Sure, Aussies still expect their utes to haul heavy loads and big trailers. But they also expect them to pamper the family and take them to all corners of the country.
As well as increased comfort, it is the occupant protection and active safety systems (equal to passenger car levels) where the big improvements have been focussed in the ute market for more than a decade.
Throw in the muscular styling, that is an undoubted part of their appeal, and it’s little wonder utes now make up more than one in five new car sales in Australia, something fuelled by an onslaught of new arrivals.
And there’s more to come.
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Over the next few years, we’ll see new players enter the ute market, intensifying competition on the incumbents.
For now, though, here’s a selection of some of the best utes on the market, separated into under and over $90,000. We’ve chosen ones that not only deliver on capability and comfort but also off-road nous.
Best utes under $90,000
Mitsubishi Triton GSR - $63,840, plus on-road costs
Watch Alex test drive the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton through City Beach or read the transcript.
The Triton has long been one of the more value-focused utes on the market but the arrival of a new generation car early in 2024 brought with it price rises, a bigger body and more gear.
The latest Triton gets a full suite of active safety equipment, helping it earn a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Some of the driver warnings were initially too eager to beep, but a subsequent software update has partially addressed that.
The cabin also gets more tech, including a 9-inch infotainment screen. However, whereas new utes are fast adopting digital instrument clusters, the Mitsubishi sticks with old school analogue dials.
With its black wheels and black design highlights, the GSR sits at the top of the Triton tree, albeit with the same modest 2.4-litre twin turbo diesel seen across the range. It can take a while to waken from its stop-start slumber but once revving, provides decent pull, with 150kW and 470Nm.
The GSR also gets the clever Super Select II 4x4 system that allows the car to run in four-wheel drive on bitumen (many utes don’t). However, the six-speed auto can be overly eager to pluck a high ratio, so in hilly terrain it can be busy shuffling between gears.
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain - $67,990 drive away
Isuzu has a well-earned reputation for ruggedness and reliability, something very much on display in the D-Max. The ute is popular with those touring the country, its blend of value and substance front and centre, with the top-level X-Terrain that gets matte grey design touches and a roller tonneau cover. There’s also partial leather trim, dual zone ventilation, heated front seats and a 9-inch touchscreen.
The 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine doesn’t match the class best for outright thrust, but it muscles up nicely in the lower rev range where it makes light work of the stout body. Honest without being overly exciting.
It’s a similar deal with the driving manners, which team a firm ride with decent control. And the D-Max does a good job of hauling heavy loads, adding to its workhorse credibility.
Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior - $68,765, plus on-road costs
The Navara may be getting along in years but the Pro-4X Warrior has given it some off-road sparkle towards the end of the current car’s life.
A major engineering program by Melbourne-based Premcar has raised the suspension by 40mm and widened the stance for more road presence and stability. New springs and dampers, including coil springs all round (most utes get leaf springs at the rear) and chunky Cooper 17-inch off-road tyres, make it a weapon in rough terrain.
And, of course, the Warrior gets some suitably tough body armour, including recovery points painted red, to ram home the adventurous spirit. A hoopless bullbar with integrated light bar is great for touring.
The 2.3-litre twin turbo diesel is smooth and efficient but takes a moment to produce its 450Nm before heading towards a modest 140kW power peak.
Mazda BT-50 Thunder - $74,095, plus on-road costs
It may wear Mazda badges, but the BT-50 emerges from an Isuzu factory and feels more rugged and hard core than other vehicles within the Japanese brand’s stable.
Beneath the skin is the Isuzu’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel making 140kW and 450Nm. It also rides on the same rugged suspension, which makes for solid off-road running with a firm unladen ride around the suburbs.
Inside, too, it’s almost identical to the D-Max, although the Mazda misses out on the handy dashtop storage pod for a cleaner aesthetic.
Like the D-Max there are analogue gauges and a touchscreen that’s not always user friendly with its menus.
In Thunder guise the BT-50 picks up a steel bullbar with LED lightbar and black design touches. The black sports bar and roller tonneau cover are a nice touch and add to the loading functionality.
Toyota Hilux GR Sport - $74,310, plus on-road costs
The Hilux has traditionally been the sales king of the ute market, although in recent years age has taken a toll on its popularity.
Not that the Hilux isn’t still loved by many, in large part due to a well-earned reputation for reliability. Even with a new model lurking, there’s plenty who rate the Hilux as the pinnacle of tough trucks.
Hiluxes are known for dealing with punishment and doing it for many years. They’re also terrific off-road, with great wheel articulation and well calibrated traction control helping them climb over plenty of tricky terrain.
While the Hilux feels agricultural on-road, it gets better the rougher the road. And the GR Sport takes that to the next level with left and right wheels spread further apart, flared wheel arches and a more aggressive bumper. There are also all terrain tyres.
The 2.8-litre turbo diesel also steps the performance up by 10 per cent over regular models, for 165kW and 550Nm. All of which adds up to a solid off-roader that’s less endearing in everyday driving.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 - $74,840, plus on-road costs
The latest Ranger raised the benchmark for utes when it arrived in 2022. A big part of its success revolves around its local design and engineering that tailor it nicely for Aussie conditions and tastes.
Suspension is comfortable and composed around town but fends off big bumps and higher speed hits with the sort of confidence that makes it the benchmark on big adventures. The addition of a V6 engine is also a nice way to separate the Ranger from its four-cylinder rivals. With 184kW and 600Nm there’s plenty of oomph and it’s delivered in a smooth, refined manner.
