Ford Ranger Super Duty unveiled
Australia’s best-selling car just got a massive upgrade that promises to take utes to ‘a whole new level’.
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Australia’s favourite ute just got a lot tougher.
Ford has applied the “Super Duty” treatment to the Ranger, leaning on lessons learned from massive American pick-up trucks to develop a more capable version of its best-selling dual-cab ute.
The Ford Ranger Super Duty promises to be one of Australia’s most capable vehicles, with a long-range fuel tank, beefed-up underpinnings and truck-like towing ability.
MORE: Ford Ranger Super Duty confirmed
With a 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), a 4500kg braked towing capacity, and a maximum combined mass of 8000kg, the Super Duty exceeds the capabilities of standard utes.
And you can drive it on a standard car license.
Jim Baumbick, vice president of advanced product development, cycle planning and programs for the Ford Motor Company, said the Super Duty will take the Ranger “to a whole new level, straight from the factory”.
MORE: Off-road in Ford’s Ranger Tremor
“We listened to what the hardest working fleet operators told us they needed to be more productive, and we’ve developed a Ranger with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability to stay on the job longer and help get it done sooner,” he said.
When put up against rivals, the Super Duty holds its own. The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, 4.5-litre V8 diesel produces 151kW and 500Nm, significantly less than Ford’s V6 turbo-diesel which produces 184kW and 600Nm in other Ranger models.
The LandCruiser’s towing capacity maxes out at 3500kg (braked), falling well short of the Super Duty’s 4500kg.
MORE: Ford’s Raptors tested in the desert
The new 2025 RAM 1500, with its 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line six cylinder (replacing the V8), producing 313kW and 635Nm, will be fierce competition, though but doesn’t quite match up in terms of towing (4200kg), payload capabilities (782.5kg-863kg) or price.
Ford has not released prices for the new model, but based on the current Ford Ranger line-up in Australia, the car is expected to cost $75,000 to $90,000 depending on trim.
Dave Burn, chief program engineer for Ford Australia, said “the capability of Ranger Super Duty is unmatched in the mid-sized truck segment”.
“It really is the sum of all its parts,” he said.
“We’re confident that whether your job is extreme or you’re an adventurer who likes to go a long way off the beaten track, Ranger Super Duty will get you there and back again.”
Ford will offer the Ranger Super Duty in four body variants – single cab, super cab, double cab and dual cab.
Under the hood is the Ranger’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The vehicle’s frame has been entirely redesigned, incorporating a new frame with reinforced axles, drive shaft, braking, suspension system, control arms and transfer case.
To handle the extreme loads, Ford has reinforced major components, including an upgraded jack, locking front and rear differentials, all terrain LT tyres, heavy duty steel tray, increased ground clearance and upgraded cooling.
Ford has integrated a suite of smart features including the Smart Hitch system, which assesses the weight on the tow ball, ensuring optimal load distribution to prevent swaying or tripping.
Complimenting this is the on-board scales that allows drivers to estimate their payload in real-time.
This type of technology is new in the ute segment, some rivals offer trailer stability programs and towing aids but the combination of Smart Hitch and on-board scales is smart by Ford.
The Super Duty has improved water wading, a 130-litre long-range fuel tank with underbody protection, making it the ideal vehicle for demanding environments.
Safety hasn’t been overlooked either. A full suite of driver-assisted technology including a 360-degree camera and an integrated trailer brake controller.
It looks mean but there’s an undeniable sportiness to it with its stamped “Super Duty” badge displayed across the front, a new hood, front quarter panels, integrated uniquely designed snorkel (standard and optional), wide fenders, geometric square-shaped wheel arches and a new open-air grille motif, which looks like floating builder’s bricks.
The steel bumper and heavy duty 8-stud wheels with 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres complete the rugged aesthetic while improving off-roading.
It’s a beast, but not as oversized as the Chevrolet Silverado.
Dimensionally, it shares the same width as the Raptor but is slightly longer and taller, giving it a commanding presence without being too oversized.
Inside, Ford has opted for a practical vinyl-trimmed cabin ideal for working conditions and a docking station for laptops or external devices.
What really caught my attention were the exterior colours.
They feel distinctively Australian – modern yet understated, bold without being brash.
Muted tones bring a sense of calm and familiarity, something rugged yet defined.
It’s the best way to describe the whole vehicle – it just feels familiar, like it should.
The Super Duty doesn’t feel like a departure from the Ranger family but the big brother to the Raptor.
It will reach Australian showrooms in 2026.
Originally published as Ford Ranger Super Duty unveiled
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