I used to think the Sport model grade hit the sweet spot in the Ranger line-up, but with this latest generation it has gone upmarket with a corresponding increase in price.

So for my money the Ranger XLS now represents the best value for money for those looking for a double-cab ute for 4×4 touring. You should be able to pick one up for around $64k drive away, depending on where you live and what colour/options you want. Personally, I’d splurge $700 on premium paint (Meteor Grey or Aluminium) so it didn’t look like a workhorse.

The Ranger XLS is offered solely with the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. While not as potent as the V6 model, with a claimed 154kW and 500Nm on tap and a sweet-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, the 2.0L driveline still offers plenty of performance… even when fitted with accessories for touring and with a load on board.

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The Ranger XLS offers a good mix of tech and equipment but without many of the superfluous features of higher-grade models. Standard convenience and safety kit includes a 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen with FordPass Connect and built-in satnav, an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control air conditioning with rear vents, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitor, cross traffic alert, AEB, nine airbags, cloth seats with eight-way driver adjustment and four-way passenger adjustment, and a power tailgate lock. Not bad for a lower-grade variant.

One of my favourite aspects of the XLS spec is the off-road friendly 16-inch wheel size, which allows for fitment of a wide range of all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres. Also beneficial for 4×4 touring is the standard tow hitch with integrated brake controller and the 400W power outlet in the tub.

Despite its decent list of standard equipment, there are still many improvements that can be made to the Ranger XLS for those who want to use it for 4×4 touring. First up, you’ll need to fit a decent aftermarket suspension kit that will cope with the added weight of accessories and gear.

Most suspension manufacturers will have kits designed to handle certain loads such as a vehicle with no accessories, a vehicle with a bull bar fitted, and a vehicle with a bull bar and winch fitted, as well as the load you expect to carry in the tub, such as a 0–300kg load or a constant 300kg load, or even a GVM upgrade. Suspension upgrades vary greatly in quality and price, with budget options starting from as little as $1300 plus fitting, to high-end kits at more than $3500 plus fitting.

On the Ford Ranger XLS, I would fit a quality steel bull bar for protection against animal strikes and to house a 9000–12,000lb electric winch ($1200–$3000) for vehicle recoveries. For those who want their bull bar covered by their new vehicle warranty, Ford is now a reseller of ARB products, and for a Summit Bar MkII you’d be looking at around $4700 fitted. You will also need a decent set of LED driving lights ($700+ a pair) or an LED light bar ($350+) to complement the Ranger XLS’s not-so-fab halogen headlights.

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While utes are great for carrying a lot of gear in the tub, without a tonneau, a roll-top or a canopy, they don’t offer any protection for said gear. For 4×4 touring, a canopy is an ideal solution as it provides a large and secure storage area. There are plenty of options on the market such as fibreglass canopies from the likes of ARB, TJM and Ironman 4×4 ($3000–$4000), and aluminium or steel tub toppers ($2000–$4000).

Other accessories you’ll need for 4×4 touring include five decent all-terrain or mud-terrain Light Truck (LT) tyres ($2000+), a snorkel ($700), a quality UHF and antenna ($400–$700), a dual-battery setup with lithium battery and charger ($1500+), a winch recovery kit ($200+), and perhaps a drawer system with a fridge slide ($400–$2000).

As you can see, it’s not hard to drop another $20k-plus on accessories to transform a Ford Ranger XLS into a well set up 4×4 tourer, but once you’re done you’ll have a comfortable vehicle with excellent off-road capability that can take you almost anywhere in the country.

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