Best ute deals: sharp discounts emerge as sales continue to slide

The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger remain our top two selling vehicles outright, however they are also facing an uphill battle as with the rest of the ute market as demand continues to slide.

Most of the big brands have slashed prices to help move metal but some of the savings are easier to find than others.

You can save thousands on the top-selling Toyota HiLux, depending on the model. Toyota’s website says the savings amount to “free on-road costs” plus a further $2000 Toyotathon bonus. Frustratingly, the prices shown are full retail, so it’s hard to ascertain the drive-away price.

However, we’ve spotted numerous Toyota Hilux SR5 double cab automatics on dealer websites for as low as $50,990 drive-away, a saving of more than $11,600 off the full retail price.

This price is for 2019-built examples made prior to the August update that added safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking, speed sign recognition and radar cruise control.

However, some Toyota dealers are even offering sharp prices on the updated model with the Safety Sense pack. We’ve seen on some dealer websites prices as low as $53,990 drive-away with auto, about $7600 off full price.

Savings on the second-placed Ford Ranger aren’t quite as generous, with the XLT double cab auto available from $52,990 when equipped with the older 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel. 

Discounts on the in-demand XLT double cab with the 2.0-litre twin turbo four-cylinder diesel are rarer as stock is tight, but with some arm twisting aim for about $54,990 drive-away if you ask nicely.

The Mitsubishi Triton has a wide range of sharp deals as it prepares to switch over from the 2019 model year to the 2020 model year, which has only minor changes and yet to go on sale.

The flagship Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium automatic has been $50,990 drive-away since the facelifted model went on sale at the start of the year. That price amounted to a saving of about $4000 off full retail.

However, the Triton GLS Premium has hit a new low of just $48,990 drive-away, about $6000 off full retail and the lowest price this model has been to date. Incredibly, the price still includes a seven-year rather than five-year warranty.

Cheaper models in the Triton range have also been slashed: the GLX+ double cab that’s popular with private buyers is now available from $37,990 drive-away with manual and $40,490 drive-away with auto. Both prices amount to a further $2000 off their previous discounted price and are about $6000 off full retail.

Also having a red-hot go is the Holden Colorado LTZ. It has dipped to an all-time low of $47,990 drive-away with auto. The only catch: the five-year warranty will have started when the vehicle was registered (maybe a month or two ago when they were reported as sold) but the examples are what are known in the business as an “undriven demo”. So they should have fewer than 100km on the clock.

Want a Holden Colorado LTZ that’s not yet been registered? Pay a still sharp $49,990 drive-away with auto for a 2019 model year or $51,990 drive-away with auto for the 2020 model year. However, the demo Colorado LTZ models at $47,990 drive-away are the best buys. Save $9000 off the full RRP.

UPDATE: On October 1 Holden announced the Colorado LTZ at $51,990 drive-away with auto would also come with seven years free servicing on all examples sold until 31 December 2019.

The Volkswagen Amarok Core TDV6 has hit a new low of $48,990 drive-away with auto (previously $50,990 drive-away and then $49,990 drive-away in recent months), which amounts to more than $5000 off full price. The current offer also includes a black sports bar, bonnet protector and black decals.

However the price of the Amarok TDV6 Sportline has gone up $1000 to $53,990 drive-away and the Amarok TDV6 Highline has gone up $1000 to $58,990 drive-away.

Deals on the recently updated Nissan Navara are, sadly, hard to dissect. Nissan prefers to use finance offers and part payments rather than advertise a simple sharp drive-away price. It means some buyers pay more than others and it comes down to your haggling skills.

Deals on Isuzu D-Max also are steady: the flagship LS-T double cab remains $51,990 drive-away with a six-year warranty – the same as it has been all year. However, with a new model due in the first half of 2020 be sure to twist an arm and try your negotiating skills.