What’s the best tradie ute? – Best ute for tradies

Times have changed, so gone are the days when we could just recommend all of the entry level utes in 4x2 format because they're usually the cheapest options and their extremely basic, hose-out capable interiors and no-nonsense attitude have traditionally been well suited to folks who don't wear a suit to work.

Selling Utes is a major industry in Australia. The sales figures speak for themselves: everyone wants one. Of course, there are other choices available now. Many skilled labourers choose Utes over other vehicles because they may be used in many ways. Trucks are great for transporting tools and supplies, and some are so reliable that they can double as weekend transportation for the whole family.

After every two years, the automotive industry takes a look at the top-selling utes throughout the Australian double-cab four - wheel drive light commercial sector to determine a winner. In 2019, we'll be evaluating ten different utes, all of which are top-of-the-line models with extensive features and adaptability. Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-MAX, Mercedes-Benz X-Class, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, SsangYong Musso, Toyota HiLux, and Volkswagen Amarok are all excellent choices for any buyer looking for a ute for trade, agriculture, recreation, or family needs. Here, we put them through their paces on and off the beaten path, in terms of towing capacity, payload capacity, interior luxury, and technological sophistication.

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Ford Ranger XLS

Truly, the Ford Ranger is the standard by which all other pickup trucks are judged. In other words, it's that excellent. The best Ranger is the XLT dual-cab ($57,600 plus on-roads).

The Ford Ranger XLS, the company's best-selling model at present, is a versatile pickup truck that can handle both work and play.

The Ranger is versatile enough to serve as a towing vehicle, off-road 4WD, daily driver, or workhorse for a construction crew. It combines sturdiness, refinement, cosiness, and efficiency.

The XLS is available as a dual-cab ute with either an automatic or manual transmission and a 3.2-liter V6 engine. Standard equipment includes a rearview sensor, 16-inch tyres, rear parking sensors, a reach- and height-adjustable steering wheel, a touchscreen media player, and cruise control with buttons conveniently located on the steering wheel.

Twelve percent of tradespeople surveyed said the Ford Ranger was their favourite ute, placing it in line with its 2017 performance in overall vehicle sales. The luxurious double cab cabins of the highest-end Rangers are perfect for transporting a large family. The rear differentials of all 4WD Rangers can be locked for improved off-road performance.

When compared to its competitors, the Ford Ranger stands out due to its high level of refinement and undisputed practical characteristics, such as its excellent on-road behaviour.

The Ranger has emerged as one of the best-selling utility vehicles after the release of the most recent generation. Its success in the 4X2 but also 4X4 markets indicates that it can handle a variety of tasks. The 3.2-liter turbo-diesel five-cylinder engine stands out as a notable powerplant due to its robust 147kW and 470Nm. It is also one of the few utes whose safety ratings across the board at ANCAP's star system average out to a perfect five stars.

As far as dual-cab utes go, the Ford Ranger stands head and shoulders above the rest of the field. The Ford Ranger is the finest used double-cab utes for homes in Australia because it combines attractive appearance, a terrific ride quality, and an impressive collection of features. The Ranger has some cool tech including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist.

The Ford Ranger is among Australia's greatest and most famous dual-cab utes because of its incredible smoothness on any road and its well-designed cabin with a cutting-edge entertainment system. The engine and transmission pair up well, and the model benefits from an improved power steering system, stellar safety ratings, and a cutting-edge, user-friendly infotainment system.

The somewhat cramped interior is the only real drawback.

Mercedes Benz X-Class 250D

The X-Class Mercedes is the best choice for those looking for a sturdy car with opulent trimmings.

The X-Class comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustments, and a rearview camera. The 2.3-liter twin-turbo engine gives it a faraway tick-over at idle, and the additional sound deadening makes it a lot softer than other utes on the road.

Though they may look identical, the Mercedes X-Class and the Nissan Navara are very different vehicles.

Ridgeback Truck &  Service Bodies in Australia is a premier ute & truck service body manufacturer for trades vehicles. Based in Melbourne, Ridgeback provides Australia's largest range of tough, quality ute & truck service bodies.

