Dual-cab ute mega-test review: Ranger Colorado D-MAX BT-50 Triton Navara HiLux Amarok

If there was ever a vehicle that typified the work hard / play hard Australian lifestyle, it is the double-cab ute. Tough, practical and pretty cool, these rugged pickups are winning plenty of favour with Australian buyers.

But which one is best?

We’ve gathered eight of the most popular models together and will put them through their paces over a series of challenges to find Australia’s Best Ute.

Did you know that more than 1 in every 10 new cars sold in Australia is a 4x4 ute – in fact three of the models we have here were among Australia’s ten top selling cars last year.

But 2015 has been a big year for utes, with 5 of these seeing significant changes, the other 3 receiving even more equipment, making them better value.

So, who is in the running?

Mitsubishi Triton – new for 2015, cheapest ute here, even in top spec
Isuzu D-Max – solid performer with renowened reliability
Holden Colorado – cousin to the D-Max, here in top-spec Z71 trim pushing lifestyle use
Nissan Navara – another all new ute for 2015, big shoes to fill and lots of kit
Mazda BT-50 – a facelift and minor updates
Ford Ranger – sister to the Mazda, with a bold new look and a heap of driver tech available
Volkswagen Amarok – stylish, big and now better value
Toyota HiLux – the biggest name here, and now all new – is it enough to keep the mantle.

We’ll be judging these machines in 5 key categories so come with us and get a behind the scenes look as we find Australia’s Best Ute.

 

Read the related article: Ute comparison: Ford Ranger v Holden Colorado v Isuzu D-MAX v Mazda BT-50 v Mitsubishi Triton v Nissan Navara v Toyota HiLux v Volkswagen Amarok

Read our other written Ford Ranger Reviews, Volkswagen Amarok Reviews, Toyota HiLux Reviews, Isuzu D-MAX Reviews, Holden Colorado Reviews, Mitsubishi Triton Reviews, Nissan Navara Reviews, Mazda BT-50 Reviews