Australia’s best utes of 2025

Best ute for towing: Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6

The 2025 Ford Ranger is a class act and really comes to the fore in Wildtrak V6 guise, priced from $74,840 plus on-road costs ($80,944 driveaway in Victoria). As with most utes, the Ranger can tow up to 3500kg while still having enough in reserve for the family and all their gear.

The Australian-developed Ranger also has some great towing technology, such as the ability to save towing configurations for different trailers, tailoring things such as the length of the load so that the blind spot warning system is calibrated accordingly. It also has a light check function for the trailer, saving you the need to enlist someone to help out.

Plus, the core of the Ranger is solid. It’s the most comfortable and composed of the mainstream go-anywhere 4x4 dual-cab utes on the road and supremely capable off-road. It also comes with remote connectivity, allowing you to lock and unlock the doors via a smartphone app and monitor tyre pressures.

More: Ford Ranger review

Also consider: VW Amarok Style V6, Chevrolet Silverado ZR2

The same engine and underpinnings in the Ford Ranger can be had in the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok – and the Style V6 at $73,740 driveaway mounts a solid case. It also comes with a standard tow kit and electronic brake controller.

There are also bigger utes from America that can tow a lot more but they’re expensive, in part because each undergoes an extensive local conversion from left- to right-hand drive.

Of the contenders, the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado (from $138,000 plus on-road costs) is one of the most convincing, able to tow up to 4500kg. In ZR2 guise that drops to 4200kg, although it brings better capability in rough conditions. Keep an eye on the payload, though, which drops to just 68kg when the full 4.2-tonne towing capacity has been reached.

More: The best cars for towing a caravan

Best ute for families: Ford Ranger XLT 2.0 BiTurbo

The latest-generation Ford Ranger takes a huge step forward in tech and safety, something that flows through to the entry-level versions. And while the 2025 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 sits closer to the middle of the range at $63,640 plus on-road costs ($69,441 driveaway), it does without the fancy fruit to instead focus on value.

Standard features include dual-zone ventilation, alloy wheels and the smarter-looking nose with C-shaped daytime running lights. The XLT also gets a towbar and plastic bedliner.

Plus, there’s still a bulging suite of safety gear to look after the tribe as well as nice-to-haves such as a digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen. An array of accessories builds on the core package to create a vehicle tailored for camping, biking or exploring.

More: Ford Ranger full range review

Also consider: Mazda BT-50 GT

Another worthy contender is the 2025 Mazda BT-50, which in GT trim at $62,660 plus on-road costs ($68,782 driveaway) picks up heated front seats, leather trim and a comprehensive safety suite.

The BT-50 has tough genes beneath the skin. Its mechanical package is shared with the Isuzu D-Max, right down to a gruff but effective 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

More: Mazda BT-50 review

Best tradie work ute: Toyota HiLux WorkMate

There’s nothing particularly exciting about the 2025 Toyota HiLux WorkMate, but it undercuts most rivals by thousands of dollars. As a single-cab it kicks off at $26,475 plus on-road costs ($38,402 driveaway) or you can get into a double-cab with four-wheel drive and an auto transmission for $48,735 plus ORCs ($56,718 driveaway).

The HiLux WorkMate strips back to the basics – the floors are vinyl and it has steel wheels – and in two-wheel drive guise it relies on a simple 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel has more load-lugging grunt and is a better pairing if you’re looking to travel beyond the suburbs.

More: Toyota HiLux review

Also consider: Isuzu D-Max 1.9

Anyone looking for an honest work ute should also check out the 2025 Isuzu D-Max 1.9, which kicks off at $32,700 plus on-road costs (recently with driveaway deals from $32,490). The diminutive engine has shorter gearing for respectable around-town work. Make sure you load the tray up, though, because the rugged suspension is very firm.

The sharp driveaway deals only apply to the manual, with the auto selling for almost $10K more. Shop around, though, and you may be able to crunch a better price.

More: Isuzu D-Max review

Best ute for off-road adventures: Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana

The latest Volkswagen Amarok shares plenty with the Ford Ranger, which gives it instant credibility on the driving front. Unique finishes and materials in the cabin and a fresh exterior design ensure it’s closer to the Volkswagen family aesthetically, something backed up by seats that better hug front seat occupants. To drive, though, there’s no hiding the Ford similarities.

