This Ford Ranger Super Duty Might Make You Forget the F-150

Ford just unveiled a tough new beast: the Ranger Super Duty. This is not just a regular midsize pickup truck. Ford built this thing based on feedback from real heavy-duty workers and took notes from the much larger F-Series Super Duty lineup. The result? A smaller truck that punches way above its class.

Although it is smaller than the popular Ford F-150, the Ranger Super Duty brings some serious muscle. It boasts a gross vehicle mass of 9,921 pounds, a gross combined mass of 17,637 pounds, and can tow up to 9,921 pounds when the trailer has brakes. Ford has not shared the truck’s curb weight yet, so the final payload capacity is still a mystery. But based on what we have seen in other trucks, this new Ranger might even outwork the full-sized options.

That is thanks to a completely upgraded frame—thicker, tougher, and built to handle abuse. Reinforced suspension mounts, box brackets, and even the tow-bar mounts are made stronger. It also rides on a heavy-duty rear axle that Ford claims is the strongest one ever used on a Ranger. The eight-stud wheels with larger bolts give it even more capability under load. Down below, a series of high-strength steel bash plates protect the underbody, while front and rear differential locks and a sealed snorkel make it ready for off-road battles.

So if this version of the Ranger ends up going global, it might make some folks think twice about buying a larger, less capable F-150.

Ford did not stop at just building a strong truck. They tortured this thing in extreme testing. It survived simulated mine environments, over 1,300 pounds of mud tests, nonstop corrosion baths, towing stress on dynos, and relentless pounding on shaker rigs. There was even testing that Ford calls “too tough for humans” using autonomous robots at their brutal Silver Creek test track in Australia.

Tech-wise, this truck is not just muscle—it is smart. You get Pro Trailer Backup Assist with a yaw rate sensor for easy reversing, a Smart Hitch that helps balance your trailer, and onboard scales that estimate payload and display it on the infotainment screen in real-time.

Powering all of this is a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine that is tuned for European Union 6.2 emissions standards and built with an enhanced cooling system for heavy-duty performance. Ford has not confirmed the final power figures yet, but this same engine in other regions delivers around 247 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.

Deliveries for the Ranger Super Duty will start in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. As for the United States, it is still uncertain—especially because of that diesel powertrain. But one thing is clear: Ford has built something serious here.