2025 Ford Ranger vs Toyota HiLux Comparison Review

They remain the best-selling vehicles not only in the ute segment but overall sales charts, cementing themselves a permanent spot at the top of the list of Australia's best-selling vehicles.

While their dominance is clear, something less clear is the matter of which is the best ute option for you, your family or your business' needs.

To help you out, we'll be breaking down virtually everything you need to know, pitting the Ranger Wildtrak up against the HiLux Rogue as two of the biggest names in the ute segment go head-to-head.

Ford Ranger & Toyota HiLux Competition

How Much Do They Cost?

For the sake of simplicity, we'll be looking at dual-cab ute versions of the Ford Ranger & Toyota HiLux.

Prices for the MY25 Ford Ranger dual-cab ute lineup kick off from $43,380 for the entry-level XL 4x2 dual-cab pickup and stretch out to $90,440 for the range-topping, fire-breathing Ranger Raptor.

Comparatively, an entry-level HiLux Workmate 4x2 dual-cab pickup is priced at $37,730 while the flagship HiLux GR Sport is priced at $74,310.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 double cab pickup is priced between $69,640 - $74,840, depending on the engine, while the HiLux Rogue is priced at $71,530.

If you're looking for more comprehensive pricing details for the MY25 Ford Ranger you can access that here, while the latest pricing details for the MY25 HiLux range can be found here.

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What Features Does the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Have?

The Ranger Wildtrak picks up 18-inch alloys wrapped in Goodyear all-terrain tyres, LED headlights, a powered tub roller, roof rails, leather upholstery with heated front seats, a cargo management system, a surround-view monitor, an off-road display, side steps, a locking rear differential, a skid plate, wireless charging pad and a bespoke Wildtrak sports bar.

Ranger Wildtrak Infotainment Features

The Ford Ranger confidently asserts itself as the pick for any tech-savvy buyers when it comes to the infotainment suite on offer.

While most of the Ranger lineup picks up a still impressive 10.1-inch touchscreen display, upgrading to the Ranger Wildtrak adds a larger 12-inch display mounted vertically onto the dashboard that makes a great first impression.

The screen real estate is massive, the colours are bright, while Ford has bundled in more than enough processing power to move through menus without an issue.

There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto on offer in the Ranger Wildtrak paired with the same six-speaker sound system you'll find in the base model.

What Features Does the Toyota HiLux Rogue Have?

For the same money, the HiLux Rogue comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, a motorised tonneau cover, a track width extension with upgraded rear disc brakes and wider wheel arches, a black power-coated sports bar, side steps, leather upholstery with heated seats, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and a locking rear differential.

HiLux Rogue Infotainment Features

The HiLux's ageing platform is perhaps most notable when you check out the infotainment system on offer.

Every member of the HiLux range, from the entry-level Workmate to the flagship GR Sport comes packaged with a basic little 8.0-inch touchscreen display that fails to make the same impression of the Ford's massive 12-inch display.

Buyers opting for the HiLux Rogue pick up some added HIFI power from the upgraded nine-speaker JBL sound system, though Apple CarPlay & Android Auto require a wired connection.

Which is More Comfortable to Drive?

The latest-generation Ford Ranger lineup is a much more contemporary platform than the HiLux and it shows when tested on the road.

In many ways, the HiLux's rock-solid nature is a little bit too apparent on a more mundane run around town, with its heavy steering rack and comparatively stiff suspension package making it a less refined package to drive on the daily.

The HiLux is an honest driver, though, and remains relatively user-friendly behind the wheel for drivers of all levels and offers plenty of torque thanks to the 150kW / 500Nm outputs from its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel power plant.

Get behind the wheel of the Ranger Wildtrak, though, and it’s clear that you're driving a much more modern package.

While the Ranger offers the same degree of hardcore off-road and workhorse abilities, it does so in a much more refined manner.

Ford has done well to give the Ranger a beefy suspension package that can handle heavy loads without crashing around on minute bumps on the road, making it perhaps the most versatile in the whole segment when it comes to driving refinement.

There's also the option to upgrade from the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel unit - which produces 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque - up to the beefy 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel, increasing power and torque figures to 184kW and 600Nm, respectively.

As a result, we'd say with a high degree of confidence that the Ranger Wildtrak edges out the HiLux Rogue pretty comprehensively when it comes to on-road driving comfort and refinement.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Which is More Fuel Efficient?

For the latest model year, Toyota has introduced a new ‘V-Active’ 48-volt mild-hybrid engine option for the HiLux Range which comes fitted as standard in the HiLux Rogue.

Toyota says its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with the V-Active mild hybrid tech is 0.6L per 100km more efficient than the standard engine, resulting in claimed fuel economy figures of 7.8L per 100km.

The Ranger Wildtrak is offered with two engines, a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder that produces virtually identical power and torque figures, as well as a more potent 3.0-litre V6 petrol.

