When selecting a new ute, most buyers will want the best vehicle. But which brand or model is the best? The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger duel it out for top spot each month in the motor vehicle sales figures, but are sales the indicator of the best dual cab chassis on the market? No doubt discussions around the top ute are held on work sites and camp sites on a regular basis. For some buyers their indicator will be affordability and price. For some, it will be towing capacity or cargo space. For others it might be the tech and safety features. While for many, it will definitely be all about brand loyalty.
To assist buyers in the market for a top ute, and to save friendships with those ‘which is the best’ discussions, we defer to the experts and share their assessments. The experts at Drive deliver their verdict each year, naming the best dual cab chassis vehicles available in the Australian market in their annual Car of the Year Awards program. The 2025 awards program is underway with the contenders in the dual ute categories already announced and the finalists to be named soon.
The winner won’t be announced until February, but buyers wanting to purchase a new vehicle now, can consider the awards contenders along with the latest monthly sales figures. The sales duel continued in November but with some surprises. The RAV4, an SUV, remained on top of the sales charts for another month, leaving Ford’s Ranger at number 2 best-seller. Once again Ranger beat out arch-rival HiLux which came in at number 4 best-seller. Both were down on the previous month. The Toyota Prado was a surprise top performer, also edging above stablemate HiLux. But as cautioned by the FCAI, sales could be dependent on availability, with some sales representing pre-orders.
Best Dual Cab Chassis Awards Contenders
To be a contender in the Car of the Year, vehicles must be new or significantly changed from any earlier model, be on the market in Australia during the judging year and meet other criteria. There are 19 categories in total, including 3 for dual utes. The contenders are named first, then the finalists. The team of judges embark on an in-depth judging process to finally name the winner in each category.
The Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100,000 category will be the category of keen interest to the majority of private and business buyers. These are the go-to work vehicles for businesses in many industries including construction, agriculture and resources. For private buyers, these are great vehicles to tow cars and boats and/or carry dirt bikes and other recreational gear.
The contenders for this year include the defending award winner from 2024, the Ford Ranger, plus the Toyota HiLux MHEV, Isuzu D-Max, GWM Canon Alpha, BYD Shark 6, Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota’s LandCruiser.
For buyers judging their concept of the ‘best’ - based on price, the category for utes under $50,000 may be of interest. Won last year by the SsangYong Musso which is a contender for 2025 along with the Mitsubishi Triton, JAC T9 and the LDV T60.
The ute categories also include a new one – large dual-cab under $150,000. Some models not available in time to be eligible include the RAM 1500. This category covers utes that offer greater space, power and capability than models in the other categories.
If increased everything is your criteria for the ‘best ute’ consider these contenders - the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster. These may suit buyers looking for increased capacity for towing, whether that be a boat, caravan or work equipment, or looking for more power to tackle tougher environments.
Selecting the Best Dual Cab Chassis on Affordability
The size, specs, power and capacity may influence buying decisions for some purchasers. Each buyer will have their personal criteria for which is the right vehicle for them, and that can come down to affordability. But rather than making the assessment based purely on the vehicle price, that affordability factor may be based on the finance.
Buyers looking for the best dual cab chassis based on affordability, may look to Jade Car Loans for competitive rate finance on private and business vehicles. Our brokers individually secure the most competitive rates on Secured Car Loans for private buyers and across the full selecting of commercial credit facilities for businesses. To assist with deciding the affordability of any model up for this year’s awards, buyers can get rough repayment estimates using our Car Finance Calculator.
The calculator makes it quick and easy to compare vehicles based on price. Pricing guides can usually be obtained from the manufacturer’s website and used as the loan amount total when calculating estimates. Simply change the loan total to the price of another vehicle, and easily compare repayments and assess affordability based on your individual criteria and requirements.
For a quote on financing one of the contenders for best dual cab chassis of the year contact Jade Car Loans 1300 000 003.
DISCLAIMER: IN REGARD TO MISREPRESENTATIONS AND ERRORS CONTAINED IN THE MATERIAL AS PRESENTED, LIABILITY IS NOT ACCEPTED. THE DETAILS AND CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR CAR BUYERS AND INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESS SEEKING FINANCE PURELY AS GENERAL INFORMATION. THIS IS NOT PROVIDED AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION. ANYONE THAT CONSIDERS THAT NEED FINANCIAL ADVICE ABOUT THEIR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS SHOULD SEEK THEIR OWN FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
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