The Ford Ranger (T6) Thread

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak and why bakkies rule in South Africa

I recently had a Porsche 911 Carrera on test and I absolutely loved it but as much as I enjoyed driving it, our roads and fellow road users make it difficult to get the full experience.

So when I climbed back into our long-term Ford Ranger Wildtrak Supercab, it got me thinking why bakkies are South Africa’s favourite vehicle.

Every month’s sales figures reflect a slew of bakkies that have found new owners, with the Toyota Hilux constantly leading the pack, the Ford Ranger not far behind, followed by Isuzu.

Throw Nissan, Peugeot, Mitsubishi and GWM into the mix and you get my point.

Interestingly, Ford leads the double cab sales figures.

Driving dynamics

Long gone are the days of bakkies being uncomfortable transport and having to wrestle the steering wheel to keep it planted.

In fact, the Wildtrack’s driving dynamics are a lot more car-like than a ladder frame load carrier would suggest and currently boasts the best ride quality out of all the double cabs in the market.

Apart from how comfortable it is to drive, they’re a handy tool for carting things around and I suspect there are a number of sportscar owners who have a bakkie in the driveway as well.

Whether it’s garden refuse, small home renovations or in my case, moving my son’s belongings to his new room at the university residence.

They save on appliance call-out fees as well when we were charged R250 for someone to inspect a faulty tumble-dryer.

Loading it into the back to take it to them meant the money was spent on a more worthy cause for the evening’s braai.

 
Ford Ranger bakkie: still the king in SA's used car market

Used car market sales continue to look positive following a strong start to 2025.

According to data from "AutoTrader", February posted superior year-on-year (YoY) sales and only a slight decline in monthly sales despite fewer business days.

Meanwhile, January normally sees a strong performance as a result of various incentives and discounts offered by dealerships but February did well with 28,885 used vehicles sold, representing a 0.8% YoY increase and a 6.7% month-on-month (MoM) decrease.

Ranger still tops

The Ford Ranger remains undefeated, maintaining its top position in the used car market. The top six best-selling vehicles have retained their rankings from last month, with some shifts between the seventh and tenth spots.

Top 10

1 Ford Ranger

2 Toyota Hilux

3 Volkswagen Polo

4 Volkswagen polo Vivo

5 Toyota Fortuner

6 Suzuki Swift

7 Nissan NP 200

8 Isuzu D-Max

9 Toyota Starlet

10 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

 
Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

Are you looking for the most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkie currently on offer in South Africa? Here they are…

Double-cab bakkies aren’t often associated with fuel efficiency, but that doesn’t mean that they’re all thirsty gas-guzzlers! In fact, this list highlights the most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies on the market right now!

Double-cab bakkies serve multiple purposes in South Africa. They are workhorses, but they are also family vehicles used for a wide variety of leisure activities. They are often seen clambering up rocky mountain roads or towing boats and other leisure vehicles and accessories.

For the average double-cab bakkie buyer in South Africa, outright capability is sometimes more important than fuel efficiency, but if you consider that these vehicles often commute within the city too, then fuel efficiency becomes more relevant. Also, with fuel prices on the rise, you’d be wise to account for it. After all, fuel efficiency has a direct impact on the overall cost of ownership of the vehicle and it should form part of your decision-making process when you are looking to buy a double-cab bakkie.

Note that this list is determined according to claimed manufacturer fuel consumption figures. In the real world, consumption will vary depending on factors such as driving style, load, road and terrain conditions and so forth, so consider this a guideline when looking for the most economical bakkie.

Pricing details are accurate as of March 2025.

Most Fuel Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

1. Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XL manual – 6.9 L/100 km

2. Volkswagen Amarok 125 kW / Life double-cab – 6.9 L/100km

3. Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 Raider / SR – 7.1 L/100 km

4. Nissan Navara SE / SE Plus – 7.2 L/100km

5. Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD L – 7.3 L /100km

www.cars.co.za

Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

We list South Africa's most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies currently on sale. See which pick-ups drink the least amount of fuel.
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za
 
Ford's Silverton plant in South Africa exclusively makes Ranger hybrid bakkies for global markets

South Africa’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant has kicked off full-scale production of Ford’s new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), marking a pivotal shift in the company’s global sustainability strategy. The hybrid pickup, assembled exclusively in South Africa for international markets, underscores Ford’s commitment to greener manufacturing and innovation.

Ockert Berry, Ford South Africa’s Vice President of Operations, hailed the milestone as transformative: “Producing the Ranger PHEV here cements Silverton’s role as a cornerstone of Ford’s global manufacturing network. This facility isn’t just building vehicles—it’s shaping the future of sustainable mobility.”

However, the Ranger PHEV is currently not earmarked for local introduction but is “under consideration”.

Sole production hub

Designated as Ford’s sole global production hub for the Ranger PHEV, the Silverton plant has undergone extensive upgrades to handle the hybrid’s advanced technology. With an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles, including 200 daily PHEV units across left and right-hand drive configurations, the facility now supports exports to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand from 2025.

 
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