Automotive
Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×2: Big-boy truck for the family
It’s handsome, techie, and a safe ride
The moment I was given the keys to the all-new 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×2, my first thoughts were of slight disappointment over two things: First, I wished this were a Ranger Raptor. Second, I hoped I had the keys to the 4×4. Little did I know that all those gripes and disappointments would be left behind as soon as I drove away from the facility I picked this up from.
Spoiler Alert: I finally get the appeal of Ford Trucks and why they are up there as one of the biggest sellers of passenger trucks in the market.
What’s new
There are very subtle changes made for the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 from its predecessor. Those very changes set the tone for this truck to become a future best seller in its own right. The exterior now features an upgraded honeycomb grill, giving it a more menacing look and reinforcing its appeal towards the rugged truck market.
Ford calls this color on the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildcatter, Saber and is exclusively available to the Wildtrak variant. Black chrome trimmings now adorn the vehicle’s front skid plate, side mirrors, door handles and those slick 18 inch alloy wheels shod in 265/60/r18 tires. The tires are rated for highway and road use but taking it down the beaten path shouldn’t pose much of a problem
You do have the usual truck paraphernalia such as the functional roof rack up top to accommodate more luggage. That is if the huge bed space up back isn’t enough for you, but the devil is surely in the details. The black sports bar in the rear, with the body colored stripe adds to its macho appeal and the huge, chunky step board proves that macho can also be a gentleman.
Courtesy lights below the side mirrors help you see where you are going as you step out of the vehicle but the best small detail on the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 would be that coveted Black Ford Badge. If some brands have their red badges set aside for the sporty versions of their cars, Ford has dibs on black, and it is glorious.
Techie interior
Getting inside the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak, easily, I might add thanks to grab handles on the A-Pillar and the aforementioned stepboard, you will be greeted by the plush leather interior with that Saber gold contrast stitching.
The seats also feature the Wildtrak badge embossed into it for good measure. Gone are the days of trucks being solely relegated to more agricultural duties, this truck aims to replace your family sedan.
Thanks to giant cupholders, center console and the high-resolution screen next to the speedometer, which can provide you with all the information that you need at a moment’s notice, this truck is the farthest thing from being a farm tool, and we’re just getting started.
The 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak is as technologically endowed as the best of them and can most definitely be worthy as your next GadgetMatch! Ford Sync 3 technology not only integrates the epic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with the 6 booming speakers, but it does so in a way ever so seamlessly.
This truck of all things is the easiest to pair with your smartphone thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Once you’ve completed the initial setup which takes literally a few seconds, it then automatically detects your phone and uses your navigation and media apps and takes on them like a champ. I tell you, Sync 3 is a revelation and isn’t a nerfed version of just screen mirroring. It totally integrates your connected way of life on the road.
Big-boy truck
After taking in all the tech the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak has to offer, you can’t avoid the fact that you just tower above almost every vehicle on the road. Thanks to the 232mm of ground clearance and the high seating position, visibility is just incredible and gives you more confidence traversing our hazardous roads.
You can always manually adjust the seats and steering wheel to find the perfect driving position for you, but that doesn’t deter from the fact that you now are on a big-boy truck.
The ride quality is definitely fit for a king as the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak features a suspension setting made for one.
In the past, I remember my uncle driving his old, rickety truck around with bags of sand in the back just to improve the ride quality. Not with the Wildtrak! The front, double wishbone suspension, typically found in your favorite sporty compact sedans works well in tandem with the finely tuned leaf springs in the back.
It absolutely felt like I was driving in the clouds during highway cruising as well as stop and go traffic. The suspension is also stiff enough to handle corners, quick evasive maneuvers thanks to the light, electronic steering mechanism.
Plenty of power
All that icing on the cake gives way for the cherry on top of this very capable truck. Ford has given the 2021 Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 the Single-Turbo version of their 2-liter Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel Engine.
Just push on the start button and you’ll start to feel the distinct rumble of the diesel engine. But thanks to powerful sound insulation, nary a noise. You might call this a watered-down version of the Bi-Turbo engine on the Ranger Raptor, however your butt-dyno will prove you otherwise.
There is plenty of power on tap thanks to the 10-Speed automatic transmission and shifts smoothly as the power management system selects the best gear for the situation.
