Launch: MY26.5 Updated Ford Ranger & Everest
- May 27
- 4 min read
Ford Australia has pulled the covers off a refreshed range of their family favourites, the venerable Ranger and Everest.
Whilst the changes are visually subtle, the chosen location for the launch was a veritable feast for the car-persons eyes. That's because this one-day event was held at none other than Ford's historic You Yangs Proving Ground in southern Victoria.
The gravity of experiencing this location was not lost on yours truly - particularly whenever in view of the 4.8km Constant Speed Track. The result was an endless nostalgia-driven mental cycling of the various Fords that would've been tested here over the years.
It's also pertinent given the influence this 2500 acre property has had on developing the Ranger and Everest Range; the former which is now sold in 180 countries across the globe. The proof was evident in various test mules strewn across the sprawling facility.
This MY26.5 mid-life update brings with it a range of refinements inside and out, across both models. As alluded to earlier, aesthetic changes are minimal, reinforcing a successful design that has aged well.
Outside, design adjustments manifest in the form of gloss black trims, fresh wheel designs with highlights and a smattering of stylish new colours. The latter adds Acacia Green across both the SUV and utility in the Platinum Grade, with Traction Green exclusively for the limited edition Wolftrack Ranger.
Finally, the eye-searingly pleasing Ignite Orange now features as a standard fixture across the Ranger and limited edition Everest Wildtrack.
Inside, the changes are all the more indiscernible, because other than the implementation of the 12-inch screen in lower grades there are none.
Beauty is only skin deep though and the Ranger continues to top new vehicle sales as at the end of April, so it's understandable why one wouldn't mess with what is clearly a winning formula.
The changes demonstrate an appetite to build the range out to suit different use cases, a strategic imperative that was made abundantly clear at the launch of the Ranger Super Duty.
The most significant change is the scrapping of the long-serving 2L bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel, an engine I have experienced long-term in a past life. It proved to be a reliable and punchy enough unit across a variety of disciplines, including towing and off-road work.
It is replaced by a 2L single turbo diesel with origins that trace back to the Transit. The Ford team talked at length about the work conducted to make it fit for purpose across the Ranger and Everest, including calibrations to the 10-speed gearbox bolted to the bell-housing. A clear point was also made that it deploys a drive chain rather than a belt - if you know you know.
Outputs drop from 154Kw and 500Nm to 125Kw and 405Nm. These are not insignificant on paper, and driving impressions will come later this week. By the same token, the excellent V6 will now be offered across the range as an option - removing the need to move to higher grades to access the silky unit. Power and torque outputs for this drivetrain option remain unchanged.
The 2.3L PHEV and barnstorming 3L turbo petrol in the Ranger Raptor also remain unchanged.
Interestingly, both the 2L and 3L V6 engines are capable of running on renewable diesel. It's a moot point for us end users given availability, but good to know nonetheless. Ford delegates explained that the alternative fuel is already in use in Ford vehicles at Melbourne airport.
Tray-back variants of the Ranger now get access to the Driver Assistance Technology bar which first featured on the Ranger Super Duty - meaning that trade and fleet buyers no longer miss out on safety related gear such as reversing cameras and parking sensors.
Joining the Wolftrak special edition is a Ranger Tremor with a V6 drivetrain, which will feature for a limited time, whilst the Ranger Black Edition becomes a permanent fixture in the lineup.
The Hybrid comes in for a range adjustment which see's an XL base grade replace the XLT. in a move that is seemingly aimed at newer Chinese entrants, it features a strong pricing proposition of $59,000 driveaway.
The Tremor and Sport grade in the Everest lineup gain a 360-degree camera, heated and ventilated Front pews, 3rd row seating removal option for the off-road touring focused Tremor and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System for that grade too.
In an interesting first for the range, where a tow-pack is optioned, a trailer connection alarm is included. It's designed to trigger the car's alarm upon detection of a disconnection of trailer plugs when the vehicle is locked and alarm is armed.
The Everest Wildtrack also returns as part of the mid-life facelift, with Ignite Orange added as an optional external colour to match its interior highlights.
It's a litany of choice centered on tailoring the Ranger and Everest offering to the broadest potential array of consumers. One has to wonder though, when is too much choice a bad thing?
Taking a moment to look at this through a buyers lense, I'm left wondering if things just get confusing. For those who are happy taking the risk of early adoption, there is a multitude of new entrants to consider too.
But for the buyer who wants a tried and tested platform that has been engineered and tested in country Victoria, there's only one brand, and an endless list of options to choose from.
The find out more check out Ford Australia
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