Australia’s apetite for the best new utes shows no sign of slowing up. In fact, 2023 saw a massive increase in the most popular market segment in the country according to VFACTS.
At the top of the sales charts, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger regularly battle for top position, with Ranger coming out on top last year — ending years of HiLux domination. Combined, Australians purchased 239,399 4×2 and 4×4 utes. This compares with 220,133 in 2022.
With that in mind, we have assembled ten of the best new utes that are expected to come in the next 24 months. In no particular order, here are some interesting utes we are looking forward to.
One of the biggest quantum shifts that the best new ute contenders will see is the launch of many new fully electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes. As many businesses want to reduce their carbon footprint, or install chargers at their workplace, this will give then an alternative to traditional diesel utes.
Whether you’re after the best new ute, safest new ute, cheapest new ute or most affordable ute to run, we think the entrants in this list will give you plenty of insight.
2024 Toyota HiLux MHEV
The HiLux has been around since 2015. In 2024, it will receive a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This system aims to make the HiLux more efficient. This should see fuel consumption fall from 8.4L/100km to 7.6L/100km. This system will be available on SR5 and Rogue as standard, being optional on SR double cab.
Workmate variants will do without. HiLux is expected to maintain its 150kW/500Nm power and torque ratings and 3500kg braked towing capacity.
As for an all-new model, the 2025 Toyota HiLux could migrate to the TNGA-F platform of its American counterpart, the Toyota Tacoma – which is available with an ‘i-Force max’ full hybrid system, including a 1.87kWh battery. As with the current model, we expect a significant amount of input from Toyota’s Australian outpost. An example of this being effectively utilised was with the latest HiLux Rogue benefiting from local input, with wider track and better off-road ability.
Will Toyota bring out a serious rival to the Ford Ranger Raptor in the form of a GR HiLux? Time will tell, but the halo effect of the Raptor for Ford can’t be ignored.
2024 GWM Cannon Alpha
Boasting larger dimensions, an ‘Alpha’ version of the GWM Cannon is expected to land her in 2024. The measurements of the car are 5440mm long, 1991mm wide, and 1924mm tall. It has a longer wheelbase of 3350mm compared to the GWM Ute Cannon sold in Australia.
There are two powertrain options available for this vehicle. The first option is a 3.0-liter turbo V6 petrol engine. It has a power output of 260kW and a torque of 500Nm. The second option is a mild-hybrid 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine. It has a power output of 135kW and a torque of 480Nm.
A nine-speed automatic gearbox attached to a Borg Warner transfer case completes the package. Other highlights include a split tailgate and plusher interior. Towing is rated to 3300kg, but this could be revised by the time it hits the Australian market.
GWM actually beat out its arch-rival LDV, shifting 9363 units in 2023 compared to 9027. To be fair, both brands saw increased sales last year.
2025 BYD Ute
Going heavily against the grain of diesel-powered utes, BYD, which has given Tesla a significant existential threat on the EV front will be vying for the title of best new ute with a unique plug-in hybrid system. Dubbed ‘DM-i’, it will combine a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol donk – effectively serving as a generator– to an electric powertrain incorporating a big battery pack.
Patent images have already shown how the new ute will look. Timing is unclear at this stage, but it may or may not squeak in before 2025.
There are talks of range as high as 1000km, with a fully-electric version to follow after the hybrid.
2025 Chery Ute
Chery has publicly stated they want a slice of the Aussie ute pie, and have been doing the rounds locally to get a taste for what Australian ute buyers want. Insiders close to the company have given a strong indication as to what the appearance will be, with Carscoops previewing the new ute thanks to renderings by Josh Byrnes.
Powertrain options remain unclear, as Chery doesn’t presently have a diesel engine in its portfolio. Could they follow BYD’s lead with a plug-in hybrid powertrain? Time will tell.
*Image credit: Carscoops.com, Josh Byrnes
2025 Kia Tasman
Kia is having a serious dig at the title of best new ute in 2025, with a rugged and futuristic-looking ute hitting our shores soon. The new vehicle will be a bit larger than the HiLux and Ranger, measuring about 5400mm. It will have cool features like an underbody camera, sunroof, ambient lighting, and a fancy interior with two 12.3-inch screens.
Kia has stated it is aiming for ten per cent market share with this one, which would see it supplant the Isuzu D-Max as number three best seller. There will also be an EV version with around 400kW and 800Nm, which would make it the most powerful electric Ute in its class.
*Image credit: DrivingEnthusiast, Josh Byrnes
2024 Mitsubishi Triton
Freshly launched in Australia, the 2024 Triton debuts an all-new platform with a twin-turbo, 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, tied to a six-speed auto. Power jumps significantly to 150kW and 470Nm, giving Mitsubishi a real opportunity to compete with HiLux. Initially available in 4×2 or 4×4 dual-cab guise only, the new Triton features a significantly revised interior, that sets a new benchmark for ute cabins in Australia.
2025 Nissan Navara
Just as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail now share a common platform, the next Nissan Navara is expected to share its bones with the freshly-launched 2024 Mitsubishi Triton. The Navara is a decent seller in the 4×4 and 4×2 truck segments, but it’s an older model. The Warrior, which was engineered by Premcar, is considered a great flagship model.
The next version of the Navara could incorporate ePower technology, like the X-Trail and Note, whereby a small, turbocharged petrol engine is used as a generator for an electric powertrain, without requiring a plug-in system.
This would give Nissan a distinct USP for the segment. Although the USD Nissan Frontier used to be twinned with our Navara, the latest version, launched in 2022 saw a significant divergence, as US-tastes in midsize pickups differ significantly from what Australians want from their best new ute.
2024 Ford Ranger PHEV
Hitting the market from late 2024, the 2024 Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will be a groundbreaking new entrant for the segment, building on what was already 2023’s best-selling ute. Maintaining its 3500kg braked towing capacity, the Ranger PHEV combines a 2.3-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder with an electric powertrain and ten-speed automatic.
This means it is capable of running for up to 45km on electric-only power. The total system output could excced 250kW and 650Nm, but there will be a number of other innovations, such as the ability to run power tools from the battery pack. Australian engineers are currently in the process of tuning the Ranger PHEV at Ford’s You Yangs proving ground to ensure it handles just as well as other current models.
2024 LDV GST
Unveiled at the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show, the LDV GST concept previews a successor to the T60 Max, which enjoyed a 51.5 per cent increase in sales in 2023. Primarily an electric vehicle, the GST featured an electric power train generating a whopping 746kW and 1120Nm.
This is a substantial increase on the abysmal eT60, which makes a paltry 130kW and features an electric motor tacked onto the rear differential like an afterthought.
As with the MIFA and eDeliver 7, LDV’s engineering philosophy of starting with an EV then reverse-engineering to accommodate a petrol or diesel motor will most likely see a diesel version of the GST when it lobs down under.
2024 JAC T6
Another Chinese player will be throwing their hat into the ring in the form of the JAC T6. Expected to occupy the same price-point as the LDV T60 Max and GWM Cannon, the T6 will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel motor putting out 125kW and 410Nm, backed by an eight-speed auto. A 3500kg towing capacity shades the LDV and GWM rivals by 500kg. A very sinsister grille and red recovery hooks define the front end, with a 10.4-inch touch screen inside. A full-EV version is expected towards the end of the year as well.