The Ford Ranger XLT is the winner of the 4X4 Australia Ute of the Year for 2022!

April 11, 2022

The year 2022 is a very eventful one for the Australian car market. Coming out of a lockdown, which affected all of Australia, the car industry was facing unprecedented challenges during most of 2021 and at the very beginning of 2022. COVID-19 lockdowns, the closing of ports, and delays in shipping had only added to the pressures on the car industry. However, today things look vastly different. The Australians have stepped up and are dealing with things in their typical manner. Car sales are starting to look up, partly held back by the low stock availability. 2022 is looking to be a bumper year for new cars; since some highly anticipated models have been pushed back from 2021 to 2022. This year many vehicles, from new generation upgrades to fresh new car brands, are trying to make their mark in Australia.

It is against this backdrop that 4X4 Australia awards for the best cars in Australia were announced! After a week of rigorous testing on was on different terrains, the winner was determined! Every vehicle tested was compared with its direct competitors concerning equipment level, safety features, and pricing. The Utes were also tested on technological and design improvements, on how a Ute has met or exceeded the bar in its particular class. Utes with the most up-to-date safety features, reliable engine technology, or a sophisticated driveline would score well. Also, the vehicle’s strength and ability to withstand difficult off-road driving conditions were tested to the limits. Would it be able to haul loads and travel into the outback, or would it falter when it hits off-road at the first rough patch? The tyres’ suitability for rough roads, the touring range, available accessories, and underbody protection are only a few considerations considered along with how prepared the vehicle was for off-road travel. If it was a vehicle you could take on a road trip around Australia or was it better suited to the suburbs? A vehicle’s design brief too was considered while evaluating it. The ability of a Ute to carry a load or the capacity of a seven-seater to accommodate a family all played a role here. Was it a premium vehicle equipped with the most up-to-date comfort and convenience amenities, and do they work in real life? And the winner for the Best 4×4 Ute 2022, is the Ford Ranger XLT!

The Ute is a uniquely Australian vehicle. Its popularity is unquestionably linked to the Australian way of life, whether it’s the farmer with his cattle dog, kelpie in the back, or the urban tradie, likely with the same dog but a different load. People from other countries have difficulty comprehending the emotional attachment many Australians have to their utes.

The term ‘ute’ comes from the word’ utility,’ or, more precisely, ‘coupe utility,’ and refers to a vehicle with a cargo tray in the back and a front that is essentially a regular coupe with two doors. The name ‘ute’ is exclusively used in Australia and New Zealand; it is referred to as a ‘truck’ or a ‘pickup’ elsewhere.

The mid-size four-door 4×4 Ute is one of Australia’s most popular vehicles. As utes grew popular among recreational and family consumers, automakers began outfitting them with the same technology as other vehicles. They are now on a level with the other vehicles out there. They’ve grown in popularity to the point where they now dominate the 4×4 sales scene and deserve their own category.

The Ranger XLT received the greatest overall score, making it a near-unanimous conclusion; all the test drivers rated the Ranger as very good. It was clear the Ranger was exceptional from the moment the drivers took to the tracks at the AARC. The Australian DNA of the Ranger XLT was obvious from the very beginning. It seemed made for the Australian conditions. The car handled the corrugated roads very well even when unladen. It rode well, had very good brakes, good gearing, and comfortable seats – All reasons for it being the best seller in its class. The Ford Ranger is superior to all others in its category, rising to the top of the ute list for 2022. It equalled or exceeded its nearest rivals in almost all test criteria. The Australian engineering and influence that went into the T6 platform seemed to work very well. From desert terrain to the coast, the Ranger tackled the sandhills with relative ease, the bumpy paths in comfort, and was easy to drive on the roads.

Keep in mind that Ford is already ready with its updated model set to be released latest by the next year.  The all-new next-generation upgraded Ford Ranger is expected to be even better than this one! So stay tuned to be updated on when it is available and how it is better than the current version as and when it is released in Australia!