Ranger and Everest updated

Ford says its updated 2026.50 Ranger and Everest line-up reinforces its market-leading models by delivering more of what customers need and want – more performance, smarter technology and sharper design.

Key enhancements across both nameplates include the expanded availability of the blue oval’s three-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine across more variants and refreshed styling.

“The Ranger has always set the standard for capability and versatility, and now we’re raising the bar again,” says Mathew Slade, marketing director of Ford NZ. “We’re giving customers more value, more power and clever features they rely on.

“At the same time, the Everest has become a favourite of adventure-ready families. We’ve listened to those customers and added a new entry model called the Active.”

Ford is optimising the Ranger and Everest’s powertrain line-up to deliver responsive performance across the board. The three-litre turbo-diesel, which produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, is now available on more variants.

The two-litre turbo-diesel has been enhanced with a new timing chain and updated fuel-injection system. It delivers 125kW of power and 405Nm of torque with peak torque arriving at 1,750rpm.

Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission is standard on all variants, offering real-time adaptive shift scheduling. The powertrain ensures every Ranger and Everest – except for the Ranger Raptor – maintains its maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Slade adds: “By expanding the availability of our powerful three-litre V6 and standardising the 10-speed automatic, we’re putting more of the performance and refinement customers love within their reach.”

Design ‘smarter, more confident’

The model-year 2026.50 Rangers and Everests have a refreshed design “that’s muscular, functional and modern” to give each variant a “unique presence”. 

Chrome has been replaced with gloss and matte-black finishes. The darkened look applies to exterior and interior elements including blackened trim and darkened accents and wheels. These updates apply to Ranger XLT, Wildtrak and Platinum.

The Ranger XL and XLT gain more kit as standard and a 12-inch infotainment screen, while the XL now has dual-zone climate control with second-row vents on double cabs. The Wildtrak has ignite orange as its new “hero” colour, accenting new 18-inch wheels. The Platinum boasts a new acacia green.

For the first time, a XLT cab-chassis will be available with a driver-assist technology bar, which packages advanced systems such as blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert.

Owners can switch from a tray to a service body without compromising on these features.

The 2026.50 Ranger line-up boasts a digital reverse camera, reverse brake assist, rear-parking sensors, and lane-change warning and aid. The XLT includes a trailer coverage feature and heavy-duty suspension as standard on the double-cab chassis.

Welcome the Wolftrak

The Ranger Wolftrak joins the series. This limited edition introduces a new hero colour, traction green, and features zest accents on the nostrils and 17-inch asphalt-black wheels. 

The marque says it combines “rugged, off-road-inspired styling with practical features”, such as the long-legged sports hoop and LED headlamps.

The Wolftrak, pictured above, will be offered exclusively with the three-litre V6 with automatic stop-start as a double-cab pick-up body style. 

It features include advanced full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD), 10-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch black alloys with Wolftrak-unique zest accents, all-terrain tyres, pro-trailer back-up assist, a 360-degree camera with trailer guidance and a heavy-duty terrain management with rotary dial including two extra drive modes – mud/rut and sand.

But wait, there’s more. The Wolftrak boasts a cargo-management system, two front tow hooks, long-legged sports bar, honeycomb radiator grille, all-weather front and rear floor mats, power fold mirrors with heater and puddle lamps, vinyl seats with model embroidery at the front, front door and tailgate zest decal, interior traction-green accents and an overhead auxiliary switch bank for accessories.

Returning to the Ranger line-up is the Tremor with a three-litre V6 engine. This addition is in response to customer demand for greater power and torque, and complements this variant’s existing off-road features such as an advanced suspension, General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres and robust underbody protection.

The Tremor’s other features include advanced full-time 4WD, 17-inch alloys, large wheel-arch moldings and 30mm increased track width

Its off-road suspension and steering has Bilstein position-sensitive dampers with external reservoirs, springs that – in conjunction with the tyres – deliver 26mm in total extra ground clearance and heavy-duty electric power-assisted steering gear with shielding.

Off-road specific features with the Tremor include trail-turn assist. When enabled off-road and at low speeds, this reduces its turning radius by applying brakes to the inside rear wheel when navigating tight bends or turning in narrow areas.

Then there’s trail control, which is also available on the Raptor. This lets the driver focus on steering during off-road and low-speed use by controlling the acceleration and braking to maintain a set speed, while rock-crawl drive mode provides optimal slow-speed traction and momentum on loose and rocky surfaces.

The Tremor also comes with variant badging and styling including 3D tailgate badging, embroidered vinyl front seats, the availability of the command-grey hero colour, a front steel bash plate, composite side steps and long-legged sports bar, two front tow hooks and tow tongue hitch, overhead auxiliary switch bank, honeycomb grille with auxiliary grille LED lamps, all-weather front and rear floor mats with “tremor” insert, and power fold mirrors with heater and puddle lamps.

The Ranger Sport is no longer available in the 2026.50 model year.

Additon to Everest range

With the 2026.50 line-up, the Everest Trend will cease production to be replaced by a new entry model – the Active, pictured below. Featuring new interior and exterior design themes, it balances style and value.

Available with a two-litre powertrain, the Active’s standard features include leather accented seats, a 12-inch infotainment screen, 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, tyre-pressure monitoring system and LED headlamps.

The Sport, Wildtrak and Platinum continue as ongoing variants. The Everest Sport will be available with two and three-litre powertrains, while the Wildtrak and Platinum are offered exclusively with the V6. A tyre-pressure system has been added as a standard feature on the Sport.

Full specifications of the Ranger and Everest line-ups will be published closer to vehicle arrivals. Their first customer deliveries are slated for mid-2026.