Ford Ranger gets updates for 2024

Ford Australia has upgraded the Ranger ute for 2024, introducing new trailer assistance tech, more standard features on some grades and revising the model range. The key addition to the ‘MY24.5’ Ranger - that’s sure to be valued by many buyers - is ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist,’ which will be standard on some Ranger grades and optional on others. This will also be available for selected grades of the Everest 4x4 SUV as an option pack.

Standard on the F-150 full-size pickup, but making its Ranger debut with this upgrade, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist is designed to make reversing a trailer easier. Ford says the system removes the counterintuitive process of turning the steering wheel one way to make the trailer go the other by removing manual steering wheel adjustment altogether.

“Because reversing a trailer requires you to turn the steering wheel left to make the trailer go to the right, it can be difficult to get your head around, even if you’ve done it loads of times,” said Zack McIntyre, advanced driver assist systems engineer at Ford.

“With Pro-Trailer Back Up Assist, you can 'steer’ your trailer down a boat ramp quickly and easily, or position your camper perfectly every time.

“The driver ‘steers’ the trailer via the outer ring of the drive mode controller on the centre console. As the driver turns the dial, the steering wheel - which the driver doesn’t need to touch during the manoeuvre - turns to direct the trailer where it needs to go.”

Standard on the Ranger Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor, Pro-Trailer Backup Assist will be a $1,650 option for the XLT and Sport 4x4 grades as part of a ‘Touring Pack’. The tech is not available on any other Ranger grade.

Pro-Trailer Back Up Assist joins a number of tow-friendly features already fitted to the Ranger, like a reversing camera with hitch view, trailer light check, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and an integrated brake controller.

Ranger XL, XLS Upgrades

In response to customer demand, the Ranger XL will now come standard with heavy-duty suspension, consisting of thicker rear springs and new front/rear dampers with a revised tune for carrying heavy loads.

For the Ranger XLS dual cab, both the Towing and Tech Packs which had been cost options will now be standard. The former adds a tow bar and tongue, trailer light check, integrated trailer brake controller and extended blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage. The latter includes body colour door handles, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, rear seat air vents, satnav (with one year of connected navigation services), DAB+ digital radio and upgraded SYNC 4A infotainment with voice control.

Flexible Rack System expanded

With the Ranger Wildtrak X to be discontinued, Ford’s Flexible Rack System that had been standard for this special edition and the premium Ranger Platinum will now be optional for the Ranger Sport and Wildtrak. Priced at $2,800, this replaces the sports bar and load-box access points that featured on the Sport, and the sailplane bar and box rails that were standard for the Wildtrak.

Range Revision

While most model variants continue from 2023 (when the Ranger was Australia’s top-selling new car for the first time), some have been dropped for the MY24.5 release due to low demand. These include the XL Bi-Turbo dual cab cab-chassis 4x2, XLS Bi-Turbo dual cab ute 4X2, XL Bi-Turbo super-cab ute 4X2 and the Wildtrak X special edition.

Ranger pricing had already increased across the board at the start of 2024, so there’s no further increase with this upgrade - with one exception. The additional standard kit on the XLS dual cab Bi-Turbo 4x4 sees its price rise to $57,380 (plus ORCs), which is $1,950 more than before, but the Towing and Tech Packs retail for a combined $2,450, so there is some value. The aforementioned range pruning means this is now the only Ranger XLS grade offered.

MY24.5 Ranger pricing starts at $36,880 for the XL single cab cab-chassis single-turbo 4x2, with the entry point for a Ranger 4x4 being the XL single cab cab-chassis Bi-Turbo at $47,980.

Ranger XLT pricing starts at $61,390, the Sport at $65,890 (+ $4,200 for the 3.0 V6) and Wildtrak at $70,090, while the Raptor remains the top-priced Ranger at $89,190 (all prices exclude ORCs).

See your Ford dealer for drive-away pricing and more details.