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Utes, and to a lesser extent vans, are often the first choice when it comes time for tradies to choose their workhorse.
Utes are increasingly becoming even more of a lifestyle vehicle than they already were back in the Aussie V8 days.
As the approaching influx of new utes and vans shows, the use cases for what were once commercial vehicles are becoming more broad - let’s take a look at the best utes and vans arriving in 2025.
Best utes and vans arriving in 2025
- 01. BYD Shark 6 ute – Q1
- 02. GWM Cannon ute – Q1
- 03. Jeep Gladiator – Q1
- 04. Ram 1500 — Q1
- 05. LDV T60 update - On sale
- 06. Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV – Q2
- 07. Volkswagen Multivan — Q2
- 08. Mitsubishi Triton – H1
- 09. Kia Tasman – Mid-2025
- 10. LDV eTerron 9 — mid 2025
- 11. Ford Transit Custom PHEV – Q3
- 12. Ford Ranger PHEV – late 2025
- 13. Foton Tunland V7 and V9 - Q3
- 14. MG U9 - Q4
- 15. Other new models coming in 2025
01. BYD Shark 6 ute – Q1
The first plug-in hybrid ute to land in Australia won’t be the Ford Ranger as we expected not too long ago, but the BYD Shark 6 if customer cars arrive on time following the local launch in Q4 2024.
“Specifically made and tested on our roads, for our roads,” according to importer EVDirect’s CEO David Smitherman. The Shark 6 (once just called the Shark) has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors that make a total 320kW/650Nm combined output.
The all-wheel drive ute boasts a claimed driving range of 800km, including a potential 100km of electric-only driving, a possible downside for Australian customers could be its 2500kg braked towing capacity, which falls short of the 3500kg local benchmark.
A sharp $57,900 (before on-road costs) starting price ought to help the Shark along, but a HiLux beater? We'll have to wait and see.
BYD Shark 6
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
02. GWM Cannon ute – Q1
Along with another GWM model - the Tank 300 - the GWM Cannon ute will have a new 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, which makes an extra 15kW and 80Nm over the previous version - the new one totals 135kW/480Nm.
This brings its braked towing capacity up from 3000kg to 3500kg to match stalwart rivals, and its interior will also come with a series of upgrades including a new touchscreen and dash, instruments, and trim borrowed from the Tank 500.
There’s more good news for the Cannon in 2025, but that comes later on in this very list.
GWM Cannon
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
03. Jeep Gladiator – Q1
Jeep will launch its facelifted Gladiator four-wheel drive ute at the start of 2025.
It is in line for refreshed styling, that'll be an evolution of its class look, and a bigger multimedia screen inside (12.3-inches up from 8.4) and side-curtain airbags.
Power is expected to come from the same ageing Pentastar 3.6-litre V6, making 209kW/347Nm.
Jeep Gladiator
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
04. Ram 1500 — Q1
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So long Hemi V8, hello Hurricane. The new-look Ram 1500 pick-up gets a fresh turbo-petrol inline six developing 313kW/636Nm, up 22kW and 90Nm over the 5.7-litre V8. A High Output (H/O) version will arrive with 403kW and 707Nm.
New styling, badges and sheetmetal stand it apart from the existing model.
Inside, the tech is boosted with a 14.5-inch multimedia touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital driver's display and optional passenger touchscreen.
Headlining the range is a Tungsten trim, taking luxury to new level for utes with two-tone leather, knurled knobs and ventilated/heated seats with a massage function.
Ram 1500
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
05. LDV T60 update - On sale
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LDV's budget-friendly T60 has been given a much needed update this year.
Headlining the changes are a bump in towing capacity from 3000kg to 3500kg and safety equipment has been boosted, too.
LDV T60
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
06. Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV – Q2
Not long after BYD’s Shark 6 starts landing in showrooms, it looks like another ute has the chance to beat the Ford Ranger PHEV to the punch - the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV equipped with the brand’s Hi4T plug-in hybrid system.
Its 110km battery-electric driving range tops the BYD claim, thanks to its monster 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery, and even though its 300kW falls 20kW short of the Shark, its 750Nm is 100Nm torquier.