This proves beneficial for fuel consumption as city driving nets an average of 9 km/l on an average of 30km/h and highway runs at an astonishing 14 km/l at an 80km/h average. Keep in mind that these numbers can certainly vary, but with all that power at your disposal, it’s easy to keep things sane.
Why drive like a madman when you can take it easy and let others gawk at your own personal handsome-truck!
Safety is a priority
You also get a whole slew of safety features that come standard on the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak. Six (6) Airbags, Anti-lock Brakes with Brake Force Distribution, Parking Sensors, a Rear-View Camera, Iso-Fix Anchors all come as standard. This truck offers so much more under its sleeve that will put executive sedans to shame.
Features such as Autonomous Braking Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Aid with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Alert, Hill Launch Assist and the magic Active Park Assist feature that takes the anxiety out of parallel parking create the perfect vehicle for safety.
A fantastic overall package
I never got to test the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak’s Towing and Hauling capabilities but that just goes to show you how much trucks have evolved over the years. I am certain that this truck is very much capable of carrying on the tasks of its forebears but that is no longer the point of passenger pick-up trucks these days.
It would be nice to have the option when hauling is necessary but for about 99% of this truck’s use, it should stand as the perfect family car. And it definitely does, quite tall and proud in fact!. The Wildtrak Starts at PhP 1,545,000 which, if you ask me, is a total steal considering the overall package.
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×2 your Gadgetmatch? It very well just might be!
Automotive
The VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers
It can handle a Caloocan-Laguna trip easily.
The photo above shows a VinFast VF6 in Mint Green. Today, if you hear about the VinFast brand, you might be more familiar with a different shade of green: the striking turquoise of Green GSM, a local electric taxi-hailing app that primarily uses vehicles from VinFast. But did you know that VinFast offers more than just taxi cars?
The VinFast VF6 is a midsize crossover electric SUV perfect for urban travelers. One look at the car is enough to tell you that it means business. The car’s front profile looks simple enough but still exudes that premium feeling. The rear is just as sharp as the front with strong horizontal lines that give that feeling of width on the road.
A short drive to Laguna
It’s not just pure looks, either. To test out the VF6, we took the crossover for a spin from VinFast Caloocan to Lakehall in Laguna. The 60km trip felt like a breeze with the 210hp electric engine. Add to that, the trip lasted from morning to late afternoon, giving the best of smooth highways and adverse traffic conditions.
The power felt just enough to soldier through the long drive, regardless of the condition. Handling was smooth. It has just enough give for maximum control when turning through tough Metro Manila traffic. But the acceleration unleashed the beast inside for those long and smooth straights.
Range anxiety is also a thing of the past. Despite being a long drive, the engine consumed only 15 percent of the battery each way. In total, the battery can supposedly last 480 kilometers on a full charge, and the results prove it.
Even if you get caught out with a low battery, the VinFast VF6 can juice up to 70 percent (from 10 percent) in only 25 minutes. With gas prices still wreaking havoc on every fuel powered car owner’s budgets, having a vehicle that can charge up at a cheaper price per kilowatt and at a quicker rate is an absolute must.
Driving in comfort
Inside, the VinFast VF6 offers a spacious cabin for driver and passenger alike. Both trips going to and from were luxurious.
First of all, the air-conditioning system hid an insane amount of power behind the car’s vents. Being under the sun, the car was naturally hot before use. However, after only being on for a few minutes, the air-conditioning cooled this inferno to much more comfortable levels. By the end, my companion and I were freezing.
Both the front and backseats had enough legroom to help drivers and passengers stretch out their legs. I didn’t feel the crippling claustrophobia of staying inside a car for hours.
The car also had a sizable 12.9-inch infotainment system angled towards the driver. Though the angle seemed too obtrusive if you’re a passenger princess, the system itself connected seamlessly to our phones for that entertainment so crucial to long drives.
Keeping safe in dangerous streets
Comfort should go hand in hand with safety. True enough, the VinFast VF6 comes with a vast suite of ADAS conveniences for safer trips. Of course, you’re getting the standard fixings present every car today, including airbags, but the beauty also lies in those tech-infused features.
First up: cruise control. Normally, I don’t use cruise control because I prefer having maximum control over a drive. However, the VF6’s system is easy to use even when on the go.
