Utes

The hottest ute battle of 2025 looks like it will contain two new faces, with the battle between Ford and Toyota overshadowed by the race between two relative – and unexpected – newcomers.

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For so long seen as purely a tool-of-trade, in recent decades the ute has grown into a Swiss Army-style work/family/lifestyle multi-purpose machine. And in his second month with the Ford Ranger Platinum, Andrew Chesterton is appreciating the family side of its character more than ever.

Ram has been teasing a new mid-size pick-up for years now and it’s still yet to come to fruition.Speculatively called the Dakota, which revives a name previously used by the US pick-up company, this mid-size pick-up (what we would call a ute) was initially teased in 2021 with the unibody STLA Large platform set to underpin it.However, Mopar Insiders now reports the Ram Dakota will be based on a body-on-frame platform.This makes it a more direct rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, among other North American mid-size pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.It’s unclear what type of body-on-frame platform the Dakota will receive. It could have a shrunken version of the body-on-frame architecture that underpins the larger Ram 1500, or perhaps a version of the Jeep Gladiator’s body-on-frame platform.Another option is the STLA Frame architecture which will underpin the Ram 1500 Ramcharger range-extender (REEV) and 1500 REV electric pick-up will be scaled down for the mid-sized Dakota.Mopar Insiders indicates production of the new Ram Dakota will begin in 2027 at the company’s production plant in Belvidere, Illinois. It’ll only be made as a dual-cab.As previously reported, a Ram spokesperson told US outlet Hagerty that the Dakota will “take full advantage” of the company’s “multi-energy strategy”. This means it’ll likely offer internal-combustion (ICE), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV) powertrain options.At this stage the company hasn’t publicly disclosed any technical information, but Ram no longer offers diesel powertrains, which likely rules this out for the Dakota.Also, the potential of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain could see it go up against the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV.We’re yet to see what this Ram mid-size pick-up will actually look like. It’s expected spied prototypes will be on the road soon, but in the meantime digital renders give us an indication of what to expect.The Dakota will likely only be produced in left-hand drive from the factory, though it could be remanufactured to right-hand drive for the Australian market through its partnership with Walkinshaw.“A mid-size ute is on our wish list for Ram in Australia,” said Ram Trucks Australia General Manager Jeff Barber earlier this year.“We think it would be a great fit for Australia.”

Toyota is brewing a new HiLux that it hopes will get it back on top. The HiLux is showing its age and has been shown up by the far newer Ford Ranger in the past few years, so what is Toyota going to do about it?

GWM will discontinue sales of the Cannon Alpha Hybrid ute just weeks after the launch of its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.The move comes as the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is available on a limited-time offer from $57,490 drive-away for the base Lux variant until September 30, 2025.With the top-spec Ultra PHEV variant available from $64,490 drive-away for the same period, the two plug-ins are both cheaper than or the same as the $64,490 DA standard hybrid variant.The change in line-up isn’t a coincidence, according to GWM the move hasn’t come due to a lack in popularity for the hybrid, but rather due to wanting to offer relevant products to customers.“With advancements in PHEV technology and a competitive price point, our goal is to offer a range that truly connects with customer needs,” a GWM Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.“The Cannon Alpha PHEV strikes an ideal balance between cutting-edge electrification and uncompromised 4x4 capability. “For those who prefer a more traditional option, the diesel variant remains an integral part of the Cannon Alpha lineup.”For reference, the Cannon Alpha Hybrid made up around a third of Cannon Alpha sales — the rest being diesel — before the plug-in hybrid arrived. In the first half of 2025, GWM registered 1063 Cannon Alpha sales all-up.The PHEV is also more powerful than the standard Hybrid — its 300kW tops the 255kW thanks to more powerful motors assisting the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. The PHEV also boasts a claimed 115km electric driving range under (generous) NEDC testing thanks to its 37.11kWh battery.The only other full-hybrid ute on sale in Australia is the larger American Toyota Tundra, the Cannon Alpha PHEV is one of three plug-in utes on sale in Australia alongside the popular BYD Shark 6 and the recently arrived Ford Ranger PHEV.The Cannon Alpha and Shark sit closely on pricing, with the latter kicking off from $57,900 before on-roads, the Ford Ranger PHEV is much more expensive — it starts from $71,990 before on-road costs.

There’s a new number-one seller in town. The Ford Ranger has run down the Toyota RAV4 at the halfway point of the yearly sales race.

Amazing value, especially in terms of the tech! A 360-degree camera view with high quality screen resolution, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors and Apple CarPlay, all for $40 grand or thereabouts. You just can’t beat it (although the sound system needs a bit of an upgrade). Externally this thing is a dream, easy to park with the front and rear parking sensors and the 360-degree camera system. Internally it’s roomy with plenty of space and comfort for above average-sized people, up front and in the back seat. Plus it’s a ute. Take the family out on Sunday and go to work on Monday... in comfort. You sit up high with good vision and the ride is okay. But you have to take into account it's a ute, not a luxury vehicle. The driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come in handy. It is a four-pot, 2.0-litre diesel. I bought it new and I’m happy, but if GWM brings its twin-turbo V6 to Australia, in a ute… well, I might consider my options. ;) Fuel economy is pretty good at approx 8.0 litres per 100km. Capped price servicing is appealing compared to the competition. Some people are investing big dollars tricking them up but I’m happy with a couple of modest mods like adding a drivers grab handle to the A-pillar, installing internal rear lights, upgrading the reversing light (the standard one isn't the greatest) and improving the sound system. So far so good, I’m only at 18000km but in the social media forums there are people pulling big caravans and the likes and getting into six figure categories on the speedo. The diesel particulate filter system is good and bad. It allows for DIY regenerative burns, but when the time comes that the car suggests a burn it can throttle back responsiveness which is frustrating and dangerous in certain situations. Aside from the DPF, the GWM Cannon ute is brilliant.