The broad model line-up caters to most tastes and it’s the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana, starting at $78,990 plus on-road costs ($85,202 driveaway), that’s perfect for those big adventures.

As well as some black highlights and unique styling front and rear, the PanAmericana has an additional focus on rough roads. The most useful is all-terrain tyres that better resist punctures and are more suited to gravel, rocks, sand and mud.

More: Volkswagen Amarok review

Also consider: Nissan Navara Warrior

Also look at the 2025 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior, starting from $68,765 plus on-road costs ($71,490 driveaway). The locally modified version of the ageing Navara includes raised suspension, additional underbody protection and some seriously chunky Cooper tyres. It’s a terrific package for those who want to venture beyond the blacktop.

More: Nissan Navara Warrior review

Best value ute: BYD Shark 6 Premium

If you’re chasing a ute that packs plenty in and is a fuel miser too, then the just-arrived 2025 BYD Shark 6 Premium is a tempting option. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab does the 4x4 ute thing very differently. Two electric motors drive the wheels for an EV-like experience when accelerating. Developing 321kW, there’s more than double the power of most utes, and the 650Nm torque figure trounces most rivals, too.

Even though it’s a few hundred kilos heavier than rival utes, the Shark 6 still has the sort of performance that no dual-cab competitor can get close to. And with a 29.58kWh battery, it can drive 70-80km on electricity alone, while also having petrol as a back-up. Throw in independent coil-spring suspension front and rear (most utes use a solid axle and leaf springs for the rear suspension) and the Shark 6 also delivers on driving nous. It’s a nicely planted ute that is more comfortable than most, also bringing a spacious cabin to the equation.

It falls short on towing and heavy hauling, though. The 2.5-tonne tow capacity rules out big trailers while the 790kg payload also falls short of rivals. The Shark 6 is also not as adept off-road as more hard-core utes, though it will take you to a lot of remote places.

The clincher is the price tag at $57,900 plus on-road costs ($60,354.45 driveaway). For that you get a heap of gear, including remote connectivity, a 15.6-inch central infotainment screen, 360-degree camera, heated and ventilated front seats and a head-up display.

More: BYD Shark 6 Premium review

Also consider: GWM Cannon Ute

If you’re after something more basic but more affordable, check out the 2025 GWM Cannon Ute, priced from $42,490 drive-away as a 4x4. It’s spacious, well-presented and comes with alloy wheels, smart key entry and tyre pressure sensors, while you only have to spend another few grand to pick up leather, heated seats and a 360-degree camera.

Less endearing is suspension that does without the control and maturity of its major rivals, as well as a diesel engine that takes a second or two to get going and lacks muscle. Still, with a reassuring seven-year warranty, the Cannon Ute is a lot of car for not a whole lot of money.

Best performance ute: Ford Ranger Raptor

Priced from $90,440 plus on-road costs ($96,965 driveaway), the 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor is at the pinnacle of the Ranger line-up. And while it comes with compromises – it can’t tow or carry as much as other Ranger utes, for example – it’s brimming with talent elsewhere.

It starts with sophisticated suspension that places the wheels wider and body higher, improving its off-road ability and giving it a tougher stance. The electronically controlled suspension does a brilliant job of smothering big bumps and controlling the body. It means rough roads and gravel tracks can be tackled at speeds that would have regular utes bounding around.

To top off the performance equation is a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 that has a lovely snarl. Sure, it can drink plenty of premium unleaded petrol if you’re enjoying its full 292kW of power, but it can also be relatively economical when driven gently.

More: Ford Ranger Raptor review

Also consider: Volkswagen Amarok 2.3

For a dark horse, check out the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura 2.3, priced from $82,990 plus on-road costs ($90,442 driveaway). Whereas the default engine choice for most utes is diesel, the Aventura TSI452 gets a four-cylinder turbo-petrol. It’s an engine with pedigree, too, also helping entry-level Ford Mustang sportscars live up to their performance promise.

While the engine doesn’t have the effortless pull of diesel, it has a free-revving nature and combines with a slick 10-speed automatic transmission.

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