Ford Ranger Plug In Hybrid Wins International Pickup Of The Year 2026

The Ford Ranger PHEV has won the 2026/2027 International Pickup Vehicle Award (International Pick-Up Award), making it the first hybrid car to receive that prestigious award.

This is Ranger’s fourth such title in the fifteen-year history of the award, which he has won multiple times with previous versions, including the one in 2024, when the biennial competition was last held.

The Ford Ranger PHEV won the competition from the British Ineos, as well as models from the Chinese brands Foton and Maxus. The winner of the 2026/2027 award was decided by an international jury after an extensive test program, where the new hybrid pickup collected the most points from the international jury, while the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster finished in second place, ahead of the Foton V9. The Maxus eTerron 9 and Maxus T60 Max also participated in the competition.

Leading performance with higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption

The new Ford Ranger PHEV brings a powerful combination of electrification and robustness, with a powertrain that combines a 2.3-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine and a 75 kW electric motor. This hybrid configuration delivers an impressive 281 hp and 697 Nm, with the option of using multiple EV driving modes—petrol, battery, or combined. The Ranger PHEV provides up to 3,500 kg of maximum towing force while maintaining its signature power and capability on and off the road. In addition, the innovative Pro Power Onboard turns the vehicle into a mobile power source, allowing tools and devices to be connected directly to the vehicle, making this pickup an even more functional partner for professional and off-road use.

Testing the finalists of the selection in off-road conditions

The Ranger PHEV won the award after rigorous on- and off-road testing by a 23-member panel of experienced automotive journalists. The judges were particularly impressed by the fact that it delivers hybrid efficiency and zero-emissions driving without compromising on power, towing ability, or off-road performance.

One of the jury members stated, “The Ford Ranger PHEV was up against diverse, interesting, and strong competitors for the 2026/2027 IPUA award. But in the end, the Ranger proved to have the best overall package, with an extremely clever powertrain. If the BEV is not yet an option, the PHEV is the way to go.”

The announcement and presentation of the award took place at the Solutrans 2025 gala dinner at EurExpo in Lyon on November 19. Accepting the prestigious award, Hans Schep, managing director of Ford Pro Europe, said, “We are incredibly proud and honored that the new Ford Ranger PHEV has been named the winner of the International Pick-up Award for 2026/27. Following the win with the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger, we are extremely appreciative of the recognition the jury has now given to the electrified plug-in hybrid model, which confirms the consistent excellence and innovative spirit that defines the Ranger.”

Fourth big win for Ranger

Ranger already won the title in 2013, 2020, and 2024, with which Ford proved its status as a leader in the pickup segment and confirmed its dominance in the European market.

The latest generation of Ranger is the result of years of technology development and the knowledge of a global engineering team, whose constant progress has been rewarded with the title of the best-selling pickup vehicle in Europe for the past 10 years.

• Also See: Ford Says It Isn’t Giving Up On Regular Cars