Should you buy a Ford SUV, ute or van now or wait for the redesign or facelift? Lifecycles for the 2023 Ford Ranger, Everest, Mustang and more

When should you buy a new Ford in Australia in 2023?

That depends on where the model you're considering is at in its lifecycle. Most are old, few are really new and replacements for others aren't even in the pipeline!

Nobody wants to buy a new vehicle only to have it dated or obsolete within months, especially if you need to maximise resale value when it's time to sell.

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With a raft of exciting models on the way including the long-awaited Mustang Mach-E, F-150 and Puma Electric, we assess every current-shape Ford to figure out whether you should make a move now or wait for the facelift or all-new version to come.

And, as always, please note that minor specification updates that are often implemented annually will be ignored, and instead we'll concentrate on larger changes instead – important design, safety and/or equipment advances you'll notice immediately.

Let's go.

Ford Puma

2020 Ford Puma

Launched: 2020, first-generation, all-new.

Pluses: Probably the biggest blast you'll get from a small SUV for your bucks. Affordable and surprisingly spacious too.

Minuses: Cries out for a manual; Ford and dual-clutch transmissions don't have a happy history together.

Update due... Not for a while yet.

Verdict: A great all-round package and a properly compact small crossover that's fun to boot.

Our advice: Good to BUY!

Ford Escape

2023 Ford Escape

Launched: 2020, third-gen, all-new.

Pluses: Mini-Aston Martin meets Porsche Macan styling with strong performance, dynamic sophistication and comfy cabin.

Minuses: 2.0L turbo petrol likes a drink. Poor marketing means Escape ends this year. Pity. And a worry for the company's future generally.

Update due... never for Australia. Already launched elsewhere in some parts of the world.

Verdict: Another great driving Ford, but likely to be its last non-EV medium SUV in Oz.

Our advice: Good to BUY! But there's no replacement for now, so you may be stuck with an unwanted orphan come resale time.

Ford Everest

2023 Ford Everest

Launched: 2022, second-gen, underneath it's a major facelift of 2015 UA original.

Pluses: Best driving body-on-frame SUV we can think of, and pretty good off-road too.

Minuses: Disappointing third-row access and packaging; no hybrid for now.

Update due... years away, as still fresh on the market.

Verdict: Drives even better than it needs to, and likely the last true Aussie volume vehicle.

Our advice: Good to BUY!

Ford Mustang

2022 Ford Mustang

Launched: 2015, sixth-gen, all-new.

Pluses: The Pony Car OG has the agility to match that OTT style and muscle, even the four-pot turbo.

Minuses: Ageing cabin materials not up to the premium pricing, tight back seat, disappointing crash-test rating.

Update due... late this year or early 2024... who knows when Ford will get its act together.

Verdict: The closest thing we now have to the FPVs and classic Falcon GTs of yesteryear.

Our advice: Maybe WAIT!

Ford Ranger

2023 Ford Ranger

Launched: 2022, fifth-gen, underneath it's a major facelift of 2011 PX.

Pluses: One of the best-driving and riding body-on-frame utes on the planet, yet with true workhorse cred. Plus, it's been designed and engineered in Oz for the world.

Update due... years away. Likely to be the last all-Aussie vehicle ever.

Verdict: Civilised small truck, now with safety and power that the Ranger's always deserved.

Our advice: Good to BUY!

Ford Transit Custom

2023 Ford Transit Custom

Launched: 2015, fourth-gen, all-new.

Pluses: Yet another great-to-drive Ford, with packaging knowhow that reflects half-a-century of vans; plenty of choice in sizes too. Sport's a blast.

Minuses: Getting on now, quite truck-like in its driving position, low ground clearance

Update due... new-gen Transit due late this year or early 2024.

Verdict: If you love driving and need a dynamic and sophisticated Euro van, this is your best bet until the new one arrives – especially as EV versions are also coming.

Our advice: Maybe WAIT!