From workhorse to tech marvel: Vehicle excels in every aspect

WE'VE had our long-term Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab bakkie for a couple of months now and it's been a trusty workhorse without skipping a beat.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

I've carted a faulty tumble dryer to the repair shop, saving on the call-out fee, lawnmowers, because the city council has long since given up on service delivery where we live, so veld grass verges need to be cut, and, with winter creeping up on us, thrown a bakkie load of wood on the back.

I've also focused on my fuel consumption and, between my partner and I, we've managed to get it down to 9l/100km.

It helps that much of the driving has been done on highways, but for a 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel engine with 154kW and 500Nm of torque aided by a 10-speed automatic transmission, that’s not bad for a big bakkie.

Ask Ford self-service

While bakkies of yore were considered primarily as agricultural implements, the new generation is in a completely different class.

This is especially so with the Ford Rangers with driving dynamics closer to a modern SUV, interior creature comforts that hit it out of the park and technology to scare any luddite.