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Cheapest utes in Australia: Top 5 budget and best value utes
By Stephen Ottley · 19 Dec 2024
What is the cheapest ute in Australia?At the time of publication the cheapest ute in Australia is the Toyota HiLux Workmate 4x2. A key reason for the HiLux’s sustained success is Toyota’s decision to ensure every end of the market is covered, from the humble Workmate to the plush Rogue and dynamic GR-Sport. The Workmate 4x2 starts at just $26,475 (plus on-road costs), retaining its title as cheapest new ute Australia despite the influx of new cheaper offerings from China and India in recent years. As the legend goes, utes were originally intended to be a vehicle to take farmers to church on Sunday and the market on Monday. Therefore, they were designed to be an affordable, working class vehicle that appealed to a limited audience.Fast forward nearly 100 years and the ute has become a defining feature of Australian automotive society and culture. The ute is now no longer just going to the church and the market, it drives people to building sites, office blocks, the beach, the motocross track, the local shopping centre and just about anywhere else a modern car goes.As the ute has become ubiquitous it has evolved into many different forms and become increasingly expensive. The popular Ford Ranger Raptor starts at more than $90,000, while the new breed of locally-converted American ‘pick-ups’ can cost more than six-figures, with the Ram 3500 Laramie a whopping $177,950.But what if you’re still after an affordable ute that won’t break the bank? Well, we’ve got you covered. In this article you’ll find a list of the cheapest utes Australia has to offer at this moment in time (December 2024).While the market has shifted more upmarket in recent years, the good news for Australian buyers is there are still plenty of affordable utes available. As the Toyota HiLux Workmate proves, these aren’t from just newer brands like GWM, Mahindra and LDV. Instead, (if you don’t need 4x4) you can get into an Isuzu, Nissan, Mazda or Ford for under $40K.Beyond the usual factors you consider when buying a new ute - price, payload, towing capacity, etc - one of the key considerations when looking for a budget ute is reliability and future ownership credentials. For example, the Tata Xenon was the cheapest ute Australia offered a few years ago, starting at just $19,990. However, the brand did not last long and exited the Australian market, which leaves owners with an uncertain future.All the brands on our list below are now firmly established in the local market, so should not suffer a similar fate to Tata, but it still pays to consider the company you’re buying from and what reputation it has for reliability and ownership in the ute sector.  The HiLux was the best-selling ute (and one of the most popular new models, period) in Australia for a very long time and the Workmate has a lot to do with that.It may be powered by a humble 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre turbo-diesel, have a single cab chassis and only be 4x2, but for buyers looking for a cheap, hard-working ute it ticks all the right boxes - it can tow up to 2500kg and has a payload of up to 1145kg. While Toyota may have a diverse HiLux range now, it has never forgotten the need to cater to the budget end of the segment, even in the face of the arrival of GWM, Mahindra and Tata with some very cheap utes in recent years. But while some have come and gone, the Workmate has remained.The D-Max is one of Australia’s favourite utes, typically finishing behind only the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in the sales race. A big part of that popularity is its affordability, which is led by the entry-grade SX Single Cab. It’s powered by a 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel paired with a six-speed manual transmission. While it has a small engine, it has a braked towing capacity of 2800kg and a payload capacity of 1400kg (without a tray), so it can still work hard.You’ll be noticing the theme here is single cab chassis models, because the bed adds to the cost and bumps them out of the most economical ute discussion. The Navara SL is another example of this, taking a no-frills approach and only offering the important elements.That includes a 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel good for 120kW/403Nm and paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. This is enough to give the Navara SL a 3500kg braked towing capacity, which is on par with more expensive 4x4 models, and also a payload of 1350kg.The Chinese brand has made its mark with its affordable range of Cannon utes, which begins with this cab chassis option. It has the same 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel as the rest of the range but misses out on the four-wheel drive. That gives it enough to tow up to 3000kg and the payload is rated at 1050kg.What it does have over the previous utes on this list is a back seat, with a dual cab body and it also gets the aluminium tray out the back included in the price. It also gets some other nice touches not common at this price point, such as an eight-speed automatic transmission and alloy wheels. The Indian brand has been in Australia longer than most people probably remember, first arriving back in 2007. The Pikup has been its staple since then and after the cut-price S6+ and S10 models laid the foundation, this newer S11 has arrived to carry on the legacy of affordable utes from Mahindra.While it’s the most expensive of the five on this list, it’s the only 4x4 and the only dual cab of its kind for under $40K.Powered by a 103kW/320Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel the Pikup S11 can tow up to 2500kg and has a 1035kg payload.
