2006 Ford F250 Reviews

Last year saw a paradigm shift in Australia’s new-car market.The introduction of the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) catapulted Australia’s emissions regime from the 1980s into the 21st century, and many brands began re-thinking their line-ups in Australia as the clock started on tough fines.Perhaps the biggest and most unprecedented change was the rise of the BYD Shark 6, which pretty much single-handedly proved the dual-cab ute class can be electrified, while the Chinese juggernaut stormed its way up the charts, helping to permanently re-shape the make-up of Australia’s favourite automakers.In the first months of 2026, the shift has continued. China has now become the number one source of new cars to Australia, finally taking over from Japan and Thailand.But what can we expect to look back on by the end of this year? What will change and how will your new car buying experience be re-shaped?Making predictions is always dangerous, but with another fuel crisis hitting hard, we can be fairly certain of at least a few outcomes — let’s see what we think.The dawn of the diesel-hybridChery’s headline-grabbing news from the past few months has been the confirmation of its upcoming diesel hybrid ute, codenamed KP31, for Australia.The upcoming and much-hyped Chery ute will bring what many buyers are asking for - diesel capability with plug-in hybrid fuel consumption.We know more about this upcoming ute thanks to its reveal in China under Chery’s commercial arm, Rely.It will use a new ground-up ‘Kaitan’ platform, and will maintain solid links to the axles - more like GWM’s Cannon Alpha PHEV than the BYD Shark 6.It will also be hoping to seize on the plug-in hybrid ute trend, which BYD has kick-started, and many of its rivals are now seeking to emulate. Whether the extra capability and allure of diesel is enough to make it the next hot thing in dual-cabs remains to be seen.More storied automakers will look to China for helpNissan has made it fairly clear that it will look to China for help, with its appealing range of Chinese-built vehicles benefitting from Chinese hybrid and EV know-how and rapid development cycles. The latter, which has become known as ‘China Speed’ in the industry, will cut the time it takes to do things that once meant long waits, like the conversion to right-hand drive and the various changes required to meet compliance regulations in obscure markets like Australia.No doubt Nissan’s most sought-after Chinese-built model will be the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid dual-cab, long suggested by executives to be an emissions-friendly alternative to be sold alongside the Mitsubishi Triton-based new-generation Navara in the Australian market.Nissan’s Chinese portfolio doesn’t end there. The brand also has an array of well-received-in-China electric cars, including the N7 sedan and upcoming NX8 SUV as ideal replacements for its ageing Pathfinder, and NVES-friendly supplemental models to the hybrid X-Trail and Qashqai.Nissan certainly isn’t the only brand that might be forced to turn more to China to bolster its line-up. Ford, facing a particular cliff with NVES in the coming years thanks to its diesel-heavy sales footprint of Rangers and Everests might need to import cars like the Chinese ‘New-Energy’ plug-in hybrid Ford Bronco (related to the American Ford Bronco in design only) as a more appealing emissions-friendly option for its more adventure-curious buyers.Even Toyota, whose line-up is already heavily hybrid may need to turn to its Chinese joint-ventures for more price-sensitive zero emissions models like the GAC Aion V-based bZ3X which was recently announced in right-hand drive for the Hong Kong market. Watch this space.The top-10 will continue to be re-shapedAt the end of 2025 there were three Chinese brands in the top 10 in Australia: GWM in seventh position, BYD in eighth position, and MG in 10th.Already in the first few months of 2026, this ranking has continued to shift. BYD has already unseated GWM as Australia’s favourite Chinese brand and has vaulted Mitsubishi, landing in sixth position through the first two months of the year.This puts it within striking distance of Hyundai in a tightly contested race for a top-three position (there are less than 1000 sales between Mazda, Ford, Kia and Hyundai in the next four positions below Toyota), which BYD bosses bravely predicted for 2026.GWM is holding position in seventh, but Mitsubishi might not be able to hold it at bay for long.Chery is one to watch in 2026, as it has managed to leapfrog MG and clinch eighth position so far this year.Other more recent arrivals from China also have brave top-10 predictions. GAC could be the next brand to leap up the charts following in the footsteps of its contemporaries. While it may seem farfetched now, the Toyota-allied brand has access to the right products at similarly aggressive prices, with hybrids and plug-ins featuring heavily in its line-up, which the brand recently told CarsGuide is set to include a large SUV and ute before long.China-owned MG, too, will be playing defence, launching a range of more affordable vehicles as it looks to hang on to its top-10 position.Thailand is down, but not outThailand at various times has been one of the locations from which most Australian cars are sourced. Toyota, Honda and Ford have historically sourced many models from there, with the current top-selling Ranger, HiLux and D-Max all being sourced from the country.It has dropped down the list, as Chinese-built cars have increasingly been sourced for Australia from both new and historic brands. With even the Kia EV5 and Hyundai Elexio being Chinese-built Korean cars for the Australian market.But Thailand’s importance looks to be re-asserted as more Chinese brands establish strategic manufacturing facilities in the South East Asian auto hub.Obvious advantages are the fact that cars are built there on dedicated right-hand drive production facilities, freeing up space in Chinese factories to focus on other left-hand drive markets, while favourable government kickbacks, a free trade agreement with Australia, and a domestic market with an increasingly large taste for electrified vehicles will keep Thailand important for years to come.Big SUVs will be the next Chinese automaker battlegroundIn case you haven’t noticed, many big Chinese brands have shifted their focus. While utes and affordable hatchbacks and small SUVs continue to be all the rage, in their quest to actually generate profits, many Chinese brands have thrown huge amounts of resources into developing large luxury electric and plug-in hybrid models.The five-meter-long SUV space looks to be the next major battleground for these automakers, with Zeekr’s much-hyped plug-in hybrid 8X large SUV earmarked for an Australian arrival, and no doubt MG’s luxury IM marque will be looking to import versions of its LS8 or LS9.GAC has announced its next move will be a large SUV (likely the car known as the GS8 in China), while Leapmotor will move into new territory with its D16 and BYD’s Great Tang flagship have created some major buzz.Will they sell in Australia? With more fuel-conscious than ever new car buyers still crying out for more affordable electric options than the Kia EV9 for example (from $97,000) and Chinese automakers heavily incentivized to seek higher profit margins in markets like Australia, it seems possible we could be inundated with models like this in the latter part of the year.

