2025 Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid spotted in Australia after government previews

The 2025 Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) has been photographed in Australia ahead of its showroom arrival early next year, with prices and specifications yet to be announced.

Images posted to the Next Gen Ranger Owners Australia Facebook group show a Ranger PHEV close to the Wildtrak specification in showrooms today, but with what appears to be a new black wheel design.

The PHEV can also be distinguished from diesel versions by its battery charging flap behind the rear-left wheel – in addition to the fuel filler flap ahead of the wheel arch.

Few technical details of the Ranger PHEV have been announced, however Ford has confirmed it will pair a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor.

Electric driving range is estimated at up to 45km before the petrol engine kicks in. Power and torque outputs are yet to be published.

While yet to be confirmed, this may be the same vehicle used to give government officials devising Australia's upcoming emissions standards for new cars a passenger ride.

"I’ve also had the opportunity to be driven on the [Ford] test track down near Geelong of the new Ford Ranger that’s coming into our market," Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said in February 2024.

"It’s a hybrid vehicle, and what that allows you to do is for those smaller jobs you’re doing in between, so if you’re a tradie, in between those you use electric if you’re not going very far."

Ms King's department – as well as the office of Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy – has played a key role in devising the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard due to come into force next year.

The PHEV will be the only variant in the Australian Ranger line-up to be manufactured in South Africa, so certain more expensive variants may be hit with a 5 per cent import tariff.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, and it is still unclear which model grades will offer the option of plug-in hybrid technology.

However car makers typically charge a $10,000 to $15,000 premium for plug-in hybrid models – due to the cost of the battery pack, electric motor and associated components.

With a twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, the Ford Ranger is priced from $63,390 plus on-road costs in XLT form, $65,890 plus on-roads for the Sport, or $69,390 plus on-roads for the Wildtrak.