Ford Ranger Super Duty Tested
Australia has a new ‘super’ ute aiming to take the mantle as the country’s toughest and remind us that not all cars are here to save the planet.
The Ford Ranger Super Duty is a 4x4 muscled powerhouse reminding not all vehicles are here to save the planet.
Instead, some have proper work to do.
This “SD” is a different beast to a normal Ford Ranger (Australia’s best-selling car), featuring heavy-duty everything, 4500kg towing and payload up to two-tonnes.
MORE: How the Ford Ranger became a global success story
The EV revolution?
Our gym-going Ranger smirks, gulps down a pint of diesel and asks which mountain we’re climbing next.
Bloody oath, this is Australia.
We’ve got a scorched Outback, cattle stations, mines, rural worksites and farms bigger than European countries, and need 4x4 utes to suit.
In these places, Toyota’s LandCruiser 79 Series pick-up is king. It’s a model practically unchanged since 1984: basic, uncomplicated and endlessly dependable.
The Ranger Super Duty threatens its patch.
The Ford’s advanced cabin feels light years ahead of Toyota’s basic effort, and the Blue Oval’s numbers flex big.
Its 4.5-tonne towing beats the Toyota by 1000kg; its GVM (4500kg) and GCM (8000kg) win by 990kg, then it accepts 500kg more payload than the 79 Series’ 1380kg best. Compelling stuff.
There are three Super Duty Cab-Chassis body styles: a single (two-door, two-seat) from $82,990; Super (tiny hinged rear doors) from $86,490; and Double (four-door, five seat) from $89,990, all before on-roads and tray costs.
A double-cab pick-up with style-side tub is expected (but not confirmed) by mid-2026, and that’s the target for hardcore recreational users seeking a Ford F-150 truck’s towing but with user-friendly Ranger dimensions.
MORE: Ford Raptors tested in the desert
On first sample, it’s impressive how “normal” Ranger-like this SD feels, despite it sharing just 6 per cent of its frame.
A more rigid, robust chassis and suspension means road bumps and potholes are sharply felt when unladen at low speeds, but on highways, off-road or with some payload it’s surprisingly settled.
Does it drive like a normal Ranger?
Not far off. Handling, body control and cabin quiet impress, while a full suite of driver assist proves remarkably non-nannying.
It’s not as lumbering as a full-size American pick-up, and nowhere near as agricultural feeling as a LandCruiser 79 Series.
Elephant in the room is Ford’s engine and gearbox. The 79 Series has proved old-boot dependable with its 4.5L V8 and now 2.8L four-cylinder diesels.
Our SD uses the Ranger’s 3.0L V6 “Lion” turbo-diesel, which owner forums reveal has had dramas and failures, plus 13,000 were recalled earlier this year.
The auto gearbox proved a slick standout on our test, but this 10-speed has previously faced reliability challenges.
MORE: Ford recalls V6 Rangers
With 600Nm the V6 is punchy enough, but power’s only 154kW; down from a normal Ranger’s 184kW. Why? The SD’s V6 and transmission have unique calibrations for heavy-duty work and to meet strict emissions rules. Owners must use AdBlue too.
You don’t worry about the power deficit on most drives, but we hitched up a mighty 4.3-tonne trailer and our 2.6-tonne Super Duty took its sweet time to reach highway speeds.
It lacks the assured pull of an American V8, but the fact it can haul such mass is deeply impressive.
MORE: Ford Ranger Super Duty details revealed
It’s a weapon off-road with up to 299mm ground clearance, 850mm wading, sealed snorkel as standard, underbody protection, recovery hooks, locking front and rear differentials, wider squared-off wheel arches and all-terrain tyres.
And no showboating. Wheels are 18-inch eight-stud steel efforts, able to be hammered back into shape after off-road dents.
Other goodies include beefy sidesteps, frame-mounted steel front bumper, 130L fuel tank, 400W inverter, 360-degree camera and neat tricks like a trail turn assist (braking the inside wheel) and on-board scales to weigh your payload.
MORE: Iconic ute gets ‘beast’ upgrade
Cabins are identical on all body styles, and it’s familiar Ranger: 12-inch screen, digital instruments, wireless charging and AUX switches.
The floor’s vinyl and seats cloth in true work truck style, but after two days solid driving, I’d have appreciated some lumbar support.
No official fuel economy’s reported, but we saw 10.8L/100k on-road and 18L/100km off-road. Towing 4300kg up a hill? It maxxed out at 55L/100km.
MORE: Elon’s AI project ignored
Worth noting is Ford’s lengthy range of Super Duty accessories, plus its Pro Convertor program, where converters (specialised customisations tailored to use) are supported, and their work falls under Ford’s five-year warranty.
VERDICT
This Ranger big dog’s the real deal. The V6 must prove itself in the field, but Ford’s created a comfier and more capable alternative to Toyota’s legendary 79 Series.
Four stars
Originally published as Ford Ranger Super Duty Tested
New e-bike law could change everything
