Best utes in Australia 2027

Updated: November 2026

Buying a ute in 2027 is no longer just a choice between Ford and Toyota. New Chinese rivals, plug-in hybrids and sharper pricing have given Australian buyers more options than ever, but not all of them are worth your money.

We've picked five of the best utes on sale in Australia, each suited to a different kind of buyer. We considered price, towing, payload, practicality, warranty and how they drive, with our own reviews carrying the most weight.

Our picks

See every ute on sale →

Best overall: Ford Ranger

• Price: From $37,130 before on-roads (Wildtrak V6 $75,090)
• Powertrain: Diesel, plug-in hybrid or twin turbo petrol (Raptor)
• Power: 125kW (2.0L), 184kW (V6), 207kW (PHEV), 292kW (Raptor)
• Fuel use: 8.3L/100km (claimed, V6)
• Seats: 5
• Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km (up to 7 years for eligible vehicles with a warranty commencement date on or after 1 September 2026, provided all scheduled services are completed at a Ford dealer)
• The Beep Verdict: 8.8/10

The Ranger gets our top pick because it's the most complete ute in this group. We scored the Wildtrak V6 8.8/10, and its 184kW/600Nm V6 remains the best engine in the class.

For 2027, the cheaper 125kW single turbo diesel spreads further through the range and the Wildtrak X returns with the V6. Ford quotes 8.3L/100km for the six, but ours used 10 to 11L/100km around town and about 9L/100km on the highway.

There's also a plug-in hybrid in the Ranger range, offering around 45 to 50km of electric driving and the same 3500kg towing capacity. It's worth considering if you can charge at home and spend most of your time driving around town.

Why we like it

• The V6 is still the engine to beat
• Cabin and tech set the standard for mainstream utes
• A version for every job, from cab chassis to Raptor

What we'd change

• V6 models are getting expensive
• Firm over broken city roads

Our pick: Wildtrak V6

View Ford Ranger driveaway pricing and specifications →

Read our Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 review →

Best for reliability: Toyota HiLux

• Price: From $33,990 before on-roads (SR5 48V pickup $65,990)
• Powertrain: Diesel, with 48V V-Active mild-hybrid technology on selected double-cab automatic grades (HiLux BEV from $74,990)
• Power: 150kW
• Fuel use: 7.2L/100km (claimed, SR5 48V auto)
• Seats: 5
• Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
• The Beep Verdict: 8.1/10

Walk through a Pilbara iron ore mine or a Bowen Basin coal pit and start counting HiLuxes. You'll run out of fingers long before you run out of Toyotas.

There's a reason mining companies have relied on them for decades. When a ute spends its life on corrugated roads, covered in red dust and driven around the clock, durability matters more than fancy equipment. So does having a dealer network that can keep it running hundreds of kilometres from the nearest major city.

Toyota hasn't changed the formula dramatically with the new model. Underneath sits the same platform and the same 150kW/500Nm 2.8 diesel, now with 48V V-Active mild-hybrid technology available on selected double-cab automatic grades, while a 12.3-inch screen across the range drags the cabin into this decade.

All HiLux grades except the Rugged X carry a five-star ANCAP safety rating. That's particularly important for fleet and mining buyers, where vehicle safety standards can be just as important as durability.

Toyota has charged for the privilege, with prices up by anywhere from $460 to $10,260. The SR5 is where we'd spend the money, gaining a comfort-tuned rear end and rear disc brakes without giving up its 3500kg tow rating.

Toyota also offers an electric HiLux from $74,990 before on-roads for the SR cab-chassis, with the dual-cab ute starting at $76,490. It's a very different proposition. We scored it 6.0/10. With just 315km of claimed range (NEDC) for the pickup and 2000kg towing, it's better suited to fleets with predictable routes and charging infrastructure than traditional rural buyers.

