Ford Ranger configurations: All the models & body styles

There can be no doubting the popularity of the Ford Ranger. The designed-in-Australia, Thai-built ute range of single and dual-cabs finally (for the 2023 sales year) knocked the Toyota HiLux off its perch as this country’s best-selling individual make and model.

Of course, part of that success is down to the fact that the Ranger is available in a huge range of layouts, styles and configurations, meaning there’s literally something for everyone.

So let’s look at the current line-up, the one that was good enough to just overtake the HiLux in the 2023 sales race.

The Ranger line-up kicks off with the 2.0-litre 4x2 Hi Rider single-cab at $36,3890 and goes all the way to $89,190 for the twin-turbo V6 dual-cab Ranger Raptor. So, that’s a lot of ground to cover.

To explain it best, we should probably take a specification approach and explain what’s available within each of those trim levels.

Let’s kick off with the Ford Ranger XL specification. That incorporates a choice of body styles starting with the single-cab, cab-chassis (where you fit your own tray and canopy, service body or even a tipper body).

There’s also a super-cab cab-chassis and a dual-cab cab-chassis and a dual-cab pick-up body.

The Ranger XL is available in either 2x4 or 4x4 part-time layouts and with either the single or twin-turbo 2.0-litre engine (the twin-turbo engine is available only if you also choose a 4x4 drivetrain).

The next step up the ladder is the Ford Ranger XLS which is available only as a dual-cab pick-up with the twin-turbo 2.0-litre engine. The XLS can be had as a 2x4 or part-time 4x4 and is a bit of a fleet favourite.

The Ford Ranger XLT is next and sits more or less at the top of the Ranger workhorse line-up.

It can be had with the standard 2.0 twin-turbo diesel or the optional 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, but it becomes a bit complicated in terms of body styles.

For instance, the dual-cab cab-chassis version can only be had with the V6 and the super-cab pick-up is a 2.0-only deal.

Other bodies include a dual-cab pick-up which can be had with either engine and in 2x4 or 4x4.

The Ford Ranger Sport trim level is the first of the Rangers aimed primarily at private (rather than fleet) buyers. So it’s better equipped and can be had with either the 2.0-litre or V6 turbo-diesel engine.

The Sport is available only in dual-cab pick-up form, and is 4x4 only, reflecting that user-chooser buyer profile.

The super-popular Ford Ranger Wildtrak spec is next and, like the Sport, it’s a dual-cab pick-up or nothing. Again, it’s a 4x4 model and can be fitted with the 2.0-litre or V6 turbo-diesel.

Technically, the Ford Ranger Platinum trim level is the top-shelf Ranger (Ford treats the Raptor separately) and comes standard with the V6 turbo-diesel engine and that driveline’s full-time 4x4 (2.0-litre 4x4 Rangers have a part-time system). The Platinum can only be had in a dual-cab pick-up layout.

Which leaves us with the Ford Ranger Raptor with its dual-cab pick-up body, full-time 4x4 layout and petrol V6 engine with its twin turbochargers and 298kW of power.

For our money, the sweet spot in the Ranger line-up is probably the Sport since that gets you full-time four-wheel drive and the V6 engine in the popular dual-cab pick-up layout. At $66,390, it’s comfortably in the middle of the price ladder, too.

For the detailed nitty-gritty on what the Ranger does and doesn’t offer, check this link to the CarsGuide website where the detailed features, specs and price chart is all laid out for you to compare model by model.

Using this resource, you can track the Ford Ranger models in order of trim level and even the Ford Ranger models by year going back to the PJ Ranger, PK Ranger and PX Ranger models which span 2007 to 2022.

And rest assured, this feature will be updated when the next gen Ranger hits showrooms, although for now, the current model is really doing the business.

If you’re shopping for a second-hand Ranger, don’t forget that as well as service history, kilometres covered, overall condition and accessories fitted, the asking price will reflect Ford’s half-year facelifts for the model.

For example, there was a 2023 and a 2024 facelift of the current Ranger, and while the changes might have been small, they could affect a seller’s asking price.