The 2026 Ford F-150 Platinum is a new, flagship trim in the locally converted pick-up line-up.Priced from $163,950 before on-road costs, irrespective of whether you opt for the short- (SWB) or long-wheelbase (LWB) body styles. This is the most expensive F-150 to date and is more expensive than the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, however the Toyota Tundra Platinum is still pricier.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the Lariat offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 704kg and 724kg, depending on the body style.The F-150 Platinum comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, panoramic glass sunroof, spray-in bedliner, power tailgate with a swing-door section, power side steps, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen, folding gear selector, fold-out centre console, leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated, ventilated and have a massage function, plus heated outboard rear seats.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

Fuel prices are skyrocketing right now in Australia and Ford is looking for a way to capitalise on selling more of its low-emission vehicles.The Blue Oval is offering a wide range of drive-away pricing offers across its Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, as well as the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit electric vehicles (EVs). All are valid until June 30.2025 model year (MY25) examples of the Ranger PHEV now start at $62,000 drive-away for the XLT trim and extend to $73,000 drive-away for the flagship Stormtrak.The Ranger PHEV usually starts at $71,990 before on-road costs for the XLT and extends to $86,990 before on-road costs for the Stormtrak.The Blue Oval is also offering drive-away pricing offers across the F-150 line-up, as well as on certain Everest and Tourneo models.A table with the full drive-away pricing offers currently available is at the bottom of this story.Ford is also offering an additional $1000 discount on Ranger, Ranger PHEV and Ranger Super Duty models for farming businesses that are registered as Primary Producers. This is valid until June 30.Lastly, Ford is throwing in a $4000 fuel card to select Ranger variants and Everest Trend models that are MY26 and older to help ease the high cost of diesel currently. This is until stock sells out.“These initiatives are designed to help our customers, from small business owners to families, get through this challenging financial period,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Fadi Mawal.“Ford vehicles offer incredible capability, performance and long-term value for money and we don’t want anyone to miss out on getting the best car for their needs because of short-term pain at the pump.“By offering the most fuel-efficient Ranger ever built at a fantastic drive away price, along with an immediate $4000 cashflow injection for ICE customers via a fuel card, we are ensuring that Ford doesn’t just offer great vehicles, but a total ownership solution. We’ve sharpened our pencils to ensure we’ve got our customers’ backs.”

