News24 | The Ranger shake-up: Big changes headed for Ford’s bakkie range in South Africa next year

3 months ago 15

The new 2.3-litre 4-cylinder is only available on 4x2 derivatives.
The Ranger Sport sits between the XLT and Wildtrak.
Ranger Tremor is now fitted with the 184kW 3.0-litre V6.

Ford South Africa has revised its Ranger line-up for 2026, forcing even the most die-hard Ranger aficionados to relearn their Ranger facts and specs. This is the most comprehensive change to the line-up since the Ranger was launched three years ago, giving it a sharpened edge against newer rivals.

The new offerings can seem overwhelming at first, but to make them easier to digest, the new 2.3-litre (222kW and 452Nm) is only available in 4x2 derivatives across all body styles, excluding the Single Cab, where it is not offered.

“Our customers’ requirements continue to evolve, and we have reinvigorated the line-up for next year to ensure that the Ranger is even better equipped to complement and enhance people’s everyday lives, whether it’s as a workhorse, a family vehicle, for leisure or taking on challenging off-road terrain and adventures,” says Sunil Sewmohan, Director: Product Marketing, Ford South Africa. “We focused on building on the Ranger’s trusted reputation for exceptional performance, efficiency, technology and safety while raising the bar further in the key areas of capability and excitement.”

Ford Ranger XL

Ranger XL and XLT, in all body styles, will benefit from the updated 2.0-litre engine featuring the more durable timing chain. Some XL derivatives are still available with a six-speed manual transmission, but all XLT models come standard with Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox. This also means that the six-speed automatic has been dropped.

A new Ranger Sport series, positioned between the XLT and Wildtrak models, will be available in Super Cab and Double Cab variants, offering a choice of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine in 4x2 specification or the 3.0L V6 turbodiesel on the 4x4.

Other highlights spurred by the discontinuation of the Bi-Turbo include the silky-smooth 184kW/600Nm 3.0L V6 turbodiesel engine, available in the Wildtrak Super Cab 4x4 as well as in the Ranger Tremor.

ALSO READ | Why Ford’s Ranger Raptor bakkie is so misunderstood in South Africa

The Wildtrak X, distinguished by Bilstein shocks, larger tyres, and the flexible sports hoop, will no longer be available as a standalone model, but can be ordered as an option pack on the Wildtrak Double Cab 4x4. Whether this can only be done at the factory on a new vehicle or fitted aftermarket at dealers remains to be confirmed.

Ford Ranger Platinum

The only two models unaffected are the Ranger Platinum and Ranger Raptor, which will retain the 184kW/600 Nm 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and the 292kW/583 Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, respectively.