Ute News

SsangYong, soon to be known as KGM SsangYong, could have a sleeper ute on sale in Australia next year.

Ford has announced its strongest and most capable Ranger yet in the shape of the new Super Duty line-up. While little has been revealed for now, since sales won’t commence until 2026, Ford has confirmed a breakthrough 4500kg towing capacity, as well as 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and 8000kg Gross Combined Mass (GCM) ratings.

At long last, Isuzu’s Thailand division has confirmed rumours that the brand will launch a new smaller diesel engine for its two-strong 4x4 line-up.

Toyota has confirmed full local details for its locally remanufactured Tundra ute as the model goes on sale in Australia, with its price set firmly at the top end of the American ute market.Starting from $155,990 before on-road costs, the 2025 Toyota Tundra will initially be offered in Australia in a single variant, the Limited, which in the US is around the middle of the line-up.It’s the lowest grade that can be had with the hybrid i-Force Max set-up, which pairs a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor for a total of 326kW and 790Nm. This heads to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel drive system.The Tundra is the focus of a remanufacturing program in Melbourne, undertaken by Walkinshaw Automotive Group to convert the trucks from left- to right-hand drive. Its rivals undergo the same process.The program is the first of its kind for Toyota anywhere in the world and was paired with a local customer evaluation program, which saw more than 200 Tundras loaned to customers to provide feedback to Toyota.It is 5955mm long, 2040mm wide and 1985mm tall, and features a decent number of features visible from the outside including an ‘active front spoiler’ below the front grille, which changes position to improve aerodynamics or increase ground clearance.Its LED headlights feature automatic high-beam functionality, while 20-inch alloy wheels flank a side-step to assist cabin access.Inside, the Tundra Limited comes with a 14.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display, which Toyota said is the largest it offers, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-speaker JBL premium audio system.Wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, a series of USB ports including two rear USB-C outlets, dual-zone climate control, and heated and vented electrically adjustable synthetic leather front seats are also standard.It boasts a 4500kg braked towing capacity with optional towing kit, while its standard 3500kg rating and maximum tray payload of 758kg come thanks to the TNGA-F platform shared with the LandCruiser 300 Series and LandCruiser Prado.Toyota covers the Tundra with its five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as capped-price servicing at $450 per service over intervals of 6 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.The price is slightly higher than the $145,990 indicated pricing initially expected, but CarsGuide was told “the quoted amount is indicative only” at the time.The Tundra is approximately on par with the most expensive comparable (i.e. non-performance) offering from Ram, the $156,950 1500 Limited with RamBox. Only heavy-duty offerings such as the Silverado HD or Ram 2500 and 3500, and the supercharged Ram 1500 TRX are more expensive.

With Toyota’s evergreen HiLux being knocked from first place by the Ford Ranger and now the RAV4, Australia’s largest car brand sees big changes coming. 

The ‘will they or won’t they’ saga for MG Motors’ entry into Australia’s booming ute market is finally resolved, with the company’s senior local executives confirming one is on the way.

The impending demise of diesel in Australia has been greatly exaggerated, at least according to Kia executives, who insists diesel engines have "got a lot of mileage left in our country."

BYD is set to fortify the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ute offering with additional variants, including an EV and possibly an entry-level hybrid version, as the Chinese brand takes on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in Australia.

It feels like the Suzuki Jimny has been around forever, but compared to its predecessor, the fourth-gen 4WD’s six-year vintage means it is still a long way from its mid-life crisis. 

Volkswagen and American electric carmaker Rivian’s joint venture is now official.