Choosing a vehicle with a reduced fuel consumption also means you'll be producing less carbon monoxide; bravo, you're helping the environment.
But there's a catch: you can't get an exact fuel-consumption figure until you drive every vehicle you're considering buying for several hundred kilometres under varying weather and road conditions, which, let's face it, will never happen. Consequently, you must believe every automaker's reported gas mileage.
Claimed fuel-consumption figures for a vehicle are normally at least a litre or two lower than real-world figures, generally more than that, and occasionally much more, because they are tested on a dynamometer rather than in the real world.
Dual-cab 4WD utes, like any other vehicle, need routine maintenance and repairs to keep running well. As dependable workhorses, nonetheless, utes typically log much more miles and see far more action than regular automobiles. Therefore, it is crucial that drivers are aware of when and what kinds of maintenance are required, and that owners are aware of the total cost of ownership.
The “Ute” Is a Symbol of Australia
It was developed locally, and since the 1950s, it's been a constant in the Australian auto industry.
Increases in the number of Utes on the roads can be attributed to their popularity with both businesspeople and sports fans. In Australia, work-sites and farms rely on support vehicles such the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Navara.
Utes are versatile vehicles that can be used for pulling recreational vehicles on the weekend or hauling heavy cargo around town during the week. More sophisticated driveline systems, like as 4-wheel drive & complex diesel engines, also cause higher maintenance expenses.
How much do you plan on spending annually on maintenance and gas, in addition to the initial cost of your ute? Take a look at our list of the five most efficient pickup trucks currently on the market.
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Nissan Navara
Cab-chassis, single-cab In contrast to other vehicles, 4x2 utes are rugged and purpose-built for hard labour. They have few extras and come with pricey, extra-long trays. They weigh less than 4x4 versions because they don't have a 4WD transmission or the associated differential and axle hardware. And obviously, the less weight a car has, the less gas it will need to travel the same distance.
This Navara D23 Second - gen cab chassis has an 80-liter tank and a claimed fuel economy of 6.4L/100km, and it can be purchased for $25,990 (excluding on-road and tray expenses).
It comes equipped with a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, single-turbo-diesel motor (120kW/403Nm) with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Its maximum towing capacity is 3500kg, and its kerb weight is 1551kg (braked).
Nissan's Navara is their debut into the crowded Australian ute market. The Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger are vying for the top spot in the pickup truck market.
Be sure to negotiate, as dealers are enjoying a red-hot sale in the run up to March, the conclusion of the Japanese fiscal year, and the Nissan Navara SL dual cab 4x4 is accessible to ABN shareholders for $37,990 drive away with manual gearbox and $40,490 drive away with auto.
Single cabs are not well-known for their ride quality; their suspension tends to be on the harsh and bumpier side, especially when unladen, due to their modest weight compared to additional and dual cabs. However, whether you're used to riding in utes, you probably won't mind.
What it lacks in comfort and control it makes up for in cargo capacity. The tray is one of the largest in this bunch, measuring in at 2570mm in length, 1840mm in width, and 255mm in depth (about $2400 with fitment).
Air conditioning, an MP3/iPod/CD sound system (four speakers), Bluetooth, 3 12 volt plugs, a USB connector, and much more are just some of the basic features, despite the hose-out type inside and vinyl floor.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000 miles, and the warranty lasts for three years or 100,000 miles. You can get roadside help for a whole three years, anytime.
Navara is a terrific truck regardless of whether or not you ever get the advertised fuel economy.
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Ford Ranger
A new, limited-edition Ford Ranger Wildtrak X with certain upgraded features has been added to the lineup. It seems like it could do the job, yet how does it hold up under stress?
The best price we found for a Ford Ranger dual cab was $36,490 drive-away for a 2.2-liter 4x2 XL automatic.
This Ranger costs $27,690 (not including on-road and tray fees) and has an 80-liter fuel tank. The EPA estimates that it uses 6.5 litres of gas for every 100 kilometres driven.
A 2.2-liter inline-four turbo-diesel producing 118 kilowatts and 385 Newton-meters of torque is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
It can haul up to 2500 kilogrammes when braked and has a capacity of 1265 kilogrammes.
It was speculated that the load space would be greater than 2500 mm in length, 1800 mm in width, and roughly 255 mm in depth, yet official dimensions and fitting prices of the alloy trays (a supplier-branded item) were not available.