Why we like it

• Proven toughness in the harshest working conditions in the country
• Toyota's dealer reach and resale
• 3500kg towing and a configuration for almost any job

What we'd change

• The price rises sting
• Rear seat is tighter than the Ranger's

Our pick: SR5 48V 4x4 dual cab pickup

View Toyota HiLux driveaway pricing and specifications →

Read our Toyota HiLux BEV review →

Best workhorse: Mazda BT-50

• Price: From $38,400 before on-roads (Thunder $78,400)
• Powertrain: Diesel (2.2L or 3.0L)
• Power: 120kW (2.2L), 140kW (3.0L)
• Fuel use: From 6.3L/100km (claimed, 2.2L 4x2 dual-cab ute)
• Seats: 5
• Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
• The Beep Verdict: 7.6/10

The BT-50 is effectively an Isuzu D-Max in a Mazda suit, and that's not a bad thing. You get the same proven diesel engines and chassis, but with sharper styling, a more appealing cabin and a five-year warranty with no kilometre limit.

There are two diesels to choose from. The 120kW/400Nm 2.2 litre with an eight-speed auto replaced the old 1.9 in the entry XS, while the 140kW/450Nm 3.0 litre and six-speed auto do the heavy lifting further up the range.

Both tow 3500kg braked, and work-spec cab chassis versions carry well over a tonne.

One area where the Mazda has an advantage over the D-Max is warranty coverage. Mazda's five years come with no kilometre limit, which matters far more to a contractor clocking 60,000km a year than a sixth year with a 150,000km cap ever will.

The 2026 range brings back the Boss and the flagship Thunder, and the XTR, GT and SP dual-cab ute variants now get a 360-degree camera. There's no hybrid or plug-in option in the current range, so if you want an electrified ute, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Prices have crept up, with the range now running from $38,400 to $78,400 before on-roads. At the top end, the Thunder lands in Ranger Wildtrak V6 territory and the Ford is the more polished truck.

Why we like it

• Proven D-Max mechanicals with better looks and a nicer cabin
• Five-year warranty with no kilometre cap
• 3500kg towing across the range

What we'd change

• Thunder and GT SP are priced against better utes
• No hybrid or plug-in option available

Our pick: XTR 3.0L 4x4 dual cab pickup

View Mazda BT-50 driveaway pricing and specifications →

Read our Mazda BT-50 GT review →

Best value 4x4: Mitsubishi Triton

• Price: From $37,090 before on-roads for the entry-level 4x2 single-cab chassis (GSR dual-cab ute $65,590)
• Powertrain: Diesel
• Power: 150kW
• Fuel use: 7.5L/100km to 7.7L/100km (claimed, 4x4)
• Seats: 5
• Warranty: 10 years/200,000km (when serviced with Mitsubishi)

The Triton makes a strong case for itself, particularly if you're buying a 4x4 on a budget. You get a 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel, 3500kg towing and, from the GLX-R up, Super Select 4WD-II, which runs in full-time 4WD on bitumen and still offers low range when the track turns ugly.

A 2026 suspension update has improved its manners, and the Premcar-built Raider now tops the range as a $74,990 driveaway off-roader. ANCAP awarded the Triton five stars in 2024.

The warranty and servicing package is another big advantage. The 10-year/200,000km extended warranty requires every scheduled service to be completed at an authorised Mitsubishi dealer within the specified intervals. Mitsubishi also offers capped-price servicing and roadside assistance for up to 10 years, subject to their respective terms. If a scheduled service requirement is missed, the extended warranty expires. The standard five-year/100,000km warranty remains subject to its own conditions.

If you're working with an even tighter budget, the GWM Cannon Premium starts at $39,990 driveaway in Victoria, although towing is limited to 3200kg. The Cannon Lux Dual Cab Chassis offers 3500kg towing from $41,990 driveaway.

Why we like it

• Super Select 4WD-II from the GLX-R up
• Up to 10 years of warranty and roadside assistance, plus capped-price servicing
• GLX-R and GLS are strong value

What we'd change

• The long warranty depends on dealer servicing
• Cabin and tech trail the Ranger

Our pick: GLX-R 4x4 dual cab pickup

View Mitsubishi Triton driveaway pricing and specifications →

Best plug-in hybrid: BYD Shark 6

• Price: From $55,900 before on-roads (Dynamic cab-chassis $55,900, Premium dual-cab ute $57,900, Performance dual-cab ute $62,900)
• Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid, AWD
• Power: 321kW (1.5L), 350kW (2.0L Performance)
• Electric range: Up to 100km (NEDC, 1.5L), 80km (WLTP, Performance)
• Seats: 5
• Warranty: 6 years/150,000km (battery 8 years/160,000km)
• The Beep Verdict: 8.6/10

The Shark 6 has shown there's a genuine market for plug-in hybrid utes in Australia. In its first full year, it outsold every ute except the Ranger, HiLux, D-Max and Triton.

