Ford will soon roll out a number of tweaks for its Ford Ranger lineup for 2024, which will see gains in towing assistance and other updates across the range
Ford Australia has announced a number of updates to its Ranger ute lineup for 2024, which will see the vehicle gain bolstered towing assistance and some options made standard on certain grades, as well as a streamlined range.
The refreshed line-up – which Ford has dubbed ‘MY24.5’ – will see the recently released special-edition Wildtrak X end its production run, as well as the deletion of three 4×2 models from the lineup.
Depending on grade, some models will gain features like ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist’, with the base XL also gaining new heavy-duty suspension.
Despite the updates, prices will remain stable for most variants – except the 4×4 XLS Double Pickup 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo, which will record a $1950 price rise – however, prices for the vehicle had already risen for the current ‘MY24’ range since our last Ford Ranger price update mid-2023.
The changes to the vehicle – which has recently claimed the title of Australia’s most popular vehicle after having dethroned a seven-year reign by its rival Toyota Hilux ute – will come into effect later this year with the MY24.5 set to commence from March.
Let’s have a look at what’s changing for 2024.
Headlining the changes to the Ranger is the addition of a ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist’, which we have already seen an iteration of on the larger F-150 pick-up truck.
The feature enables drivers to ‘steer’ a trailer using the outer ring of the vehicle’s drive mode controller on the centre console. In using this feature, driver’s don’t need to touch the steering wheel, which turns automatically to direct the trailer where it needs to go.
The system is designed to eliminate the often-difficult action of needing to steer in the opposite direction to the intended direction the trailer needs to travel while backing up.
The feature will be standard on the Ranger Wildtrak, Platinum, and Raptor variants only. The 4×4 variants of the XLT and Sport grades will be able to option the feature as part of an optional Touring pack.
In other updates, Ford has announced that the entry-level Ranger XL will now come standard with heavy-duty suspension, which was previously an option on XL variants. The suspension incorporates thicker rear springs as well as new front and rear dampers with a modified tune for carrying significant loads in the rear tray.
Additionally, the mid-spec Ranger XLS will now receive Tech and Towing Packs, previously at-cost options, as standard features. This will bring a $1950 price rise for the grade.
Further up the range, a flexible rack system which previously debuted as standard on the Ranger Platinum and Wildtrak X special edition will now also be able to be optioned on the Ranger Sport and Wildtrak.
As part of the update, and in addition to the news that the special-edition Wildtrak X will end its production run, Ford has also confirmed the deletion of three 4×2 models including the XL Bi-Turbo dual-cab cab-chassis, XLS Bi-Turbo dual-cab pick-up, and XL Bi-Turbo super-cab pick-up.
All other models in the wide-ranging lineup are unaffected.
Ford offers the Ranger ute in several grades and body-styles within Australia including single, super and double cab chassis styles, as well as super and double cab pickups. Three engine choices are available across the range which is offered in both 4×2 and 4×4 configuration. All powertrains are mated to either a six-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission.
Below we focus on the 4×4 dual-cab pickup range which is the preferred body style and drivetrain combination favoured by private buyers in Australia.
It is worth noting that all Ranger variants – except the unrated Raptor – have a five-star ANCAP safety rating in Australia.
Similarly, all variants bar the Raptor have a 3500kg braked towing capacity. The Raptor’s is 2500kg.
Powertrain: The XL is offered with a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel inline-four cylinder engine delivering 125kW and 405Nm, mated exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The XL can also be had with a more powerful 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-four cylinder engine which makes for 154kW and 500Nm. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Both variants come with part-time four-wheel drive.
Key Features: Standard specifications for the XL variant include a locking rear differential, 16-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights and LED taillights.
Inside buyers will also find features such as:
From a safety perspective, the XL features nine airbags including front, side, knee, full length curtain (driver and passengers) and far side driver front airbag.
Driver aids include:
Powertrain: The higher-spec XLS is available with only the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel inline-four cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.
Like the XL, the XLS comes with part time four-wheel drive.
Key Features:
Standard features improve in XLS grade with:
Ford has also announced that the Tech and Towing packs which had previously been cost options on the XLS will now be made standard for MY24.5 models.
The Tech and Towing Packs include features such as:
Powertrain: The XLT variant is available with the twin-turbo 2.0-litre of the XL and XLS, as well as a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine delivering 184kW and 600Nm, both mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
While the 2.0-litre XLT comes with part time four-wheel drive like the XL and XLS, the 3.0-litre comes with a full-time (selectable) four-wheel-drive system.
Key Features: From a spec perspective, XLT variants include features such as:
Powertrain: Like the XLT, the Sport is available with both 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, both paired with the ten-speed automatic transmission.
Also like the XLT, the four-cylinder comes with part-time four-wheel drive, while the 3.0-litre comes with full-time (selectable) four-wheel drive.
Key Features: Regardless of engine choice, Sport variants gain a number of features including:
Powertrain: The Wildtrak mirrors both the XLT and Sport in available powertrain and drivetrain options.
Key Features:
Powertrain: The Platinum is available with only the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, coupled with the ten-speed automatic and full-time (selectable) four-wheel drive system.
Key Features:
*denotes features exclusive to Platinum
Powertrain: Unlike other variants, the Raptor is powered exclusively by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with 292kW and 583Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system.
Key Features:
As before, a number of options and option packs are available on the MY24.5 Ford Ranger, however there have been some changes as to which vehicles they are available on.
Ford Ranger MY24.5 options:
The MY24.5 Ford Ranger lineup is listed below. All prices listed are before on-road costs.
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