Head to Head: Ford Ranger Vs Nissan Navara

In the past, pickup trucks only had to do one thing and that was hauling heavy objects to and from places. Now, the modern pickup truck has to be capable of doing heavy lifting while also providing some modern amenities to make it a comfortable passenger vehicle as well. 

Two leaders in the segment are the Nissan Navara and the Ford Ranger. Though these two trucks are far apart in terms of age, they’re still able to trade punches in more ways than you might expect. 

For example, on the AutoDeal site, the Ford Ranger leads in terms of inquiries with 3.46 percent of sitewide inquiries. Meanwhile, despite the considerable age difference, the Navara still commands a sizable demographic with 2.66 percent of total inquiries. 

With that said, let’s put these trucks side by side and see which one comes out on top. For simplicity, we’ll be pitting the top-of-the-line models of each truck against each other.

Let’s start with looks, a very important feature to consider when buying a pickup truck because these vehicles have now crossed over from utilitarian machines to lifestyle items. 

First launched in 2013, the Navara has been with us for a decade and it has mostly carried the same formula in terms of looks, muscular stance, simple body lines, angular headlights, and of course, the V-Motion grille. Thanks to a recent update in 2020, the Navara has been able to keep up with the times, however, it’s hard to deny that the design is showing its age, regardless of how well the nip and tuck has been executed.

Meanwhile, the current Ford Ranger made its entry into the country in 2022. This Ranger is the second generation of the T6 platform Ranger first launched in 2011. In terms of design, the current Ranger carries Ford’s new design language sporting a boxier look, C-shaped headlights, and a flat front end. While it shares most of the bones its predecessor had, Ford has done well in innovating the Ranger’s looks to be more modern and striking at the same time.

Both vehicles will impress on highways and off-road, and they'll stand out when the terrain gets rough and dirty. However, the Ranger takes the edge in design, thanks to its newer, more modern look. The Navara remains attractive from any angle, but its age is starting to show.

Winner: Ford Ranger

If we did this Head-to-Head back in 2023, the Ford Ranger would take the crown from the Navara with no contest. However, Nissan Philippines introduced a major update in May 2024 that completely revamped the interior of the Navara.

The update brought the interior of its SUV sibling, the Terra, into the Navara. Gone are the hard plastics dominating the dashboard replaced by a more modern cockpit sporting soft-touch materials and a more ergonomic center console. Though it took a long time for Nissan to update the Navara, the upgrade is a welcome addition that rewinds some years off Nissan’s pickup truck.

As for the Ranger, the interior is as chunky and boxy as it is with the exterior. The Ranger has a simple dashboard design that’s characterized by straight lines and geometric shapes. Some quirky features include the mesh air vent designs and raised contours on the passenger side dashboard. Like the Navara, contrast stitching can be found on the crash pad as well as the leather seats.

Where the two differ is in the kind of equipment they pack. Though both trucks feature Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity, the Navara only comes with a nine-inch touchscreen while the Ranger is equipped with a 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen that dominates the center console. Both cars come equipped with six speakers but the Ranger adds a wireless charger and additional USB ports throughout the cabin to sweeten the deal.

For this segment, we’ll award the win to the Ford Ranger. The Navara’s new interior certainly improves the experience, but the Ranger takes the win with its array of features.

Winner: Ford Ranger 

A pickup truck’s main feature is the big open space in the back for hauling big loads. So, payload capacity is another important factor when buying these utility vehicles. 

Starting with the Ford Ranger this time, the Ranger Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 has a maximum payload capacity of 985 kg while the Nissan Navara goes over the one-tonne mark with 1,017 kg. As for towing capacity, the Ranger and Navara can both tow up to a maximum of 3,500 kg. 

For this segment, the Nissan Navara is the tougher truck of the two and will be awarded the win.

Winner: Nissan Navara

The beating heart of the Navara is the trusty YD25DDTi diesel engine. Also found in the Terra, this 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel puts out 187 hp and 430 Nm of torque sending power to the drive wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. 

The Navara PRO 4X 4X4 AT variant comes with additional goodies to make it competent off-road. These features include an electronic locking rear differential, and a part-time 4WD system with 2H, 4H, and 4L modes with shift-on-the-fly functionality. It has a double-wishbone independent suspension setup at the front while the rear gets a multi-link suspension setup with dual rate coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Braking power comes courtesy of disc brakes up front and drum brakes at the rear.

Meanwhile, the Ranger Bi-Turbo Wildtrak is powered by Ford’s 2.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBlue four-cylinder diesel engine which is exclusive to this variant. Thanks to the addition of a second turbo, this Ranger has 207 hp and 500 Nm of torque on tap. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger is also equipped with an electronic locking rear differential, selectable drive modes, and a terrain management system. All Ranger models come equipped with double-wishbone front suspension, but, unlike the Navara, the Ranger utilizes leaf springs at the back. Furthermore, the Ranger is equipped with rear disc brakes compared to the Navara’s drums.

Looking at the specs of both vehicles, it's clear that the Ranger outperforms the Navara in terms of power. Additionally, while both come equipped with 4WD systems, the Ranger is more advanced and better suited to handling various terrains. Finally, the Ranger earns extra points for offering disc brakes in its top-tier variant.

Winner: Ford Ranger

In terms of entertainment features, the Navara is equipped with a nine-inch infotainment system while the Ranger has a larger 12-inch infotainment system. Both trucks are equipped with Android Auto and Apple Carplay along with six speakers inside the cabin.

Both trucks are also equipped with dual-zone climate control and rear vents for the second row making them equal in terms of interior amenities. As for equipment, both are also equally matched with a 360-degree camera that has an off-road monitor, cruise control, keyless entry, and a push-button start system.

As for safety, this is where things get interesting for both trucks. The top-of-the-line Navara comes with Nissan Intelligent Mobility that boasts an array of safety features which include, Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Driver Alertness, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC).

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger gets Ford’s Advanced Driver Assist Technology which boasts the following features: Adjustable Speed Limiter, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering, Auto High Beam, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Pre-Collision Assist, Dynamic Brake Support DBS, Distance Alert / Distance Indication DA/DI, Forward Collision Warning System, Evasive Steer Assist, Post Impact Braking, Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert System, and a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert & Braking.

Both trucks will satisfy anyone with their abundance of safety features, but, the Ranger takes the win once more as it slightly edges the Navara with the sheer amount of additional kit it gets.

Winner: Ford Ranger

Moving to the price, at the time of writing the Navara PRO 4X 4X4 AT carries a sticker price of P1,850,000 while the Ranger Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4X4 AT has a price tag of P1,940,000. 

With a price difference of almost P100,000 the Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 might be a bit of an ask considering you get almost the same amount of kit and capability in the Navara for a lot less. For that reason, we’re awarding the win to the Navara, but, just barely.

Winner: Nissan Navara

Now that we’ve compared both trucks, what's the verdict? In terms of power, tech features, and overall design, the Ranger clearly outshines the Navara. However, it's worth noting that the Navara still holds its own against the much newer Ranger despite the age difference.

As for which truck buyers should choose, both options will satisfy the desire for a powerful, feature-packed vehicle that can handle any terrain. The Ranger’s modern features and enhanced capabilities make it a better choice for those seeking the latest in automotive technology. However, if you're looking to save a few thousand pesos while still getting a top-of-the-line variant, the Navara remains a worthy contender.

Overall Winner: Ford Ranger

Eager to buy your next pickup truck? Check out the Ford Ranger and the Nissan Navara on AutoDeal.com.ph. Simply hit the “Get Quote” button on the model you want and official sales agents from different dealerships near you will send you quotes in just minutes!