Updated Ford Ranger ute and Everest SUV gain more standard features without a big price hike to tackle Toyota HiLux and Prado

Ford Australia has updated the tech and equipment available on its popular Ranger ute and related Everest SUV for the 2024 model year, with towing ease and tougher components both key changes, but a number of model grades have been dropped.

The 2024 Ford Ranger and Everest will now come with Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist as standard on some models, optional on others, with some elements from option packs also now standard.

Ford has kept pricing the same as announced earlier in January for the new year, rather than increasing pricing again for the updated models, with the updated versions of the Ranger and Everest to go into production in March. Expect deliveries to start within a couple of months afterwards.

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The biggest addition to the Ranger and Everest is Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist, standard on Ranger Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor variants and optional with a Touring Pack for 4X4 XLT and Sport pick-up. It's also part of the Touring Pack on 4WD Trend and Sport, or the optional Pro Towing Pack for Platinum variant.

The Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature means drivers are able to steer the trailer using the outer ring of the drive mode selector on the centre console, rather than needing to use the steering wheel as an inverse steering method.

Ford Advanced Driver Assist Systems Engineer, Zack McIntyre, says it "can be difficult to get your head around [reversing a trailer], even if you've done it loads of times".

Ford Advanced Driver Assist Systems Engineer, Zack McIntyre, says it “can be difficult to get your head around [reversing a trailer], even if you’ve done it loads of times”.

"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."

In addition, the base model Ranger XL will now come standard with heavy-duty suspension, something Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Andrew Birkic says is optioned often enough that it's more sensible to make it a standard feature.

"We know many of our customers choose to option the heavy-duty suspension on XL variants, so we made the decision to make it a standard feature for those who use their Ranger for hard work," said Birkic.

The Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature means drivers are able to steer the trailer using the outer ring of the drive mode selector on the centre console.

It means the XL now has "thicker rear springs and new front and rear dampers with a revised tune".

For Ranger XLS, the Tech and Towing Packs which were previously cost options are now standard, which means they now come with a tow bar and tongue, trailer light check, integrated trailer brake controller and extended blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, plus more comfort and convenience features like keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, rear-seat air vents, upgraded Sync multimedia, and built-in sat-nav.

The biggest addition to the Ranger and Everest is Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, standard on Ranger Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor variants.

The Ford Ranger Sport and Wildtrak can be optioned with the 'Flexible Rack System' first seen as standard on Ranger Platinum and Wildtrak X, which replaces the rear tray's Sports Bar and Load Box Access Points, allowing long objects to be mounted to the roof and over the tray.

Ford has also slimmed down the number of variants for the Ranger, particularly in the 4x2 range, scrapping the XL Bi-Turbo dual-cab cab-chassis, XLS Bi-Turbo dual-cab pick-up, and XL Bi-Turbo super-cab pick-up in response to "customer preferences".

In addition, the base model Ranger XL will now come standard with heavy-duty suspension.

The Wildtrak X special edition is also no longer on the list, while the rear-drive variant for the Everest Trend is also nixed.

Pricing for almost every variant remains the same, save for the Ranger XLS, which gains the previously optional Towing Pack and XLS Tech Pack but costs $1950 more, now starting from $57,380 before on-road costs.

2024 Ford Ranger 4x2 pricing before on-road costs

2024 Ford Ranger 4x4 pricing before on-road costs

2024 Ford Everest pricing before on-road costs