Thanks to the Super Duty, Ford’s list of Ranger variants is longer than a tradie’s Bunnings receipt after a big Friday stock up. With options for every type of worker, wanderer, and weekend warrior, there’s plenty to choose from.
More than any other though, the Super Duty, tested here in base double cab, cab chassis trim, is aimed squarely at tradies who like to live off road, tow heavy and haul big. They also don’t mind driving something that needs half a suburb to complete a U-turn.
The turning circle is genuinely massive, worse even than a Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, which is a benchmark nobody was trying to beat. But that’s part of the Super Duty’s personality: big, unapologetic, and ready for punishment.
We put it through real‑world tradie tasks, city squeezes, and a proper tip run, and it’s obvious that it’s more than up to the task it was designed for. Step inside and you’re greeted with a cabin that’s rugged, wipe‑down friendly, and clearly designed for long days of hard yakka.
Mud, dust, and grime won’t bother it, and that’s exactly the point. Creature comforts are not the priority here. The seats feel like Ford grabbed the base model units, shrugged, and said, “Yeah, that’ll do”. They’re functional, but not exactly welcoming.
The infotainment layout is another curious choice. Air‑con controls sit awkwardly on the lower section of the screen, despite physical buttons being right next to them. It’s a strange use of screen real estate and never becomes intuitive.
You find yourself wondering why the screen is doing a job the buttons already do better. Rear seating doesn’t fare much better. The back seat is flat on the buttocks and offers no under‑thigh support.
Chances are the back seat will spend more time holding gear, jackets, and paperwork than actual passengers though. Out on the job, the Super Duty quickly proves what it’s built for, and why it’s massively capable.
Ford has packed it with genuinely useful accessories that make sense for real‑world tradie life, and the 4×4 system is refreshingly simple. There’s no fiddling, no confusion, just straightforward engagement when you need it.
The massive fuel tank is a blessing during the working week, saving you from constant servo detours, and the lifted suspension noticeably improves approach and departure angles when you’re tackling uneven worksites or heading off road.
Storage compartments are scattered everywhere throughout the cabin and tray area, though most of them are smaller than you’d hope, which can make organising gear a bit of a puzzle. One surprisingly thoughtful touch is the built‑in soap and water compartment.
It’s perfect for cleaning up after a dirty job. The dual‑battery system earns a solid tick too, especially for tradies running tools, lights, or accessories throughout the day. The Super Duty’s capability really shines when you start loading it up.
During a full tip run, we hitched up a trailer, packed it to the brim, and filled the Ranger’s tray as well. The Super Duty didn’t even flinch; no strain, no hesitation, just effortless hauling. Trailer reverse assist and the light‑check feature made life easier when doing it alone.
In the city, the Super Duty’s sheer size becomes impossible to ignore. Undercover carparks feel tight and claustrophobic, and you’re constantly aware of the ute’s bulk as you navigate ramps and narrow lanes.
Thankfully, the 360‑degree camera earns its keep, giving you the visibility you need to avoid scraping poles or kissing concrete pillars. Under the bonnet sits a 3.0‑litre V6 turbo diesel, paired with a 10‑speed automatic.
This combination is one of the Super Duty’s strongest assets, and delivers 154kW and 600Nm. The big ute is smooth and confident across all gears, and in Normal mode, there’s never a moment where it feels unsure of itself.
It pulls hard, responds quickly, and feels ready for whatever job you throw at it. Eco mode does feel noticeably sluggish, but it’s worth remembering it’s there for fuel saving. It doesn’t do that great a job though, with the average around 13.7-litres/100km.
A big part of that thirst comes down to the fact that Ford’s girthy ute runs a full-time 4×4 setup. That constant drivetrain engagement hurts economy, and you feel it at the pump. The upside is the 130-litre fuel tank, which adds a tonne of range.
Across the week, the Super Duty proved itself to be a ute that’s built for work first and comfort second. And that’s okay. It never pretends to be anything else. Instead, it focuses on delivering strength, practicality, and confidence under load.
You feel the size, the weight and the ruggedness, and for the tradies who need exactly that, the Super Duty hits the mark. It has a 1982kg payload, 4.5-tonne braked towing capacity, a 4.5-tonne gross vehicle mass and an 8.0-tonne GCM for goodness sake.
It even comes with onboard scales and a Tow/Haul driving mode. But it’s not the Ranger for everyone. The turning circle alone will scare off casual drivers. The fuel economy won’t impress, and the interior comfort is basic at best.
Yet for the tradie who needs a tough, no‑nonsense workhorse, particularly one that can tow, haul, climb, and survive a week of punishment, the Super Duty delivers exactly what it promises. You will need to part with $104,000 drive away to own one though.
You can find out more on the Ford Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Ford Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