For lengthy highways drives, it also has lane departure warnings, which can jerk you back to the right lane if you drift too much onto the next lane. Forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking keeps your car safe from accidentally rear-ending cars in front.
Finally, the VF6 can automatically detect if you’re too drowsy or tired to drive. The system detects both your behavior inside the cabin and how you drive. For example, if you’re starting to drive erratically, the car will sound an alarm to hopefully prod you for a driver change or a short nap. Thankfully, we didn’t need this feature during our trip, but it’s nice to have.
Price, availability
The VinFast VF6 does not cost too much. The Plus version, which comes with 150kW of max power, sells for only PhP 1,699,000. Meanwhile, a competitively priced Eco version, which has 130kW of max power, sells for PhP 1,499,00.
Both models will come in Jet Black, Infinity Blanc, and Crimson Red.
Automotive
DENZA expands the electrified market with the all-new B5 and B8
Redefining the SUV experience through refined comfort.
Following a successful preview at the Manila International Auto Show 2026, DENZA Philippines has officially launched the all-new DENZA B5 and B8.
These electrified SUVs represent a significant step in the brand’s expansion, offering modern drivers a blend of efficiency and real-world capability designed for the complexities of modern life.
DENZA B5
The DENZA B5 is a midsize plug-in hybrid that addresses the common anxieties of transitioning to electrified driving.
It utilizes DMO Super Hybrid technology, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a dual-motor system. This setup delivers 425 kW and 760 Nm of torque, providing plenty of power for both city streets and open highways.
Range is often a concern but the B5 offers a combined NEDC range of up to 975 kilometers. This capacity allows for a full week of commuting without the constant need to recharge or refuel.
Inside, the cabin serves as a sanctuary, featuring massage and ventilated seats. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera system that makes navigating tight spaces feel intuitive and safe.
DENZA B8
For those who require more presence and capability, the DENZA B8 arrives as a full-size SUV available in Dynamic and Premium variants.
It’s built for extended journeys, offering a combined NEDC range of up to 1,040 kilometers. This allows drivers to focus on the road ahead rather than the nearest charging station.
The standout feature of the B8 is the DiSus-P Intelligent Damping Suspension. This system continuously monitors the road and adjusts the stiffness of the ride in real time.
The technology works in the background to ensure the ride remains composed and stable.
Inside, the B8 leans into luxury with dual wireless chargers and a built-in refrigerator.
Confidence across any terrain
Both the B5 and B8 are engineered for real-world off-road capability.
They feature four-wheel drive and front and rear electronically controlled locking differentials. Specialized modes for mud, sand, rock, and water wading give drivers the confidence to handle unpredictable conditions.
The inclusion of “Leopard Turn” technology allows for sharper maneuvering in narrow trails or tight U-turns.
The experience is completed by the DENZA App. This tool allows owners to monitor fuel levels, charging status, and location from their smartphones, ensuring that the vehicle is always ready for the next adventure.
Automotive
VinFast to expand in the Philippines with e-scooters: report
VinFast to compete head-on with major motorbike players
VinFast is bringing its electric scooters to the Philippines.
According to a report by TopGear, the Vietnamese EV manufacturer has signed agreements with 14 local distributors.
The report mentioned that specifically, the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper models shall be made available. The rollout will naturally begin in metro areas, as expected.
These models provide longer range on a single full charge and higher top speeds compared to budget e-bikes. It means they are suitable to be driven on major highways, provided that drivers have a license and the scooter is registered.
Moreover, in what is somewhat similar to Gogoro’s model from a few years back, VinFast is set to have 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide.
This way, drivers wouldn’t have to worry about running out of battery power while on the road. They can simply swap batteries instead of looking for charging stations.
This development means VinFast is competing head-on against other fuel-powered motorcycle brands in a market where such vehicles are popular for everyday use.
Not only that, VinFast will likewise compete with the likes of Yadea, RUX Electric Mobility, and even Hatasu to a certain extent.
It doesn’t come as a surprise as back home, VinFast is aggressively pushing for electrification, selling e-scooters to consumers.
This is aligned with the government’s goal to eventually ban petrol motorbikes in major cities, including the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Given the massive rate the production is going, it is only sensible for VinFast to also target nearby markets where it already has a presence, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.
In the Philippines, the Vingroup’s EV arm already competes in the electric cars and SUVs segment. Its offerings include the VF3 and VF5.
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