2024 Ford Ranger guide: The best picks for tradies, families and adventurers

If you’ve ever thought about buying a Ford Ranger, you’re not alone. It’s Australia’s best-selling car with 63,356 deliveries recorded last year alone.

It’s not just tradies buying them. Utes are becoming a lifestyle choice with broad appeal, and the breadth of the Ranger line-up reflects that.

With 23 grades on the market as of August 2024, dissecting the range is a daunting task. And that’s before you even consider the long list of competitors striving to dethrone the dominant Ranger.

Which Ranger is best for the worksite? How about the school run? Beyond that, which alternatives deserve consideration for each ute use case?

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Ford Ranger. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Ford Ranger pricing

The Ranger line-up is expansive and constantly evolving, but as of August 2024 there are 23 variants available.

At the bottom end of the range sits the XL, which starts at $36,880 before on-road costs and shapes up as a budget option for fleet buyers after a no-frills workhorse.

At the other end of the scale, the Platinum at $80,640 plus on-roads is a premium offering with a host of luxurious add-ons that give it a softer edge for longer trips.

The top-priced Raptor comes in at $90,440 before on-road costs, bringing performance credentials in addition to most of the standard equipment you get with the Platinum.

Ranger XL

Ranger Black Edition

Ranger XLS

Ranger XLT

Ranger Sport

Ranger Tremor

Ranger Wildtrak

Ranger Platinum

Ranger Raptor

All prices exclude on-road costs.

To see how the Ford Ranger stacks up against a huge range of competitors, you can use our comparison tool.

Ford Ranger lifecycle

The current Ford Ranger landed on Australian shores in 2022, after the PX Ranger enjoyed a 10-year lifespan.

Since arriving the RA Ranger has been updated on several occasions already, while gaining new variants such as the current Black Edition and Tremor.

Having spent just a few years on sale in Australia, the current generation Ranger will likely stick around for many years to come.

With that said, it’s safe to expect a host of range revisions and new variants before the RA Ranger hits its expiry date.

Deals are being offered on 100s of new cars now. Contact a dealer using CarExpert for the best deal or call our Concierge team on 1300 587 992.

Ford Ranger engines and fuel economy

One petrol engine and three diesel engines are offered in the Ford Ranger – a single-turbo four cylinder diesel, a Bi-Turbo four cylinder diesel, a turbocharged V6 diesel, and a twin-turbo petrol V6.

The base XL comes with the least potent powertrain as standard, a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 125kW and 405Nm.

Stepping up to the Bi-Turbo diesel brings a 10-speed transmission as well as an extra 29kW and 95Nm, while also opening a broader choice of model variants. It’s the most frugal of the bunch, consuming between 6.9 and 7.6L/100km.

The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, which produces 184kW and 600Nm, is available in XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, and Platinum variants. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system.

If performance is front of mind the Raptor offers the most grunt, producing 292kW from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6. That comes at the expense of efficiency; the Raptor has a claimed average fuel consumption of 11.5L/100km, a big jump over the turbo-diesel V6.

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Ford Ranger. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Ford Ranger safety

All variants of the 2024 Ford Ranger line-up, apart from the flagship Raptor, have a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The 2024 Ford Ranger lineup comes standard with the following safety equipment:

• 9 airbags
  • incl. driver, passenger knee airbags
  • incl. front-centre airbag
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
  • Junction assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert (pickup)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Road edge detection
• Reversing camera (pickup)
• Rear parking sensors (pickup)
• Trailer Coverage (with optional Tow Pack)

Ranger XLT adds:

• Adaptive cruise control incl. stop/go
• Blind-spot monitoring incl. Trailer Coverage
• Lane centring assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The optional Touring Pack adds a surround-view camera, while stepping up to the Wildtrak and above adds the Active Park Assist 2.0 system.

To see how the Ford Ranger stacks up against a huge range of competitors, you can use our comparison tool.

Ford Ranger colours

The 2024 Ford Ranger is available in the following exterior paint colours:

• Aluminium
• Shadow Black (not shown)
• Meteor Grey
• Arctic White
• Blue Lightning
• Luxe Yellow (Wildtrak only)
• Equinox Bronze (Platinum only)
• Code Orange (Raptor only)
• Conquer Grey (Raptor only)

Ford Ranger dimensions

Most Ford Ranger variants share similar dimensions, although they differ significantly when it comes to payload.

The flagship Raptor has the lowest payload of the range at 753kg, while the figure for the XL single-cab jumps to 1327kg.

That makes the XL better suited to transporting tools and materials to and from a worksite, while the Raptor excels in other areas.

Deals are being offered on 100s of new cars now. Contact a dealer using CarExpert for the best deal or call our Concierge team on 1300 587 992.

Ford Ranger off-road specs

When it comes to off-road chops, the Raptor is the clear winner.