The interior of this Ranger is functional but unremarkable, featuring hardwearing plastic surfaces as well as vinyl floor coverings. However, it does come with some niceties, such as a 4.2in colour multi-function screen, AUX/USB/iPod connectivity, cruise-control with steering wheel mounted buttons, 2 different 12 volt sockets, and more.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000 miles, and the warranty lasts for three years or 100,000 miles. You can get roadside help for a whole three years, anytime.
You can count on this Ranger since he puts up consistent effort and maintains a steady presence.
Mitsubishi Triton
At $25,990 (not including on-road and tray fees), this Triton boasts a reported 7.0L/100km fuel usage and a 75-liter fuel tank.
A 2.4-liter turbo-diesel inline-four (133kW/430Nm) as well as a six-speed manual transmission power it.
It has a maximum load capacity of 2500kg, a payload of 1165kg, and a kerb weight of 1555kg (braked).
Even though the tray's dimensions are just 2430mm in length, 1770mm in width, and 255mm in depth, it can still accommodate two conventional pallets (and it's included at no extra cost).
We recently put in a full week with Mitsubishi's slick premium-grade Triton to evaluate its standing in the luxury ute market.
The Mitsubishi Triton is still the best bargain in the sub-$40,000 class, and it's available in a wide range of trim levels and prices, from $34,990 drive-away for the base GLX tradie bundle dual cab 4 x 4 with steel wheels to $39,990 drive-away for the GLX+, which adds alloy wheels, side steps, Apple CarPlay, and standard advanced safety features.
The interior is relatively barebones (cloth trim, vinyl floor), but it does come standard with a 6.1-inch display, tilt & telescopic directing, steering wheel-mounted controls (radio, phone, voice, cruise), power windows, air conditioning, a single 12-volt power outlet, a USB port, and more.
Contrary to their heavier rivals, 4x2 utes are less expensive to acquire and operate overall.
The Triton is covered by a five-year/one hundred thousand-kilometer warranty and four years of roadside assistance. Every 12 months or 15,000 miles over the course of three years is included in the capped pricing.
Simple, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
The Mitsubishi Triton seems to be the best option if you're concerned about maintenance costs.
According to the latest annual Driving Your Dollars poll conducted by the Queensland Motoring Clubs, the Mitsubishi Triton is the least expensive ute to purchase and operate.
Below you can see that the Mitsubishi entry has triumphed over the competition from Nissan, Isuzu, Ford, Holden, and Toyota in both the 2WD & 4WD classes.
Check out this post on WHAT IS THE BEST SECOND-HAND UTE TO BUY?
Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu's standard issue D-Max SX tradie pack, the X-Rider, has been upgraded for a special limited run.
The D-Max X-Rider (seen below), which retains vinyl flooring, features a sports-bar, charcoal 16in alloys from the D-Max LS-M in place of steel-wheels, side moulds, and black window frames.
The six-speed manual starts at $39,990 drive-away; the six-speed automatic costs an additional $2000, though we're informed by Isuzu dealerships that buyers won't have to twist an arm to acquire the automatic at the manual pricing if they ask nicely.
New for 2017, the D-Max is still rugged as ever, but it now boasts a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine (130kW/430Nm) and a six-speed manual transmission, making it practically invincible.
Claimed fuel economy for the base model SX single-cab chassis D-Max ($28,500 minus on-road expenditures) is 7.2L/100km (combined). The fuel capacity is 76 litres.
In addition to its maximum towing capability of 2500kg, this D-Max has a capacity of 1249kg and a kerb mass of 1601kg (braked).
With dimensions of 2570 mm in length, 1840 mm in width, and 255 mm in depth, its tray is among the largest on this list and costs around $2118 installed.
Single cab characteristics like as hard plastic surfaces and vinyl flooring are prevalent inside, but a leather steering wheel as well as a 7.0-inch touchscreen are excellent additions that come standard.
This D-Max is covered by a guarantee for five years or 130,000 miles, plus five years of roadside support. The first five maintenance appointments are included in the capped price.
The Isuzu D-Max is a fantastic pick-up truck while being proudly retro.
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Toyota HiLux
However, the Toyota Hi-Lux dual-cab 4x4 with a 2.4-liter diesel and an automatic transmission, black steel rims, and a vinyl flooring was the most expensive option we could locate. Since its release in the middle of 2015, the price of this trim level of the present generation HiLux has never been lower.