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10 best vehicles that can tow 3.5 tonnes
By David Morley · 16 Nov 2022
Towing capacity, as the name suggests is the maximum mass of a trailer and its load that can be legally towed on the road by a particular make and model.In Australia, there will usually be two towing limits listed for a car or ute, and those will be the braked and unbraked towing limit. The braked limit will usually be a lot higher than the unbraked limit, as a braked trailer contributes to the braking performance of the combination (the tow vehicle and the trailer).These days, many dual-cab utes are capable of legally towing 3500kg on a braked trailer, and that figure has become some kind of default setting for those buying tow-vehicles.This figure is much higher than in previous generations of cars and reflects the fact that cars are stronger and heavier than ever before (particularly the kinds of vehicles people choose to tow with) and that many vehicles have more powerful engines than ever before.Knowing your car’s towing limit is important because it means you can stay on the right side of the law when towing a load. Attempting to tow more than the manufacturer’s limit means you are technically unroadworthy.There are also insurance ramifications here should the worst happen and you’re involved in a crash. Even going beyond the towing limit off-road (say, on a farm) can mean that your car’s warranty will be affected.And beyond all those things is the fact that attempting to tow too heavy a load can easily damage your vehicle and will also make it unsafe in terms of its braking and handling.Unfortunately, the towing limit is a bit misleading as it’s not the only number you need to consider to stay legal and safe. The other important number is the vehicle’s GCM or Gross Combination Mass.This is the total weight of the car and its towed load, including all passengers, fuel and luggage on board.The catch is that some dual-cab utes (for example) might have a GCM of 5800kg and a towing limit of 3500kg, but once you hook that full amount to the tow-bar of the 2000kg ute, you discover that you have only 300kg of weight left for you, your passengers and your luggage. Exceeding the GCM is just as dangerous and illegal as exceeding the towing limit.The other trap for the unwary is exceeding the towball downweight limit. This is set by the manufacturer and is usually a maximum of 10 per cent of the total mass being trailered. Exceed this figure and you’ll be illegal and unroadworthy.The first consideration in choosing a tow vehicle is that it has the legal capacity to tow what you need to move. And that’s where the 3500kg thing has become a baseline number as it allows most people plenty of headroom.Beyond that, you need to choose a vehicle that will do everything else you’ll ask of it, as well as making the towing tasks as relaxed and safe as possible.While it’s true that many dual-cab utes have this theoretical 3.5-tonne towing ability, some definitely do it better than others. A turbo-diesel engine is a big plus (and petrol powerplants are almost history in this market segment, but they do crop up).Such an engine will give you the torque and flexibility you need, and it’s worth mentioning that some turbo-diesels are beefier than others.Some are okay up to about half that 3.5-tonne limit, but beyond they some of them can struggle, particularly on hills and in terms of their fuel consumption (not that fuel use is anywhere near the top of mind for most towing-rig owners).We’d also plump for an automatic transmission for towing. That is, a conventional automatic, not a dual-clutch or a CVT unit, as a traditional auto is simply stronger for longer when you use them hard.An auto makes manoeuvring easier and the auto gives a smoother take-up of the load and less wear and tear.The third consideration is the actual construction of the vehicle. While more modern, monocoque body designs can be lighter and handle better, for towing, the traditional body-on-frame construction is still hard to beat.The vast majority of dual-cab utes feature this, as do the big-hitters of the off-road wagon world such as the Nissan Patrol and Toyota's LandCruiser and Prado.Having established that it’s utes and four-wheel drives that are your best bet of a realistic 3500kg towing performance, what cars can tow 3500kg that we would recommend?It’s not a simple question, because there are plenty that theoretically can, including unlikely candidates such as the Bentley Bentayga and the Porsche Cayenne GTS and Turbo in wagon form. Clearly, we’re not talking tow-vehicles for the masses at that point.So let’s stick with the attainable tow-trucks.By far the best bet for the serious tower will be a dual-cab ute or off-road SUV. Those vehicles all tend to have the turbo-diesel engines, conventional automatic transmissions and ladder-chassis construction we were talking about.Beyond that, they also have all-wheel drive which can be a real holiday-saver in the case of a muddy campground or greasy boat-ramp.And why aren’t there any vans on this list? Because, when it comes to towing 3.5 tonne, vans of that capacity are not really available with most closer to 2000kg towing, or even less.Same goes for the SUV wagon versions of the dual-cab utes (Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and others). The switch form leaf to coil rear springs and an independent rear suspension system (for passenger