2023 Ford Ranger XLT Review

Ford is known for making great pickup trucks and the Ranger is one of its oldest models. The Ranger is the company’s answer to the midsize pickup truck class and it is a good one thanks to the Ranger’s immense capabilities, ruggedness, reliability, and the list goes on.

The 2023 Ranger is upon us and it comes in various trim levels. The XLT is one of them and we’ll be discussing its highlights. Hence, the following is the 2023 Ford Ranger XLT review:

Features

The Ford Ranger is currently in its 4th generation which debuted when it made its remarkable comeback in the form of a midsize pickup. The Ranger offers 3 trim levels, with the XLT being the mid-range trim. It comes with 1 engine option and there are no significant updates on this year’s model.

Powertrain and Numbers

The 2023 Ford Ranger XLT comes with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbo (w/Auto Start-Stop). It produces 270 hp and 310 lb-ft and sends it to a 2-wheel drive system via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. 4-wheel drive is optional on this truck.

The acceleration of this truck is commendable at around 6 seconds – it is great for the class. You’re also allowed to tow quite a bit as Ford says that it can pull up to 7500 lbs when equipped right. There’s also a high payload capacity of 1905 lbs.

The Ranger has always been efficient and this year’s no different. The EPA says that it can do up to 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway with RWD. The 4WD version isn’t far behind at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Interior and Technology

On the inside, the Ford Ranger doesn’t look and feel like a truck that’s meant for heavy lifting. Instead, it offers a lovely interior that can be maintained easily. There are several components that feel upscale. The Ranger is as roomy as a midsize truck can be.

The interior colors available on the 2023 Ford Ranger XLT are the following:

You also get a fair amount of space for storing stuff inside the cabin. This is due to the reasonable storage space offered by the cubbies of this truck. Also, you get even more storage under the seat which is not available on the base model.

The Ford Ranger XLT 2023 leaves no stone unturned when it comes to having a sophisticated cabin. You get all sorts of features such as dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and power points for the front and the rear.

You can make this even more sophisticated by ticking some of the options available. These include but aren’t limited to an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and powered front seats.

The infotainment comprises an 8-inch touchscreen mated to a 6-speaker stereo, a 4.2-inch instrumentation screen, a USB port, and a satellite radio. You can upgrade this by opting for voice-controlled satellite navigation.

There’s a lot offered in the form of standard safety equipment. It includes forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a rearview camera, and blind-spot monitoring.

2023 Ford Ranger XLT

Exterior and Driving

The 2023 Ranger XLT is a good-looking truck and it is complimented well by its body-color bumpers and carbon black mesh grille with silver surround. You can choose from several packages to personalize the truck according to your needs.

For example, the Tremor and Splash packages add unique front grilles and their own graphics among other things to the exterior. The Tremor is more than an appearance package since it improves the truck for off-roading by adding a bash plate for protection.

As far as the essentials are concerned, the Ranger XLT is a versatile truck. It is available in 2 cab configurations – SuperCrew and SuperCab. You also get to choose from 2 truck bed sizes – 5 and 6 feet.

The exterior colors available on the 2023 Ranger XLT are the following:

The 2023 Ford Ranger is known to be an athletic truck that keeps its driver entertained. It has also been praised for the way it handles and steers. It is an agile vehicle that often doesn’t feel like it is a work truck at all.

On top of that, you also get quite a bit of off-road capabilities. Ford’s Terrain Management System is available and it helps optimize this truck to handle the different kinds of terrains that you could find off-tarmac.

If you get the FX4 off-road package, it brings about several add-ons such as off-road suspension, skid plates, and an electronic diff in the rear. It also adds more driving assistance and displays more data that can help you in trailblazing.

Reliability and Warranty

As far as predicted reliability is concerned, JD Power has given the 2023 Ford Ranger (including the XLT) a score of 86 out of 100. This puts it in the ‘Great’ category; the organization has also put the 2023 Ranger at the top of its list of midsize trucks for the year.

Consumer Reports described its dependability as average which just makes this truck more trustable. Along with these stamps of approval, you also get two warranties. You get covered via the limited and powertrain warranties of 3 years/36k miles and 5 years/60k miles respectively.

Verdict

To conclude, the Ford Ranger XLT is the optimal choice for a midsize truck due to a number of reasons. It performs well thanks to its awesome engine and has great towing and hauling capacities. It also comes with an interior that looks and feels great and is loaded with all sorts of comfort and safety amenities. The reliability is there as well.

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