Summarize

Seven years ago, this Ford Ranger 3.2 double cab 4x4 Wildtrak auto was all the rage. It got even better three years back when Ford facelifted it and added a whole lot of cool tech, including those trick instruments and the rest, but since then this bruising 3.2-litre five pot has quite literally met its Moses.

You’d expect a 3.2 litre bakkie to be the boss, yes? Well not any more – the world has moved on to leave bakkies like this exposed – big and brawny, this Best Bakkie 2012 3.2 Wildtrack may well be, but it is now no longer the quickest or the fastest and it’s definitely not the most frugal top end double-cab bakkie out there.

Never mind that these days double cabs powered by turbodiesel lumps half the size do the job better – witness our past two Best Bakkies – a 2.4-litre Mitsubishi and a 2.3-litre Nissan among others, have moved the game on; quicker, faster, thriftier and a whole lot more efficient too. It had to happen – downsizing is the way of the world and bakkies are not immune.

Anyway, the good news is that shortly after you read this, this 3.2-litre engine will be replaced by an all-new two-litre that will do everything far better. So much for all you nay-sayers, who promised that such small-bore bakkies were doomed. They are now very much the future…

All that said, we are still fans of the old five-pot Wildtrak and we enjoyed a most comfortable journey with this test unit taking in all kinds of driving from the wide-open spaces to well within city limits. It does use a bit more fuel – especially when pressed hard, but there will always be something special about a big old engine. Better enjoy that while it lasts then…

QUICK TEST: Ford Ranger 3.2 double cab 4x4 Wildtrak auto 

Engine:          147kW 437Nm 3198cc turbo diesel I45                     

Drive:            6-speed automatic 4x4

Payload           990kg

Braked Towing 3500kg

TESTED:

0-100km/h: 10.37 sec

400m: 17.2 sec @ 129km/h                

80-120km/h: 8.03 sec

CLAIMED:

Fuel:              9.0l/100km                           

CO2:                  236g/km

Warranty/Service: 4y 120K/6y 90Kkm 

LIST PRICE:              R655K             

RATED:           78%