Major changes coming for the Ford Ranger and Everest in South Africa

Ford has just announced that it will make significant changes to the powertrain selection for the Ranger bakkie and Everest SUV in South Africa.

The Blue Oval plans to introduce a new engine while phasing out another, all while making changes to the model lineup of both vehicles.

More specifically, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will finally be added to the current-gen Ranger and Everest for the first time in South Africa.

“Looking ahead, Ford is positioning itself for the future and meeting the demands of tomorrow’s customers,” said Sunil Sewmohan, Director of Product Marketing at Ford South Africa.

“The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine offers a distinct character, providing exhilarating acceleration, a more dynamic driving feel, and a smooth experience that will appeal to those who prioritise responsiveness.”

At the same time, the company will expand the number of 3.0-litre V6 diesel options while phasing out the existing 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel units.

Ford confirmed that the revisions to the Ranger and Everest lineup will take place in the first half of 2026.

A big overhaul

The current-gen Ranger and Everest were introduced in late 2022 and have been a phenomenal success in South Africa, selling thousands of units every month.

Since its launch, the Ranger has been sold with a variety of drivetrains, starting with a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel block.

This engine, which produces 125kW and 405Nm, is found on most of the single cab and SuperCab units, as well as the entry-level XL double cabs.

One step up from this is the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel, which generates 154kW and 500Nm and is associated with the mid- and high-end trim levels like the XLT and Wildtrak.

The bi-turbo is also used on the special-edition Tremor and Wildtrak X, which were added post-launch.

Taking things to the next level is the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel plant, which is reserved for the top-spec Wildtrak and Platinum models, and produces an impressive 184kW and 600Nm, making it the most powerful option for the standard Ranger.

As for the Everest, the SUV understandably has fewer models than its bakkie sibling, and forgoes the entry-level 2.0-litre diesel block entirely.

Instead, the Everest is exclusively sold with the bi-turbo and V6 diesel egines.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Ranger Raptor has an exclusive 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with 292kW and 583Nm, but it appears that Ford is leaving the Raptor as is for the time being.

The first big change for the bakkie and SUV is the addition of the brand’s 2.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, which produces 222kW and 452Nm and is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

It’s not too surprising that Ford has finally decided to add this option to the roster, given that the Ranger’s half-sibling – the VW Amarok – already has it.

As a reminder, the Ranger and Amarok were co-developed by Ford and VW, and both are built at Ford’s Silverton factory in Pretoria.

Another interesting fact to point out is that Ford already makes a 2.3-litre Ranger in South Africa, only it does not sell it here.

The petrol engine is used in the bakkie’s new plug-in hybrid model, which is produced solely for export to markets like Europe and Australia.

Ford likely decided to add the EcoBoost engine to the lineup to capitalize on the growing demand for high-end petrol 4x4s, which are generally considered tremoto provide a more enjoyable driving experience.

Another change is that the company has upgraded the 2.0-litre single-turbo with a new timing chain, which it claims will improve durability and performance.

Additionally, the 10-speed automatic transmission will be offered on the XL and XLT for the first time.

Lastly, the Blue Oval plans to expand the V6 diesel selection while phasing out the bi-turbo.

This is a radical change, given how many Ranger and Everest units have the 2.0-litre bi-turbo, but it’s also not too surprising.

The bi-turbo occupied an awkward middle ground between the more affordable single turbo and the potent 3.0-litre V6, and the majority of consumers who could afford the latter would choose it over the bi-turbo.

It remains to be seen how this will affect the model selection, and whether the Ranger Tremor and Wildtrak X will receive the V6 or if they will be phased out entirely.

Either way, the Ranger and Everest roster is sure to look very different following these changes in the first half of 2026.