The demise of the diesel ute is approaching.The walls are closing in on the conventional ute as diesel fuel prices soar and the federal government's National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) starts to bite, signalling the days of the diesel ute might be numbered.The ute is the last refuge for diesel engines in the Australian car industry, with most brands already shifting to petrol, hybrid and electric in other segments.Electrified utes have been gathering momentum in recent years as they look to take the place of traditional diesel power.Here is a list of those which could take diesel's ute crown.BYD Shark 6 PHEVThe Shark 6 has already proven its threat to the diesel ute since it went on sale in late 2024, seeing surging sales.Its sharp price tag at $57,900 (before on-road costs) makes it a cheaper option as a plug-in hybrid ute, and it is competitive with some diesel utes.The Shark 6 uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid set-up, meaning it is far cheaper to run than its diesel rivals (so long as you keep the battery charged).It also packs 321kW and 650Nm, despite modest towing and carrying capacity.It has made a solid impression in its time in Australia, being BYD’s best-selling car in 2025 - form it has carried into this year.Chery KP31 diesel PHEVAustralia will be one of the first markets to see the KP31 when it launches Down Under this year.Technically, the codenamed KP31 is still a diesel, but it does come with plug-in hybrid assistance, and there is a petrol plug-in coming in 2027.Diesel adds a different flavour to the PHEV game in Australia, with it overcoming the lugging and carrying limitations of petrol PHEV models such as the Shark 6.While there is no official news on the power output of the 2.5-litre turbo-charged engine and electric motor, Chery has confirmed it will have a 3500kg braked towing capacity and a 1000kg payload.There will also be multiple locking differentials for rugged off-road ability, which is something missing from the Shark 6.GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and GWM Cannon PHEVGWM will be the only brand to have two plug-in hybrid utes on sale in Australia by the end of this year.It already has the Cannon Alpha PHEV on sale, with a starting price of $61,490 drive-away. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol set-up produces 300kW and 750Nm.The smaller Cannon PHEV recently revealed in China is not too far away, and will offer the brand a cheaper alternative to the larger and more premium Alpha.While the Cannon PHEV keeps a 3500kg towing capacity, its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and electric motor only produces 185kW.Ford Ranger PHEVThe best-selling Ford Ranger received a plug-in variant in the middle of 2025 in Australia, and starts from $71,990 (before on-road costs).The 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid set-up pumps out 207kW and 697Nm, with maximum payload of 973kg depending on the variant. It has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.Its hefty comparative price tag means diesel sales still far outweigh their electrified sibling.KGM Musso EVThe KGM Musso EV is one of the only new electric utes on sale in Australia, with a drive-away price of $60,000.It comes in two-wheel and all-wheel drive variants, producing up to 266kW and 630Nm.Its 81kWh battery offers a maximum all-electric driving range of 380km, with 10-80 per cent fast charging taking 36 minutes.It only comes with a payload of 905kg and a braked towing capacity of 1800kg.Toyota HiLux BEVAn electric version of the HiLux is a highly-anticipated new model of Toyota’s lineup, with potential to build on the success of the diesel HiLux in a new electrified era.Initial numbers don't paint a pretty picture. It has a provisional 2000kg braked towing capacity, less than the 3500kg on diesel alternatives, including the HiLux. It also only has a payload of 715kg.The other potential drawback on the electric HiLux is that it has a driving range of just 240km from its 59kWh battery, according to WLTP testing.Expect to see the HiLux BEV in Australia soon.MG U9 EVThe U9 electric ute has just been approved for sale in Australia and will hit showrooms in the near future.It comes with a total system output of 325kW from a dual motor set-up and offers 430km of driving range (WLTP), from its 102kWh battery.It also has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, so it will be in line with its key diesel rivals.Nissan Frontier Pro PHEVThe Frontier Pro is Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid and like many on this list is built in China, and there is strong potential for it to soon be available in Australia.It has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, producing 300kW and 800Nm, and is also expected to have a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The 2026 Ford F-150 Lariat is now the mid-spec variant in the line-up, following the introduction of the new Platinum flagship trim.Priced from $141,950 before on-roads, irrespective of whether you opt for the short- (SWB) or long-wheelbase (LWB) version. This is aligned with versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, though it’s still cheaper than the Toyota Tundra.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the Lariat offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 769kg and 794kg, depending on the variant.The F-150 Lariat comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, panoramic glass sunroof, spray-in bedliner, power tailgate with a swing-door section, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen, folding gear selector, fold-out centre console, leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated and ventilated, plus heated outboard rear seats.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

