everests were introduced late-2022, delivering 154 kW and 500 N.m of torque through Ford’s ten-speed automatic gearbox.

Where the X sets itself apart mechanically is in its chassis and suspension setup. Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers—tuned specifically for this model—bring a distinct level of sophistication to the ride quality and improved off-road capability. The bakkie sits 26 mm higher than the standard Wildtrak, with a 30 mm wider track, giving it near-Raptor proportions without the bulk or the thirst. It rolls on 17-inch alloys wrapped in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, standard from the factory, and it feels every bit as planted on gravel as it does on tarmac.

Related: Queenstown, New Zealand – God’s own

The off-road credentials are reinforced by Ford’s 4A (automatic four-wheel drive) system, which allows seamless switching between two- and four-wheel drive without needing to stop. For tougher terrain, there’s low-range gearing, and for the truly technical stuff, the X introduces two features that quickly became favourites among testers: Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist. The former functions like off-road cruise control, maintaining a constant low speed so the driver can focus purely on steering; the latter uses selective braking on the inside wheel to tighten the turning radius—a small intervention that makes a big difference on narrow trails.

From behind the wheel, the composure is striking. On gravel, the Wildtrak X soaks up corrugations with quiet confidence, the Bilsteins managing rebound and compression with a deftness that never feels artificial. On tar, it’s equally refined, the cabin insulated from wind noise and vibration, the suspension firm but forgiving. My introduction to the vehicle was in difficult mountainous terrain, and while I’ve managed a few gravel roads over the last month, the off-roading beast has been confined to the city. With summer on its way, that will change.

Related: Ford’s mobile service brings the workshop to your driveway

The Wildtrak X has already seen its fair share of wet Cape weather, and now it will get to stretch its legs under clear skies. With weekends in the Cederberg, Grabouw and Montague lined up, the double-cab will get its fair share of farmland and gravel in the coming months. A selling point for Ford is the level of sophistication now available in the Rangers as daily drivers, and the Wildtrak X’s ability to switch hats from adventure to daily commute

Visually, the X distinguishes itself just enough from its siblings. Asphalt black accents frame the bumpers and wheel arches, while a redesigned grille, auxiliary lights, and a steel bash plate give the front end a quietly aggressive presence. The cast-aluminium side steps are robust yet minimalist, and subtle “Wildtrak X” badging completes the look. There’s nothing excessive about the styling; it’s muscular without resorting to theatrics, with a design language that speaks to adventure.

Inside, Ford’s digital architecture remains among the best in class. The combination of a 12-inch central touchscreen and an 8-inch digital cluster keeps things intuitive, while the Sync 4 infotainment system continues to impress with its responsiveness and clean layout. Build quality across the cabin feels solid, with a mix of soft-touch materials and practical finishes that make sense for a vehicle expected to spend as much time on dirt as on tar.

Driving the Wildtrak X in New Zealand remains one of my most memorable assignments, where we went from tracing old mining routes in the lower mountain regions of Otago to testing other Rangers on ice-pans in the Southern Alps of Queenstown.  Capability and comfort needn’t be opposites, seemed the philosophy at the time, and now, with the keys in hand again, I get to see how that sentiment holds up in everyday South African conditions. Thanks to Ford’s mobile service unit, the test unit was serviced in our driveway, ensuring it stays healthy over the next few months.

 

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