Get a ute that's going to work for you
Gone are the days when you chose a work ute simply for how much material the tray can hold. Fuel economy, control and handling, engine capacity and – of course – the 'creature comfort' features inside all come into play when it comes to picking your new work mate. Work utes today are designed for work and play, meaning you get access to all the power and strength of a vehicle designed for work-mode, plus features for safety and entertainment that you were more likely to find in a family car.
So, what are some quick tips to know before we jump into the nitty gritty?
- Dual-cab utes. All the vehicles below are dual-cab, meaning you'll have four seats at the front and a slightly smaller tray. What you give up in tray size you won't give up on power – dual-cabs are big vehicles that give you the best of both worlds.
- Power and control. You need your ute to work with you, not against you. Find out how much grunt it has by looking at engine size, and see the control you'll have with steering, cruise control, brake force distribution. Things like dynamic stability control and a 'hill holder' are worth checking out, too.
- Security. The protection of valuables in a work vehicle is paramount, so security features should be top priorities. Check for things like central locking, an engine immobiliser, the number and location of airbags, an alarm system and central locking, fog lights and other exterior protectives.
- Comfort levels inside the cab. This is especially true for those using their ute as a work and personal vehicle. Air conditioning is a common feature, but some vehicles offer dual temperature zones for optimal comfort. Other features like mobile phone connectivity, cruise control and central remote locking can make your driving experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
- The cost. Look at not only what you'll pay upfront, but ongoing costs in terms of fuel economy as well. Find out if the features on more top-of-the-line models are worth the jump in price before you buy.
- If something goes wrong. See what kind of warranty is on offer with the ute – you never know and you can never be too careful.
How does each car stack up?
| Car | Tray Length | Tray Width | Engine size | Warranty Years | Warranty KMs | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Triton | 1520mm | 1470mm | 2.4L | 5 year | 30,000km | $42,240 |
| Toyota Hilux | 2400mm | 1700mm | 3.0L | 3 year | 100,000km | $27,990 |
| Nissan Navara | 1503mm | 1560mm | 2.5L | 3 years | 100,000km | $46,143 |
| Ford Ranger | 1549mm | 1560mm | 3.2L | 3 years | 100,000km | $59,930 |
| Volkswagen Amarok | 1555mm | 1620mm | 2.0L | 3 years | 999,000km | $55,490 |
| Mazda BT-50 | 1549mm | 1560mm | 3.2L | 3 years | 100,000km | $38,300 |
| Isuzu D-Max | 2550mm | 1778mm | 3.0L | 5 years | 130,000km | $30,500 |
Mitsubishi Triton
A work ute that brings together design and functionality, this one definitely deserves a look-in. You'll find the standard features you'd want in a work ute – a powerful engine, dual-cab, auto climate control and five-year warranty – as well as a few extras. Think protective glazing fro your metallic paint and comfortable seats for passengers, they actually have a 25-degree angle to the seat back.
- Comfort: Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Power front seat Driver
- Control & Handling: 17 Inch Alloy Wheels, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program, Hill Holder
- Driver: Cruise Control, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power Steering
- Exterior: Fog Lights - Front Safety: Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Protective Glazing, Metallic Paint
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control, Engine Immobiliser
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $40,990
If you want the top of the line model: $46,090
How big is the engine? 2.4L
How much power does it have? 133kW @ 3500rpm
How much fuel will you use? 7.3L per 100Km
How the car keeps you safe? Driver & front passenger SRS airbags, driver & front passenger side SRS airbags, curtain SRS airbags, driver knee airbag
What if something breaks? 5 year or 130,000Km warranty
Ford Ranger
Don't mind spending a bit more? The Ford Ranger offers you a great fuel economy vehicle to make sure you get from A to B without breaking the bank. You'll enjoy safety features like fog lights, anti-lock breaking, engine immobiliser and the like. In the cabin, you and your passengers will have access to create comforts like dual temp zones and mobile phone connectivity.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $59,930
- Comfort: Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Power front seat Driver
- Control & Handling: 17 Inch Alloy Wheels, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program, Hill Holder
- Driver: Cruise Control, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power Steering
- Exterior: Fog Lights - Front Safety: Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Protective Glazing
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control, Engine Immobiliser
If you want the top of the line model: $61,380
- Engine and Transmission: Differential Locks
How big is the engine? 2.4L
How much power does it have? 133kW @ 3500rpm
How much fuel will you use? 7.3L per 100Km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Head Airbags
What if something breaks? 5 year or 130,000Km warranty
Nissan Navara
Similarly priced to the Ford Ranger, this dual-cab ute is a great vehicle for work and weekend. You'll enjoy control in the cabin with dual temp zones, power steering, cruise control and an electronic stability program, as well as a USB port to play media through. The storage isn't limited to the tray, as you'll find areas to store throughout the cabin, including being able to fold the back seats up. The vehicle is packed with a bit of grunt as well – 133kW @ 3500rpm – and for great fuel economy giving you 7.3L per 100km.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $59,930
