Ford Ranger vs Toyota HiLux

This is the big one: the two best-selling vehicles in Australia, forever swapping first and second place. Both are diesel dual cabs that tow 3,500kg, carry a 5-star safety rating and back it with a five-year warranty. They are more alike than their loyal owners admit, so the choice comes down to character.

Ford

Ranger

From $37,130

Buy the Ranger if

you want the more refined ute or the V6. The Ranger's cabin and touchscreen feel a step above the class, and its 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm) has muscle the HiLux's four-cylinder cannot match, which counts if you tow heavy or cover long distances. It also wades deeper, at 800mm. It costs a little more to get into than the HiLux, and Toyota still leads on resale and dealer reach.

View the Ranger

Toyota

HiLux

From $33,990

Buy the HiLux if

you want the proven, no-drama option. Nothing here beats the HiLux for reliability reputation, resale or dealer coverage, it starts a touch cheaper, and the 2026 update brings a bigger screen and a 48-volt diesel that is smoother and a little more efficient. The trade-off is that it stays with a four-cylinder, so there is no V6 answer to the Ranger, and the cabin, while much improved, still feels a bit more workmanlike.

View the HiLux

The verdict

The Ranger is the more car-like of the two. Its cabin feels a class above a traditional ute, the big portrait touchscreen leads the segment, and it offers something the HiLux does not: a strong 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 184kW and 600Nm, for buyers who want real pull for towing or overtaking. The HiLux counters with the things Toyota is known for. It starts a little cheaper, its reputation for reliability and resale is hard to argue with, and the 2026 update finally modernises it with a bigger screen and a 48-volt system that smooths out the diesel.

Off-road both are genuinely capable, with the Ranger wading a touch deeper at 800mm and the HiLux carrying more ground clearance. Neither will let a tradie or a touring family down. Choose the Ranger if you want the nicer cabin, the V6 or the more modern feel. Choose the HiLux if you value proven durability, resale and Toyota's dealer network, and are happy with four cylinders. It is worth driving both, because on paper this is as close as the sales race.

Compare them spec for spec

Specs and prices change with each grade and configuration, so the fairest comparison is at the exact versions you are weighing up. Line them up side by side, down to the grade, in the interactive tool.

Compare Ranger & HiLux

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Last updated August 2026