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Toyota Hilux Rugged X

Toyota's best-selling Hilux now has additional inside room for its customer base of tradespeople.

The Rugged X is a fan-favorite off-road vehicle because to its refined interior and updated exterior. Front and back recovery points, steel bulbar, a front under guard, an LED light bar, sliding steps, and a snorkel mounted on the driver's A-pillar are just some of the new elements that improve off-road performance.

A manual 3,500-pound towing capacity, advanced traction control, all-wheel drive, climate control, and a plethora of power & safety features further stand out. Both a manual and an automatic transmission with six gears are available.

New car sales in May 2017 were led by the HiLux (4154 units) and the Ford Ranger (4069 units), which crushed competition from industry mainstays like the Corolla and the Mazda3.

The HiLux's continued success can be attributed to the fact that it successfully combines modern-day levels of sophistication with tried-and-true durability and dependability (*its ride is rough but has improved since previous models).

The HiLux may not be able to haul as much as its competitors (the auto is max rated at 3200kg, braked), but it is still the queen of the job site thanks to its 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel (130kW/450Nm) and snappy six-speed auto.

The inside is not as luxurious as some of its competitors, but it gets the job done with a 7.0-inch screen display and several storage areas, making it ideal for tradespeople. The floor dimensions of the tray are 1550 mm; the side dimensions are 1515 mm; the width is 1110 mm (between the wheel arches); and the depth is 495 mm. Four anchoring points—one in each corner—allow the tray to be secured.

There are seven airbags inside the HiLux, as well as a rearview camera and ISOFIX anchors, which contribute to the vehicle's five-star ANCAP certification.

It had an 80-liter gasoline tank and a reported fuel economy of 8.5 litres per hundred kilometres travelled. It comes with a three-year/one hundred thousand kilometre guarantee and fixed-price maintenance for the first three years/sixty thousand kilometres.

The SR5 is not cheap at $55,990, and it is not as refined as the Ranger or Amarok for the money, but it has been extremely well-built and -engineered, and despite its new "softy" aesthetics, it is still deadly tough. The vehicle benefits from a plethora of safety & off-road features.

It should come as no surprise that the Hilux is the go-to pick of tradespeople, as 39% give it a positive review despite the fact that it has been Australia's chart-topping ute for the previous 17 years and the country's top selling vehicle in 2017. The Hilux is capable off-road and has excellent towing capacity, and Toyota's service in outlying areas is unparalleled.

The new model of the Toyota HiLux boasts more aggressive good looks, more potent performance, and lower fuel economy than its predecessor. Only its legendary status remains unchanged.

You can't even begin to think about compiling a top ten list of automobiles for tradespeople without considering the HiLux first. It regularly outsells passenger cars in Australia, and is by far the best-selling commercial vehicle there. Toyota Australia provides a wide variety of models in a variety of engine types, drivetrain layouts (rear-wheel and four-wheel), and levels of luxury, from the ruggedly capable to the opulently comfortable. Toyota has put a lot of effort into making the new model more comfortable and suitable for families.

The Toyota HiLux, now in its eighth generation, is widely considered to be among Australia's most dependable and rugged dual-cab utes. How come it's gotten such a bad rap? Let's get the obvious out of the way first. The HiLux combines a smooth 2.8-liter engine that is never overwhelmed by anything you can throw at it with a comfortable suspension arrangement.

Furthermore, the HiLux sports responsive driving, a modern cabin with all the bells and whistles, and a high standard of safety, underlined by ISOFIX anchor-points. A terrific all-around package is achieved when this is combined with a simple touchscreen entertainment system in a dual cab truck. There are many positive aspects of the Toyata HiLux, including its high level of safety features, spacious cabin, responsive steering, user-friendly infotainment system, and competent suspension. However, unlike some of its rivals, Engine suffers from a lack of raw power.

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Holden Colorado LTZ

In the world of work vehicles, the Colorado is among the most underappreciated. In 2016, changes were made to make the LTZ a more appealing, practical, and refined vehicle to drive.

You'll appreciate the LTZ's usability and large interior. Like the Hilux, it provides excellent value for the money and outperforms many competing utes on the road. Unfortunately, gasoline is not an option.

