Ford Australia has unveiled the Ranger Super Duty — a tough, mid-sized ute built to handle the demanding day-to-day of mining sites, farms, and worksites. Factory-approved capability and toughness filled the sizable gap between normal Ranger comforts and heavy-duty capability.
Specs That Matter Most
Under the bonnet, it has a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel V6 to drive it. Paired with a ten-speed automatic, it offers heavy-duty capability: gross vehicle mass and tow capacity both 4,500 kg, and gross combined mass up to 8,000 kg. Hardwired hardware invites hard work—locking differentials, heavy-duty suspension, onboard payload weights, and underbody protection for rough ground.
Why This Ranger Stands Out
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Mid-size utes have never needed aftermarket upgrades. Ranger Super Duty comes to work ready, no upgrades required. Contractors, fleet managers, and mine operators now receive best-in-class capability directly from the showroom floor. Factory-capability arrives in this model to specs formerly controlled by bigger trucks.
Built for Real-World Work
Credit: The Car Guide
With more spacious running gear, a heavier frame, and extra ground clearance—299 mm—the Ranger Super Duty conquers challenging trails and steep inclines with equal ease. Wading depth is 850 mm, river crossing or flooding access rendered safe. Heavy loads are easier and safer to tow courtesy of the availability of front and rear diff lockers and Smart Hitch trailer-assist. Aids to traction on board assist in controlling while towing or working from uneven ground.
Insights from the Field
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Operators in pre-launch testing at Ford proving grounds indicated to us that the Super Duty, loaded, handled much more stably and cooler in hot and cold ambient conditions. Those were challenging tests—dust endurance driving, driving up steep grades and extreme brake situations—actually intended to mimic the kinds of situations found in mines, on farms and in far-flung infrastructure applications.
Customer response in the markets where they’re selling also duplicated the quieter cabin, quicker response to traction control, and reassurance of having a factory warranty on a more capable Ranger platform.
Cab Comfort That Works
Even in the toughest job sites, this ute manages to keep its core comforts intact—something seasoned Ranger owners will feel right at home with. There’s a big screen and fresh SYNC system, long-haul-addressed seats, and visibility features such as a 360-degree camera. And then fleet-spec features—such as trailer back-up assist and road safety technology—now on the base level. The XLT level, coming mid-2026, will feature touring-grade upgrades for more on-the-road time.
Standing Tall Over Competitors
Compared to competition like Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series, the Ranger Super Duty features higher-rated payload and tow ratings on a mid-size platform—a class-leading 4,500 kg tow capacity compared to 3,500 kg in competitive vehicles. With payload capacity generally well more than 1,800 kg depending on trim, it puts aftermarket accessories out of contention and provides OEM-level reliability in harsh use.
What to Watch For
- Fleet Expressions of Interest: A number of operators have preordered the Ranger Super Duty, with ahead-of-time ordering to begin late in 2025.
- Durability Performance Measurement: As on-the-job hours mount in tougher real-world conditions, operators will track uptime, breakdown frequency and maintenance requirements.
- In the mid-2026 model, the XLT trim finds its sweet spot—balancing practical comfort with just enough polish to stand apart from the flashier versions
- Ancillary Market Response: Will conversion specialists, service networks and dealers accept easily to supply this new range?
Final Word
The Ranger Super Duty is not just a styling refresh—it’s an evolution of what can exist in the universe of work for a mid-size ute. Designed with muscle where it counts, this version bridges the gap—offering more grunt than the entry-level Ranger without tipping into oversized territory. And yes, it’s factory-certified to haul and carry like a pro.
For heavy-duty truck and mining applications, it translates to less conversions, more uptime, planned service intervals, and warranty-backed. For fleet operators, it translates to heavy-lift capacity in a compact, battle-tested package.
Makes its debut in 2026 dealerships, Ford’s Ranger Super Duty establishes a new standard—where rugged-use heavy-duty capability is joined with reliability.
