Dual-Cab Ute Power Showdown: Is the new Ford Ranger’s V6 the most powerful? As the latest Ford Ranger emerges with its transformative V6 engine, it positions itself to lead the dual-cab ute market. Yet, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 VW Amarok’s V6 turbo-diesel engine contends closely in terms of raw power output. Dive into our comprehensive comparison of Australia’s top dual-cab utes as we spotlight solely on their power, setting aside factors like transmission, infotainment, and off-road capabilities.
Dual-Cab Ute Power Comparison
Sometimes it just comes down to power when arguing about who’s utes the best on the worksite.
When dual-cab ute owners aren’t discussing “how to run 35-inch tires without engineering” and asking “should I tray chop the rear end for better departure angles” they’re probably talking about how much power their rig makes. In this case, we’re not comparing who’s truck can make the most on the rollers down at billy bobs dyno tooooning, but who’s has the most power with a warranty still attached to it. And don’t even for a second bring up “my LDV T60 Max has one-sixty something kilowatts” we’re sick of hearing about it, Shannon. It’s all fun and games until the site manager rolls through in his new Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with 1000 Albert Einstein’s – or should that be Newtons?
Related: Here are 10 things you should know about the new Ford Ranger before you even think about buying.
Here is the power comparison for dual-cab utes in Australia, show it to your mate and point at the rpm’s all you want but it’s not going to make your D-Max look quicker.
| Ute | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 | 184kW @ 3,250 rpm | 600Nm @ 1,750 rpm |
| VW Amarok | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 | 190kW @ 3,250 rpm | 580Nm @ 1,400 rpm |
| Toyota Hilux | 2.8-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 150kW @ 3000 rpm | 500Nm @ 1600 rpm |
| Isuzu D-Max | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 140kW @ 3600 rpm | 450Nm @ 1600 rpm |
| Mazda BT-50 | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 140kW @ 3600 rpm | 450Nm @ 1600 rpm |
| Nissan Navara | 2.3-litre twin turbo-diesel I4 | 140kW @ 3750 rpm | 450Nm @ 1500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 2.4-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 133kW @ 3500 rpm | 430Nm @ 2500 rpm |
| Jeep Gladiator | 3.6-litre petrol V6 | 209kW @ 6400 rpm | 347Nm @ 4100 rpm |
The Biggest Take-Aways
Let’s try and settle a few arguments.
Who makes the most power?
There’s going to be a very tight race between VW Amarok and Ford Ranger V6. The Ranger makes 20Nm more on paper, however, the Amarok makes it 350 rpm sooner. The same can be said for outright power where the Amarok makes 6kW more and 16kW more on overboost. If you were to race the two it would be very close and ultimately come down to gearing, ratios, and traction at launch. Our money would be on the Amarok.
Related: In a sea of Hiluxes and Rangers we love the Jeep Gladiator, here’s why.
Who makes the least power?
Sadly, there’s a reason the Mitsubishi Triton has a reputation and it’s because it’s one of the least powerful utes on the market. With only 133kW to play with from 3500 rpm, it makes 7kW fewer than the trusty 4JJ found in the D-Max and BT-50 and when looking at torque it tells an even sadder story putting down just 430Nm all the way up at 2500 rpm. Only the Jeep Gladiator with 347Nm puts out less torque, but it’s petrol so we’ll give it a pass.
The middle of the pack
In the middle of the pack, you have the Hilux, D-Max, BT-50, and Navara. All of which makes around 450Nm and 140kW from about the same rpm.
Related: Ford asked its owners what they should change on the Ranger, here’s how that proved beneficial.
Concluding Thoughts
In the real world, you’d find a very close race between the new Ford Ranger V6 and VW Amarok V6. The Hilux leads the pack in the mid-range although this whole list could be upended if the rumours are true surrounding that vehicle’s powerplant replacement *Landcruiser 300* cough, cough. If that was to happen – even with a detuned engine – the Hilux would surely rip a few sales from the V6 Ranger, that is until you say, Raptor. Is anyone in the Dual-cab market besting that particular vehicle twin-turbo V6 with 292kW and 583Nm? We think not.
Related: The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor has been revealed as a 400HP ‘Pre-Runner’ for All Terrains.
