All-New Ford Ranger Super Duty is One Tough Workhorse, With a Catch
It's official: Ford now has a Ranger Super Duty. Bigger, tougher and harder-working than any other. Unveiled this week for the Australian and New Zealand markets, where sales will start in 2026, it will eventually be sold in other parts of the world, but North America is unlikely to get it.
Not necessarily because there's no room between the various Ranger models (including the Ranger Raptor) and the F-150, since both are also offered in Australia, but rather because the only engine it comes with is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 (power and torque TBD). It would need a gasoline engine instead. Oh, and an assembly line in the U.S., too.
- Also: Civic Hybrid, Ranger, ID. Buzz Win 2025 NACTOY Awards
- Also: 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Jumping and Racing Through the Desert
But we can still dream. This new Ranger Super Duty offers three cab sizes, a reinforced chassis and suspension system, heavy-duty axles, a snorkel, plus various innovations from the F-150, such as on-board scales.
As part of the development, Ford engineers down under put the Ranger Super Duty through rigorous testing under extreme conditions, for example tackling trails with 600 kg of mud stuck to the bottom of the truck. The underbelly is armoured with a series of high-strength steel bash plates, water fording height is increased, locking front and rear differentials provide superior traction (the front one is a modified version of the Bronco Raptor’s), the eight-lug wheels are mounted on 33-inch General Grabber AT tires, and six driving modes are available (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl).
A Weightlifter Built to Carry More
Those who don't want a big F-150 but need to do seriously heavy lifting that no midsize truck can will be well served by the new Ranger Super Duty. The integrated trailer brake controller has been revised, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist is included as standard, and a Smart Hitch makes it easier to understand the weight on the vehicle’s tow hitch and adjust the trailer’s load accordingly. By the way, maximum towing capacity is 4,500 kg (9,920 lb), compared with 3,402 kg (7,500 lb) on other Ranger models.
With sensors mounted in the suspension on all four wheels, the aforementioned on-board scales can help drivers estimate their payload as they add items into the cargo bed. They can monitor the weight via the taillights or the infotainment screen. What’s more, a huge 130-litre fuel tank is included to reduce downtime.
The Ford Ranger Super Duty isn’t the only Ranger not coming to North America. Remember, the latest generation also launched with a Ranger PHEV variant that’s sold in Australia and Europe. With a few modifications, we believe either one could enjoy success on our shores. What do you think?
