From a Bantam to a Stormtrak – This reader’s day out with Ford

TopAuto readier Wiehann recently sent us a review of his 2004 Ford Bantam. Ford South Africa was overjoyed by the love that Wiehann has for his bakkie and the company offered to let him experience its current flagship, the Ranger Stormtrak.

He couldn’t refuse and on a Saturday in July, Wiehann and Ford spent a day in the double cab getting to find out how far the automaker’s bakkies have come in the past 18 years.

Wiehann shares this experience with us below.

Back to the future with Ford

This past weekend I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to drive one of the exciting Ranger Stormtraks for the day, thanks to Ford South Africa. 

One of the first things I noticed as this Ranger pulled up to the driveway is its mean, bulky, and yet elegant stance. It really is something you can just stare at for hours and after shaking hands with the driver we both stood there for a while chatting about and admiring the big double cab before climbing in.  

Being used to the much smaller Bantam, driving the Stormtrak had many differences and upgrades which I wrestled to wrap my head around after coming straight out of an interior from 18 years ago. 

Comfortability is a factor that I loved in the bakkie. Sitting high in the thick leather seats with enough room in the front that you might as well be on a comfy couch at home made me feel like the king of the road. 

It’s spacious and comfortable, but being used to the basic Bantam, the Stormtrak’s stylish design is definitely my biggest praise. 

It is easy to forget that you are driving a Ford that’s built tough and able to defeat almost any off-road track, while being stylish enough to glide through the city later the same night and turn heads on the way to a fancy restaurant. 

All the big screens and futuristic gadgets were also amazing to experience but the coolest new feature to me is that with a smartphone app you can now lock, unlock, start, and even locate your Ford from anywhere with your phone.

Even if you are sitting in China and need to open the doors because your wife somehow locked the keys inside, the app will let you do that. However, with the Bantam your best hope is the sliding rear window – I talk from experience.

The future came early and I can’t imagine what new tech lies ahead for the upcoming Rangers. 

The Stormtrak was a very enjoyable bakkie to own for the short day that I had it.

It’s surprisingly easy to maneuver and you feel connected to the road while driving, just like the Bantam.

Although the Bantam lets me do more than enough, like helping friends move, going camping, or even using the back as a hangout spot, the Stormtrak is more than capable of all the above and then some, but with more style, power, space, and luxury.

All in all, I loved every bit of “owning” the Stormtrak and it has certainly been a transition period getting used to my barebones Bantam again. 

I would love to see what Ford could do if it were to bring out a new Bantam for all the small-bakkie fans out there, like myself.