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The first thing you notice is the stance. Wide, planted, purposeful. Then you climb in and realize this is a truck that wants to work all day yet doesn’t demand you give up comfort to do it.
More creature comforts, zero compromises
Ford has taken the Ranger Super Duty and given it a quieter, more civilized persona with the new XLT. Ventilated and heated front seats arrive as standard, complete with driver memory. Partial leather trims lift the cabin feel. All-weather mats for the front seats and carpeted flooring keep the everyday mess under control while still feeling grown-up.
But this isn’t a trimmed-down plush version. The XLT keeps the hard-earned capability the Super Duty badge promises. It can tow up to 4,500 kilograms with the same determination as the work-focused XL. The widened track that steadies things on the road also pays dividends when you’re hauling a heavy trailer or carrying awkward loads.
Practical touches are well thought out. The SuperCrew XLT borrows the Ranger’s box step to make bed access easier, and a 4.5-ton compatible tow bar and hitch are fitted from the factory, though you’ll need to provide the tow ball yourself. Onboard Scales give near real-time payload estimates, and an integrated trailer brake controller means fewer trips to the fitters after purchase.
Technology leans toward the helpful rather than the gimmicky. A 12-inch touchscreen sits at the center of the cabin and responds to natural voice controls. Pro Trailer Backup Assist takes the terror out of reversing with a trailer. Smart Hitch estimates tow ball weight, and Trailer Connection Alarm watches the trailer’s electrical system when the truck is locked, sending a notification to the owner’s Ford app if something disconnects.
Range anxiety? Not here. The Super Duty XLT carries a 130-liter fuel tank, which translates to serious distance between fill-ups for long hauls or remote work sites.
Built to go places, literally
Off the beaten track, the XLT remains capable. Ford quotes an 850 millimeter wading depth. Electronic locking differentials front and rear, Hill Descent Control, and Trail Turn Assist all add confidence when the route gets rough. Six auxiliary switches, zone lighting, and a wireless charging pad round out the practical kit list.
Modern safety and driver-assist features are comprehensive. Expect Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Centering, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitoring with Trailer Coverage, Pre-Collision Assist, and Reverse Brake Assist as standard. These systems aren’t window dressing; they make towing and daily driving less fatiguing and safer.
For operators who spend time in isolated locations, Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Control is a welcome inclusion. It lets drivers schedule or manage DPF regeneration so the truck behaves predictably in confined spaces or off where standard regeneration routines could be a problem.
In short: the Ranger Super Duty XLT takes the Ranger’s brute capabilities and dresses them in thoughtful, usable features. It’s a mid-size truck that knows how to work, but also understands why the crew wants a better ride home.
Source: autoevolution
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