New Models / 26 November 2025 / Michael Taylor

New Ford Ranger models for South Africa officially revealed

Ford has revealed the new model selection for the Ranger, which is coming to South Africa in the first half of 2026.

At the start of November, the automaker announced that it would make dramatic changes to the Ranger and Everest in response to sales and consumer feedback.

“Set for introduction in the first half of 2026, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa is injecting new vigour into the locally assembled Ranger offering with a revised line-up that’s even better suited to customers’ needs – whether used for work or play, and everything in-between,” it said.

As a result, both the bakkie and the SUV will receive a revised lineup next year, losing one engine while gaining another.

We’ve already covered the changes to the Everest, so it’s time to turn our attention to the ever-popular Ranger.

According to the Blue Oval, the new catalogue will feature three Single Cabs, seven Super Cabs, and 13 Double Cabs.

The number of Single Cabs is unchanged from what we have now; however, the Super Cab roster will receive two new models, and the Double Cab is losing two.

One notable addition is the Sport, a new mid-range trim level for the Super Cab and Double Cab, which slots between the XLT and the Wildtrak.

The Sport was already available on the Everest, but this will be the first time the badge is offered on the current-gen Ranger in South Africa.

Another important change is that the special-edition Wildtrak X, which boasted a variety of enhancements not found on the standard Wildtrak, is no longer being offered as a stand-alone unit.

Instead, customers will be able to order it as an option pack for the Wildtrak 4×4.

This is significant because it means the Wildtrak X will now be fitted with the 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine with 184kW and 600Nm, instead of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel it currently has.

This same treatment is being applied to the Tremor and the Wildtrak Super Cab, which are ditching the bi-turbo for the V6.

Engine changes

Ford is replacing the Tremor’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel with the 3.0-litre V6

The biggest change to the Ranger lineup is that the 2.0-litre bi-turbo is being discontinued, hence the upgrade for the Tremor, Wildtrak Super Cab, and Wildtrak X.

Ford hasn’t officially stated why the bi-turbo is being dropped, though the likely reason is that it occupied an awkward middle ground between the lower-spec models and the more powerful V6 units.

The company previously revealed that the 3.0-litre engine was the most sought-after option for both the Ranger and Everest, so it appears they decided to drop the mid-range engine to give customers more of what they want.

The low to mid-spec bakkies will all feature the 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel plant from now on, which has been upgraded to produce 125kW and 405Nm.

This version offers a choice between a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a 4×2 or 4×4 configuration, depending on the model.

Filling the gap between the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel mills is a new 2.3-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, which produces 222kW and 452Nm, and is available on both the Super Cab and Double Cab.

Interestingly, the EcoBoost will only be sold in rear-wheel-drive with the 10-speed automatic.

This will be the first time a petrol engine is offered on the standard Ranger in South Africa.

The exception, of course, is the halo-model Raptor, which is unaffected by any of the changes and is still positioned as the flagship of the series with its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol block.

Ford has also stated that various models, such as the Platinum, will receive feature enhancements, but that these will only be announced at a later date.

With all of this in mind, this is what the new Ford Ranger catalogue will look like:

Single Cab