The Ford Ranger is coming to India in 2025, after Ford stopped making cars in the country in 2021. As of May 16, 2025, it’s a new pickup truck that will be brought in fully built from outside India, not made here, to start with. This is a big move for Ford to come back to India, and it’s aimed at buyers who want a fancy pickup truck like the Toyota Hilux, which came to India in 2022.
Look and Build
The Ranger has a strong, bold look that makes it a tough rival to the Hilux. The front has a big grille with a shiny Ford badge and bright LED headlamps that give it a modern, tough style, much like bigger American trucks. The sides have clean lines, and the back has LED tail lights with a solid bumper. Some versions, like the Wildtrak and Raptor, have extra sporty touches like black wheel covers and bigger wheels, making it look fancier than the Hilux, which has a simpler Japanese style. The Ranger is 5320 mm long, 1915 mm wide, and 1885 mm tall, with a ground clearance of 230 mm, which is good for rough roads. It’s bigger than the Hilux, which is 5325 mm long but not as wide, and has a ground clearance of 219 mm.
Engine and Power
The Ranger will come with a 2-litre diesel engine that has two turbos, giving good power, around 210 PS, and good strength, around 500 Nm. This matches the Hilux, which has a 2.8-litre diesel engine that gives 204 PS and 500 Nm. The Ranger has a 10-step automatic gear system that shifts smoothly, while the Hilux has a 6-step automatic or manual gear system. The Ranger comes with a four-wheel drive system that can switch easily, even while moving, and has a setting for tough roads with different modes for mud, sand, or rocks. The Hilux also has four-wheel drive but doesn’t have as many modes. The Ranger can go through water up to 800 mm deep, while the Hilux can handle 700 mm, making the Ranger better for rough areas.
Mileage in Daily Use
The Ranger can go around 12 km on one litre of diesel, as per usual tests, while the Hilux can go around 13 km per litre. In real use, the Ranger might give 10-12 km per litre in the city with many stops, and up to 14 km per litre on open roads if you drive at a steady 60-80 km per hour. The Hilux might give 11-13 km per litre in the city and up to 15 km per litre on highways. The Ranger’s fuel tank holds 80 litres, so on a full tank, you can ride 800-1120 km, depending on how you drive. The Hilux’s tank holds 80 litres too, giving a range of 880-1200 km. With diesel at Rs 90 per litre, filling the Ranger’s tank costs Rs 7200, which works out to Rs 6.43 to 9 per km, while the Hilux costs Rs 6 to 8.18 per km. If you drive fast or on rough roads, the Ranger’s mileage might drop to 9-10 km per litre, giving a range of 720-800 km.
Inside the Car
The inside of the Ranger is modern and fancy, with a big 12-inch touchscreen for music and phone use, which works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s also a digital screen for the driver to see speed and other details. The seats are soft, and some versions have leather with heated seats for the front. The Hilux has an 8-inch touchscreen and a simpler inside look, with less tech than the Ranger. The Ranger fits 5 people, with more space in the back than the Hilux, which can feel tight for tall people. The Ranger’s cargo area can carry up to 1000 kg and tow up to 3500 kg, the same as the Hilux, making both good for carrying heavy things.
Ride and Handling
The Ranger has a strong frame that keeps it steady when turning or going fast. The front and back suspension make the ride smooth, even on rough roads, and it feels more like a car than a truck. The Hilux also rides well but can feel bumpy on bad roads because its suspension is harder. The Ranger has disc brakes on all wheels, with a system to stop skidding for safety, and the Hilux has the same. The Ranger’s tyres are 17 inches or 18 inches, depending on the type, and give good grip on city and rough roads. The Hilux has 17-inch or 18-inch tyres too, but the Ranger feels easier to drive in the city because of its smoother steering.
Price in 2025
The Ranger price is expected to start at around Rs 40 lakh in India since it’s brought in fully built, which makes it cost more due to taxes. The Hilux starts at Rs 30.40 lakh and goes up to Rs 37.90 lakh, making it cheaper. Some reports say the Ranger’s higher price is because it’s aimed at buyers who want a premium truck with more features, like the Wildtrak and Raptor versions, which the Hilux doesn’t have in the same way.
Safety Features
The Ranger is very safe, with 6 airbags, a system to stop skidding, and brakes that work well in emergencies. It also has a 360-degree camera, a system to watch for cars you can’t see, and a way to stop the car from rolling back on hills. The Hilux has 7 airbags and a safety system with things like emergency braking and lane-keeping, but it doesn’t have as many tech features as the Ranger. The Ranger’s safety rating is 5 stars from a big testing group, while the Hilux also has a 5-star rating but from an older test.
Compared to the Hilux
The Ranger and Hilux both carry up to 3500 kg, but the Ranger can go through deeper water and has more tech inside, like the big touchscreen and digital driver screen. The Hilux saves a bit more fuel, costing Rs 0.43 to 0.82 less per km. For a daily ride of 50 km, this means yearly savings of Rs 7800 to Rs 15,000 with the Hilux. But the Ranger feels better to drive in the city and has more space inside, while the Hilux is better for rough roads and costs less to buy.
Support and Maintenance Costs
Ford has service centres in India, but since the Ranger is brought in fully built, fixing it might cost more than the Hilux, which is made here. Some users of other Ford cars say the yearly maintenance cost is between Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000, depending on usage. The Hilux might cost less to fix, around Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per year, because parts are easier to find. Keeping either vehicle in good shape, like changing oil on time, helps keep mileage high.
Market Standing in 2025
In May 2025, the Ranger is a new option in India, aimed at buyers who want a premium pickup truck. The Hilux has been here since 2022 and is popular, with around 1900 units sold in India by mid-2024, as per some reports. Posts on X show that some people think the Ranger is better because of its modern tech, while others like the Hilux for its lower price and reliability. The Ranger is doing well in other countries, like Australia, where it has been the top-selling vehicle for months in 2024, beating the Hilux.
Who It’s For
The Ford Ranger is made for riders who want a 5-seater pickup truck with a bold look and modern tech. It suits buyers who need a premium vehicle for city and rough roads, with a focus on comfort and power. The Hilux is better for those who want a cheaper option that’s good for tough roads and saves more fuel.
Disclaimer: Information is based on reports available as of May 2025. Confirm details with Ford dealers for the latest updates.
