2026.5 Ford Everest and Ranger single-turbo: First drive impressions

Ford Australia has updated its Ranger and Everest 4×4 range for the 2026.5 model year with revised model line-ups, new nameplates and significant diesel engine changes. 

As reported here, the 500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo has been dropped due to emissions requirements and replaced by a revised single-turbo version producing 125kW and 405Nm. To fill the gap in performance, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel is now offered more widely across the range at a higher price point.  

Our recent drive was in a 2.0-litre-powered Everest and was on-road only, all on the highway. And the big question was how well the single-turbo engine would power the Ford wagon?

One thing that hasn’t changed is how smooth the 2.0-litre engine is compared to larger-capacity four-cylinder diesel engines in this class of vehicle. The bi-turbo was always smoother and more refined than the 2.4-, 2.5-, 2.8- and 3.0-litre engines used by competitors, and this trait continues in the updated single-turbo engine, even with its heavier steel pistons. This is something drivers will appreciate in the Everest more so than the Ranger.

The four-cylinder Everest reaches highway speeds easily on the open road and cruises along effortlessly. The road to Geelong is as mundane as they come and did not really give us much of a chance to put the car through its paces. Slowing down and planting the boot to get back up to speed revealed modest acceleration, and certainly nothing like what we were accustomed to in the old bi-turbo engine. It was okay in a relatively unladen vehicle on a flat highway but gave the impression it would work hard in the hills with a load or trailer on the back. 

This is not an engine I would want to use to tow two tonnes or more over long distances. Whereas Ford’s four-cylinder diesel engine used to offer class-leading performance, the loss of that second turbocharger has relegated it way back in the pack. Thankfully, Ford still offers the V6 diesel for hauling loads and other heavy-duty usage.

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Ranger and Everest off-road at You Yangs 

At Ford’s You Yangs proving ground, we were able to sample the V6 and four-cylinder-powered Everest and Ranger models over a series of off-road obstacles and various road surfaces. 

Both the wagon and ute tackled all of these with ease, using the various drive modes and rear differential lock to make light work of them. The Ranger Raptor and Super Duty remain the only models in Ford Australia’s 4×4 range to offer both front and rear locking differentials.

With the Ranger being the top-selling vehicle in Australia for the past three years and the Everest the best-selling 4×4 wagon, Ford is doing just enough with new styling, models and features to keep its vehicles interesting and in the minds of buyers. 

The company is also rolling out drive-away pricing and models to extend the vehicles’ appeal to more buyers in order to ensure it stays on top throughout 2026.

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