Ford Ranger standard equipment

The 2024 Ford Ranger XL comes with the following standard equipment:

• 16-inch steel wheels
• All-season tyres
• 16-inch steel spare wheel
• Front disc and rear drum brakes
• Heavy-duty suspension
• Black grille
• Halogen headlights
• Halogen daytime running lights
• LED central high-mounted tail light
• LED tail lights (pickup only)
• Tailgate with lift assist (pickup only)
• Integrated tailgate step (pickup only)
• 10.1-inch Sync4 portrait touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Embedded modem
• Remote start via FordPass app
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Ebony cloth upholstery
• Eight-way manual driver seat
• Four-way manual front passenger seat
• Vinyl floor covering
• Power rear windows (double cab only)
• Single-zone climate control
• Electronically locking rear differential (4×4 models only)
• Conventional gear selector
• Mechanical handbrake

The Black Edition adds on top of the XL:

• Black sports bar
• Drop-in bed liner with 12V socket
• Asphalt Black 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Black side steps
• Asphalt Black grille with Bolder Grey inserts

The XLS adds the following:

• 16-inch Dark Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
• Black side steps
• Halogen front fog lights
• Black grille with silver accents
• Carpet flooring
• Driver floor mat
• Front parking sensors
• Drive mode selection
• Tow bar
• Trailer light check
• Integrated trailer brake controller
• Extended blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage
• Body-colour door handles
• Six-speaker sound system
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear seat air vents
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio

The XLT adds:

• 17-inch Dark Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
• 17-inch steel spare wheel
• Rear disc brakes
• Electronic handbrake
• Leather-wrapped ‘e-Shifter’ gear selector
• 4×2 locking rear axle
• Front grille with chrome central bar
• LED headlights
• C-shaped LED daytime running lights
• Front-mounted tow hook
• Black sports bar (pickup only)
• Rear tub illumination (pickup only)
• Bedliner with 12V socket (pickup only)
• Spray-in bedliner with 12V socket (super cab only)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Electrochromatic mirror
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• Adaptive cruise control with lane-centring and stop/go

The Sport adds:

• 18-inch machine-faced and Asphalt Black accent alloy wheels
• 18-inch spare wheel
• Dark accent grille
• Dark exterior accents
• Two front-mounted tow hooks
• Skid plate
• Front floor mats
• Rotary drive mode selector
• Wireless phone charging
• Off-road screen
• Ebony leather upholstery with ‘SPORT’ embossing
• Eight-way electrically adjustable driver seat
• Six-way manual front passenger seat

The Tremor adds on top of the Sport:

• Remote reservoir Bilstein shock absorbers
• 17-inch black wheels
• General Grabber AT3 All-Terrain Tyres
• Heavy-duty power steering system with extra underbody shielding
• Trail Turn Assist
• Tremor rubber floor mats
• Overhead auxiliary switches
• Tremor grille
• Integrated LED light bar
• Front bash plate
• Cast aluminium side steps
• Sports bar

The Wildtrak adds:

• 18-inch Boulder Grey alloy wheels
• 18-inch Boulder Grey alloy spare wheel
• Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres
• Unique Wildtrak sports bar
• Power tub roller shutter
• Cargo management system
• Unique Wildtrak front grille with mesh pattern and Boulder Grey accents
• Exterior side mirrors with puddle lamps and zone lighting
• Roof rails
• Aluminium load box tie down rails
• 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Interior ambient lighting
• Pull-out dash-mounted cupholders
• Unique Wildtrak leather accented upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Eight-way electrically adjustable front seats
• Surround-view camera
• Automated parking assist
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist

The Platinum adds on top of the Wildtrak:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Goodyear Territory HT tyres
• Silk Chrome exterior trim highlights
• Unique grille
• ‘Platinum’ badging on the bonnet, front doors and tailgate
• Matrix LED headlights
• Auto-levelling LED daytime running lights
• Full LED tail lights
• Damped (gas-strut) tailgate
• Black paint roof (no-cost option to revert to body-coloured roof)
• Flexible Rack System (FRS)
• Power roller shutter
• 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
• B&O premium sound system
• Auxiliary switch bank
• Premium floor mats
• Heated steering wheel
• Premium quilted, perforated leather accented upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 10-way electrically adjustable front seats
• Driver memory seat
• ‘Platinum’ badging on front seats, mats and upper glovebox
• Accent stitching and decorative finishes

The Ranger Raptor comes standard with the following:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 17-inch alloy spare wheel
• T285/70 R17 BF Goodrich K02 all-terrain tyres
• Unique grille with ‘F-O-R-D’ lettering
• Matrix LED headlights
• Auto-levelling LED daytime running lights
• LED front fog lights
• Full LED tail lights
• Zone Lighting
• 2.3mm steel front bash plate
• Unique Raptor dual tow hooks
• Spray-in bedliner
• Active exhaust
• Performance Fox racing 2.5-inch live valve suspension & Watts Link coil suspension
• Electronically-locking front and rear differentials
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist
• 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless charger
• 10-speaker B&O premium sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• e-Shifter
• Electric parking brake
• Ambient lighting
• Auxiliary switch bank
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Ford Performance seats with embossed Raptor logo and Code Orange accented stitching
• Heated front seats
• 10-way power front seats

Optional Equipment

The $900 XL 17-inch Steel Wheel Pack for 4×4 models adds:

• 17-inch steel wheels
• 17-inch steel spare wheel
• All-terrain tyres (inc. spare wheel)

The $1900 Towing Pack (XL) adds:

• Integrated trailer brake controller
• Tow bar

The $2000 Wildtrak Premium Pack adds:

• Six overhead auxiliary switches
• Matrix LED headlights
• Full LED tail lights
• 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system

The $750 20-inch Wildtrak Wheel Pack adds:

• 20-inch machined-face alloy wheels
• All-season tyres

The $1650 Touring Pack (XLT and Sport 4×4 pickup only) adds:

• Integrated trailer braking controller
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist
• Surround-view camera
• Exterior side mirror puddle lamps
• Zone lighting
• Cargo management system
• Auxiliary switch bank

Other options include:

• 20-inch machined-face alloy wheels in all-season tyres: $750; Wildtrak only
• 4×4 XLT/Sport Wheel Pack: $700
• Auxiliary switched: $350; XLT cab-chassis only
• Flexible Rack System: $2800; Sport and Wildtrak
• Factory-fit lift and slide canopy: $4500
• Factory-fit Dual Lift Canopy: $4700
• Factory-fit Commercial Canopy: $4700
• Factory-fit manual roller shutter: $3000

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Ford Ranger. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Ford Ranger servicing and warranty

The 2024 Ford Ranger is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the broader Ford range.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, with the first four visits capped at $379.

This equals $1516 for four years or 60,000km.

Ford Ranger competitors

The Ford Ranger currently sits at the top of the new car sales tree in Australia, but a host of rivals are competing for a bigger slice of the pie.

From a sales perspective, the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux are nipping at its heels on the sales charts.

Across the other legacy manufacturers, Ford faces competition from the Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, and Volkswagen Amarok.

Challenger brands are also vying for sales – current offerings include the GWM Cannon Alpha, LDV T60, and Ssangyong Musso.

Kia is set to reveal its first ute – the Tasman – during the second half of 2024, with sales likely to commence in 2025.

Around the same time, Chinese manufacturer BYD is expected to unleash its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute Down Under, coined the Shark.

Ford Ranger sales data

Ford has overtaken Toyota in the ute sales race on the back of consistent demand since the current generation Ranger was introduced back in 2022.

The HiLux was Australia’s best-selling new car for seven years straight before Ford broke the streak in 2023, and since then the Ranger has established a sales buffer over its main rival.

At the halfway point of 2024, the Ford Ranger is 5016 deliveries ahead of the HiLux.

A total of 63,356 Ranger were sold in 2023 across both 4×2 and 4×4 models, a spike of nearly 16,000 over the previous year.

Four-wheel drive variants are more popular among buyers, with the ratio for 2024 currently sitting at around 10:1.

CarExpert can help you find the best deal on a new Ford Ranger. Check out our latest offers, and let us put you in touch with a dealer.

Buying a Ford Ranger

With so many Ranger variants on offer, decision paralysis can quickly become your enemy. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Worksite workhorses

Starting at the bottom of the range, the XL is an affordable workhorse aimed at fleet or budget conscious buyers.

It’s offered in just about any body style and with a choice of two four-cylinder powertrains, and has just as much worksite usability as more expensive models.

Stepping up a couple of tiers, the Ranger XLT is a better fit for buyers who want the extra shove of the V6, but don’t want everything associated with the Sport grade.

You can check out our full review of the Ranger XLT here.

Family haulers

The Wildtrak sits at the expensive end of the range, but it’s a true all-rounder fit for work, play, or both.

It’s the consummate lifestyle truck, with four-wheel drive, strong powertrain options, an upsized infotainment system and power-adjustable, heated front seats.

You can check out our full review of the Ranger Wildtrak here.

The Platinum is the most luxurious offering in the Ranger line-up, aimed at lifestyle buyers after an SUV-like load hauler. It comes with an upgraded sound system, heated and ventilated electric seats and the turbo-diesel V6 as standard, setting it apart from the rest of the range.

However, the luxury add-ons come at a price. Within Ford’s stable only the Raptor is more expensive, and few rivals are dearer.

You can check out our full review of the Ranger Platinum here.

Weekend warriors

Standard four-wheel drive and a sprinkling of off-road goodies render the Sport an adventure-ready option in the middle of the Ranger line-up.

While the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Raptor grades are the hero models, the Sport has a skid plate, off-road screen and front mounted tow hooks for weekends spent off the beaten track.

You can check out our full review of the Ranger Sport here.

If fun takes precedence over practicality, go for the Raptor. The extra power, torque, and noise on offer from the 3.0-litre V6 engine transforms the character of the Ranger completely.

Designed with both on- and off-road performance front of mind, the Raptor is equipped for hardcore camping trips, blasting around the outback and even spirited street driving.

It doesn’t have the same practicality as other variants though, with a reduced payload and inferior efficiency. The Raptor is also the most expensive model in the Ranger line-up, at over $90,000 before on-road costs.

You can check out our full review of the Ranger Raptor here.

MORE: Buy a Ford Ranger MORE: Everything Ford Ranger