This supercab bakkie excels on roads less travelled

WHILE reviewing the Ford Wildtrak Supercab, the question most people asked me is: “Can you sit in the back?”

- ANDRÉ KRUSE

The short answer is: “No, and it should not be used as such.”

That said, if it is raining or cold or driven by need, I would sit in the back, but it is squashed and uncomfortable. And if you are just a bit taller than I am (1.74m), then it will be far too tight with limited leg room.

It was certainly not suited for the road trip we were venturing out on. There are no seats, no backrest and no safety belts. It is a safe, dust-free and spacious space to pack and store goods in, with two secure compartments, one of them housing the vehicle's jack equipment and safety triangle.

We packed our luggage tightly, but a few securing points would be a good addition to avoid things from potentially flying around the cabin.

The back part of the Supercab is accessed through two “suicide doors”, where the door is hinged at the rear of the vehicle rather than the front.

Originally used on horse-drawn carriages, they were widely used in the mid-twentieth century. Seatbelts were not a major feature then, and if the rear-hinged door opened while in motion, the laws of physics could force the door open. The person would have to lean out and could easily fall out and into traffic, hence the name — “suicide doors”.

The back doors are locked in place with their own latches, and with the front doors closed, they will not be flying open. The windows are a dark tint, making it difficult for unwanted prying eyes to see into the area behind the seats.

In summary, this Ford Ranger Wildtrak is not a Double Cab, and it is not a Single Cab. It is a “Supercab” or, as some like to describe it, an extended cab. The shorter cabin means more loadspace in the load bay.

Exterior and interior

The exterior is bold, rugged and tough looking. It is a high ride with ample ground clearance accentuated by the 18-inch Good Year Wrangler All Terrain tyres.