2025 Ford Ranger PHEV overview


Transfer over BYD and look out GWM: it’s Ford’s flip to play with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute.

The previous yr has seen two PHEV utes take centre stage in Australia, each produced by Chinese language producers. These autos are, in fact, the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV – two segment-shakers in their very own proper.

BYD was first, bringing the massive Shark 6 to Australian showrooms within the latter months of 2024. It arrived amidst BYD’s spectacular ongoing product offensive, and instantly backed it up with a pointy sticker value beneath $60,000.

Cracks within the façade started to indicate early although, first evidenced in CarExpert’s pre-production drive and later confirmed by a second review, which highlighted off-road torque supply and towing limitations. Consideration then turned to GWM and its Cannon Alpha PHEV, which additionally now begins under $60,000.

Not like the all-new Shark 6, GWM was in a position to match a PHEV powertrain to the already-established Cannon Alpha whereas sustaining low-range gearing and locking differentials. That gave it an edge off-road and the next towing capability, although each proceed to impress on sealed surfaces.

Lastly got here Ford. The Ranger has been Australia’s best-selling ute for a while, and final yr was our nation’s favorite new automobile, interval. A PHEV powertrain to accompany its two turbo-diesel engines was confirmed as way back as 2021 – although it’s now particularly well timed as penalties from Australian emissions rules loom.

The Blue Oval already had a leg up with an Australian-developed, well-established ute platform, however eyebrows had been raised when pricing was introduced. Opening the vary is the XLT PHEV, priced from $71,990 earlier than on-roads – effectively above the Chinese language competitors have managed with bigger, better-equipped autos.

Nonetheless, the model guarantees rather a lot for the South African-built 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV, because it’s supposedly simply as succesful as its diesel counterparts. As such, Ford invited media to drive the Ranger PHEV throughout Victoria to check its on- and off-road capabilities, in addition to tow heavy trailers on public roads as a part of its native launch.

We’ve now had the chance to drive all three PHEV utes in Australia, which begs the query: has Ford justified the steep price ticket, or has China executed it higher?

How a lot does the Ford Ranger value?

The Ranger PHEV begins at $71,990 earlier than on-roads for the ‘base’ XLT – a middling variant within the mannequin’s diesel lineup. It extends to $86,990 earlier than on-roads for the PHEV-only Stormtrak, whereas the beforehand diesel-only Sport and Wildtrak trims are actually obtainable as PHEVs too.