Following the humble Mazda B-Series based Courier in 1978, then the BT-50-based Ranger from 2007, the first Australian-developed Ford Ranger (the PX-series of 2011) became a global success story sold in about 180 countries, before being replaced by the current RA-series in 2022.

The latest Ranger’s popularity has grown further since then, becoming Australia’s favourite ute and new model overall over the past three years, after it ended the seven-year winning streak of the Toyota HiLux in its first full year on sale.

But while Toyota has rolled out relatively minor HiLux upgrades during the traditional decade-long lifespan of its previously dominant entry in Australia’s booming ute market, the latest Ranger has received updates at least annually – as we saw in 2025 with two model year updates (MY25.25 and MY25.75).

The latter brought with it a range of plug-in hybrid variants for the first time, in addition to four-cylinder and V6 diesel options, plus the unrivalled twin-turbo petrol V6-powered Raptor performance flagship and, more recently, the hardcore Super Duty lineup that’s now outselling Toyota’s iconic 70 Series workhorse.

Now, Ford is rolling out its first Ranger update since the ‘new generation’ HiLux arrived late last year, and the MY26.50 lineup brings a new base diesel engine, wider availability of its class-leading diesel V6 (which is shared with the Volkswagen Amarok produced by Ford in South Africa), and minor design and equipment updates across the range.