Battle of the Bakkies: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Which One Should You Drive Home?

 Tough Tested: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Which One Should You Drive?

🚙 Battle of the Bakkies: Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Which One Should You Drive Home? 🔧

When it comes to picking the perfect bakkie for Southern African roads, two names always top the list: the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger. Known for their rugged reliability and all-round performance, these two titans dominate the bakkie market in Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, and beyond.

But which one is right for you? Let’s break it down and see how they compare on performance, reliability, fuel consumption, and more.

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✅ Similarities at a Glance

Both the Hilux and Ranger offer:

• Double and single cab options

• Powerful diesel engines

• 4x2 and 4x4 variants

• High ground clearance for rough terrain

• Modern safety and tech features

• Great resale value

Whether you're heading to the farm, navigating city traffic, or towing a trailer to the village, both of these bakkies get the job done.

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🛻 Toyota Hilux: The King of Reliability

Pros:

• Proven durability: Known for lasting well beyond 300,000 km with proper maintenance.

• Low maintenance costs: Parts are widely available across the SADC region.

• Resale value: Hiluxes hold their value extremely well.

Cons:

• Stiffer ride: Some users find it less comfortable on tar roads.

• Conservative styling: While tough, it doesn’t turn as many heads as the Ranger.

Fuel Consumption:
Around 7.6 to 8.5 L/100 km for the 2.4L diesel engine — efficient for a workhorse.

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🛻 Ford Ranger: Tech-Savvy and Comfortable

Pros:

• Modern interior: Feels more like an SUV than a utility vehicle.

• Smooth ride: Excellent suspension and road comfort.

• Strong performance: Especially the 2.0L bi-turbo and 3.2L models.

Cons:

• Higher maintenance costs: Ford parts and servicing can be pricier.

• Complex electronics: More tech means more things that could potentially fail.

Fuel Consumption:
The 2.0L bi-turbo averages 7.4 to 8.0 L/100 km — slightly better than the Hilux depending on the model.

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🔧 Reliability Showdown

• Hilux takes the crown for long-term durability and easy servicing.

• Ranger wins in comfort, features, and driving pleasure.

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💡 Other Considerations

• Payload & Towing: Both can tow over 3,000 kg and handle heavy loads.

• Tech Features: Rangers often come with features like Apple CarPlay, digital displays, and lane assist.

• Appearance: Ranger has a more aggressive, urban look; Hilux maintains its rugged, no-nonsense style.

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🛒 So, Which Bakkie Should You Choose?

• Choose the Toyota Hilux if you want rock-solid reliability, lower long-term costs, and proven performance across any terrain.

• Choose the Ford Ranger if comfort, style, and high-tech features are your priority.

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Whether you're team Hilux or team Ranger — or even looking for a solid Japanese import like a Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, or Mitsubishi Triton — we've got you covered.

At Adeco Auto Exports, we make vehicle buying safe, simple, and stress-free. From Durban to Gaborone, Lusaka, Maputo, and Harare, we deliver quality rides right to your doorstep.

👉 Place your order today and join the hundreds of happy clients cruising in quality vehicles from Adeco!

Why South Africa's used car sales took a knock in May

In the model stakes, the Toyota Hilux continued to lose ground against the Ford Ranger, monthly sales contracting by -15% to 1,271 units vs the Ranger’s 7% increase to 1,612 units.
Image: Supplied

The New Car Market Hit The Skids in May.

New car passenger sales fell by -11.7% year-on-year while used car sales were not that far behind, falling by -10.5% year-on-year and -3% month-on-month.  

“While the drop in sales is indicative of a market coming under pressure, one must be cognisant of consumer uncertainty about the elections, which affected May car sales,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

In May, sales in the used car market contracted by -996 units resulting in 27,729 used cars sold. The cumulative value of used cars sold amounted to R11,276,303,350, a decline of -10.5% year-on-year.

But it was not all doom and gloom. AutoTrader data shows in May, the average car price dropped by 0.3% to R406,661, and that was for a one year younger — 2019 — model. Paying less for a younger car will be sure to warm the cockles of car buyers’ hearts.

Top 10 sold used models in May 2024 (Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: May 1 - May 31 2024).
Image: Supplied

Still, little changed in May. The top 10 most sold brands remained unchanged in the used car market. Toyota moved 4,700 units, staying on track as the best seller ahead of Volkswagen and Ford; the Ford Ranger continued to top the best-selling model table; and the VW Polo Vivo 1.4l remained the top-selling variant.

In the model stakes, the Toyota Hilux continued to lose ground against the Ford Ranger, monthly sales contracting by -15% to 1,271 units vs the Ranger’s 7% increase to 1,612 units. Meanwhile, the VW Polo with 1,203 sales is nipping on the Hilux’s heels. 

Despite being the oldest in the line-up with an average age of eight years, premium sedan Mercedes-Benz C-Class grew used car sales by 16%. Models with about 101,704km mileage sold for R399,570 on average. Three-year-old Suzuki Swift models, the youngest in the model ranking, sold for an average price of R189,595.

Still with model sales, the Nissan NP200 half-tonne bakkie made a comeback in May selling 389 units with a month-on-month increase of 11% to oust the Ford EcoSport and earn it ninth spot in the ranking.

“With elections now behind us, the coming months will hopefully bring added impetus to vehicle sales and provide a clearer picture of the health of the car market,” said Mienie.

Article Source ; Times Live.