Top Revs recently had the opportunity to test drive the bakkie to verify what other automotive journalists had to say about the workhorse and what we can say is, driving the XL is like driving a bakkie, without that bakkie feeling. To start off, the light delivery vehicle has all the bells and whistles expected from a bakkie from the exterior and interior looks, safety, comfort, off-road and 4×4 capabilities, as well as excellent fuel consumption. The diesel engine is more than capable of doing what it was designed for, delivering a hefty 125kW through its 2.
0L 4-Cylinder in-line turbo diesel engine. On paper, the XL’s fuel consumption is 7,7L/100km (around 12,98km/L) under normal driving conditions. With a tank capacity of 80L, it should theoretically reach a distance of just over 900km.
The vehicle provides information about fuel consumption at a glance, assisting the driver to adjust to driving conditions and engine performance. However, for diesel powered vehicles, it is not advisable to drive until empty, due to the complexity of the engine and injectors. This will send air, instead of fuel through the system and the vehicle will shut down.
And it will not start again until all the air is removed, which can take several hours to happen through a process called ‘bleeding’. The two-seater has all the aesthetics and comfort one expects from a Ford, while at the same time being robust enough to take on the jobs it was built for. From the multifunctional power steering, electric windows, upholstery and touch screen infotainment system, to mention a few, the car stands its ground.
It is ‘Built Ford Tough’, as the saying goes. Despite being a bakkie, it still drives and manoeuvres like a sedan on both gravel and tarred roads, as well as through city traffic. Novel Ford sales executive Isak Shaanika Elias says the XL is available in both 4×4 or 4×2 models.
“The single cab is actually one of our popular brands due to its powerful engine and it has multifunctional uses for commercial or private purposes,” he adds. The vehicle is designed with a load capacity of almost a tonne, and a towing capacity of 3 500kg. To add to the value of the vehicle’s workhorse purpose, the load box can be fitted with trellis and comes with tie-down hooks, as well as a rail on the outside to tie bigger containers like pallets, a cement mixer, or any other load that needs to be secured.
It was the 4×4 version that secured Top Revs’ heart and the XL never failed to meet expectations. Engaging the vehicle’s all wheel drive system can be done via a dial fixed on the centre console and the options are easy to use. It has the capability to operate (depends on the conditions and terrain) in normal 2-wheel drive, 4-high or 4-low, when needed in extreme conditions.
With all this load, the vehicle is still guaranteed excellent road handling. Another nice to have is the car’s manual being available on the infotainment screen, providing owners with much needed information at their fingertips. All the vital interior and exterior information is available (in colour) on the centre positioned screen.
The vehicle does not shy away from safety and is fitted with airbags for both driver and passenger, traction control, ABS and electronic brake distribution that ensures proportionate braking is applied to each wheel..
