2021 Ford Ranger pricing and specs detailed: More choice for Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara challenger

Ford Australia will rollout two new variants of its popular Ranger ute around the middle of the year, the weekend-ready 4x2 XL Sport and the worksite-focused 4x4 XL Heavy Duty Special Edition.

The former will be priced at $43,790 before on-road costs, and is based on the XL Double Cab pick-up that is priced at $40,790.

For the extra $3000 spend, buyers get more equipment (valued at more than $4500 according to Ford) that includes a ‘Sport’ decal on the tailgate, and blacked-out 16-inch wheels, sports bar, bedliner, side steps, grille and rear bumper.

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Exterior colours available include Artic White, True Red, Shadow Black, Meteor Grey and Aluminium Metallic with the latter three options adding to the price.

The XL Sport will land in June and is available only in 4x2 six-speed automatic form, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that punches out 118kW/385Nm.

The 4x4 XL Heavy Duty Special Edition meanwhile, which lands in July, is priced at $52,790 and builds upon the $49,790 XL Double Cab chassis.

Available exclusively in Artic White, the XL Heavy Duty Special Edition adds a factory-fitted steel bull bar that is autonomous emergency braking (AEB) compatible, LED lightbar, snorkel, beefed-up suspension and 17-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tyres.

A reversing camera, solid wheel nuts and blacked-out side steps complete the exterior look of the XL Heavy Duty Special Edition.

Powering the new 4x4 Ranger is a 3.2-litre turbo-diesel five-cylinder engine, which outputs 147kW/470Nm to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to these two new variants, Ford Australia has also added adaptive cruise control to the standard equipment list of XLT grades, which was previously available in the optional Tech Pack.

Finally, the Raptor’s 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission is now available to more variants, namely the XL Super Cab chassis, Double Cab chassis and Double Can pick-up.

Last year the Ford Ranger came in as the second most-popular model in Australia with 40,973 new registrations, and accounts for around 66 per cent of the brand’s volume.

A heavily-updated new-generation version of the Ranger is expected to break cover before year’s end, with powertrains on offer expected to include some form of electrification.