2026 Ford Ranger first drive: Versatility and V6 power to the fore as rivals circle

With a revised range, the setting of the sun on the bi-turbo four-cylinder engine, and the V6 engine more broadly available, Ford’s sales heavy hitter looks to continue its appeal to Australian new car buyers.

29 May 2026

Score breakdown

How much does the Ford Ranger cost to buy?

There’s a bewildering array of Ranger models to choose from, beyond the most obvious choice – that being the choice of engine. There’s cab-chassis or pick-up, single, super and double-cab bodies available, and then the steps between the model grades beyond that.

If you concentrate on 4×4 models, Ranger can be had from $45,600 for the XL single-cab chassis, 2.0-litre, single turbo variant. That price is before on-road costs and represents a $2630 price reduction from the previous price structure.

At the other end of the pricing scale, the Ranger Platinum dual-cab pick-up with the 3.0-litre, V6 engine costs $80,890 before on-road costs (no change from previous pricing). That’s just taking into account diesel engines of course, with the petrol-powered Raptor costing more again.

New to the range is the limited-edition Ranger Wolftrak, which gets green exterior highlights across the grille and doors, black 17-inch wheels with a lime green-coloured insert, a 360-degree camera, extra-length black alloy sports bar, honeycomb grille design, and Wolftrack emblems embossed into the seats. It starts from $70,990 before on-road costs with the V6 engine, and sits above the XLT model grade and below Tremor.

The model we’ve detailed in the specs at the end of this article (and pictured) is the 4×4 XL Double-Cab Pick-Up, which starts from $57,900 before on-road costs. Keep in mind also, that purchasing a four-cylinder Ranger means you can only access RWD or part-time 4WD, with full-time 4WD only available on the more expensive V6 variants.

How powerful is the Ford Ranger?

Gone is the bi-turbo four-cylinder engine, with the 2.0-litre, single-turbo four-cylinder doing duty for those not wanting a V6. The deletion of the bi-turbo was, according to Ford, part of a global change to the line-up, despite previously being the most popular engine.

The single-turbo engine has been revised with a new fuel injection system and a timing chain replacing the troublesome wet-belt set-up that was used previously. According to Ford, those changes improve durability and performance. Also going the way of the dodo is the six-speed automatic transmission, previously available lower down the range, replaced by the 10-speed automatic. With the changes, the V6 is now available across 13 of the 22 Ranger variants, compared to five of 21 variants with the last model.

The four-cylinder engine generates 125kW at 3500rpm and 405Nm between 1750rpm and 2500rpm, while the V6 makes 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm between 1750rpm and 2250rpm. Even on paper, you can see that the V6 reaches its peak power and torque figures slightly lower in the rev range, part of the reason it has such an effortless feel no matter what sort of driving you’re doing.

How fuel efficient is the Ford Ranger?

With the V6 now more widely available across the Ranger model line-up, we’ve concentrated on that engine for the specifications at the end of this story. However, a quick look at the specs for the single-turbo four-cylinder diesel reveals that it uses a claimed 7.2L/100km in the same XL grade as the V6 we’ve detailed there.

The V6, in XL guise then, uses a claimed 8.3L/100km, which, given the capability and performance of the drivetrain, is more than acceptable. In the real world, expect to use between 9.5 and 10.5L/100km, depending on the type of driving you’re doing, as we’ve done in testing previously. If you’re towing a heavy trailer long distances, expect that usage to climb further.

If fuel efficiency is your primary concern at the time of purchase and you’ve already decided on a Ranger, then the four-cylinder is the way to go. Combined with the 10-speed automatic, the four-cylinder is smooth, efficient and enjoyable to drive. However, if grunt and capability are the focus, the V6 clearly trumps the four-cylinder.

Is the Ford Ranger practical?

Our brief launch drive covers outer urban highway running, light-duty off-road driving in low-range, and higher-speed sealed surface test track driving. As it has done since launch, the Ranger – regardless of engine or model grade – continues to do what Aussies will want it to do with ease.

The farewell of the maligned wet-belt engine for a much more durable timing chain system is a bonus, with the four-cylinder now benefitting from the 10-speed automatic across the range. While the six-speed auto wasn’t a bad transmission, the 10-speed’s smooth changes and extra ratios make good use of the engine’s power and torque, and it’s always an easy combination at any speed.

Where the Ranger excels most is in its duality of character. It’s capable of long distance touring on sealed roads in comfort, but also capable off-road, when low-range is selected and the going gets tough. Both engines will tackle off-road work easily enough, but the big dog V6 does everything easier, and features the benefit of full-time 4WD on the road if you want it.

The price of admission isn’t cheap as you climb further up the model range, but even the base Ranger feels like your money has been well spent. That’s enhanced by the presence of the V6 engine, and while you do get more for more if you dig deeper at the time of purchase, you don’t necessarily ‘need’ all the niceties that come with the more expensive variants either.

Ranger’s unladen ride is as good as any of the leaf-sprung brigade, with the feeling from behind the wheel one of insulation and solidity. It can still skip over harsh, repeated ruts at highway speed, but doesn’t feel disconcerting when it does. As good as dual-cabs have become, you’re still making some compromises when a vehicle like this is your daily driver, and outright bump absorption and ride quality is one such area.

What warranty covers the Ford Ranger?

Ranger is covered by Ford’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, in what is now considered the effective minimum for the market in Australia. With some brands offering seven years’ coverage, and others extending as far as ten (if you service the vehicle at an authorised dealer), five is less eye-catching than it used to be.

Service costs are competitive, relative to the others in the segment, with Ranger costing $1596 over the first five years of ownership. A visit to your service centre is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Should I buy the Ford Ranger?

Australia’s love for dual cabs continues and with this subtle shift in what you get and what you pay to get it, Ford is looking to ensure the ongoing strength of what is one of Australia’s favourite vehicles.

If you tow or love long distance touring, the V6 diesel remains the engine of choice, given how easily it does what buyers will need it to do. In the sense of getting to work, bigger is still better – or certainly easier. However, if you spend most of your time driving in urban areas for work or leisure, the revised four-cylinder single turbo is capable.

Ford Australia says its watching the competition with a keen eye on how competitors are tackling the dual-cab segment. It would be mad not to, with competition fiercer than its ever been. The Ford Ranger remains a strong option with appeal for all the obvious reasons. Continuing to appeal to new car buyers will be harder than ever, though.

Additional Ranger Equipment Highlights

• Driver Assist Technology’ bar added to cab-chassis variants
• Digital reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring (XLT gets Trailer Coverage)
• Rear autonomous emergency braking
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-change warning and aid
• Matrix LED headlights (Wildtrak)
• Bang and Olufsen premium audio (Wildtrak)
• Heavy-duty suspension (XLT dual-cab chassis)
• 12.0-inch touchscreen (for XL, XLS and XLT)
• Dual-zone climate control (standard for XL)
• Rear air vents (for XLT double-cab)

Specifications: Ford Ranger XL