Ford Ranger PHEV Earns the 2026 International Pick-up Award

Ford Ranger PHEV earns the 2026 International Pick-up Award, as reported by the IPUA jury, highlighting its performance and efficiency; read the full story.

The Ford Ranger Plug-in-Hybrid has strengthened its position as one of the most compelling contenders in the pickup market by winning the International Pick-up Award 2026. The new plug-in hybrid version not only defended the title earned by the previous generation but secured the model’s fourth victory in the history of the award—after wins in 2013, 2020, and 2024—making the Ranger the sole record holder in a competition regarded as one of the most respected in the light commercial vehicle segment.

The jury of 20 international journalists evaluated the contenders in Bulgaria, where each vehicle faced a demanding programme of on-road and off-road testing. The Ranger Plug-in-Hybrid outperformed rivals from Ineos, Foton and Maxus, with judges noting its balance of power and efficiency. Its hybrid system pairs a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75 kW electric motor, delivering 281 hp and 697 Nm while maintaining a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500 kilograms—an essential factor for professional operators.

Additional information from independent German and English-language reviews reinforces the PHEV’s strengths. Test results showed real electric ranges of around 41 kilometres and partial fuel consumption figures of 2.7 l/100 km on specific routes, indicating meaningful fuel savings in urban and suburban use—scenarios central to Ford Pro’s commercial customers.

The IPUA recognition further solidifies the Ranger’s dominant role in Europe. The model has been the continent’s best-selling pickup for ten consecutive years, and in Germany it holds more than half of the segment. Its importance within Ford Pro’s electrification strategy is also increasing: with the PHEV version, the brand now offers an electrified model in all five of its commercial vehicle lines.

The award presentation at the Solutrans show in Lyon underscored a broader trend: the growing acceptance of partially electrified pickups that combine working capability with reduced consumption and short-distance zero-emission driving. Based on available market insights and early tests, the Ranger PHEV appears well positioned within this evolving landscape.