The Ford Ranger has been one of the staple hits on the Australian market for many years, but its rapid rise to fame with the latest generation model in 2022 was incredibly swift. If you had told someone ten years ago that a mid-size pickup would surge ahead of competitors like the Hilux, they probably would have laughed in your face.
In 2014, the old Ranger held a respectable sixth place in sales rankings with 26,619 units sold, outperforming cars like the Mazda3 and Holden Commodore. Fast forward to 2023, and it broke records with 63,356 units sold, surpassing the Hilux by more than 2,000 units. Its success in 2024 solidified its top position with 62,593 units sold, nearly 10,000 more than Toyota. What’s behind this rapid success?
Over the past few years, the Ranger has become an extremely common sight on Australian roads. It’s no surprise that a lot of attention has been paid to the development of this model by Ford Australia. To find out what the fuss is all about, we recently spent a week with the popular Ranger Wildtrak. We were not disappointed.
QUICK FACTS
SCROLL
The new 2025 Ranger is available in numerous configurations in Australia, starting with the most basic XL Hi-Rider Single Cab priced from AU$36,880 (~$23,100) and going up to the Ranger Raptor at over AU$90,000 (~$56,500), which we also recently drove. Between these models, there are over a dozen different configurations, including single and double cabs, various engines, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive options.
In the U.S., the 2025 Ranger family starts at $33,080 and tops out at $55,820 for the Raptor. Our test vehicle was the popular Ranger Wildtrak with the available 2.0-liter engine, starting at AU$69,640 (~$43,700) plus on-road costs.
The 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine is known as the ‘Panther,’ but it feels more like a tame kitten, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It produces 206 hp (154 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The pickup also features a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a rear axle lock. For an additional AU$5,400 (~$3,400), the Wildtrak is also available with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6, delivering 247 hp (184 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm), though the 2.0-liter proved more than sufficient.
Ford has made significant improvements to the Ranger’s ride quality compared to its predecessor. While it has a solid rear axle and leaf springs, it remained comfortable on most road surfaces. However, it’s not as plush as some might expect. With a load in the bed, the ride quality can be slightly improved. As it stands, it’s good but not exceptional.
We didn’t get a chance to test the new Ranger’s towing capabilities, but it has a respectable rated towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs), matching its competitors. Like the Raptor, it offers multiple drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery/Mud/Ruts, and Sand.
Verdict
Overall, the vehicle we tested is an impressive machine, and it’s no surprise the new Ranger has become so popular. It looks more modern than all its competitors, packs a ton of technology, and offers a wide range of capabilities. However, higher-end models like the Wildtrak are quite expensive, which may explain why some cheaper alternatives from China, such as the new , are gaining traction.