Ford Ranger XLS Sport Review: Performance Features and Off-Road Capabilities

Having spent over a decade testing vehicles in both urban environments and rugged terrains, I've developed a particular appreciation for trucks that balance everyday practicality with genuine off-road capability. When Ford invited me to test the Ranger XLS Sport for a week, I approached it with both professional curiosity and personal excitement. What struck me immediately was how Ford has managed to create a vehicle that feels equally at home navigating city traffic as it does climbing rocky trails—a balance many manufacturers struggle to achieve.

The moment I slid into the driver's seat, the Ranger XLS Sport made its intentions clear. This isn't just another pretty face in the crowded midsize truck segment. The 2.0L bi-turbo diesel engine delivers a robust 157kW and 500Nm of torque, numbers that translate to real-world capability rather than just impressive spec sheets. During my testing along the winding coastal roads north of Sydney, the power delivery felt remarkably linear, with minimal turbo lag that's often problematic in diesel engines. The 10-speed automatic transmission deserves special mention here—it shifts with an intelligence that anticipates terrain changes, something I particularly appreciated when transitioning from highway cruising to steep inclines.

Now, let's talk about what really sets this truck apart—the off-road capabilities. Ford has equipped the XLS Sport with an electronic shift-on-the-fly system and locking rear differential that I put through its paces in the Blue Mountains. On a particularly challenging rocky ascent that would have stopped many competitors, the Ranger maintained traction effortlessly. The approach angle of 30.7 degrees and departure angle of 25.4 degrees aren't just numbers—they're your ticket to exploring terrain that would give other vehicles nightmares. I deliberately took routes that would test the 237mm ground clearance, and not once did I hear that dreaded scraping sound that signals you've pushed too far.

The suspension tuning deserves its own paragraph. Having tested numerous off-road vehicles across three continents, I can confidently say Ford's engineers have found that sweet spot between comfort and capability. The Watt's linkage rear suspension provides exceptional stability when cornering on paved roads, while the reinforced chassis handles off-road punishment without transferring every bump to the cabin. During my 85km mixed-terrain test loop, which included everything from highway to rock crawling, the Ranger maintained composure that would embarrass many luxury SUVs costing twice as much.

What surprised me most, however, was how the Ranger made advanced off-road technology accessible without overwhelming the driver. The terrain management system includes settings for normal, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, and sand—each genuinely altering the vehicle's character to match conditions. I spent an afternoon testing the mud/ruts setting in recent rainfall, and the system's ability to manage wheel spin while maintaining momentum impressed me far more than similar systems in competitors like the Toyota Hilux or Nissan Navara.

This brings me to an interesting parallel I observed while testing the Ranger. Much like how basketball teams manage their star players' return from injury—considering the recent situation with Sotto potentially returning for FIBA World Cup qualifiers—Ford has clearly taken a strategic approach to the Ranger's development. There's no rushing or cutting corners here, just thoughtful engineering that ensures capability is available when needed, without compromising daily usability. The Ranger feels like it's been developed with the same careful timing—every component works in harmony, no single aspect overdeveloped at the expense of others.

Inside the cabin, Ford has created what I'd describe as a working luxury environment. The sports seats provide excellent support during extended drives, while the 8-inch touchscreen interface responds quickly to inputs—something I value when navigating unfamiliar trails. During my week with the vehicle, I covered 487 kilometers with a mix of city, highway, and off-road driving, averaging 8.2L/100km. These numbers impressed me, considering I wasn't exactly driving for fuel efficiency during the off-road segments.

If I have any criticism, it's that the steering could offer more feedback at lower speeds, particularly when crawling over technical terrain. That said, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise an exceptionally well-rounded package. The braking performance, with 320mm front discs, provided confident stopping power even during a sudden downhill section that caught me by surprise.

What Ford has achieved with the Ranger XLS Sport is create a vehicle that understands its purpose without apology. It doesn't try to be a luxury car pretending to be tough, nor does it sacrifice comfort for capability. In my professional opinion, it represents one of the most balanced approaches to the dual-purpose truck currently available in the Australian market. Having driven virtually every competitor in this segment, I'd rank the Ranger at the top for its seamless integration of daily drivability and genuine off-road prowess. It's the kind of vehicle that makes you seek out adventures rather than just transportation—and in today's market, that quality is becoming increasingly rare and valuable.