Ford Ranger and Everest receive infotainment software update

Australian owners of the new-generation Ford Ranger ute and Everest SUV twins are receiving a free software update for their vehicle’s infotainment systems imminently.

The updated software – already rolling out to vehicles in customers' hands, and starring in the new Ford Ranger Platinum and Wildtrak X variants – will provide an updated graphics appearance for in the Ranger and Everest's central touchscreens (measuring either 10.1 or 12 inches, depending on model grade) as well as new driver-controllable functions.

Following the software update, Ranger and Everest drivers will be able to use a ‘Rear Camera On-Demand’ function to manually switch on the Ranger and Everest’s tailgate-mounted camera at speed.

A new ‘Hitch View’ function will also allow drivers to look at the tow ball from a top-down perspective to help line up their vehicle with a trailer, as well as ensure their load is secured when taking off.

An additional change is the merging of the ‘Settings’ and ‘Controls’ menus into a singular ‘Controls’ section, which Ford claims has been done following feedback from existing next-generation Ranger and Everest owners.

A spokesperson for Ford Australia said the software update “will be progressively rolled out to other Ford Rangers (and Everests) in the field”.

However owners on social media say the update is already available – and has been included from delivery day in Ford Rangers and Everests delivered in recent months.

It will be one of the first times Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system has used its over-the-air update capabilities in Australia, meaning owners won’t have to visit a showroom to have the new software installed.

Between January and the end of August 2023, the Ford Ranger has remained the second best-selling vehicle in Australia, with 37,664 examples reported as sold – just 861 deliveries behind the market-leading Toyota HiLux.

The Ford Everest is the car-maker's second-most popular vehicle sold in local showrooms, with 8399 examples delivered to Australian customers across the same eight-month period.

The Ford Ranger is priced from $36,380 plus on-road costs in its entry-level, 4x2 XL single-cab chassis guise – while the Everest starts from $53,490 plus on-road costs.