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Mar 13, 2024

2023 Ford Ranger XLS review: We put the new tradie

With its 2216kg kerb weight and 3230kg GVM, the XLS has a one-tonne-plus payload rating of 1014kg. It’s also rated to tow up to 3500kg of braked trailer but with its 6350kg GCM rating (or how much it

With its 2216kg kerb weight and 3230kg GVM, the XLS has a one-tonne-plus payload rating of 1014kg. It’s also rated to tow up to 3500kg of braked trailer but with its 6350kg GCM rating (or how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time) that would require limiting the Ranger’s payload to 634kg, or a sizeable 380kg reduction.

These figures are theoretical of course because few owners would need to tow 3.5 tonnes, but it does highlight the importance of doing your sums when towing heavy loads.

There’s small and large bottle-holders and a storage bin in the base of each front door. (image: Mark Oastler)

The load tub, which has internal lighting in the side walls, is 529mm deep and its floor is 1547mm long and 1584mm wide with a 1413mm rear opening. Thanks to the wider track, there’s a more generous 1224mm between the wheel housings. That means it tops its predecessor in being able to carry either an 1165mm-square standard Aussie pallet or 1200 x 800mm Euro pallet, secured with six load anchorage points.

The tailgate can also serve as a handy workbench, with an integrated 1.3-metre ruler and two spring-loaded ‘trapdoors’ that allow the use of G-clamps to hold materials in place when cutting or drilling.

Cabin storage offers an overhead glasses holder and there’s small and large bottle-holders and a storage bin in the base of each front door. There are no cup or bottle-holders in the dash but there’s an open storage shelf on the passenger side above the glovebox. The centre console has open storage at the front, two cup/small-bottle holders in the centre and a storage box at the rear capped by a contoured and extended lid that doubles as a driver’s elbow rest.

The rear seat’s base-cushion can swing up through 90 degrees to provide access to a pair of underfloor compartments. (image: Mark Oastler)

Rear doors have single bottle-holders and smaller bins, but only the front passenger seat’s backrest offers a storage pouch for rear passenger use. There’s also no fold-down centre armrest with cup-holders so there's no place to carry them, which combined with the absent driver’s seat pouch are notable omissions in rear passenger comfort.

The rear seat’s base-cushion can swing up through 90 degrees to provide access to a pair of underfloor compartments, which are ideal for storing valuables away from prying eyes. The seat base can also be stored vertically if more internal cargo space is required.