We scored the Premium 8.6/10. It's quicker than a Raptor in a straight line, rides better than most of the segment and managed about 80km on electricity in our real-world testing.

Buyers should also check the vehicle's recall status. A safety recall published in September 2026 affects 32,009 Shark 6 vehicles across all variants. A defect in the spare-wheel tray or lifter can cause its support cable to wear and fracture, potentially allowing the spare wheel to detach while driving. Affected vehicles require a free repair, so buyers should check the VIN and confirm any required recall work has been completed.

There are some important compromises, though. The Premium tows 2500kg, carries 790kg and has no low range or locking diffs, which makes it a lifestyle ute first and a workhorse second.

The Performance addresses the biggest limitation of the standard Shark 6. Its 2.0 litre turbo engine and dual electric motors lift combined output to 350kW and 700Nm, while towing increases to 3500kg. You also get Crawl Mode for low-speed off-road work, although payload drops to 725kg, compared with the Premium's 790kg.

Want a conventional gearbox and low range with your plug? The Ranger Hybrid starts at $59,000 driveaway, while GWM's Cannon Hi4-T is the budget play from $49,990 driveaway for ABN holders.

Why we like it

• Smooth, rapid drivetrain with around 80km of real-world EV range
• Comfortable ride and a cabin that feels expensive
• Up to 6.6kW of vehicle-to-load power

What we'd change

• No low range or locking diffs
• Premium limited to 2500kg towing and 790kg payload

Our pick: Premium

View BYD Shark 6 driveaway pricing and specifications →

Read our BYD Shark 6 review →

How we chose the best utes

We considered the utes available in Australia and judged them on price, equipment, towing, payload, safety, practicality, warranty and how they drive. Where we've reviewed a ute ourselves, our own testing carries the most weight.

Prices are before on-road costs unless marked driveaway, and were correct at our last update. On-roads vary by state, so check the driveaway figure where you live.

We revisit this guide whenever a launch or price change reshuffles the order.

What to look for in a ute

Diesel, hybrid or plug-in hybrid?

Diesel remains the sensible choice for regular heavy towing and long distances between fuel stops. Plug-in hybrids can be much cheaper to run if you charge regularly, particularly when most of your driving is around town. But the extra battery weight can reduce payload, and if you rarely plug in, the savings may not justify the extra complexity or cost.

Check the real towing capacity

Not every ute tows 3500kg and the Shark 6 Dynamic and Premium stop at 2500kg. Check the gross combination mass and towball download too, because a fully loaded ute often can't legally tow its headline figure.

Check the payload

Payload is what's left once the ute's own weight is counted, and accessories eat it quickly. A bullbar, canopy, drawers and a second battery can swallow a few hundred kilos before you've packed a thing.

Buying through a business? Check the FBT rules

Plug-in hybrids generally lost access to the electric car FBT exemption for new arrangements from 1 April 2025. However, certain existing arrangements can retain the exemption under transitional rules where the vehicle was used or available for use before that date and a financially binding commitment to continue providing private use existed before 1 April 2025. Eligible work utes can also qualify for a separate exemption, provided their use meets ATO requirements. Travel between home and work is generally permitted, but other private use must be minor, infrequent and irregular. Speak to your accountant before you sign.

Check the driveaway price for your state

Don't compare utes on sticker price alone. Stamp duty, registration and dealer delivery vary between states and can add several thousand dollars to the advertised price.

Check The Beep's driveaway pricing for your state before visiting a dealer. If you're buying through a business, ask about ABN offers too, as some brands advertise separate pricing for business buyers.