2026 Ford Ranger ute’s cheapest model cuts fuel use ahead of bigger update

The most affordable versions of the Ford Ranger ute have gained fuel-saving auto engine stop-start technology – along with minor design and feature changes – ahead of a wider-reaching 'MY26.5' update due mid-year.

Ford has applied a number of small tweaks – and deletions – to Model Year 2026 (MY26) Ranger utes now in showrooms, with no accompanying price increase.

The biggest change is the addition of auto engine stop-start technology to 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel variants, which claims to save between 0.5 and 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres of fuel, and 12 to 18 grams per kilometre of CO2.

It will become more important when the next production run of Ford Rangers commences – Model Year (MY) 2026.5 – as the 2.0-litre bi-turbo will be axed, leaving the single-turbo as the standard choice in many popular grades.

Auto stop-start tech has been standard fitment on bi-turbo and V6-powered Rangers since the current generation model launched in 2022, to reduce their official fuel consumption and emissions figures.

Ford introduced the option to delete stop-start tech from bi-turbo variants from MY24.5 production, at no additional cost, but this has been removed from the order sheet for MY26.

It, along with the stop-start tech for single-turbo grades, will be needed to help Ford lower its CO2 emissions average and avoid fines under tough emissions rules for new cars now in force in Australia, the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.

Ranger XL bi-turbo pictured.

Lowering the official CO2 emissions figure by 12 to 18g/km has the potential to cut up to $1800 off the penalties Ford would pay for each single-turbo Ranger under the NVES, assuming a worst-case fine of $100 per gram-per-kilometre over the vehicle's target.

Yet on model variants where both engines are offered, the 2.0-litre single-turbo is rated to use 0.2L/100km more fuel, and emit 4 to 6g/km more CO2, than its bi-turbo equivalent, despite lacking a turbo, and producing 19kW/95Nm less.

Changes for Model Year 2026 Ranger production – albeit minor – extend beyond the expansion of fuel-saving stop-start tech.

MY26 Ranger Wildtrak at a Ford dealer with a black roller shutter; photo by Drive.

Power-operated roller shutter covers for the tub on pick-up variants – standard on the Wildtrak and Platinum, and optional on other grades, from the base XL to the hero Raptor – are now black, rather than silver.

The silver inserts on the Platinum's side steps have switched from a bright finish to a matte finish, while there is claimed to have been a subtle change to the shade of the Raptor's front fog lamp bezels, from grey to black.

The Raptor's key fob has also swapped the Raptor badge for a Ford badge, while Lucid Red paint is no longer available on the XLT and Sport plug-in hybrids, now limited to the Wildtrak PHEV.

Prices are unchanged across the Ford Ranger line-up for 2026 – even on single-turbo grades – with vehicles in showrooms now.

• Ranger XL single-cab chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel 4x2 – $37,130
• Ranger XL single-cab chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $48,230
• Ranger XL Super Cab chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel 4x2 – $39,630
• Ranger XL Super Cab chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $50,730
• Ranger XL dual-cab chassis 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel 4x4 – $49,230
• Ranger XL dual-cab chassis 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $52,730
• Ranger XL dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel 4x2 – $43,530
• Ranger XL dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel 4x4 – $51,130
• Ranger XL dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $54,630
• Ranger Black Edition dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $55,990
• Ranger XLS dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $57,880
• Ranger XLT Super Cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $61,890
• Ranger XLT dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x2 – $56,690
• Ranger XLT dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $63,890
• Ranger XLT dual-cab chassis 3.0-litre V6 diesel 4x4 – $67,190
• Ranger XLT dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre V6 diesel 4x4 – $69,090
• Ranger XLT dual-cab pick-up 2.3-litre turbo-petrol PHEV 4x4 – $71,990
• Ranger Sport dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $66,390
• Ranger Sport dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre V6 diesel 4x4 – $71,340
• Ranger Sport dual-cab pick-up 2.3-litre turbo-petrol PHEV 4x4 – $75,990
• Ranger Wildtrak dual-cab pick-up 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel 4x4 – $69,890
• Ranger Wildtrak dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre V6 diesel 4x4 – $75,090
• Ranger Wildtrak dual-cab pick-up 2.3-litre turbo-petrol PHEV 4x4 – $79,990
• Ranger Platinum dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre V6 diesel 4x4 – $80,890
• Ranger Stormtrak dual-cab pick-up 2.3-litre turbo-petrol PHEV 4x4 – $86,990
• Ranger Raptor dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol 4x4 – $90,690

Note: All prices listed exclude on-road costs.

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner

Read more about Alex Misoyannis