Ute News

We now know that Chery will be among the wave of new Chinese utes hitting Australia (think BYD, MG, GWM et al), with the relative newcomer to launch not one but two new utes.

The ultimate anti-EV might be making a comeback.

The Kia Tasman ute has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on the current 2023-2025 testing protocols.It achieved 85 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 85 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 80 per cent for Safety Assist.It’s worth noting the Tasman’s five-star rating only applies to certain 4x4 dual-cab pick-up variants. The X-Line and X-Pro, as well as the entry-level S 4x2 dual-cab pick-up remain unrated.This also applies to the forthcoming single-cab and dual-cab chassis variants that are due to arrive later this year.ANCAP noted the Tasman “performed well” across the crash protection and collision avoidance tests.Specifically, high scores were achieved for the low risk of injury the adult and child dummy occupants received during the frontal offset crash test.The safety authority also noted the Tasman has a “moderately low” crash compatibility risk, which for its size and mass it did “very well”. This test assesses the risk the test vehicle has to potential crash partner vehicles and their occupants.A penalty was applied, however, in the full width frontal crash test when the pelvis of the driver dummy slipped beneath the lap section of the seatbelt.“Fleet buyers and potential Tasman customers across the country have been eagerly awaiting the Tasman’s safety rating, and this five-star result will be welcome news,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.“With such strong market presence and consumer demand, it’s pleasing to see manufacturers continuing to prioritise safety in this segment.“The dual-cab shopping list is already healthy, and we expect to see it grow further with other new contenders entering the market in the coming months.“Consumers and fleets should check the ANCAP website regularly to ensure they have all the information they need to make an informed, and safe, purchasing decision.”As standard the Kia Tasman receives safety features like seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention monitoring, reversing camera, as well as front and rear parking sensors.All models also receive an emergency SOS calling function.Stepping up to the SX gets you Highway Drive Assist 2 which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring. It also includes an assisted lane change function.Opting for the X-Line and above gets you additional features like reverse AEB, a surround-view camera and side parking sensors.The flagship X-Pro variant also gains a Ground View Monitor, which is helpful to see under the car when off-roading.It’s worth noting that all Tasman variants also have ISOFIX points and top-tether child seat anchorages on both outboard rear seats.There’s no top-tether point on the middle rear seat, so ANCAP doesn’t recommend installing child seats in this position.

Jeep has detailed the pricing and specifications of its updated Gladiator ute ahead of examples arriving at local dealers this month.

Isuzu has revealed the price of its new electric D-Max in fellow right-hand drive market, the UK.Isuzu Australia hasn’t confirmed if the D-Max EV will arrive in Australia, but it is expected to launch sometime in 2026.In the UK the new D-Max EV is priced from £59,995, excluding a 20 per cent tax, which puts it at about $124,000 in Aussie dollars before tax.If the D-Max EV arrives in Australia, it is expected to be much cheaper than that, though.Non-European vehicles are usually considerably cheaper in Australia than the UK and shipping is cheaper as Australia is much closer to the D-Max’s production hub in Thailand. Australia also has a free trade agreement with Thailand.Even at circa-$100,000 it would be a tough sell to most tradies. Big company fleets looking to decarbonise will likely be the main customer at that price.The D-Max EV appears fit for purpose with a rugged ladder frame chassis, one tonne payload, 3500kg braked towing capacity and dual motors putting it in the same ballmark as diesel-powered alternatives.Its dual motors make 130kW and 325Nm and are matched to a 66.9kWh battery, which is good for a WLTP-rated range of 262km. A max DC charge rate of 50kW will see the battery topped up from 20 to 80 per cent in one hour.It boasts 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 600mm. Approach and departure angles are listed at 30.5 degrees and 24.2 degrees, respectively.Isuzu has ditched rear leaf spring suspension for more advanced De Dion suspension. It has permanent all-wheel drive and a dedicated Rough Terrain Mode.The D-Max EV looks mostly the same as the combustion version inside and out. Inside there is a 9.0-inch multimedia screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch digital display, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and front and rear parking sensors.Isuzu Australia has been contacted for an update on the D-Max EV’s prospects for Australia.

The new Toyota HiLux appears to have been leaked in an international presentation, with the 2026 model debuting a new-look front-end, bolder wheel arches and a new LED light treatment.It's not known whether the new look is the same as the one that will arrive in Australia, but if these are official images as is being reported, then they'd be in keeping with what we think we know so far about the new HiLux – namely that it would be an evolution rather than a revolution that carries-over much of the important stuff from the current-gen model.The 2026 model is expected to persevere with Toyota's 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, aided (as it is now) by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.We haven't yet seen the interior of the new HiLux, but it's in the cabin where the bigger changes are expected to appear, with new materials and the addition of the Ranger-rivalling technology, including new screens.Plug-in hybrid and even hydrogen-fuelled options are on the horizon, but there aren't any major powertrain updates expected at launch – and a question over whether the HiLux's now-ageing platform could even be retrofitted for green energy solutions.It's more likely those options will appear some way down the track, when another new HiLux is debuted. In fact, CarsGuide has previously reported on a potential two-model HiLux strategy, where this 'new' model is joined by a genuinely all-new ute primed for electrification.All will be revealed soon enough, with the new HiLux expected to debut in the coming months, ahead of a launch in either late 2025 or early 2026.

A new player in the expanding electric vehicle (EV) market is coming to Australia. To be confirmed next year and expected to arrive locally starting from 2027, the EVs in question are from Mahindra – the 80-year old automotive brand from India better known for its global domination of tractors, rugged 4WDs and, more recently, value-priced urban SUVs like the XUV700 and recently-released XUV3XO. While not synonymous with electrification in its home market either, Mahindra has shocked sceptics by bounding into the top-three EV makers position in India this year to displace Hyundai, on the back of the Toyota RAV4-sized BE (Born Electric) 6e and its longer, BYD Sealion 7-esque coupe-SUV sibling badged the XEV (Crossover EV) 9e.

Fresh from conquering just about every segment Australia has to offer – from micro cars like the Picanto to performance cars like the 130 N and Ioniq 5 N and even big, electric SUVs like the EV9 and Ioniq 9 – Kia and Hyundai have now set their sights on only unexplored frontier left; the off-road crowd.

The long-promised electric revolution appears to have been pushed back, at least for a couple more years, with established brands and Chinese newcomers alike doubling down on big ICE-powered SUVs and utes – some without any electrification at all.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Charles Dickens never got to see a Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150, but he perfectly summed up their current state in the Australian market.