comfort) means most of these lose a few hundred kilos of outright towing limit.That said, the Isuzu MU-X has a full 3.5kg limit as do V6 turbo-diesel versions of the newest Ford Everest.Neither have we listed the real big hitters, the US-market utes that have arrived here to cheers lately. Some of these have amazing towing capacities, but they’re too big and too expensive to be on the radar of most people.There are also plenty of other cars with 3.5-tonne towing capacity, but these ones below are the 3500kg towing capacity vehicles available for sensible money.A bit long in the tooth, the rugged old Toyota 70 Series is available as a ute or a wagon and also features the much-loved 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel. Impressive off-road, too. Priced from $69,000 (if you can find one).The Y62 Patrol bucks the trend by being a petrol-engined vehicle. But the V8 is smooth and powerful and tows beautifully. Another great off-roader into the bargain. Priced from $95,115.Known for their toughness and reliability, the Isuzu twins aren’t the last word in refinement or dynamics, but they are good tow-trucks. Full towing capacity restricted to 3.0-litre versions. Priced from: $36,200.The first choice in dual-cab utes for refinement and dynamics. Lots of options including cab-chassis, two and four-wheel-drive and all able to cope with 3.5 tonnes. V6 turbo-diesel dual-cab is the plum buy, but the Everest SUV is compelling, too. Priced from $35,930.Great reputation even if DPF woes have hurt that a little lately. Classic dual-cab, four-wheel drive ute layout is proof of concept. Four-wheel drive models carry the big 3.5-tonne towing limit. Priced from $40,155.All Defender models can tow 3500kg, including the 2.0-litre version. The bigger engined versions are best for the job, however. Not a cheap car any more, either. Priced from $82,960.The new off-roader everybody’s talking about, the Grenadier uses old-school packaging with BMW drivelines. Petrol or diesel will tow 3500kg. Priced from $85,500.The much anticipated new Cruiser gets a powerful driveline and superb off-roading ability. But it’s also a tow-master thanks to its sheer size and heft. Priced from $89,181.More upmarket variants of the Navara have a coil-spring rear-end which has been questioned by some who tow big loads. A process of continual improvement at Nissan has improved things. Huge spread of spec and prices. Priced from $32,300.By comparison with some of the Japanese makes, the South Korean Musso is a wallet-friendly way into 3500kg towing. Be aware, though, that engine performance in the Musso will be stretched at this limit. Priced from $34,990.
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Best end of financial year ute deals
By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Mar 2020
The end of financial year might be the best time to nab a deal on any new car, but the deals on a spanking-new ute can be absolutely stratospheric.
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Sand driving tips
By Mark Hinchliffe · 04 Mar 2019
However, the popular "softroaders" don't have low range. In which case, simply choose a lower gear.  If your vehicle is automatic and has sports mode, then use that.Keep the engine revving so it has power for when you hit soft sand.  Be aware that an automatic gearbox can heat up in these conditions, so it's a good idea to rest the vehicle periodically.The smoother you drive, the better. Don't make sharp turns because the vehicle won't respond. Instead, you will plough straight ahead, like understeering on a wet road. If this happens, unwind the steering and wind it on again. You may have to repeat this manoeuvre several times and slow down a little.Turn in long, slow arcs a good distance before you need to avoid an obstacle.  Place your hands gently at three and nine o'clock on the wheel and keep your thumbs pointing out. The steering wheel can get flicked around by ruts and can dislocate your thumb.Don't fight the steering. Let it go where it wants.  In deep, hard ruts you may need to "row" the steering wheel to gain traction on the sides of the ruts.  Also, be smooth on the brakes. Sudden braking will lead to slides and can bog your vehicle.If there are dunes on the beach, drive up swiftly but pause at the top in case traffic is coming the other way.  Fit a tall flag on the front of your car so people can see you approaching from the other side of the dune.Never turn on a dune. You can easily get bogged or roll.  Don't follow too closely. If the vehicle in front becomes bogged, then you won't have time to steer around them or brake safely. If you follow a slow-moving vehicle too closely you also run the risk of losing momentum and getting bogged.When you stop on the beach, park on hard sand. When taking off again, move slowly to avoid wheel spin then pick up speed as quickly and smoothly as possible.  On beach tracks always give way to vehicles travelling uphill as they need to keep up momentum.TOP 10 SAND DRIVING TIPS1. Check tide times and drive at low tide.2. Momentum is your friend, so keep revs high.3. Deflate the tyres to about 18-20psi, depending on load.4. Use a tyre pressure gauge. Do not guess the pressure.5. Be smooth with steering, acceleration and braking.6. Keep your thumbs pointing out from the steering wheel.7. Look ahead for gullies and other obstacles.8. Don't follow other vehicles too closely.9. Obey all normal road rules.10. Watch out for children.
