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!