VEHICLE FEATURE
Orange
My
Crush
Juhi, pack your bags, we’ re going to the Garden Route! And before you get too excited, who is Juhi? Keep reading to find out.
By Byron Lukas
But this isn’ t really a story about Juhi. It’ s a story about my time behind the wheel of the 2026 Ford Ranger Wildtrak on a road trip along one of South Africa’ s most beautiful stretches of road.
All Eyes On Me The Ford Wildtrak has always had plenty of road presence, but the bright orange paint takes things to another level. It is bold, slightly loud and impossible to ignore, which, after a few hours behind the wheel, started to feel like exactly the point.
I had the opportunity to spend time with the Wildtrak, taking it on a Garden Route adventure, and it quickly became clear that this wasn’ t simply a workhorse wearing a fancy shirt. The biggest talking point is under the bonnet …
Petrol Power Ford has introduced the 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine to the Ranger range, producing a healthy 222kW and 452Nm of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and, in this Wildtrak configuration, drives the rear wheels.
On the open road, the petrol engine feels smooth, eager and properly punchy. Overtaking slower traffic doesn’ t require a lengthy negotiation with the gearbox, while climbing some of the Garden Route’ s undulating roads is handled without drama.
But the 10-speed automatic deserves some credit too. It keeps the engine in its sweet spot without constantly reminding you that there are, in fact, 10 gears available.
Ford claims combined fuel consumption of 9.3L / 100km for the 2.3-litre petrol Wildtrak, although real-world consumption will naturally depend on how heavy your right foot is.
More Than Just Muscle Inside, the Wildtrak feels considerably more premium than the average bakkie. The cabin is comfortable, spacious and packed with technology, making long stretches behind the wheel far easier than they have any right to be.
The 2026 model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, allterrain tyres, Matrix LED headlights, heated front seats,
56 | SPRING 2026 • rovesa. co. za