We've chosen the Toyota due to its storied durability, and the base model HiLux (starting at $28,000 with tray, minus on-road charges) is said to use only 7.7 litres of gas per hundred kilometres on average.
It boasts a 110kW/343Nm, 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, a five-speed manual transmission, an 80-liter fuel tank, and never seems stressed under any conditions.
You can tow up to 2500 kilogrammes with this HiLux, and it can carry a cargo of 1240 kg (braked).
There are trays that are slightly wider & longer than the standard 2400mm x 1762mm x 255mm 'Toyota Genuine' alloy tray that comes standard on the vehicle (about $1842, installed).
While the interior is all business with plastic touches, fabric seats, and vinyl flooring, it does come with Bluetooth, a sound system, air conditioning, cruise control, a USB port, and a tonne of other equipment.
The warranty period is 3 years or 100,000 kilometres.
Conclusion
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, buying a fuel-efficient car is the way to go. A precise fuel consumption statistic cannot be obtained until all vehicles have been driven for several hundred kilometres. Maintaining a dual-cab 4WD ute is similar to maintaining any other vehicle. With the Navara, Nissan enters the congested Australian ute market. It has a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder, single-turbo diesel engine (120kW/403Nm) mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.
Each year or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, is when you should bring it in for service, and the guarantee lasts for three years. The best deal we could find for a Ford Ranger dual cab with a 2.2-liter 4x2 XL automatic was $36,490, including delivery. With an 80-liter gasoline capacity, a price tag of $27,690 (not including on-road and tray taxes), this Ranger is not cheap. When it comes to trucks under $40,000, Mitsubishi's Triton is still your best bet. From a starting price of $34,990 drive-away for the standard GLX tradie package dual cab 4 x 4 with steel wheels, to a vast variety of other trim levels and pricing, this vehicle is very customizable.
The Isuzu D-Max is a great pick-up vehicle that also loves its classic roots. It has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 110kW/343Nm, a five-speed manual gearbox, an 80-liter fuel tank, and never appears stressed.
Content Summary
- How much do you plan on spending annually on maintenance and gas, in addition to the initial cost of your ute?
- The Toyota HiLux and the Ford Ranger are vying for the top spot in the pickup truck market.
- Be sure to negotiate, as dealers are enjoying a red-hot sale in the run up to March, the conclusion of the Japanese fiscal year, and the Nissan Navara SL dual cab 4x4 is accessible to ABN shareholders for $37,990 drive away with manual gearbox and $40,490 drive away with auto.
- A new, limited-edition Ford Ranger Wildtrak X with certain upgraded features has been added to the lineup.
- The Mitsubishi Triton is still the best bargain in the sub-$40,000 class, and it's available in a wide range of trim levels and prices, from $34,990 drive-away for the base GLX tradie bundle dual cab 4 x 4 with steel wheels to $39,990 drive-away for the GLX+, which adds alloy wheels, side steps, Apple CarPlay, and standard advanced safety features.
- Contrary to their heavier rivals, 4x2 utes are less expensive to acquire and operate overall.
- The Triton is covered by a five-year/one hundred thousand-kilometer warranty and four years of roadside assistance.
- According to the latest annual Driving Your Dollars poll conducted by the Queensland Motoring Clubs, the Mitsubishi Triton is the least expensive ute to purchase and operate.
- Isuzu D-MaxIsuzu's standard issue D-Max SX tradie pack, the X-Rider, has been upgraded for a special limited run.
- The Isuzu D-Max is a fantastic pick-up truck while being proudly retro.
FAQs About Utes
Pickups are based on trucks and have more interior storage space. Utes are based on cars and have less interior storage space.
A ute is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground. Ute is an abbreviation for ' utility vehicle'.
A utility vehicle, though the term has a different connotation down under. Simply put, it is a pickup based on a sedan -- a car with a cargo bed. There have been utes in the United States, too, though they were seldom called that.
Steadfast and rugged, HiLux has served generations of Australians for over 50 years. Today, the legendary ute is smarter, safer and tougher than ever. Take performance to new heights with the 2022 HiLux range, including a 2.8L diesel engine and the latest in Toyota tech, safety and innovation.
There are many features that the Ute offers such as its duality for being able to take on the cityscape and double up as a vehicle able to take on the rugged outback landscape. It offers comfort and ample spacing that has caused it to increase in popularity for Aussies.