2023 Ford Ranger: Next-generation ute off-road detailed

Ford has revealed additional off-road details for its next generation Ranger – which will be available to order in April 2022.

Sitting on a modified variant of the Australian-developed T6 platform, the next-generation Ford Ranger brings a variety of new technology, features and upgrades over the existing model.

There’s a new 186kW/600Nm V6 turbo diesel engine and full-time four-wheel drive powertrain available on higher specification grades, along with a permenant four-wheel drive system.

This will be offered alongside more familiar two-litre four cylinder diesel engines, in both single-turbo (125kW/405Nm) and twin-turbo (154kW/500Nm) iterations.

2023 Ford Ranger: T6 Chassis

While the 3220mm wheelbase and general overall dimensions remain the same, a 50mm track width increase will benefit off-road stability. Ford also tells us that the unladen approach and departure angles will also be improved by pushing the wheels out wider.

A leaf-sprung live rear axle will remain at the back (except for the Watts Linkage coil-sprung Ranger Raptor), along with strut-based independent front suspension.

Disc brakes will replace drum brakes, on XLT and above specifications. Rear disc brakes were previously only available on the range-topping Ranger Raptor.

Rear dampers have been moved further outboard on the 2023 Ford Ranger, in an effort to improve ride comfort. This also facilitates a wider tub, which will now fit a 1200mm x 800mm ‘Euro’ pallet between the wheel arches.

This has been a unique drawcard of the current generation Volkswagen Amarok, which will share this T6 platform it’s own next generation model.

The Ford Ranger’s tailgate will have moulded slots built into the bedliner, allows the usage of storage dividers. This is similar to what we have seen on the Ram 1500. 

There will also be a one metre ruler on the tailgate – for measuring your three-metre flathead – along with cup holders.

2023 Ford Ranger – Payloads

While a lot of the additional technology and features will increase the kerb weight of the 2023 Ford Ranger, engineers have worked on saving weight in other areas to help even the ledger.

Where a current generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak – with the 2.0-litre ‘BiTurbo’ powertrain – has a kerb mass of 2246kg, the same variant in the next generation weighs 2295kg, 49 kilograms more.

That means the payload of the 2023 Ford Ranger – in Wildtrak Specification with the 2.0-litre engine – stays at a respectable 985kg, 31 kilograms more than a comparable specification of the current generation.

Adding in a larger diesel V6 engine and heavier-duty variant of the 10-speed automatic gearbox increased the kerb mass by 107kg, up to 2353kg. However, Ford has once again increased the GVM to improve the available payload. With a GVM of 3350kg, the 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak with the 3.0-litre V6 has a payload of 997kg.

Lower spec variants of the 2023 Ranger enjoy a larger payload, mostly due to their lower kerb mass. 4X2 and 4X4 single-cab variants of the new Ranger have a lowered GVM, and payloads that vary between 958 and 1271kg.

This additional mass has been offset by a larger Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) on 3280kg, which is 80 kilograms more than the previous generation.

The highest payload of the range is a single cab-chassis 4X4 with the more powerful ‘BiTurbo’ four-cylinder engine, at 1327kg.

Axle load capacities of the 2023 Ford Ranger have been increased as part of these upgrades, however exact figures in this respect are yet to be detailed.

2023 Ford Ranger – Powertrain

Along with a new 3.0-litre diesel V6 – which develops a class-leading 184kW and 600Nm – the 2023 Ford Ranger will also debut a new permanent four-wheel drive system. Along with a two-wheel drive mode, there is also new ‘4A’ mode. 

This mode uses the electronically controlled clutch pack in the transfer case, to apportion drive between the front and rear axles as needed. 4H will lock this clutch pack together for 50/50 distribution front and rear, and there is also a two-speed low-range transfer case.

Four-cylinder variants of the 2023 Ford Ranger will carry over a familiar part-time, shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system. 

This means the Ranger will be rear-wheel drive only on-road, with four-wheel drive and low-range only able to be used off-road.

An electronic rear differential lock will carry over onto the next-generation Ford Ranger, which will be controlled by the new ‘SYNC4’ infotainment display.

A readout of off-road information will be available, although only on Sport, Wildtrak and Raptor. 

With information like driveline and diff lock indication, as well as steering, pitch and roll angles, this will likely be similar to what you get on a Jeep Gladiator/Wrangler and various Land Rovers, 

There is also a 360-degree camera system – standard on Wildtrak and Ranger, and optional on XLT and Sport –, which can be used for further visibility off-road.

The 2023 Ford Ranger will bring a variety of new driving modes into play, which is a further development of the driving modes that is available on the current Ford Everest.

These different driving modes alter the characteristics of throttle, gearbox and traction control calibration to better suit the conditions.

Base XL specification doesn’t have any driving modes, but XLS and XLT gains Normal, Eco, Slippery and Tow/Haul. Sport and Wildtrak both up the ante with additional off-road driving modes; Mud/Ruts and Sand.  Only Raptor gets additional Rock Crawl and Baja off-road driving modes.

2023 Ford Ranger – extra off-road tech

Four-wheel drivers will love the allocation of an auxiliary battery under the bonnet of the Ford Ranger, which is available on all models except for the petrol-powered Ranger Raptor.

An auxiliary accessory switch panel for accessories – something standard on the Ranger Raptor – will be available as an optional extra on the Wildtrak grade.

Three will also be underseat storage on super cab and double cab models of the 2023 Ford Ranger, along with additional pop-out cup holders.

The 2023 Ford Ranger will also debut an integrated trailer brake controller, which will reduce the requirement of fitting one after purchasing. This includes a trailer connection checklist and trailer light check system, allowing you to check that your brake and indicator lights are correctly working.