Despite being the least capable of utes off-road, Holden's LTZ comes equipped with a turbo-diesel engine, ample cabin storage, smartphone connectivity via an 8-inch touchscreen, and 7-speaker premium audio system. This model has improved handling and an excellent fuel efficiency (about 9.5L/100km), making it an ideal choice for a family car.

The vastly enhanced Holden Colorado received 4% of the vote. It has a strong diesel engine as well as the option of a 2-range four-wheel drive, making it a versatile and well-equipped tool. All Colorados have superior in-car smartphone connection thanks to the standard installation of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Volkswagen Amarok V6 Sportline TDI 550

The Volkswagen Amarok is the most capable tradie ute in Australia.

The ute's robust performance and practical characteristics make it a favourite among tradespeople. It can pull up to 3,500 pounds and has electronic stability features including hill descent control.

What's impressive about it is its strength. The V6 variant has a 3.0 litre V6 turbo-diesel engine with a "over-boost mode." This feature provides a smooth power boost of 180 kW between the fourth and third gears.

The Volkswagen Amarok revolutionised the light commercial vehicle class when it was released. Before, the only available engine size was a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel; currently, a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel is also an option.

Despite the fact that the Volkswagen Amarok has not yet achieved the same level of sales success in Australia as the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger, 7.5% of tradies have voted for it as the favourite or most coveted commercial truck. The V6 models of the Amarok, already known for their high level of comfort and refinement, deliver unparalleled performance on the highway.

Australian tradespeople have a reputation for being a rough and tumble bunch, but they also have a penchant for efficiency and aesthetics. The Amarok fills this niche perfectly. As impressive as its durability and sturdiness are, so too are its low fuel consumption and sleek good looks. It has a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which are extremely rare in this market. It is also obtainable as a powerful V6 diesel with as much as 550Nm of torque or a more manageable twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder model with 420Nm. It comes standard with a base set of features, but the available extras catalogue allows you to equip it with all sorts of high-tech gadgets and plush trimmings, as do most European automobiles.

The Volkswagen Amarok is the best choice among dual cab utes if you value comfort, practicality, and power. First and foremost, the Amarok has the largest tray compared to its direct competitors. This is a major benefit for anyone who frequently transports significant amounts of stuff. As an added bonus, the cabin is still rather roomy despite the larger tray, leaving plenty of room for both passengers' heads and legs.

The Amarok offers a smooth and quiet ride on the road, and it has plenty of muscle to spare. Permanent all-wheel driving and an automatic transmission with eight gears are standard on the Amarok, both of which are the most available on similarly priced vehicles. In its quest for perfection, the Amarok clearly spares no effort. The pros include a powerful engine and high fuel economy, as well as the largest cargo in its class, constant all-wheel drive, a wide cabin, and a transmission with eight speeds.

Isuzu D-Max

The D-Max has just been updated with new features, including a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, a new engine (a 3.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 130 kilowatts and 430 Newton-meters of torque, meeting Euro 5 standards), and a somewhat refreshed exterior. Does it matter if they've been updated cosmetically? To a greater or lesser extent, this is a reliable old-school ute.

Even though it is a practical ute that can carry and pull adequately, the Isuzu D-Max lacks the tradie creditability of its competitors, despite being a popular choice among private purchasers. The D-Max has improved fuel economy thanks to its redesigned diesel engine & six-speed transmission.

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Nissan Navara

The Nissan Navara appears to offer a lot of potential. The Navara, however, is a vehicle that successfully marries form and function, so it is more than capable of fulfilling its promise. The Nissan Navara's coil-spring rear suspension is a notable differentiator from its rivals and is likely to appeal to drivers who log many miles in their vehicles. You'll really notice how much better the Navara's suspension is than that of its rivals when you take it off-road. The Navara's robust yet fashionable appearance and similarly well-designed interior, accentuated by abundant storage capacity, are also notable features.

The Navara's potent engine and precise handling provide a thrilling ride on the open road. This power is not at the sacrifice of fuel economy, though; the Nissan Navara has the best in its class. This means that the Nissan Navara offers everything you'd want in a durable and dependable dual cab truck.