The federal government has halved the fuel excise for three months.The headline-grabbing cut will reduce fuel prices by 26.3 cents a litre when it comes into effect next Wednesday.That will push the average national price of diesel below the $3 mark to about $2.86, according to today's price.Unleaded petrol will drop to about $2.27, but prices are likely to continue rising until the excise cut comes into effect.This temporary fuel relief will save families roughly $20 per trip to the bowser, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers.“What we’re announcing today will reduce the cost of a 65-litre tank by about $19. So it is a substantial cost-of-living relief. It is timely, it is temporary, and it is responsible,’’ said Dr Chalmers.The average tradie driving a dual-cab Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger could expect to save about $21 when filling the tank to the brim.“The cost of what we are announcing today is $2.55 billion, depending, of course, on the amount of demand in the system over that three-month period.“But the initial costing is $2.55 billion, and the revenue foregone by delaying the increase in the heavy vehicle road user charge is about another $53 million.”The government made it clear this would be a temporary cost saving measure and warned a prolonged war with Iran would have dire economic impacts.It revealed its four point plan to tackle the fuel crisis if it gets worse.Currently Australia is at level 2 of the four point plan, which is a long way off fuel rationing.Level 4 is where the government moves to protect critical services including emergency services, utilities and key industries. The plan states fuel will be allocated fairly across states and territories.

Ford has revealed a new, city-focused electric commercial van that’s aimed to be cost-conscious and simple, yet uncompromised.The 2026 Ford Transit City is the newest model in its sprawling line-up consisting of the Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier.Despite all the aforementioned Transit models being different sizes, the new Transit City is on par with the mid-size Transit Custom.All versions are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 110kW of power. This is fed by a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that allows for up to 254km of WLTP-claimed range.While this doesn’t seem like much range, Ford claims the battery is “right-sized” and that 90 per cent of vans in the Transit City’s segment drive under 110km per day on average.DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 67kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent charge to happen in 30 minutes.AC charging on the other hand is offered at rates up to 11kW, allowing a 10 to 100 per cent to take 5.2 hours.The Transit City is available in three body configurations – L1H1 Van, L2H2 Van and a cab-chassis. The latter can be used to install a box body or tray, for example.The L1H1 Van has a load length of up to 2770mm, allowing it to fit up to three Euro-sized pallets. It has a payload capacity of 1085kg.The larger L2H2 has 8.5 cubic metres of cargo space and a payload of 1275kg.As standard the Transit City comes with a 12-inch touchscreen multimedia system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and a heated driver’s seat. A three-person bench seat is standard.The safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera.The Transit City is being targeted at the European market where orders will open in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of first arrivals before the end of the year.At this stage it’s unclear whether this new city- and budget-focused Ford electric van will be offered outside of Europe.“The Transit City is an exciting addition to the global Ford line-up, adding a new variant of the world’s most iconic nameplates. Ford Australia is always evaluating options to expand our line-up for customers, but we have no news to share about future products at this time," said a Ford Australia spokesperson.Ford already offers a number of electric vans in Australia – the mid-size E-Transit Custom and the larger E-Transit.

