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The versatility of a bakkie just can't be emphasised enough. It can go virtually anywhere, in addition to hauling a load and not even breaking a sweat. I've had the Ford Ranger XL bakkie on an extended test, and other than being aptly capable, it also excels in an area usually reserved for smaller vehicles.
Having bakkie and fuel-efficient in the same sentence is uncommon because the former usually have forced-induced, bigger displaced engines with bucketloads of torque to transport and pull heavy loads. Priced from R494 500, Ford's Ranger XL bakkie has a turbodiesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 125kW and 405Nm. The test unit we have is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission.
While there is quite a lot of value for the price – which comes in cheaper than a Toyota Hilux – I wanted to test the limits of how frugal the 2.0-litre engine could be. Could I match or beat the automaker's average fuel consumption claim of 6.9-litres/100km?
