Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo v 2024 Toyota HiLux Rogue MHEV: Specifications battle

Utes continue to be one of the best-selling models in Australia, with more than 205,000 deliveries in 2023.

Sales of four-wheel-drive utes were second only to the mid-size SUV segment last year. And among those impressive numbers, the pickup truck segment is dominated by two key players in Australia.

Those are the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, both tried and tested dual-cab stalwarts in the pick-up/ute world with plenty to offer in terms of versatility and functionality.

There are plenty of variations for both vehicles, from cheap 4×2 cab chassis models to big, powerful and expensive monsters. We’ve chosen popular deluxe versions of each that fit on paper.

We are comparing Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo and Toyota HiLux Rogue MHEV 2024.

They are similarly priced, identical on paper, but there are key differences which we will analyze here.

NOTE: The images throughout this story are collated from our previous reviews of the two cars.

Pricing

Both models are a few steps below the pinnacle of their respective product lines, and there’s only about a $2000 difference between the two.

Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo received $250 price increase on June 1 this year, while the HiLux Rogue gets a mild-hybrid powertrain for 2024 and is $770 more expensive than last year’s diesel-only version.

The Wildtrak can be optioned with a V6 engine for an extra $4000, delivering an extra 30kW of power and 100Nm of torque.

Powertrain and efficiency

There are a number of different engines on each ute range, but these two are offered with turbocharged four-cylinder diesels.

The notable difference is Toyota’s inclusion of the V-Active mild hybrid system, which adds a generator, 48V battery and DC/DC converter to the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine.

It doesn’t change the power output compared to the current non-MHEV engine, and the Ranger has a little more. It also has four additional gears.

Both have four-wheel drive that cannot operate on closed surfaces, an 80-litre fuel tank and a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.

Size

Both cars are similar in size, although the Toyota has a wheelbase that is about 200mm shorter.

The body is about 100mm wider than the Ranger thanks to wider tracks and wheel arches. You’ll also get 31mm more ground clearance in the HiLux Rogue compared to the Wildtrak.

The other notable difference is weight. The Ranger is about 50kg heavier than the HiLux and the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is about 200kg heavier.

However, the Ranger has a more impressive payload as it can carry more than 100kg more than the HiLux.

Service and warranty

Below is detailed information about the warranty and maintenance of the two cars:

Toyota’s powertrain warranty lasts up to seven years if you maintain it on time within the Toyota dealer network.

Safety

Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo wears one five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo is equipped with the following safety equipment as standard:

• 9 airbags
  • Includes driver and passenger knee airbags
  • Includes front center airbag
• Automatic emergency braking (AEB)
  • Detect cars, pedestrians, and cyclists
  • Intersection support
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind spot assist
• Rear cross-traffic warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assist
• Detect road edges
• Reverse the camera
• Rear parking sensor
• Trailer coverage (with optional Towing Package)
• Adaptive cruise control included. stop/go
• Blind spot monitoring included. News about the trailer
• Lane centering assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Monitor tire pressure
• Active parking assist 2.0

The optional Touring package adds a surround-view camera.

HiLux also wears one five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Standard safety features on the HiLux Rogue include:

• 7 airbags
• Automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Brake-based lane-keeping assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind spot monitoring
• 360 degree camera
• Rear cross-traffic warning
• Automatic emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection (day/night)
  • Detection of cyclists (days)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning with brake-based steering assist
• Traffic sign recognition

Below is a breakdown of each car’s score in the ANCAP test:

Standard features

The Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo Comes with the following standard equipment:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 18-inch alloy spare wheel
• All-terrain tires
• Automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights
• LED taillights
• Electric rearview mirror with integrated electric folding lights and puddle lights
• Steel protects the vehicle’s underbody
• Side step
• Rear box step
• Roof rails
• Sports ring
• Drop-in bed sheet
• 12V socket on bed sheet
• Aluminum rails
• Commodity management system
• Load box lighting
• The rear trunk has a cargo clip, cup holder, electric lock and lift assist
• Electric rolling shutter
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and e-Shifter gear lever
• Electric parking brake

• Heated leather front seats
• Eight-way electric driver’s seat
• Carpeted floor
• Front floor mats
• Ambient light
• 12V power outlet in the center compartment
• Five USB ports
• Wireless charging
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear air vent
• Electric windows front and rear
• Security glasses
• Rain sensor wipers
• Electric rearview mirror
• Embedded modem
• Connect FordPass
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.0-inch touch infotainment screen
• DAB+ digital radio
• Connect your phone via Bluetooth
• Satellite positioning
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

THAN: Everything Ford Ranger

The HiLux Rogue Comes standard with the following equipment:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Multi-Terrain Select with six selectable modes
• Hill descent control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Side step
• Automatic headlights
• 8.0-inch touch screen infotainment system
• 4.2 inch multi-information display screen
• Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Seats and door trim are covered in leather
• Dual-zone climate control
• Window up/down automatically
• Keyless entry and start
• Front air conditioning cooler box
• Automatic dimming LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights and fog lights
• Exterior mirrors and door handles are gloss black
• Black powder coated sports bar
• Security glasses

• Satellite positioning
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear air vent
• ‘High-end’ gear lever and steering wheel
• Wireless phone charger
• 2 x rear USB-C sockets
• Carpeted floor
• Front heated seats
• Electric driver’s seat
• Electric windows front and rear
• JBL 9-speaker sound system
• Motorized roller case
• Wider rails
• Rear ventilated disc brakes
• Wider wheel arches
• Front fender
• Marine bed mats
• Glossy black door handle
• Tow bar
• Front tow hook
• Protect the fuel tank
• Toyota connection service

THAN: Everything Toyota HiLux