UTES
Ah yes, the humble ‘ute’. A distinctly Australian class of vehicle. Nowadays, the ute seems to be just as popular with tradies as it is weekend warriors. From the job site, to the dusty trails, or on the boat ramp towing a jet ski, the ute can do it all. Whether it’s just for you and one other person or for your family, there’s a lot to love about the ‘utility’ of a ute.
LATEST UTE NEWS
New-look 2021 Nissan Navara now on sale in Australia
Following its reveal late last year, the 2021 Nissan Navara range is now on sale...
2021 Toyota HiLux Rugged X review (video)
Sitting at not just the top of the commercial vehicle kingdom, but the top of...
2021 RAM 1500 TRX ‘Hellcat’ confirmed for Australia, to arrive later this year
That’s right, ute fans. It looks like the 2021 RAM 1500 TRX is being prepared...
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S arrives in Australia as new entry grade
The Jeep Gladiator dual-cab ute is receiving its first mild update since its launch around...
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor V6 unveiled, Raptor R V8 coming in 2022
Say hello to the almighty new 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor V6, which will be joined...
For Sale: 2017 HSV GTSR W1 Maloo ute, bidding at $735,000
We bet you wished you bought one of the last Australian-built muscle cars now. A...
Electric Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series built for BHP mining
It’s one of the oldest new cars on the market, the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series....
Nissan Australia announces ABN drive-away prices for 2021 Navara
Special drive-away prices have been announced for key variants of the 2021 Nissan Navara, available...
BMW M3 Touring previewed in funny video with CEO Markus Flasch
BMW M has released a clever and humorous marketing video as part of its BMW...
What type of bullbar is best for my car?
Whether you’re protecting yourself from kangaroos or driving a paddock basher, a bullbar can be...
BUYING A NEW UTE ONLINE
If you’re looking to buy a new ute in Australia, we can help you get a great deal! Thanks to our relationships with and access to a nation-wide network of car dealers, we are able to offer an online car buying service that is simple and easy to use, and which will save you money.
Alicia from Adelaide SA
saved $5,304
off the drive-away price of a new Toyota Hilux on 9 Sep, 2020.
Peter from Cannington WA
saved $8,024
off the drive-away price of a new Mitsubishi Triton on 8 Sep, 2020.
UTE REVIEWS
2021 Toyota HiLux Rugged X review (video)
Sitting at not just the top of the commercial vehicle kingdom, but the top of...
2021 Isuzu D-Max SX review (video)
Here we’re checking out the bare bones 2021 Isuzu D-Max SX. Although it is the...
2021 Isuzu D-Max LS-U review (video)
This is the 2021 Isuzu D-Max. It’s all new, featuring massive improvements in safety, accommodation,...
2021 Toyota HiLux SR Hi-Rider 4×2 review (video)
It seems to be the year of the utes this year. And perhaps one of...
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon review (video)
You know what, it’s great to see some diversity in the dual-cab ute market segment....
2020 Toyota HiLux SR5 review
Australian drivers expect more than ever before from car manufacturers. Look at the humble ute,...
2020 LDV T60 Luxe review (video)
Yes, it’s made in China. And yes, it’s from a brand you may not have...
2019 Nissan Navara N-TREK review (video)
Before Nissan Australia goes all nuts-out with the N-TREK Warrior hardcore 4×4 Navara, the 2019...
2019 RAM 1500 Express V8 review (video)
With a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, the 2019 RAM 1500 Express doesn’t just eat utes for...
2019 Isuzu D-Max LS-U review – quick test
The D-Max has become a staple of the Australian ute market for years now, and...
COMPARE UTES
2021 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain vs Ford Ranger Wildtrak: Ute comparison (video)
Utes have become so popular these days that the manufacturers have had to step up...
2015 Holden Colorado vs Isuzu D-Max: 4×4 ute comparison (video)
SPECS PACKAGE DRIVE VERDICT It’s becoming increasingly difficult to pick the right 4×4 ute for...
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STEP 4:
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What is a ute?
In classic Australian fashion, a ute stands for ‘utility vehicle’. Put simply it is a cab i.e. where the driver sits, with a tray or ‘tonneau’ on the back. Usually a ute can seat anywhere from two to five passengers. A ute can either have an aluminium tray-on-frame, or have a moulded body tray.
How and where was the ute invented?
The old tale goes that the ute or ‘utility vehicle’ was invented in Australia because a farmer’s wife wanted a vehicle that could haul stuff on a weekday yet be presentable enough to drive to church on Sunday. As folklore goes, the wife wrote to FOrd Australia in 1932 demanding such a vehicle. It was claimed to be invented by Ford Australia way back in 1934, based off similar designs in the United States. The first ute was basically a ‘Model A’ Ford with a tray on the back, designed to carry pigs. And the rest is history – from there, the first competitor to Ford’s utes was Holden, which used to be a saddlery company before jumping into motor vehicles.
What types of utes are there?
One of the main draws with a ute is how variable they are. From two doors, to four dours, two seats to five or more, a ute has what you’re after. In a strict sense, a ute traditionally referred to a ‘coupe utility’ with a cargo tray integrated into the passenger body. However, the name has expanded to include most vehicles with a tray on the back, including those with an aluminium tray.
Utes can be found with a single cab i.e. just a single row of seats, or in dual cab fashion i.e. two rows of seats. An ‘in-between’ variety is one with ‘jump seats’, which is a foldable rear row of seats to fit passengers in a pinch. Utes can be powered by either petrol or diesel, although diesel varieties are traditionally more favoured on the work site and for towing stuff for their increased torque at low rev ranges.
How to pick the best ute to buy?
The best ute to buy is one that fits your needs. If it’s for a work site, tray-back utes generally have a larger surface area to fit stuff, whether that’s lumber, dirt, tools and so on. This is where it’s important to look at the ‘payload’, which indicates how much stuff you can put in the tray without overloading the vehicle.
If it’s for lifestyle purposes, a traditional utility may be what you’re after as they arguably look ‘nicer’. If you’re using your ute to tow, it’s worth looking at the braked towing capacity. If you’re using it for off-roading, then four wheel or all wheel drive will come in handy here.
Popular models of utes include the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Mazda BT-50, and the Isuzu D-MAX, and all have multiple configurations to suit your needs. The Ford Falcon Ute and Holden Commodore Ute used to be kings of the road, but since 2016 and 2017 respectively, local manufacturing of these icons has stopped.
If you’re looking at serious, regular hauling, such as for a horse float, larger boat, caravan, or racing car, a ute or ‘truck’ configurable with a gooseneck may be preferable. You may have to spend a little more here and go for an American brand such as the RAM 1500 or Ford F250.