2022 Ford Ranger WildTrak Sport Review

The pickup truck market in Malaysia has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Consumers are no longer satisfied with mere utility but are now demanding higher standards of comfort, features, and overall performance in pickups. The 2022 Ford Ranger WildTrak Sport, as a popular model in the mid-to-high-end pickup segment, has drawn considerable attention with its rugged design, balanced power, and rich configuration. This time, we conducted a comprehensive test with a real vehicle to see if it could meet both work demands and everyday household scenarios simultaneously.

From the exterior, the WildTrak Sport continues the rugged style of the Ranger series. The front features a large intake grille paired with a black honeycomb-patterned mesh, while the halogen and LED combination headlights on both sides have a sharp design. The standard daytime running lights and front fog lights enhance its recognition. The body has strong, straight lines, with 18-inch rims paired with 265/60 R18 tires. The black detailing on the side skirts and wheel arches adds to its sporty feel. The rear design is simple, with LED taillights seamlessly connecting to the body’s waistline. The rear bumper is equipped with a reversing radar and camera, maximizing practicality. The overall design retains the utility of a pickup while adding a modern touch through detailed processing, appealing to users who need a vehicle for both work and personal life scenarios.

Entering the interior, the design leans towards practicality, with a symmetrical layout on the center console. The touchscreen measures 8 inches and supports basic multimedia functions and smartphone connectivity, with a smooth operating experience. In terms of materials, soft materials cover the upper part of the center console, while the lower part uses hard plastic, which matches expectations for this price range. For features, the TFT instrument panel is clear and provides real-time vehicle status feedback. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning is convenient to adjust, and the front row comes with a 220V power outlet, making it suitable for outdoor use. For seating, the driver’s seat offers 6-way electric adjustment, while the passenger and rear seats are manually adjustable. The seat cushions are quite thick, ensuring comfort even for long durations. Thanks to the 3,220mm wheelbase, the rear legroom is spacious, and even with three adults seated, it doesn’t feel cramped. In terms of storage, the door pockets, center armrest box, and glove compartment all offer decent capacity, making it easy to accommodate small daily items.

In terms of power, the WildTrak Sport is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine that delivers a maximum power of 213PS, with peak torque available at 1,750-2,000rpm. It is paired with an AT transmission. During initial acceleration, the power response is quick—slightly pressing the accelerator immediately generates a noticeable push-back sensation. While overtaking, pressing the accelerator harder results in active downshifting and smooth power delivery. There are multiple driving modes available. Switching to Sport mode further enhances throttle sensitivity, ideal for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration. The chassis uses a double wishbone independent front suspension, with a tuning that leans towards comfort. When encountering bumpy roads, the suspension effectively absorbs most of the vibrations, ensuring that passengers inside don’t feel significant jolts. The steering feel is moderate, with precise directionality. At high speeds, the steering wheel remains stable, and during cornering, the body roll is well-managed, displaying good stability.

As for fuel consumption, in mixed road conditions, the tested fuel consumption was approximately 8.5L per 100km. Considering its 2.0L diesel engine and 2,156kg weight, this performance is among the upper-middle level in its class. The braking performance is also commendable, with a moderate brake pedal travel and a linear feedback. During emergency braking, the vehicle body maintains stability without any noticeable nose-dive. Noise control is another highlight; at high speeds, wind and tire noise can be heard to some extent, but it remains within an acceptable range. The engine noise is nearly imperceptible at idle, overall aligning with household usage requirements.

In terms of safety configuration, the WildTrak Sport performs relatively well, equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Features like automatic parking and hill start assist greatly enhance everyday convenience. The inclusion of ISO FIX child seat interfaces provides added assurance for family users.

In summary, the 2022 Ford Ranger WildTrak Sport delivers a well-balanced performance among similar pickup models. Its rugged exterior design, rich configurations, comfortable driving experience, and reliable power system are its core strengths. Compared to competitors, it stands out with better configurations and comfort, making it suitable for consumers who need the practicality of a pickup truck while also catering to daily family use. Whether it's for work transportation or taking the family for a weekend camping trip, the WildTrak Sport can meet the needs excellently. If you're looking for an all-around pickup truck, the WildTrak Sport is worth considering.