The cheapest Ford Ranger you can buy in South Africa

The cheapest Ford Ranger you can buy in South Africa is the XL, which starts at R574,000.

As you might expect from a bakkie, the cheapest available model is a single cab, which means you’ll need to pay an extra R11,500 for a SuperCab (extended cab), or R46,000 more for a double cab.

The Ranger is one of the country’s best-selling vehicles, routinely placing in the top five each month alongside the Toyota Hilux and passenger cars like the VW Polo Vivo and Toyota Corolla Cross.

However, it is certainly one of the more expensive pickups on the market, requiring more than half a million rand for the base model.

Unlike many other bakkies, where a significant portion of their sales come from the commercial sector, the Blue Oval’s pickup has proven to be a favourite among private households.

As a result, the Ranger has gradually moved upmarket to cater for the demand for leisure 4x4s.

On the far end of the scale, there are models like the luxurious Platinum and high-performance Raptor, which command price tags in the range of R1,150,000 to R1,270,000.

For those who are looking for something a little more down to earth, there’s the entry-level XL, which still has a lot to offer for a base unit.

What’s included

All three versions of the XL are fitted with a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine, which generates 125kW and 405Nm.

The base units are rear-wheel-drive, which means you’ll need to spend anywhere from R627,500 to R644,500 to purchase a single or double cab model with four-wheel-drive.

One interesting detail to note is that the single and SuperCab units feature a six-speed automatic gearbox, whereas the five-seater is the only one to have a six-speed manual shifter by default.

The automatic units have an average fuel consumption of 7.5l/100km, while the manual achieves a more economical figure of 6.9l1/00km.

As far as their practicality is concerned, all versions of the Ranger are certified to tow up to 3,500kg.

The single cab naturally has the longest load bed, which gives it a maximum load capacity of 1,121kg.

The SuperCab can take 964kg in the back, while the double cab can only manage 936kg.

Despite its entry-grade status, the XL still offers more equipment than you might expect of your typical workhorse.

The cabin features a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, automatic air conditioning, a digital driver display, and the Ranger’s signature 10.1-inch portrait infotainment screen mounted in the centre of the dashboard.

It also comes with automatic headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a full-size steel spare wheel, a rear differential lock, traction control, ABS, hill start assist, and six airbags.

Customers can additionally install optional extras such as cruise control, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.

The Ford Ranger is sold with a 4-year/120,000km warranty and a 6-year/90,000km service plan.