Words: Kyle Cassidy
Published 29 May 2026
Ford has revised its Ranger and Everest range, known as the MY2026.5 line up. That’s seen the addition of new variants, revised specification lists and there’s a new engine. That’s the biggest talking point, with Ford replacing its bi-turbo four pot with a 2.0-litre single turbo unit that brings some efficiency gains, but at a cost to overall output.
Power and torque have fallen from 154kW and 500Nm to 125 with 405. But don’t worry, Ford is not giving up bragging rights, with the 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 now available on all Ranger models, bar Raptor.
A new 2.0-litre
At a recent media launch in Australia, Pritika Maharaj, Ranger Global Program Manager, said “based on understanding our customers, we recognise that capability is still core, and with the 2.0-litre you get that capability including three and a half tonne towing, but you also get efficiency and refinement.”
There are a couple of reasons Ford had to say goodbye to the bi-turbo, emissions being one of them, and long term cost of ownership another. The bi-turbo was unique to the Ranger platform, and so Ford says it’s rationalising its engine line up, this 2.0-litre also used to power Transit.
Ford says that allows it to focus on one engine for ongoing development for its global needs, with emissions, particularly in Europe, being key. It’s slightly more efficient and with a timing chain, there’s not the need for costly belt replacements. Maharaj says “that’s really in response to understanding the cost of ownership is a priority for our customers and you can take that [the cost of changing the belt] away.”
It should also prove more robust than the bi-turbo as a result. The wet belt would degrade/fail if you weren’t strict with your oil maintenance, while the twin turbo set up could give problems too.
The new 2.0-litre comes matched to the 10-speed auto across the range, while there is a revised final drive ratio of 3.73:1. Ford says it has completed a full calibration of both the engine and transmission to deliver what Maharaj says is ‘a connected, responsive drive experience’ while she reckons the new 2.0-litre is Ford’s ‘most responsive’ diesel powertrain. Ford upgraded the fuel system for duty in the Ranger with new injectors and pumps.
V6 more available
The V6 remains and has been made available on all Ranger models.
“We understand for some customers the priority is capability and efficiency but for a lot of our customers it’s still all about power and torque and the V6 is that and more. So it really is about making sure we’re extending that capability so for those customers where heavy towing and having that power and torque available is important we’ve now extended the V6 throughout the lineup,” said Maharaj.
How does the 2.0-litre go?
The new 2.0-litre is said to be more efficient. The XLT double cab 4×2 is rated at 6.8L/100km (ADR), the 4×4 at 7.2, while the V6 XLT is listed at 8.3.
The gains aren’t much to crow about however. The 2026 125kW Ranger XLT is listed on Rightcar at 7.9L/100km, while the 154kW model is at 8.0. It’s a similar story for Everest, the 2026 Active at 8.2L/100km, whereas the 2025 154kW model is 8.3.
We had a brief drive of the new 2.0, mainly in the Everest. And mainly in heavy traffic. While there’s a little lag right off the bottom, you’ll only notice that when trying to punch it for a gap. Otherwise, the mid range is adequate, the response good and the ten-speed auto keeps it stirring along nicely. The diesel is relatively quiet and smooth too. It does lack a certain punch however, particularly when overtaking. And it would start to feel the strain once it was loaded with family and kit. And even more so if you had something on the hitch.
If you prefer to have more muscle, there’s always the V6. And this feels much stronger in comparison, pulling way harder. If you’re doing more serious towing work and hard yakka, you simply need the V6.
For Everest, the 2.0-litre powers the Active, is available as an option for Sport buyers, white the Tremor (back for a limited time), Wildtrak and Platinum are V6 only.
Ranger MY2026.5 – other updates
As for the other bits, the XL and XLT get a cosmetic makeover with less chrome work, improved interior materials and updated 12-inch screens. Tremor and Wildtrak variants return, as do the Platinum and Raptor, though not the diesel version of the dune jumper. A new limited model is the Wolftrak with an up-spec appearance pack fit out.
A new feature for those that tow is the trailer connection alarm. If your trailer is disconnected while the vehicle is locked, it will set off the alarm, and send a notification to your phone via the Ford app.
Good news for 2.0 Everest buyers is a reduction in price and more features as standard like leather accented seats, a 12-inch infotainment screen, 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, tyre pressure monitoring system and LED headlamps.
MY2026.5 Ford Ranger line-up
2.0L XLT Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X2 $55,990
2.0L XL Single Chassis Cab, 10A 4X4 $54,990
2.0L XL Super Chassis Cab,10A 4X4 $57,990
2.0L XL Double Chassis Cab, 10A 4X4 $57,990
2.0L XL Double Cab Pick-Up,10A 4X4 $59,990
3.0L XL Single Chassis Cab, 10A 4X4 $61,490
3.0L XL Super Chassis Cab, 10A 4X4 $64,490
3.0L XL Double Chassis Cab,10A 4X4 $64,490
3.0L XL Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $66,490
3.0L XLT Super Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $68,990
3.0L XLT Double Chassis Cab, 10A 4X4 $69,990
2.0L XLT Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $65,990
3.0L XLT Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $71,990
3.0L Wolftrak Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $75,990
3.0L Tremor Double Cab Pick-Up, 10A 4X4 $79,990
2.0L Wildtrak Double Cab Pick-Up, 10AT 4X4 $75,490
3.0L Wildtrak Double Cab V6 Pick-Up, 10AT 4X4 $85,990
3.0L Platinum Double Cab Pick-Up, 10AT 4X4 $92,990
3.0L Raptor Double Cab V6 EcoBoost Pick-Up, 10AT 4X4 $98,490
New Zealand MY2026.5 Ford Everest line-up
2.0L Active, Part-Time 4×4, 10AT $68,990
2.0L Sport, Part-Time 4×4, 10AT $77,490
3.0L Sport, 4WD, 10AT $85,990
3.0L Wildtrak, 4WD 10AT $88,990
3.0L Tremor, 4WD, 10AT $89,990
3.0L Platinum, 4WD, 10AT $93,490