- Comfort: Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Power front seat Driver
- Control & Handling: 17 Inch Alloy Wheels, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program, Hill Holder
- Driver: Cruise Control, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power Steering
- Exterior: Fog Lights - Front Safety: Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Protective Glazing
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control, Engine Immobiliser
If you want the top of the line model: $61,380
- Engine and Transmission: Differential Locks
How big is the engine? 2.4L
How much power does it have? 133kW @ 3500rpm
How much fuel will you use? 7.3L per 100Km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Head Airbags
What if something breaks: 5 year or 130,000Km warranty
Volkswagen Amarok
This is a ute that gives you bang for your buck. In terms of functionality you'll enjoy a tray size that's the largest in its class, while for luxury and comfort features you'll have the control of dual temp zones, an adjustable steering wheel and a new media system with a touch-screen colour display. Your new ute will remain secure with an alarm system, central locking and remote anti-theft, and you'll be pulling your working weight for great fuel economy – the Amarok gives you 8.3L for every 100km.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $55,490
- Comfort: Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Control & Handling: 17 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Driver: Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic, Cruise Control
- Exterior: Alloy Sports Bar
- Security: Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft, Central Locking Remote Control
If you want the top of the line model: $62,040
- Exterior: Metallic Paint
How big is the engine? 2.0L
How much power does it have? 132kW @ 4000rpm
How much fuel will you use? 8.3L / 100km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking
What if something breaks?: 3 years or 999,000 kms warranty
Toyota Hilux
While the vehicle is a bargain compared to the others, don't think you're skimping out on quality by paying around half for this one. The car is sleekly designed and gives you everything you need in a basic work utility vehicle. You'll also get some convenient features like a built-in navigation and rear-view camera – perfect when you're carrying a large load. It comes with a very decently sized 3L engine plus an engine immobiliser for added security. The large engine translates into decent power – 126kW @ 3600rpm – and features like airbags, central locking and electronic brake force distribution are all there.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $27,990
- Comfort: Air Conditioning
- Control & Handling: Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Driver: Cruise Control
- Exterior: Metallic Paint
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control, Engine Immobiliser
If you want the top of the line model: $55,000
How big is the engine? 3.0L
How much power does it have? 126kW @ 3600rpm
How much fuel will you use? 9.3L / 100km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Head Airbags
What if something breaks: 3 year or 100,000 kms warranty
Mazda BT-50
This is another model that's on the more affordable end of the list, but again quality is not amiss in the Mazda BT-50. With this ute you'll have basic features like central locking, dual airbag, hill descent control and the like. The engine is a generous 3.2L, meaning fuel economy of 9.2L for every 100kms. In terms of media, you'll have bluetooth and a USB port in the cabin, and these more entertaining features are accompanied by practical features like the 2,500kg towing capacity.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $38,300
- Comfort: Air Conditioning
- Control & Handling: Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Driver: Cruise Control
- Interior: Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose, Cloth Trim
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control
If you want the top of the line model: $45,540
- Engine and Transmission: Differential Locks
How big is the engine? 3.2L
How much power does it have? 147kW @ 3000rpm
How much fuel will you use? 9.2L / 100km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Dynamic Stability Control, Hill Descent Control
What if something breaks: 3 years / 100,000 kms warranty
Isuzu D-Max
This is a reasonably priced ute with the bells and whistles you want. A 3L engine with a three-tonne towing capacity and the ability to carry a one-tonne load – there's not too much that won't fit in this ute. And after packing everything you need into the tray you'll enjoy an air-conditioned ride with cruise control, a touchscreen navigation and media capabilities that include USB, bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Standard safety features like anti-lock breaking and central locking remote control are there for you, too.
What you'll get if you pay the base price: $30,500
- Comfort: Air Conditioning
- Control & Handling: Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Stability Program
- Driver: Cruise Control
- Interior: Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose, Cloth Trim
- Security: Central Locking Remote Control
If you want the top of the line model: $45,760
How big is the engine? 3.0L
How much power does it have? 130kW @ 3600rpm
How much fuel will you use? 8.3L / 100km
How the car keeps you safe? Dual Airbag Package, Anti-lock Braking, Head Airbags
What if something breaks: 5 years / 130,000 kms warranty
Sources: Manufacturer web site and Car Advice
DISCLAIMER: Many of the comments in this article are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information applicability to their own particular circumstances. These utes are presented in no particular order. Prices and features are accurate and up-to-date at the time of publication
