2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty [AU]: The Unstoppable Ute You've Been Waiting For

Australia's love affair with the ute is legendary, and for good reason. These versatile workhorses are the backbone of countless businesses and the enabler of epic weekend adventures. But what happens when you take the already capable Ford Ranger and inject it with a serious dose of "Super Duty" grit? You get the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty, a beast of a ute designed and engineered in Australia to tackle the toughest jobs and most demanding terrains.

Expected to hit Australian showrooms in early 2026, with orders opening later this year, the Ranger Super Duty is not just a facelift; it's a fundamental re-engineering of Ford's popular mid-size pickup. With its sights firmly set on established heavyweights like the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series and emerging rivals, this new Ranger promises to redefine what a mid-sized ute can achieve.

Review: Built Ford Tough, Amplified

From the moment you lay eyes on the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty, its intentions are clear. This isn't your suburban school-run ute. It's a purpose-built machine, muscular and imposing, with an undeniable presence. While it shares its core cabin, doors, roof, and tailgate with the regular Ranger, the Super Duty distinguishes itself with unique front and rear wheel fenders, a redesigned bonnet with "Super Duty" stamped along its front edge, and a standard, fully sealed snorkel. The plastic front bumper is replaced with a rugged steel unit, and larger side mirrors and brighter indicator repeater lights hint at its light truck classification.

The most striking visual changes, however, are the wider wheel tracks and significantly increased ride height (estimated at 60-70mm). This stance, coupled with squared-off wheel arches designed to accommodate 33-inch General Grabber All-Terrain tyres on eight-stud wheel hubs (sourced from the F-250 Super Duty), screams capability. The interior maintains the familiar Ranger layout, with a 12-inch infotainment screen and optional integrated device mounting system for professionals who need to keep larger screens or devices secure. Ford's suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera, are also standard across the range, even on cab-chassis models thanks to clever sensor placement.

Initial impressions suggest the Ranger Super Duty lives up to its name. The focus during its development was unequivocally on carrying heavier loads, hauling bigger trailers, and going further off-road – and the specs certainly back that up. This is a vehicle designed to perform straight off the showroom floor, eliminating the need for costly aftermarket GVM upgrades.

Specifications: Redefining Mid-Size Capability

The heart of the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty is the proven 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel V6 engine, already familiar from the Ranger Sport and Everest. However, for the Super Duty, this engine has been recalibrated for heavy-duty emissions standards (Euro 6.2 compliant) and features improved cooling. While specific power and torque figures are yet to be officially released, they are expected to match or exceed the current 184kW and 600Nm, with a potential for peak torque to arrive earlier or more consistently under load. This V6 is paired with Ford's robust 10-speed automatic transmission, with suggestions of additional cooling for even greater durability.

The chassis is where the Super Duty truly differentiates itself. The ladder frame is engineered for increased strength, featuring thicker steel, revised welds, and additional cross members. Suspension components, including coils upfront and leaf springs in the rear, have been beefed up to handle heavier demands. Stronger front and rear driveshafts, a heavy-duty rear axle, and the aforementioned eight-stud wheel hubs contribute to its formidable capabilities.

The headline figures are genuinely impressive:

• Max Braked Towing Capacity: 4500kg (a significant jump from the standard Ranger's 3500kg)
• Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 4500kg
• Gross Combined Mass (GCM): 8000kg

These figures not only surpass the standard Ranger but also match or even exceed those of some full-size American pickups like the F-150, offering a genuine alternative for those who need serious hauling power without the sheer bulk of a full-size truck. Payload capacity is yet to be announced, but with a 4500kg GVM, it's guaranteed to be substantial, likely around 1900kg.

Off-road prowess is a core tenet of the Super Duty. It comes standard with front and rear locking differentials (a first for a turbo-diesel Ranger), a two-speed transfer case with larger, stronger components, and a low-range gearset. A massive 130-litre long-range fuel tank, protected by thick steel shielding, ensures extended journeys into remote areas, offering a theoretical range of up to 650km even when towing a large caravan. The underside is further armored with high-strength steel bash plates covering the engine, transmission, front diff, and transfer case.

Innovative features like Ford's Smart Hitch and Onboard Scales further enhance its utility. Smart Hitch helps users understand towball weight and load distribution for safer towing, while Onboard Scales estimate payload in real-time, displayed on the infotainment screen, FordPass app, or via LED taillight indicators. A manual DPF regeneration button has also been included, a direct result of fleet operator feedback, allowing regeneration to be conducted in a safe environment.

The 2026 Ranger Super Duty will be offered in several body styles: single cab chassis, super cab chassis, and double cab chassis, with a double cab pick-up variant arriving mid-2026. Initially, it will be available in a dedicated "Super Duty" trim, with a more touring-focused "Super Duty XLT" variant joining the lineup later in mid-2026, featuring exclusive alloy wheels and premium touches.

Prices: Premium Capability Comes at a Price

While official pricing for the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty in Australia has not yet been announced, market analysts and early reports suggest a premium positioning. With the current Ranger lineup ranging from approximately $37,000 AUD to $90,500 AUD, the Super Duty is expected to sit at the very top of this spectrum.

Initial estimates place the starting price for the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty around $100,000 AUD, potentially reaching $140,000 AUD for higher-spec or XLT variants. This pricing reflects the extensive re-engineering, enhanced capabilities, and advanced technology packed into the vehicle. It positions the Super Duty as a serious contender against heavy-duty alternatives, offering a factory-backed solution for those who previously resorted to expensive aftermarket modifications to achieve similar levels of GVM and towing capacity.

For businesses and individuals who demand uncompromising capability, durability, and a vehicle that can genuinely go the distance with heavy loads, the investment in a Ranger Super Duty will likely be justified. Its segment-leading towing and payload, combined with serious off-road credentials and smart tech, present a compelling package.

Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Australian Utes

The 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty marks a significant evolution for the Ranger nameplate in Australia. Developed with extensive local input and testing, it addresses a clear market need for a mid-sized ute with unprecedented factory-backed capability. Its beefed-up chassis, powerful V6 diesel, and class-leading towing and hauling figures are poised to shake up the market, offering a genuine alternative to larger American pickups and traditional heavy-duty 4x4s.

While the exact pricing and full spec details of all variants are still to be confirmed, the promise of a truly "Super Duty" Ranger is exciting. For those who need a workhorse that can effortlessly handle massive loads, conquer the most challenging terrains, and offer the convenience of modern technology, the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty is shaping up to be an undeniable force to be reckoned with. Prepare to see a lot more of these imposing machines on Australian roads – and off them – in the years to come.