When put head-to-head, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak edges out the HiLux, even with its mild-hybrid tech, consuming 7.2L/100km on a combined cycle compared to the HiLux Rogue's 7.8L/100km figures.

Opting for the more powerful Wildtrak V6 means you'll be less efficient than the HiLux, though, consuming 8.4L/100km.

• Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre bi-turbo: 7.2L/100km

• HiLux Rogue V-Active: 7.8L/100km

• Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.0-litre V6: 8.2L/100km

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Which is More Practical?

To be completely honest, if you put the frankly clear difference in the design of their cabins to the side, there's not a huge difference between the HiLux and Ford Ranger when it comes to outright practicality.

That’s due, largely, to the somewhat compromised interior cabin on offer in a dual-cab ute platform, which can be a little bit tight if you're planning on throwing any adults in the back of the cab.

The HiLux’s cabin is nice and spacious up front, though it’s one-upped by what’s on offer in the Ford Ranger Wildtrak thanks to some clever storage opportunities that aren't afforded to the HiLux.

The same applies to the rear of the cabin, which is slightly more accommodating to larger bodies in the case of the Ranger, though the HiLux remains more than up to the task of lugging around kids.

Both the Ranger and HiLux receive two separate ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard seats as well as some added storage options behind and underneath the seat bases.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Which is Better for Work and Towing?

Things get serious when you start putting these hard-working dual-cab utes to the test.

Both the HiLux Rogue and Ranger Wildtrak have braked towing capacities of 3,500kg.

Look a little closer, though, and the HiLux Rogue's gross combination mass (GCM) figures of 5,850kg and payload figures of 764kg are considerably less than the 6,350kg worth of GCM and 937kg payload figures on offer in the Ranger Wildtrak.

These figures, combined with the fact that you can have the Ranger with a more potent V6 turbo-diesel with 600Nm of torque, make the Ranger a far more suitable option for carrying and towing heavy loads.

• HiLux Rogue Payload: 764kg

• HiLux Rogue Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• HiLux Rogue GVM: 3,050kg

• HiLux Rogue GCM: 5,850kg

• Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre Payload: 937kg

• Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre GVM: 3,280kg

• Ranger Wildtrak 2.0-litre GCM: 6,350kg

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

What are the Off-Road Specs for the HiLux Rogue & Ranger Wildtrak?

Straight out of the box, the HiLux Rogue manages to edge out the Ranger Wildtrak when it comes to ground clearance while offering a slight edge on the aggressiveness of its approach angle.

• HiLux Rogue Ground Clearance: 265mm

• HiLux Rogue Approach Angle: 31 degrees

• HiLux Rogue Departure Angle: 23 degrees

• Ranger Wildtrak Ground Clearance: 234mm

• Ranger Wildtrak Approach Angle: 30 degrees

• Ranger Wildtrak Departure Angle: 23 degrees

Winner: Toyota HiLux Rogue

Which has the Most Active Safety Equipment?

The HiLux Rogue & Wildtrak are closely matched when it comes to safety equipment, with both wearing five-star ANCAP safety ratings and receiving much the same active safety gear.

The HiLux's list of safety tech is headlined by an AEB system with pedestrian & cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts with lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors.

Thanks to its age advantage, though, the Ranger Wildtrak offers added technology and more high-resolution cameras into the mix.

There’s adaptive cruise control, AEB with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, extended blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign detection, lane-centring and nine airbags inside the cabin compared to the HiLux's seven.

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

What Warranty Do They Come With?

Both the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux come packaged with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, though Toyota's warranty can be extended by another two years for the driveline when you keep it serviced in-house.

The catch is that the HiLux’s service intervals are significantly shorter than the Ranger, meaning you’ll be hitting the service centre every six months or 10,000-kilometres compared to the Ranger's 12-month/15,000-kilometre intervals.

Capped-price servicing packages for the HiLux Rogue which are priced at $3,888 for five years

• Ranger Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Ranger Service Intervals: 12-month/15,000km

• Ranger Five-Year Servicing Total: $1,936

• HiLux Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre + two years for driveline

• HiLux Service Intervals: Six-month/10,000-kilometres

• HiLux Five-Year Servicing Total: $3,888

Winner: Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Our Verdict: Ford Ranger vs Toyota HiLux - Which is Better?

While the Toyota HiLux is an extremely solid all-rounder with tough workhorse abilities and a more fuel-efficient beating heart in 2025, it's a package outpaced by the latest Ford Ranger.

With more interior accommodation, a more contemporary technology package and, significantly, larger GCM figures that allow you to more confidently extract its payload-moving and towing abilities, the Ford Ranger is the better option for those looking to put their dual-cab ute to the towing and family test.

With a next-generation HiLux around the corner, we expect Toyota will close the gap considerably between the two, though for now, we can confidently say that the Ford Ranger is the better pick, particularly for working and towing Aussies.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Rating: 4.5/5

Toyota HiLux Rogue Rating: 4/5

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