Volkswagen Crafter vs Ford Ranger
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Utes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Volkswagen Crafter
From $69,100
Ute
Diesel
4-cylinder diesel engine, common rail bi-turbo direct injection
130kW
8.8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Ford Ranger
From $37,130
Ute
Diesel
Diesel Turbo
125kW
6.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Volkswagen Crafter: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and CO2 emissions.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Crafter starts from $69,100 before on-road costs, while the Ford Ranger opens at $37,130. That makes the Ford Ranger the more affordable entry point by $31,970.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $76,010 and $40,843 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Ford Ranger by roughly $2,705 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Crafter features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while the Ford Ranger gets a 12-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Crafter stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Ford Ranger. The Ford Ranger counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Crafter uses a 4-cylinder diesel engine, common rail bi-turbo direct injection producing 130kW and 410Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic w/ torque converter to a FWD layout.
The Ford Ranger responds with a Diesel Turbo making 125kW and 405Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
The Volkswagen Crafter has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 125kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Crafter measures 6,846mm long on a 4,490mm wheelbase, 1621mm longer than the Ford Ranger at 5,225mm (3,270mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Crafter generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Ford Ranger leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.9m to 16.2m
Based on 16.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,508/year for the Volkswagen Crafter and $1,967/year for the Ford Ranger. That is a $541 annual difference in favour of the Ford Ranger.
Estimated annual total: $2,508 (Volkswagen Crafter) vs $1,967 (Ford Ranger). The Ford Ranger saves you roughly $541 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Volkswagen Crafter) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Ranger). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Crafter if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Ford Ranger if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Ford Ranger takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Ford Ranger will save you roughly $541 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger is the cheapest at $37,130 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Crafter by $31,970.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Ranger uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Ford Ranger all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Ranger has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Crafter makes the most power at 130kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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