The Nissan Navara has a coil spring rear, the best fuel economy in its class, a powerful engine, precise handling, and ample storage space, but it lacks some of the 'flashier' technological elements of its rivals.

The Navara, a comfortable pickup truck made by Nissan, placed sixth with 6% of the vote. The Navara ute's best characteristic is the efficient combination of high power output and low fuel use found in its better-equipped variants. The Navara, like the Triton, has a very relaxing interior and is more compact and easier to park than competing utes.

Conclusion

Selling utes is a major industry in Australia. Every two years, we take a look at the top-selling utes throughout the double-cab four - wheel drive light commercial sector to determine a winner. In 2019, we'll be evaluating ten different utes, all of which are top-of-the-line models. Twelve percent of tradespeople surveyed said the Ford Ranger was their favourite ute. The luxurious double cab cabins of the highest-end Rangers are perfect for transporting a large family.

Mercedes Benz X-Class 250D is the best choice for those looking for a sturdy car with opulent trimmings. The HiLux is still the queen of the job site thanks to its 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel (130kW/450Nm) and snappy six-speed auto. The SR5 has an 80-liter gasoline tank and a reported fuel economy of 8.5 litres per hundred kilometres travelled. Toyota HiLux, now in its eighth generation, is widely considered to be among Australia's most dependable and rugged dual-cab utes. The Hilux is capable off-road and has excellent towing capacity, and Toyota's service in outlying areas is unparalleled.

Holden Colorado LTZ suffers from a lack of raw power. Volkswagen Amarok V6 Sportline TDI 550 is the most capable tradie ute in Australia. The ute's robust performance and practical characteristics make it a favourite among tradespeople. It can pull up to 3,500 pounds and has electronic stability features including hill descent control. The Amarok has the largest cargo tray in its class, all-wheel drive, and a wide cabin.

The D-Max has just been updated with new features, including a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. To a greater or lesser extent, this is a reliable old-school ute. Navara's coil-spring rear suspension is a notable differentiator from its rivals. The Navara's robust yet fashionable appearance and similarly well-designed interior are also notable features. Navara ute's best characteristic is the efficient combination of power output and low fuel use found in its better-equipped variants.

Content Summary

• Selling Utes is a major industry in Australia.
• After every two years, the automotive industry takes a look at the top-selling utes throughout the Australian double-cab four - wheel drive light commercial sector to determine a winner.
• In 2019, we'll be evaluating ten different utes, all of which are top-of-the-line models with extensive features and adaptability.
• Twelve percent of tradespeople surveyed said the Ford Ranger was their favourite ute, placing it in line with its 2017 performance in overall vehicle sales.
• The Rugged X is a fan-favorite off-road vehicle because to its refined interior and updated exterior.
• It should come as no surprise that the Hilux is the go-to pick of tradespeople, as 39% give it a positive review despite the fact that it has been Australia's chart-topping ute for the previous 17 years and the country's top selling vehicle in 2017.
• The new model of the Toyota HiLux boasts more aggressive good looks, more potent performance, and lower fuel economy than its predecessor.
• It regularly outsells passenger cars in Australia, and is by far the best-selling commercial vehicle there.
• The Toyota HiLux, now in its eighth generation, is widely considered to be among Australia's most dependable and rugged dual-cab utes.
• The vastly enhanced Holden Colorado received 4% of the vote.
• The Volkswagen Amarok is the most capable tradie ute in Australia.
• Despite the fact that the Volkswagen Amarok has not yet achieved the same level of sales success in Australia as the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger, 7.5% of tradies have voted for it as the favourite or most coveted commercial truck.
• The Volkswagen Amarok is the best choice among dual cab utes if you value comfort, practicality, and power.
• First and foremost, the Amarok has the largest tray compared to its direct competitors.
• Even though it is a practical ute that can carry and pull adequately, the Isuzu D-Max lacks the tradie creditability of its competitors, despite being a popular choice among private purchasers.
• The D-Max has improved fuel economy thanks to its redesigned diesel engine & six-speed transmission.
• The Nissan Navara has a coil spring rear, the best fuel economy in its class, a powerful engine, precise handling, and ample storage space, but it lacks some of the 'flashier' technological elements of its rivals.