Ford Ranger 2026: ‘Wet’ belt gone for updated Toyota Hilux and BYD Shark 6 rival

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Ford Australia has confirmed a string of updates for its best selling Ranger ute, which include pricing tweaks, driveline changes, styling updates, interior tech upgrades, and model variant changes. 

The updated ‘MY26.5’ Rangers replace the outgoing ‘MY25.25’ fleet, and will be available to order from December 2025. Deliveries begin in mid-2026 with pricing unchanged for now.

As reported by Chasing Cars, the bi-turbo engine has been phased out in favour of a revised single turbo 2.0-litre for MY26 which has exchanged the controversial ‘wet’ timing belt for a timing chain. The updated engine produces an unchanged 125kW/405Nm.

Ford will additionally expand the availability of its 184kW/600Nm 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel, now offered as a cost option on base grade Ranger XL.

The six-speed automatic will also exit for MY26.5, exchanged for the 10-speed auto once reserved for higher model grades, or as an option. Consequently, All Ranger models now offer a 3500kg braked towing capacity, providing the vehicle is equipped with a suitable tow pack.

Outside, Ranger models will exchange chrome trim and highlights for either gloss or matte black accents, while inside, all vehicles now feature a 12.0-inch infotainment screen. Similar tweaks are applied to the related Everest SUV. 

Ford Ranger 2026: Pricing and model grade changes

There are no price changes for Ranger or Everest despite Ford phasing out both the bi-turbo ‘wet-belt’ diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.

The base model Ford Ranger XL 4×2 dual-cab, now with 10-speed auto, will remain at $43,530 before on-road costs, while the range topping V6 diesel-powered Raptor remains from $90,690. 

The base XL gains additional equipment for MY26, including a larger 12-inch infotainment screen (was 10.1-inches) and dual-zone AC with rear passenger vents. In V6 guise, the XL gains 17-inch steel rims with all-terrain tyres, rear disc brakes, e-shifter and drive modes.

Both the Ranger XL and XLT crew-cab also gain increased safety in the form of Ford’s ‘Driver Assist Technology bar’ becoming standard. This adds blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and lane change warnings to the alloy-tray models for the first time. 

The forthcoming Ranger will rival the soon-to-release ninth-generation Toyota Hilux, which starts at $47,990 for base Workmate dual-cab automatic, as well as the recently revised Isuzu D-Max SX dual-cab, priced from $44,200. 

The Ford Ranger model range will receive several tweaks for 2026. Most notably, the Ranger Sport will be phased out mid-year, while the Black Edition and Tremor will become permanently available, priced from $53,490 and $75,090, respectively. 

The Ranger Black Edition is positioned between the XLS and XLT, while the Tremor is positioned between a new ‘Wolftrak’ trim grade and the existing Wildtrak.

The V6-only Wolftrak succeeds the Ranger Sport to sit between the Ranger XLT and Tremor. It will start from $70,990 – a $600 decrease over its V6 Ranger Sport predecessor. 

Notable features of the Ranger Wolftrak include a restyled front grille, sports bar, LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres, vinyl ‘WOLFTRAK’ embroidered front seats, and two additional drive modes – Mud / Rut and Sand. 

Stepping into the new Tremor grants off-road focused Bilstein suspension, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres, underbody protection, 30mm increased track, 26mm additional ground clearance, off-road driver assistance features, and Tremor-specific styling. 

Stepping up again in model grade is the Ranger Wildtrak. MY26-specific equipment changes include new 18-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlamps, and a 10-speaker B&O sound system. Else, the Wildtrak will maintain the same equipment from MY25. 

Ford did not mention PHEV variants in its literature, but the website still lists the electrified BYD Shark 6 rival as available. 

Ford Ranger 2026: Australian pricing

All prices listed are before on-road costs. Ranger Dual-cab pick up prices shown unless stated otherwise.

• 4×2 XL 2.0L Turbo: $43,530
• 4×2 XLT 2.0L Turbo: $52,990
• 4×4 XL 2.0L Turbo: $51,400
• 4WD XL 3.0L V6: $57,900
• 4WD XLS Double Crew Cab 3.0L V6: $58,450
• 4×4 Black Edition 2.0L Turbo: $53,490
• 4WD Black Edition 3.0L V6: $59,990
• 4WD XLT 3.0L V6: $67,990
• 4WD Wolftrak 3.0L V6: $70,990
• 4WD Tremor 3.0L V6: $75,090
• 4WD Wildtrak 3.0L V6: $75,090
• 4WD Platinum 3.0L V6: $80,890
• Raptor 3.0L V6 EcoBoost: $90,690