In a segment often dominated by aftermarket modifications and limited by compromise, Ford has pulled the covers off a purpose-built workhorse that signals a new era for medium-duty pick-ups. The 2025 Ford Ranger Super Duty is not a vanity purchase —it’s a truck forged from the toughest requirements of real-world operators, and it’s set to disrupt the small truck (car licence) market with factory-grade power, durability, and technology.
Born from the Needs of Industry
Developed in response to direct feedback from the field, the Ranger Super Duty is a truck built with purpose. “Fleet managers told us about the heavy-duty medium pick-up space and how there just wasn’t anything they wanted,” said Todd Willing, head of Ford Design. “This set our team on a path to digging deeper, meeting with more than 50 companies and public services to truly live the life of these customers to understand their specific needs”.
The result is a platform that bridges the gap between the existing mid-size pick-up and the needs of serious operators—farmers, emergency services, tradies, and tourers—who require more payload, more capability, and fewer compromises.
Built to Carry and Tow More
Ranger Super Duty boasts a staggering 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), 4500kg maximum braked towing capacity, and an 8000kg Gross Combined Mass (GCM). To achieve this, Ford engineers reimagined the Ranger’s underpinnings with a thicker frame, reinforced suspension and tow bar mounts, and a heavy-duty rear axle—the strongest ever fitted to a Ranger.
“These enhancements are key to Ranger Super Duty being able to carry and tow bigger loads than any other factory-built mid-size pickup,” said Dave Burn, Chief Program Engineer at Ford Australia. “These larger, stronger components improve vehicle durability and reliability which is something we know our customers will appreciate”.
Eight-stud wheel hubs, upgraded driveshafts, and a high-strength steel bash plate system round out the truck’s rugged foundation. The underbody is comprehensively protected—from the engine to the fuel tank—allowing it to go further, harder, and longer.
Factory-Fit Toughness
The Ranger Super Duty is designed to be work-ready from the get-go. It ships with a 130-litre long-range fuel tank as standard, and the factory-installed snorkel—developed in partnership with Safari—raises the air intake to roof height. “The sealed installation helps raise the air intake height to roof level, providing cooler and cleaner air to the engine,” said Max Wolff, Head of Design, Ford International Markets Group.
Every detail is purposeful. From taller wing mirrors engineered for visibility with higher payloads to integrated mounting points for accessories and tools, the truck is ready for everything from service bodies to slip-ons, without the need for costly aftermarket upgrades.
A standout example of this thinking is the Integrated Device Mounting system, which accommodates up to 4kg of tech without interfering with airbag zones. “It’s mounted directly to the vehicle, device vibration is reduced making it easier to view and use devices,” said Wolff.
Engineered to Endure
Ford put the Ranger Super Duty through an intensive global durability program. “We torture test our trucks to earn the name Super Duty,” said Jim Baumbick, Ford’s VP of Advanced Product Development. That included a new mud-pack test simulating mining conditions—with 600kg of mud caked onto the undercarriage—and continuous autonomous durability testing at Silver Creek, the same proving ground used for the F-Series Super Duty.
Extreme terrain demanded upgraded breathers for differentials, fuel system, transmission, and transfer case. The truck now offers an improved water wading depth over existing diesel Ranger models, solidifying its credentials for off-road utility and emergency response.
Advanced Towing Tech
In addition to raw numbers, Ranger Super Duty is packed with technology to make towing safer and easier. Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ lets drivers steer a trailer by turning a dial—no guesswork or jack-knifing. The latest version uses a yaw rate sensor to manage trailer angles more precisely and efficiently. “Able to store up to 10 trailers and only requiring calibration once per trailer, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ makes manoeuvring heavy trailers much easier,” said Burn.
Onboard Scales estimate payload in real time using suspension sensors, while Smart Hitch provides guidance on trailer weight distribution. Both features display data on the SYNC infotainment screen, enhancing accuracy and reducing risk of overloading.
Off-Road Credentials
With six drive modes—Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl—the Super Duty adapts to terrain and task. The permanent 4A (Automatic 4WD) mode, a two-speed transfer case with upgraded gearsets, and locking front and rear differentials ensure traction in extreme conditions.
The front differential is a modified version of the unit used in the Bronco Raptor, proving the pedigree behind the build. “We’ve tested Ranger Super Duty in extreme conditions where a vehicle with open differentials would have become stuck… but thanks to locking front and rear differentials, and a host of off-road improvements, it performed flawlessly,” said Burn.
Serious Style with Purpose
Functionality doesn’t mean plain. Ranger Super Duty arrives with a bolder, more imposing stance. It features a unique bonnet with chamfered edges and ‘SUPER DUTY’ stamped into the metal, flanked by a heavy-duty mesh grille and 33-inch General Grabber all-terrain tyres. The wider track, increased ground clearance, and flared wheel arches all serve both form and function.
“The design brief to the team was ‘Ultimate Tough’,” said Wolff. “We wanted to achieve a feeling, that from just one glance, Ranger Super Duty means business”.
At the rear, a clever new technology bar houses advanced driver assistance features that were previously unavailable on cab chassis models, integrating functionality without compromising fit-out capability.
Interior Built for Work
Inside, the focus is equally work-ready. A 12-inch infotainment screen is standard, and all models come with overhead-mounted auxiliary switches—ideal for lights, radios or other gear. The dash features embossed SUPER DUTY branding, matching the truck’s muscular exterior design.
For buyers who spend long hours in their vehicles, the optional XLT trim—available in mid-2026—adds comfort-oriented features and alloy wheels, tailored for extended touring or field operations. This variant will be exclusive to Double Cab chassis and pick-up configurations.
Safety Comes Standard
Ford’s full suite of driver assistance technologies comes factory-fitted. Expect front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, forward collision alert, and automatic emergency braking. Reverse brake assist with cross-traffic alert is also included, extending urban safety to a vehicle built for the bush.
Ready for the Next Step
Ford Australia has confirmed that orders for Ranger Super Duty will open in late 2025, with vehicles expected in local dealerships from 2026. It will be available as a Single, Super, or Double Cab Chassis from launch, with a Double Cab pick-up to follow mid-year. All models will be powered by Ford’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, meeting EU6.2 emissions standards.
The Super Duty also includes a feature designed specifically for Australian conditions: the ability to delay and manually trigger diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration. “Being able to delay and then manually initiate a DPF clean will be a useful feature for those customers who operate in a high fire risk environment,” said Burn.
Final Word
The 2025 Ford Ranger Super Duty is not a Ranger with a lift kit—it’s an entirely new proposition. Developed from scratch with input from real fleet buyers, tradies, government operators, and industry professionals, it brings F-Series-level engineering to the local ute segment.
Whether it’s towing a full load of equipment across rough paddocks, hauling heavy infrastructure to a mine site, or supporting emergency services in remote regions, the Super Duty is built to meet the challenge.
As Burn summed up, “The capability of Ranger Super Duty is unmatched in the mid-sized truck segment… Whether your job is extreme or you’re an adventurer who likes to go a long way off the beaten track, Ranger Super Duty will get you there and back again”.
For fleets searching for a serious workhorse with built-in durability, the Ranger Super Duty might just be the truck they’ve been waiting for.
