Ford Ranger And Everest Get More Muscle And Tech In 2026
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If you thought Ford’s ute and its upright cousin were merely being tinkered with, think again. The 2026.5 Ranger and Everest arrive with a proper dose of gusto: the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel is no longer the exclusive preserve of the posh models, tech has been cascaded down the range, and the styling has been stripped of some chrome frippery in favour of darker, more purposeful touches. In short, more grunt, more screens and fewer excuses.
Powertrain: The V6 Spreads Its Wings
The headline is the wider availability of the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. It produces 184 kW and 600 Nm, and is now offered on more Ranger and Everest variants, including for the first time on the Ranger XL and the Everest Active. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel has not been ignored either; it gets a new timing chain and tweaked fuel injection, delivering 125 kW and 405 Nm with peak torque from 1,750 rpm. The proven 10-speed automatic is standard across the range, making gear changes feel thoughtful rather than frantic. Towing capacity remains an impressive 3,500 kg where specified, so none of these upgrades come at the expense of usefulness.
Design And Tech: Darker, Sharper, Smarter
Ford has given both cars a more muscular, modern face. Gloss and matte black bits replace chrome on many models, wheel designs are refreshed and interior trim is darker and moodier. The feature cascade is welcome: 12-inch infotainment screens are now standard on a broader set of models, and features such as dual-zone climate and rear air vents are being moved into lower grade variants. The Wildtrak gains Matrix LED headlamps and a 10-speaker B&O audio system as standard, while Platinum gets a new Acacia Green paint as its hero colour.
Ranger Line-Up: More Variants, Smarter Choices
Some line-up pruning and additions have been made. The once limited-run Black Edition is now permanent, offered with either the 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre engines. The Sport trim has been discontinued, and XLS is now a double cab-chassis only, fitted with the 3.0 V6 and a few welcome kit additions over the XL. The workhorse XL can now be specified with the V6 and benefits from extra gear as standard, including a 12-inch screen, dual-zone climate control and upgraded tyres and brakes if you choose the V6. Cab-chassis variants will, for the first time, offer the Driver Assist Technology bar, so switching from tray to service body no longer means losing driver aids.
Special Editions: Wolftrak And Tremor Return
A new Wolftrak series debuts, dripping with Traction Green accents, unique wheels and off-road styling cues. It is V6-only and focused on practical kit such as a full-time 4WD system, trailer assist tech and heavy-duty terrain management with bespoke drive modes. The Tremor makes a come-back with the 3.0 V6 as well, turning it into a truly rugged, high-torque off-roader with Bilstein dampers, increased track and ground clearance, rock-crawl mode and off-road steering and protection. Both are aimed at people who prefer their fun with a smudge of mud on it.
Everest: A New Entry Model And More Standard Kit
The Everest Ambiente and Trend are retired and replaced by the Everest Active. It arrives with leather-accented seats, a 12-inch infotainment screen, 18-inch alloys and LED headlamps as standard, and is offered with either 2.0 or 3.0 engines. Active starts as a five-seater, with seven seats optional. Sport, Tremor and Platinum remain, with Sport available in both engines and Tremor and Platinum V6-only. Ford has also made the 360-degree camera standard on Sport and Tremor and added tyre pressure monitoring to Sport. Tremor’s premium seat pack is standardised and owners can opt to remove the third row.
Colours, Options And Prices At A Glance
Colour choices have been shuffled: Wildtrak loses Blue Lightning but gains Ignite Orange, Platinum gets Acacia Green, and Wolftrak introduces Traction Green. Some option pricing and availability have been nudged too, including a revised Flexible Rack System price now listed at $1,990 and greater availability of the Auxiliary Switch Bank on V6 XLTs and Wildtrak.
Pricing highlights show the Ranger range starting from around $37,130 for a 4×2 XL single cab 2.0-litre and climbing to about $90,690 for the Raptor. V6-powered Ranger variants sit in the mid to upper range, with models such as the Wolftrak and Tremor priced in the low to mid 70-thousands. The Everest Active begins at $58,990, with higher-spec Tremor and Platinum V6 models moving into the high 70s and low 80s.
Order books open in December, with first deliveries expected mid-2026. Full specifications will be published closer to vehicle arrivals, for those who like to read every last bullet point before signing on the dotted line.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