It’s also solid off-road, although there’s room for improvement with the traction control calibration.
Throw in class leading safety and tech, including remote connectivity, and a rugged and functional design, and it cements the Ranger as a class act.
Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana - $78,990, plus on-road costs
The PanAmericana is the most off-road focused model in the Amarok line-up. As well as obligatory styling tweaks to toughen the look, it gets more rugged all terrain tyres and unique black highlights.
Inside is textured ‘cricket’ leather as part of the classy finishes that give it an ambience above many rivals.
The Panamericana also picks up a V6 engine. The 184kW/600Nm unit is the same V6 used in the Ford Ranger - the two share underpinnings - which makes for smooth, easily accessible performance.
Throw in the surefooted driving dynamics of the Ranger and the PanAmericana is a comfortable and classy way to go exploring.
Best utes over $90,000
Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster Trialmaster Edition $118,000, plus on-road costs
The ute version of the Grenadier SUV has all the same off-road goodness, which starts with an old school ladder frame chassis with live axles front and rear.
In Trialmaster guise it gets rugged steel wheels and a raised air intake as part of its rough road-ready hardware.
Yet there’s no shortage of modern tech mixed in, starting with BMW propulsion; a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo petrol (with 210kW and 450Nm) or turbo diesel (183kW/550Nm).
Inside, too, the Quartermaster gets an aircraft-inspired cockpit with sizeable physical controls, some of which are laid out overhead. Throw in excellent wheel articulation and triple locking differentials to maximise traction and the Quartermaster has the hardware to cement it as one of the most accomplished off-roaders available.
However, it gets the same slow steering and live axle suspension that on the wagon makes for a cumbersome experience around town.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, $138,000, plus on-road costs
Big American pick-up trucks are often more about on-road heavy hauling than getting down and dirty.
But the Silverado ZR2 steps up the capability courtesy of suspension that sits 68mm higher, off-road tuned dampers and knobbly mud terrain tyres.
It transforms the spacious and comfortable ZR2 into a deceptively capable off-roader, adding to its heavy hauling talents that include 4200kg of tow capacity. A 6.2-litre V8 engine emits a hearty roar while providing 313kW/624Nm for decent thrust.
But part of the ZR2 package means it misses out on some of the glitz of other models; a sunroof, head-up display and Bose sound system are missing, for example. And there are no side steps in an effort to keep the weight down and maintain the car’s modest 717kg payload.
Ford F-150 Lariat LWB, $140,945, plus on-road costs
Ford’s biggest ute, the F-150, got off to a slow start in Australia due to some embarrassing recalls.
But there’s plenty to like with the core of the car, including its engine. Whereas rivals rely on V8 power, Ford has chosen a turbocharged V6 that thumps out 298kW and 678Nm. Yep, it’s a big beast, but with aluminium panels it’s only about 150kg heavier than a Ranger, so performance is great.
The F-150 also deals beautifully with big bumps and speed humps, although it’s less convincing on repeated smaller imperfections.
It’s a shame some of the plastics inside don’t quite match the luxury on display in the driving experience, although the F-150 still mounts a compelling case for those who need size or up to 4.5 tonnes of tow capacity.
RAM 1500 Limited, $156,950, plus on-road costs
As one of the early American pick-ups in Australia the RAM 1500 has a solid following, especially from those that didn’t want to fork out big bucks.
And while Ram still provides top-end Ranger buyers with an excuse to step up in size, by the time you get to this Limited, there’s a bigger price tag and more equipment to get excited about, including 22-inch wheels, partial leather and a Harman Kardon sound system. There’s also plenty of space.
Plus, the Limited gets the clever RamBox storage system that robs a bit from the tub space (it’s still huge) and creates two lockable containers above the wheel arches. They’re terrific for storing valuables or even acting as a cool box by filling them with ice.
The 5.7-litre V8 looks undernourished compared with rivals, making 291kW and 556Nm. It’s still enthusiastic and makes all the right noises but lacks the outright punch of rivals.
Utes to watch out for
BYD Shark
EV newcomer BYD has announced plans to take on the ute big players with its upcoming Shark. It’s got the requisite tough styling and a sizeable dual cab body. But it’s what’s going on beneath the skin that makes the Shark one of the more interesting utes in years.
The Shark gets a plug-in hybrid system that allows it to run solely on electricity for some driving.
A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine pairs with an electric motor and is expected to provide the pulling power typically afforded by diesel.
There are many details yet to be revealed, including the all-important off-road nous and towing credentials, the latter likely to fall short of the 3.5-tonne class norm.
The Shark is gradually working its way Down Under and is expected on Australian roads by early 2025.
Kia Tasman
Rumours of a ute from Korean brand Kia have been swirling for years and earlier in 2024 the company confirmed it would step into the fray with a car it has since announced will be called the Tasman.
Kia has been testing the Tasman on local roads, something that reinforces the importance of the Australian market for a car that could command a decent chunk of the market.
The Tasman is due in mid-2025 powered by a turbo-diesel engine, but Kia has also promised an all-electric model 12 months later.
Toyota Tundra
There are already a few hundred Tundras on Australia roads. And while all came out of the Toyota factory in the US, each also underwent a major conversion to right-hand drive in Australia.
It’s a major engineering program for the car that takes the Hilux thinking to a new scale. For now, the local Tundra program is officially a trial, but Toyota is confident it will arrive in dealerships sometime in 2025.
When it arrives, a 3.4-litre twin turbo V6 paired with an electric motor will deliver a combined 326kW and 790Nm.
