4x4 Comparisons
The 2023 Ford Ranger is shaping up to be one of the hottest 4x4 releases of the year, so how does the current generation Toyota Hilux stack up to the new kid on the block?
23 Jul 2022
UPDATE: Now we've driven them!
The big moment is here. 4x4 editor Matt Raudonikis has now put the 2023 Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux through the wringer together. Let's see how they go... hit the link below!
Story continues...
It’s been a wild ride for fans of dual-cab utes in the past few weeks, with solid information from Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota coming in hot and fast.
There’s also news of an updated 2023 Toyota Hilux, with a wider stance and disc brakes being introduced on the rear end – although we haven’t seen this in the flesh yet, so we can’t offer a proper assessment yet. You can read about it here though.
Both the 2023 Ford Ranger and 2023 Volkswagen Amarok have been revealed, and both look to be a real step up in terms of power, refinement and day to day liveability.
Let's get to it: Ranger v HiLux specs
For the sake of this exercise, we want to put a microscope on the current model Toyota Hilux that is still on sale (if you can get your hands on one) and how it compares to the next-generation 2023 Ford Ranger.
This is to see just how far, if at all, the new Ford Ranger is ahead of the outdated Hilux. Or, has Toyota nailed the HiLux formula to begin with and the Ranger is playing catch up?
We’ll update this article as more information comes to hand, but you must admit it’s a good time to be an Aussie four-wheel driver, with so many new off-road dual-cab utes coming onto the market in the near future.
Put on your glasses, pop on the kettle and take a closer look at these specs we’ve assembled on the 2022 Toyota Hilux vs the 2023 Ford Ranger.
Vital weights and towing capacity
This is serious business. Get it wrong and not only is your vehicle unroadworthy, but also dangerous.
First up, the vital load and towing capacity specs that every caravaner or four-wheel driver will want to be aware of.
Check out the below specs to see how the current generation Toyota Hilux stacks up with the new 2023 Ford Ranger.
| 3500kg Braked | 3500kg Braked |
| 2285kg | 2110kg |
| 3100kg | 3050kg |
| 6400kg | 5850kg |
| 995kg | 940kg |
Engines compared
The last-generation Ford Ranger offered three engines throughout its lifetime, the larger 3.2L five-cylinder turbo diesel engine, a 2.0L bi-turbo and a 2.2L turbo diesel.
There are also three engine options on offer in the 2023 Ford Ranger, ranging in capacity from 2.0L to 3.0L – all turbo diesel, with one twin turbo.
The Hilux on the other hand, is offered with two engines. The most common and popular is the 2.8L 1GD-FTV producing a claimed maximum power figure of 150kW and 500Nm.
There is also the choice of a 2.4L 2GD-FTV turbo diesel available in lower Workmate trim specification which makes 110kW of power and 400Nm of torque between 1600 and 2000rpm. Let’s take a look at their power figures:
| 147kW @ 3000rpm 470Nm @ 1750-2500rpm |
| 157kW @ 3750rpm 500Nm @ 1750-2000rpm |
| 118kW @ 3200rpm 385Nm @ 1600rpm |
| 125kW and 405Nm |
| 154kW and 500Nm |
| 184kW and 600Nm |
| 110kW and 400Nm |
| 150kW and 500Nm |
Dimensions compared
One of the bigger news items here is that the new Ford Ranger is a larger vehicle than the one it replaces, both in terms of wheelbase and overall dimensions.
That's a good thing overall, as it will provide a more relaxed ride when loaded up, or when carting around passengers – somewhat at the expense of the vehicle’s ramp-over angle.
There’s certainly some interesting data to sift though on both makes and models, especially if you are in the market for a new dual-cab ute.
| 1918mm | 1855mm |
| 1884mm | 1865mm |
| 5370mm | 5265mm |
| 1610mm | 1535mm Front 1550mm Rear |
| 3270mm | 3085mm |
| 23 degrees | 25 degrees |
| 30 degrees | 31 degrees |
| NA | 26 degrees |
| 800mm | 700mm |