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Why Thailand is the ute capital of the world
By Stephen Corby · 17 Jan 2018
Among Australia’s many, many gifts to the world - Rebel Wilson, Tony Abbott, the cork hat, Clive Palmer, Vegemite, Dame Edna - perhaps the most profound, yet sadly unrecognised, is the ute.
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Top five safest utes
By Marcus Craft · 14 Jun 2017
Safety should be foremost in your mind when buying a new ute. After all, it's a highly risky game of dodgem cars played out in fast-moving two-tonne tanks.
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Best end of year ute deals
By Joshua Dowling · 15 Sep 2016
There are no deals on the just released, all-new version of the market-leading Toyota HiLux ute but big discounts have emerged on rivals fighting over the scraps. Here are the best deals — down your tools and go and kick some tyres.Ford RangerDiscounts on the Ranger are extremely rare, so we had to double check this one wasn't a misprint. The workhorse XLS grade 4WD four-door ute may lack the bling of the XLT and Wildtrak but it has the same strong 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine and all the other Ranger attributes (including 230V power adaptor). The price of $45,490 drive-away after a $500 bonus is super-sharp. The RRP is $48,090 plus on-roads, so this is a discount of nearly $5000. Auto adds $2200.Nissan Navara RX 2WDNissan has a headline price of $36,835 drive-away for the base model four-door ute but there are a few caveats. This price is for the 2WD, not the 4WD, the 1 per cent finance deal must be repaid over just three years — then there's the massive balloon payment of $19,795, more than half the purchase price. Best to arrange your own finance and haggle harder on the price.Mazda BT-50Need a workshop runabout? The Mazda BT-50 single cab with 2.2-litre turbo diesel and factory dropside tray can be had for $26,990 drive-away, or $1500 less than the Ford Ranger equivalent.Mitusbishi TritonThe new Triton was well priced at launch earlier this year but buyers have avoided it in droves, due to either its ungainly looks or its mainly carry-over chassis. So Mitsubishi has made the price even more compelling. The GLX 4WD four-door is $36,990 drive-away, including alloy wheels, reversing camera and five-year warranty (which the Colorado lacks). But the best buy is the $39,990 drive-away GLS with Super Select (4WD can be used on sealed roads), larger alloy wheels, rear-view camera in the central display screen, sports bar, hard tonneau cover ... the list goes on. If Mitsubishi fitted the new Pajero Sport nose to the Triton it would have a winner on its hands.Holden ColoradoThe Colorado — one of the first cars to suffer from General Motors cutbacks during its development in the global financial crisis — has been in permanent discount mode since it went on sale a couple of years ago. It is not rated as highly as newer utes. But the basic LS 4WD four-door (pictured, LS-X) at $35,990 drive-away (after a $1000 bonus) is sharp buying if you're on a budget. At that price, the equivalent Isuzu D-Max ute can't get close.Ford Falcon XR6 UteWant to buy one of the last homegrown utes? The XR6 ute limboes to a new low: $31,940 drive-away after a $500 discount. That's with six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, alloy sports bar and eight-inch colour touchscreen. This is about $5000 off the full RRP for the XR6 ute and about $10,000 less than the Commodore SV6 ute.
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