Utes

Never has the dual-cab ute market been such a noisy place. The established favourites are still doing huge business and the newcomers are arriving thick and fast, mainly from China, but all jockeying for some clear space and the chance to claim their share of willing customers.

LDV has addressed a significant specification shortcoming in its T60 4WD dual-cab ute by upgrading its braked trailer towing capacity from 3000kg to a more category competitive 3500kg (750kg unbraked).

Mazda's expansive BT-50 line-up is crowned by the SP. This is the style icon of the line-up, aimed at buyers who want a ute with a sporty, dynamic look.The SP is only available as a 4x4 dual cab pick-up and adds a range of gloss black elements for a unique visual appearance, including 18-inch alloys, sports bar, side steps, fender flares, roof rails, exterior mirror caps and door handles, while also getting a manually-operated roller tonneau cover and black and terracotta synthetic leather and suede seat trim.The SP is only available as a 4x4 pick-up and is exclusively powered by the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. Like the rest of the 3.0-litre 4x4 range fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km.Pricing for the SP starts at $71,500, plus on-road costs, but Mazda is offering a big saving at launch by doing a $67,990 drive-away deal.

Isuzu knows it took advantage of the Toyota Prado changeover in 2024 to claim second spot in the large SUV sales race, but is still hopeful that its refreshed MU-X can remain a favourite with local buyers.Following the mid-life updates to the D-Max ute in 2024, the MU-X SUV has been given a similar facelift. However, Isuzu Ute Australia boss Junta Matsui is adamant that this is no minor “nip and tuck” as the company has made some major changes. In addition to the refreshed styling, the 2025 MU-X features revised suspension and a new hero model atop the range.Isuzu has dropped the MU-X Tour Mate, a special edition that was the out-going flagship and has replaced it with the all-new X-Terrain trim level. X-Terrain sits at the top of the line-up that graduates from LS-M to LS-U and LS-T. Each of these models has been given some minor equipment adjustments and, subsequently, a price increase.The range now begins at $48,400 (plus on-road costs) for the LS-M 1.9L 4x2, which is a $1000 increase over the old model. But the LS-M does get some new equipment including updated cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch digital display on the instrument panel, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as USB-C ports and bi-LED headlights.The LS-M is also available with the 3.0-litre 4x2 powertrain (from $50,400 +ORC) and 3.0L 4x4 (from $56,400 +ORC).Next up is the LS-U, which is available as a 1.9L 4x4 (from $61,400 +ORC), 3.0L 4x2 (from $57,400 +ORC) and 3.0L 4x4 (from $63,400 +ORC). Upgrades for 2025 include new 12-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, a new leather-wrapped steering wheel, piano black interior trims, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display panel, 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, USB-C ports, LED fog lights and tyre pressure monitoring.The LS-T is only available with the 3.0L motor but can be 4x2 (from $64,400 +ORC) or 4x4 (from $71,400 +ORC). Key equipment extras for this include a new 360-degree surround view camera system, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-accented upholstery, black headlining, white ambient lighting and black elements on the front bumper, grille and rear bumper.Finally, the all-new X-Terrain (from $74,400 +ORC) comes with a range of unique black elements to help it visually stand out, including its 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels, the horizontal bars on the grille, fog light surrounds and fender flares. It also gets a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, red ambient lighting and leather-accented trim with red and grey contrasting stitching. The X-Terrain is also exclusively available in Slate Grey metallic paint.To offset these price rise, and help make sense of this expansive model range, Isuzu is offering drive-away deals on three models, starting with the LS-M 1.9L 4x2 for $46,990, plus the $69,990 LS-T and the new X-Terrain for $73,990.There’s also some significant safety enhancements across the range, starting with a new ‘Gen4’ stereo camera as part of the active safety suite, which now includes Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), traffic jam assist and rear cross-traffic brake. The Lane Keep Assist and tyre pressure monitoring systems have also been updated. There’s also a new digital reversing camera across all models and a 360-degree surround view on the LS-T and X-Terrain variants.

The Mazda BT-50 GT is sandwiched between the popular XTR and stylish SP in the range.It includes all of the elements of the XTR but adds more, so the list of standard equipment is long. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front fog lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), side steps, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, navigation, a tub liner and tow bar plus leather seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, remote engine start and front parking sensors.The GT, is only available as a 4x4 pick-up and is exclusively powered by the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. Like the rest of the 3.0-litre 4x4 range fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km.The list price for the GT is $63,070 plus on-road costs for the cab chassis or $66,170 for the pick-up, but Mazda is offering the latter at $65,990 drive-away from launch. This puts it into the more premium ute market, up against the likes of the Ford Ranger Sport and Toyota HiLux SR5.

KGM SsangYong has shared the first official exterior images of its upcoming electric ute, the Musso EV.

The popularity of 4X4s/4x4s/4WDs/4wds/off-roaders/whatever you want to call them has grown tremendously in the past 10 to 15 years and these vehicles regularly top national sales charts and they’re everywhere on our roads and bush tracks.

The Mazda BT-50 XTR is the sweet spot in the range, finding a nice balance between price and standard equipment.The XTR is only available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic, but has the choice of 4x4 or 4x2. You can also choose between a pick-up or cab chassis. Fuel economy is officially rated at 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle.Standard equipment for the XTR includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front fog lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), side steps, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, navigation and the pick-up variants get a tub liner and tow bar with receiver, tongue and wiring harness.The BT-50 XTR pick-up 4x4 is $62,490 drive-away at launch, with a usual list price of $62,750, plus on-road costs. The XTR 4x2 starts at $53,790, plus on-roads.

The Mazda BT-50 XT is one of the most versatile members of the range. It's available as a single cab or dual cab and is the only option if you want the Freestyle cab.It's available with the 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission, with the choice of either 4x2 or 4x4. Fuel economy is rated at 8.0L/100km for 4x4 models and 7.7L/100km for 4x2.It comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, black cloth seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch colour multimedia touchscreen, a rear locking differential and rough-terrain mode on 4x4 models, rear-air conditioning (for dual cabs) and tailgate assist and rear parking sensors for pick-up models. The BT-50 XT is priced from $39,400 for the single cab, from $43,000 for the Freestyle and starts at $46,610 (all prices exclude on-road costs) for the dual cab.

BYD has details its stunning sales target for its Shark 6 dual-cab which would see the plug-in petrol ute knock off some of Australia's biggest ute names in 2025.