Ford resets Ranger and Everest for 2026: New styling, engine shake-up and added variants

Ford Australia has given its line-up of Ranger and Everest 4×4 vehicles a considerable shake-up for the 2026.5 model year.

The rehash includes some new nameplates and a reconfiguration of existing models, plus revisions to the diesel powertrains. The powertrain changes come as a result of the 500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder engine being discontinued from the Australian range. We are told this is due to it not meeting forthcoming emissions standards.

The class-leading bi-turbo has been replaced with a heavily revised version of the engine that uses a single turbocharger and makes a claimed 125kW at 3500rpm and 405Nm from 1750–2500rpm.

To cover for the loss of the more powerful four-cylinder engine, Ford has now made the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine available across all models in the 4×4 line-up. It comes at a premium over the four-cylinder of around $6000 to $7000.

Ford drops bi-turbo for upgraded single-turbo diesel

The single-turbo four-cylinder engine benefits from an extensive engineering makeover.

This includes wholesale changes at the front of the engine, where the cam belt that previously ran in oil has been replaced with a more durable timing chain. Stronger steel pistons replace the alloy items in the old engine, while a refreshed top-end and injection system are employed to get the most out of the engine in terms of performance and durability.

All Rangers and Everest 4×4 variants now use the 10-speed automatic transmission, with the previous six-speed that was used in some grades sent to the bin along with the bi-turbo engine.

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Ford Ranger line-up overview

The Ranger continues to be offered in cab-chassis and ute variants, in a wide range of specifications to suit everyone from the tradesman to the outback tourer.

The line-up starts at XL and runs through to the Raptor model, which, along with the Ranger PHEV, remains one of the only variants to be powered by a petrol-fuelled engine. The Black Edition is back as a value-packed model with the four-cylinder or V6 engine, while the V6-powered Tremor joins the regular line-up for a limited time.

The new nameplate in the Ranger line-up is the Wolftrak. Wolftrak is a double-cab-only variant that slots in between the Ranger XLT and Tremor models, and offers a premium look at a lower price than Wildtrak or Tremor. Offered only in Traction Green, a colour taken from the Super Duty range, it adds bright lime highlights, gloss-black 17-inch alloy wheels and honeycomb grille, HD Terrain Management, sports bar, auxiliary switch bank, vinyl seat trim, front tow hooks and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system.

The whole Ranger line-up gets a styling refresh with darker colours on grilles and other trims, plus neon accents on wheels and other details. The Tremor is more substantial than just cosmetics, adding General Grabber all-terrain tyres and Bilstein-equipped suspension for increased ride height and improved handling.

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Everest adds V6, new entry model

The Ranger’s wagon sibling, the Everest, also benefits from mid-year changes.

Like the ute, the Everest loses the bi-turbo diesel engine and gets the updated single-turbo version in its place. Also mirroring the Ranger is the addition of the 3.0-litre V6 diesel across the Everest range, while all variants are now backed by the 10-speed automatic transmission and 4×4.

The big change to the Everest line-up is that the previous Ambiente and Trend entry-level models have been replaced with the Active model. The Everest Active joins the Sport, Tremor and Platinum models in the 4×4 wagon range. The Tremor and Platinum are only offered with the V6 engine, while the lower grades give you a choice of diesel engines.

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You can pick the new Ford models by the darker grille and exterior details in lieu of chrome but once you get inside, it’s a pretty familiar affair. One notable change is that the 10-inch multimedia screen previously fitted to lower grades is gone, and all Ranger and Everest variants now get the 12-inch screen.

The cabin remains spacious, comfortable and functional, all the attributes that have made the Ford T6 duo favourites of ours, as well as of the buying public.