VIDEO: Next-Gen Ford Ranger Takes on Toyota Hilux in Off-Road Race

Going up a against an icon in its element, the next-gen Ford Ranger more than holds its own off the pavement.

The all-new, next-gen Ford Ranger launched in certain parts of the globe months ago, and a handful of them have landed in owner’s hands as well. As such, we’re beginning to see the redesigned mid-size pickup put to the test in all sorts of ways – which is nice considering we Americans have to wait until 2023 to get our hands on what will be the 2024 model year Ranger. Recently, the folks at CarWow were able to secure a next-gen Ford Ranger that’s received a handful of modifications already and line it up against its quite famous rival – the Toyota Hilux – and the results are undoubtedly interesting.

This particular Ranger is owned by the folks at 4x4at, who have given it fender flares, new wheels and tires, a bed cap, roof rack, and various other functional mods. It’s powered by Ford’s 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that makes 205 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and it weighs in at around 5,290 pounds.

On the flip side, the Hilux utilizes Toyota’s 2.8-liter turbo diesel, which produces 204 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and it tips the scales at around 4,629 pounds. Interestingly, it’s also a bit more expensive, even though it’s also an older platform – around $6,150 U.S., in fact. Regardless, quite a few folks buy these trucks to take them off-roading, and that’s precisely why CarWow is doing exactly the same thing here.

Putting each pickup through a series of off-road tests to see which one is superior on this wet, muddy day, CarWow comes to a pretty stunning conclusion – the two pickups tie, with each proving superior in certain situations, while the other dominated in a different category. Even when left to a third-party tie-breaker, they couldn’t choose a clear winner, which may seem like a small disappointment for the Ranger on the surface. However, the Hilux has earned legendary status for a reason – it’s incredibly reliable and capable, so the fact that the next-gen Ranger can match it in virtually every way certainly isn’t a bad thing.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.