Despite petrol being more expensive than caviar right now, it could be an opportune time to buy that Ford Mustang or Ranger Raptor, as car dealers will be fighting an uphill battle to persuade customers into high performance cars.I’m well aware that my CarsGuide colleague Tim Gibson has penned a story citing the Mustang and Raptor as two of the biggest petrol blackholes in the known universe but my question to you is: since when was a high performance vehicle a rational purchase? Mind you, this is coming from somebody who has never made a rational car purchase, or possibly any rational purchase for that matter. The same somebody who is currently trying to work out a way to acquire a 1968 Mustang Fastback probably by selling one of her other irrational car purchases to fund it.I’m not suggesting you buy an old petrol car, not unless you like being let down by a car that doesn’t see driving reliably as a priority, but I do think it’s about to be a very good time to buy a new petrol one. See if this situation continues or gets worse, car dealers will start to have rapidly aging stock in their forecourts and that gives you bargaining power. We’re approaching the end of March and that’s significant for three reasons. First it’ll be one month since the Iran war started and fuel prices started to climb, indicating that this thing might not be over as soon as some suggested. Second, the end of any month is known for being a smart time to buy with dealers under the pump to get their sales figures locked in. And third, dealers are still doing plate clearance sales in March — which means they are trying to get rid of 2025 model year cars before nobody wants last year’s model.Combine all of these factors with more people than ever thinking maybe now is the time for electric vehicles, and those car makers without many or any EVs might be starting to stress and dealers feeling the pressure to drop prices on petrol models to encourage buyers.Ford has only one electric car — the Mustang Mach E SUV — and a very limited passenger model range really only consisting of the Ranger, Everest and Mustang sportscar. We’ve been saying for yonks that despite Ford selling enormous numbers of the Ranger, only one hiccup to the model could be a big problem for the brand, which counts on it almost entirely.And now we have the hiccup, which is fuel being outrageously expensive, and Ford not having a decent hybrid or electric version of the Ranger for buyers to go to while other brands such as BYD have the Shark 6 and MG with its soon to launch MU9 EV ready to swoop into the space.What I’m saying Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Honda and even Toyota will likely be under pressure to lower prices and that could mean picking up a Mustang or Ranger Raptor, Mazda MX-5, Nissan Z, Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Yaris for less.Having been through plenty of fuel hikes in my time I can tell you that providing the war doesn’t escalate completely out of control then petrol prices will recede to around what they were before now. Besides with the surge in electric cars and the limited infrastructure in place to charge even the current number, you might find EVs aren’t the perfect solution to avoiding high petrol prices.Don’t get me wrong, EVs are fantastic and make far better city commuter cars than those with combustion engines, but I think the knee jerk reaction going on is pretty severe.And we’re feeling the pain of high petrol — we have a regular family car that we drive every day and it costs $150 to fill its 55L tank. We’re more conscious of fuel consumption than ever and it’s making us use the car less. So with this information you might be in a position to get a good deal on a petrol car that you would have bought anyway if you were already in the market.  It’s easy to get caught up in the panic and want to ditch petrol for electric. Psychologically we’re designed to follow what everyone else is doing, so it makes sense especially when fuel costs are rising so high. Moving towards electric is the right way to go long term, but right now if you’ve always wanted a petrol performance car then buy the Mustang, save some money and catch the train until petrol prices return to normal. Which, of course, they will.

The 2026 Ford F-150 XLT is the entry-level version of this locally converted pick-up line-up in Australia.Now priced from $114,950 before on-road costs, it’s $8000 more than it was pre-update. The short- and long-wheelbase versions are now priced the same.The F-150 XLT is still cheaper than all versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra, though Ram is still offering V8-powered versions of the 1500 for less.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the XLT offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 853kg and 878kg, depending on the variant.With this update, the XLT now receives a considerably higher level of standard specification. New inclusions are LED headlights and tail-lights, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.This is above and beyond other highlights like 20-inch alloy wheels, a spray-in bedliner, seven-speaker sound system, fold-out centre console, column-mounted gear selector, power-adjustable foot pedals, fabric upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 10-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

After three years, plus numerous recalls and stop-sales, Ford has finally launched an update for its biggest model in Australia, the F-150. There's now more standard kit plus a new flagship trim, but does it do enough to shake its reputation?