Utes

Australia’s fifth-most popular ute, the Mazda BT-50, has been hit with an urgent safety recall.According to the Federal Government’s Vehicle Recall notice board, 55,738 BT-50s built between 2020 and 2024 have been impacted by a manufacturing defect in the Engine Control Module (ECM).“The fuel pump control valve may remain ‘open’ and fuel supply may be interrupted. If this occurs, the engine could stall resulting in a loss of power,” the recall statement reads.Between January 2020 and July 2024, Mazda sold 64,802 BT-50s, meaning the majority sold in that period are impacted by the engine defect.For those unsure if their vehicle is affected, you can check against your VIN number here. Those with impacted vehicles will be contacted by Mazda to arrange an update to the BT-50's ECM at a preferred dealer, free of charge.It follows the same recall of the Isuzu D-Max, on which the BT-50 is based, that affected more than 150,000 examples.

The most expensive Mazda ute comes with plenty of kit, but its price is creeping close to the likes of Ford's venerable Ranger Raptor without the muscular might to match. So, does the BT-50 Thunder Pro bring value in other ways?

Nissan says it’s embracing its dark side with the new Navara Black Edition - a limited-edition run of 400 vehicles with an even tougher look. 

It won’t be the first time Chery has produced a ute but given its world-conquering aims, this attempt is likely to be better than the 2015 Karry Higgo. 

Which is best for 4WDing, a wagon or ute? We've put two of Isuzu's well-equipped, well-regarded top-shelf 4WDs - the MU-X in LS-T spec and the D-Max X-Terrain - against each other to find out. The D-Max has been given a mid-life facelift and useful multimedia upgrades, while the MU-X has received a more modest model-year update. So which 3.0-litre 4WD is best suited to you?

Isuzu has issued a massive safety recall for about 150,000 vehicles in Australia.

Like them or loathe them, US utes here to stay. Bigger and torquier than the usual mainstream utes we're used to seeing in Australia, these US utes have plenty of appeal as load-luggers and towing platforms.And that's where the 2025 Silverado HD (Heavy Duty) LTZ Premium - with a tweaked 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine (1322Nm) and a braked towing capacity of 4500kg - slots into the market.

Skoda explains why it thinks a car-based ute would be "of no use."

So, the big question now is: can passengers travel in the back of a ute? Or if you’re trying to be fancy: can passengers travel in the back of a utility vehicle? Well, the answer to both questions is an emphatic “No!” from all states and territories.

Let’s talk sleepers. In fact, what is a sleeper car? In the motoring world, a sleeper is a vehicle that hides its performance potential from the world, only revealing its true potential when the driver nails the throttle.