Decide-up vehicles are a few of the coolest automobiles out on the highway immediately.
From humble workhorse beginnings, immediately’s breed of double cab pick-up truck gives seems to be, practicality, and loads of normal options akin to SUVs and passenger vehicles with out shedding its utilitarian roots. Furthermore, the trendy pick-up can now be extra generally seen out on the metropolis, as a substitute of being out within the woods.
Seeing that the market remains to be loopy for pick-up vehicles, Ford Philippines determined to introduce a refreshed model of the FX4 for 2020. Will it be capable to surpass the earlier FX4’s already attractiveness? Does it have upgrades past these seen on the exterior? And does it now include 4WD?
Very first thing’s first, that dashing exterior. When Ford first launched it again in 2017, it appeared suave due to its abundance of blacked-out accents. For 2020, the Blue Oval saved the theme however leveled it up a bit.
The FX4 will get a brand new black entrance grill that seems to be harking back to the US-spec Ranger’s design. In the meantime, the entrance and rear bumpers are just like that of the XLT mannequin. It is value noting, although, that the decrease apron of the entrance bumper has been painted black to match with the outside’s darkish aesthetics. Different normal extras fitted on the 2020 Ranger FX4 are the 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, the brand new sports activities bar on the again, and the distinct FX4 badging and decals all through the pick-up truck.
With the True Pink paint end on the outside, I’ve to say that the blacked-out accents on the 2020 FX4 do make for a menacing but cool look for the Ford Ranger. Props to the designers that considered making the FX4 look sportier than ever.
Inside, this specific Ranger will get a dose of sporty upgrades. It will get FX4-embossed leather-based seats, bespoke FX4 carpets with purple piping, purple distinction stitching on the leather-based steering wheel, seats, and door playing cards, and the fake carbon-fiber trim. Positive, some may say Ford may have performed extra because the touches are refined to say the least, however they do boost the inside nonetheless. Maybe my most favourite addition is the branded ground mats since they seem like one thing you may see on a cool sports activities automobile, not on a pick-up truck.
If there’s one thing that I actually preferred on the FX4, it must be the upgraded infotainment system. Additionally obtainable on the upgraded XLS and XLT variants launched for the 2020 mannequin 12 months, the system does away with the “archaic” SYNC 1 system. Gone are the multitude of buttons on the middle sprint because it has been changed with a touchscreen. This meant options comparable to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at the moment are obtainable throughout the vary (apart from the Wildtrak and Raptor). Different options like Bluetooth, USB, voice management, and even Aux are additionally normal on the FX4.
Sitting on the again, there may be beneficiant legroom, headroom, and elbowroom. Ought to there be solely two of you seated on the again, there is a folding heart armrest full with built-in cupholders for extra comfy driving expertise. The backrests, nevertheless, are fairly upright though that’s to be anticipated on a pick-up truck.
Just like the Ranger FX4 from earlier than, this one is powered by the acquainted 2.2-liter Duratorq turbo-diesel engine. It nonetheless produces 160 PS at 3200 rpm together with 385 Nm of torque at 1600 – 2500 rpm. Energy is then transferred to a six-speed computerized transmission that drives the rear wheels. Sorry 4WD followers, the FX4 remains to be a “fake by 4”.
So how does it drive? Nicely, to be trustworthy, the 2020 mode nonetheless feels precisely just like the FX4 I bought to drive some three years in the past. Do not take that the fallacious manner as I truly just like the efficiency of the powertrain regardless of its age. Energy from the two.2-liter turbo-diesel engine is nice and there may be substantial pulling energy at low to mid revs. Overtaking slower vehicles on the freeway is simple and you may even set the transmission to Sport mode for a extra spirited driving expertise.
The powertrain can also be easy due to the tried-and-tested six-speed computerized transmission which comes with guide choose must you favor to shift gears your self. As a lot because the newer ten-speed auto is (barely) extra environment friendly on the Wildtrak mannequin, I would nonetheless a lot favor the six-speed because it offers smoother downshifts in comparison with the previous. As for gas financial system, the Ranger is as environment friendly as ever. It will probably simply sip diesel at round 14.0 – 14.5 km/l on the freeway, and about 9.Zero km/l in regular metropolis driving circumstances.
Experience high quality, then again, is respectable. It is nowhere close to an SUV’s degree of consolation, however at the very least it isn’t as bouncy because the Hilux. So far as dealing with is worried, the Ranger FX4 dealt with properly for a high-riding ute. With digital energy steering (EPS), the Ranger is simple to drive round metropolis streets and slim aspect streets. And because it’s adaptive, the steering stiffens up if you’re driving at freeway speeds. Nonetheless, I do want Ford makes its EPS programs ship extra highway suggestions as they have a tendency to don’t have any highway really feel by any means.
At PhP 1,316,000, the FX4 is definitely a properly packaged pick-up truck that will get a pleasant aesthetic improve. It is a bit costlier than the XLT (from which it’s basically based mostly off), however for those who favor your Ranger with a bit extra type however can not afford the Wildtrak, the FX4 is the way in which to go. It additionally comes with loads of security options like anti-lock brakes with digital brakeforce distribution, brake help, twin entrance airbags, rear parking sensors, cruise management, traction management, stability management, and hill-start help.
However for a pick-up truck that carries the FX4 badge, I am nonetheless disenchanted that it isn’t obtainable with 4WD. That is as a result of Ford Philippines determined to designate the FX4 merely as an look pack, not as a particular 4×4 model as seen on US-spec pick-up vehicles. Positive, it has a number of nifty upgrades right here and there, however utilizing the FX4 title with out it truly having 4WD upgrades is a little bit of a downer.
Regardless, for those who can look previous the Ranger FX4’s lack of 4WD and take a look at it for what it has to supply, it’s a cool-looking pick-up truck. Fingers crossed Ford truly makes a ‘correct’ 4×4 model of the Ranger FX4 quickly.
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