Most importantly, this means it might be able to tow more than the BYD Shark 6’s 2500kg braked - most utes in Australia can do 3500kg.
GWM Cannon Alpha
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
07. Volkswagen Multivan — Q2
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Volkswagen's take on the mid-size van-shaped people mover, it is based on the MQB Evo platform — shared with Golf, Tiguan and more — for the first time.
First only in TDI 350 Life trim, Volkswagen has promised a ritzier Style trim down the line.
Pricing is from $78,990, before on-road costs.
Volkswagen Multivan
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
08. Mitsubishi Triton – H1
The Triton is already on Australian roads in dual-cab pick-up form, but the next step is for Mitsubishi to offer up its ute in a tradie-friendly cab-chassis version, ready to be trayed, modified or turned into a service vehicle.
Having been confirmed already for an MY24.5 update as of October 2024, including the addition of a GLX-R variant, it’s not clear which trims of the ute will be available with a cab-chassis set-up.
We’d expect to see at least the base GLX (currently $43,690 before on-roads in dual-cab form) available as a cheaper cab-chassis version in the first half of 2025.
Mitsubishi Triton
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
09. Kia Tasman – Mid-2025
Perhaps one of the most hyped yet to land, the Kia Tasman is expected to shake things up if Kia's promises are anything to go by.
To launch with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel developing 154kW and 441Nm, the HiLux and Ranger rival's range is expected to expand with hybrid and eventually battery-electric power.
Prices start at $42,990 before on-road costs for the entry-level S to $74,990 for the flagship X-Pro.
All variants can carry more than one-tonne of payload and can tow up to 3500kg.
10. LDV eTerron 9 — mid 2025
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Australia's next electric ute should be better than the first, also brought here by LDV.
The eTerron 9 isn't a knee-jerk reaction to battery tech, it's designed from the outside with being an EV in mind.
Currently running around Australia for pre-launch evaluation, a battery as big as 102kWh should give 430km of WLTP-rated range.
Twin motors mean 4WD and peak power at 325kW.
Mining fleets are who LDV is looking to with the eTerron 9. A diesel version is tipped to follow, too.
11. Ford Transit Custom PHEV – Q3
Forget electric passenger cars, Ford is rolling on with diesel and hybrid commercial vehicles.
The next step is the Transit Custom van with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Like Ranger, details remain a little sparse for market but with around 40km WLTP electric-only driving range, from an 11.6kWh battery pack it isn't going to break much ground.
Pricing, specs and details still to come.
Ford Transit Custom
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
12. Ford Ranger PHEV – late 2025
Ford will be the first ‘Aussie-established’ manufacturer to take its ute to properly electrified places, rivals such as the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon PHEV will need to be wary of the Blue Oval’s brand sway amongst Aussies.
Like the Raptor performance version, the Ranger PHEV ditches the trusty diesel for a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol-fuelled engine paired with an electric motor and a modest 11.8kWh battery.
Ford doesn’t have a total figure for its outputs, but expect more than 250kW and 600Nm, as well as following up on the brand’s claim it will have an EV range of more than 45km. Importantly, Ford says the Ranger PHEV will be able to tow 3500kg braked.
Ford Ranger
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
13. Foton Tunland V7 and V9 - Q3
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The Foton Tunland V7 is described as a “no nonsense workhorse”, and it's available in two- and four-wheel drive. The V9 is more plush and is aimed at higher-end dual-cab utes.
Both use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 120kW/450Nm. Both come with an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission.
14. MG U9 - Q4
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MG is the latest Chinese maker to jump into the hyper-competitive ute segment with its U9 dual-cab, which is due before the end of the year.
It is based on the LDV Terron 9, which falls under its parent company SAIC's umbrella of brands, but it is unlikely MG will bring an electrified version to mimic the eTerron 9.
It is dual-cab only, rides on a rugged ladder frame and is powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivering power of 164kW.
3500kg towing capacity and a one-tonne payload are on the agenda, too.
15. Other new models coming in 2025
Want to know what other new models are due in 2025? Check out our rolling coverage by clicking on the links below.
-Best hybrid cars arriving in 2025
-Best electric cars arriving in 2025
-The best new cars coming in 2025: Hatchbacks, sedans, wagons, sports cars and people movers
