Should you buy a Ford Ranger, or wait for these new cars?

The Ford Ranger was the top choice for new ute buyers in Australia, with 63,356 units sold in 2023.

It has long been Australia’s second-best-selling car, overtaking the once-dominant Toyota HiLux last year.

However, the winds of change continue to accelerate.

A raft of new and innovative pickup trucks are expected to appear over the next 12 months, increasing competition in the already hot double-cab market.

Electrification is the next big thing in the commercial vehicle sector, and let’s not forget there could be an influx of the American pick-up trucks that Australia loves so much.

So, is it worth holding on for the next generation? Today, Automotive Expert The editorial team picks tomorrow’s models.

Paul Maric: BYD Shark

I don’t know how confident I’d be in the 1.5-litre petrol engine’s operation when the battery is low, but I’m keen to test it when we eventually get it.

William Stopford: Ford F-150

The Ford Ranger is my favorite car in this class, with the Volkswagen Amarok a close second. Both cars are the most comfortable cars in their class, and the optional turbodiesel V6 engines are so powerful that they put rival sedans to shame.

Lately, though, I’ve become a big fan of full-size pickups. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, and Ford F-150 are all great, but only the latter two are about to be updated (the Chevy was updated a while ago).

Beyond the 2025 F-150’s updated cabin with larger screens and the current XLT’s inferior halogen headlights being phased out, Ford doesn’t appear to be undermining the F-150’s winning formula.

The Ranger may be a good family car in its class, but when it comes to ride comfort and cabin space, the F-150 is superior.

Ford Australia has had to deal with some embarrassing recalls and setbacks when launching the F-150, but hopefully they can overcome these issues.

If the question is which upcoming car I would most like to test drive, it would be difficult for me to answer.

Let’s not forget, either, another PHEV model that’s been confirmed for Australia: the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T.

Josh Nevitt: BYD Shark

This makes me very excited to see what the Chinese manufacturer can bring to the ute market when the Shark goes on sale later this year.

Then there’s the powertrain. The 320kW plug-in hybrid drivetrain is capable of propelling the Shark from 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds – a fun party trick that traditionalists will no doubt indulge in.

Equipped with a 30kWh battery pack, the electric range is 100 km, while the PHEV system has a combined range of 850 km, and fuel consumption can be as low as 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers after the battery is charged.

This versatility is not only great for the job site, but also for those who want to buy a lifestyle utility vehicle. Rumor has it that the Shark will start at under $70,000, which on paper looks like an exciting prospect.

Jordan Mullaght: Kia Tasman

Due to increasing competition from China, I had to go to Korea to buy a pickup truck.

You get the sense that Kia understands Australia and has gone to great lengths to ensure the Tasman is as local as possible when it goes on sale.

The cynic in me does think the long-running teaser campaign was just hype, but the fact they’ve done so much testing in a variety of Australian conditions suggests this is a priority for Kia.

Add to that the fact that it’s likely to have a proven turbodiesel engine and a seven-year warranty, and it’s hard to beat.

The only thing we don’t know yet? Price, which will be a big factor for many buyers.

Max Davis: BYD Shark

While the Ranger is objectively a strong vehicle, it’s by no means the “right” choice for everyone – especially if you’re after a plug-in hybrid.

It’s the brand’s first pickup, not to mention its first plug-in hybrid, and while its front design is unmistakably inspired by the Ranger, there’s plenty more that should pique the interest of those who want a more economical pickup.

Even better, there are signs that at least one model could have an on-the-road price of $68,000, which would put it undercutting several Ranger and Toyota HiLux models.

It’s also expected to beat the Ranger to plug-in hybrid technology, so why wait when you can get in on the action sooner?

Jack Quick: Ram 1500 Ramcharger

While it’s not confirmed for Australia yet, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a vehicle that could revolutionize the way we view and use such vehicles here.

A rival to the oversized Ranger PHEV, this American pickup also piques my interest as it comes with a massive 92kWh battery pack, which will likely provide a longer electric range.

The pickup is powered by a sophisticated plug-in hybrid range-extended powertrain consisting of a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine that doesn’t power the wheels directly, but instead acts as a generator for two electric motors. Total system output is 487kW and 834Nm.

Ram is currently targeting a total range of 1,110 kilometers, including 233 kilometers of electric-only range.

One of the main reasons the 1500 Ramcharger could revolutionise the way we use pick-up trucks in Australia is the potential for vehicle-to-load (V2L). The Ranger PHEV certainly offers V2L, but it doesn’t have a 92kWh battery to work with.

This means you can use the battery to power whatever you like all day long, while still being able to start the petrol engine to get you home.

Scott Coley: Toyota Tundra

The Tembo Tusker is appealing purely for alliterative reasons, but the Toyota Tundra is nearly as satisfying – and strikes me as a more exciting choice.

The HiLux is rugged, but the interior feels a little old-school. It also lacks punch compared to a Ford Ranger V6, and even the top-of-the-line GR Sport lacks presence compared to a Ranger Raptor… not to mention a Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150.

That’s where the Toyota Tundra comes in. It promises the all-around rugged performance that made the HiLux legendary, but in a more refined and luxurious package, and introduces a hybrid powertrain, which is what we expect from the LandCruiser and Prado at some point in the future.

It’s not an oil painting, of course, but its presence on the road is undeniable.

These big American pickups aren’t for everyone, but they meet the needs of many Australians. The Tundra will make this already interesting sector of the market even more interesting.

Huang Zhan: BYD Shark or Kia Tasman

The Ford Ranger is undoubtedly the benchmark for dual-cab pickups in Australia and should be at the top of your list if you’re in dire need of a new pickup.

If you can wait, the upcoming slew of electric options will certainly be interesting, including Ford’s own Ranger PHEV, due in 2025.

Kia, meanwhile, will finally allow the fast-growing South Korean brand to compete with its Japanese peers in the pick-up truck sector, and could offer something more refined and SUV-like than the likes of the HiLux and D-Max.

if you able Wait, I’ll hold my breath for six months or so to see what happens next…