Which ute is the best?

Here at Finder, we painstakingly compare ute reviews to determine the general opinion of motoring experts on a vehicle. This saves you time and helps you understand the pros and cons of buying a particular pick-up. But what if, after reading our comparisons, you're still unsure about which ute to buy?

We've compiled popular utes by key measurements, to help you pick the best model to suit your needs.

Best ute around town

If you live in a metro area or need to work in and around cities, the Mitsubishi Triton is probably the ute to look at. It has the tightest turning circle of all the utes we've compared below, at a mere 11.8m compared to the average of 12.7m. Plus it's skinny at only 1,815mm wide with the mirrors out, making it the perfect ute for tight city streets.

Conversely, the bulky RAM 1500 and LandCruiser 70 are bigger vehicles, with larger kerb to kerb turning circles, making them more of a handful in built-up areas.

Best ute for heavy towing

If you tow a lot, you need a vehicle with a high tow capacity rating. However, this number doesn't always factor in the weight you're carrying. We've calculated how heavy a trailer you can haul if you're fully loaded up. We've done this by subtracting the gross combination mass (GCM), which is the maximum allowable mass of your vehicle and trailer, from the ute's gross vehicle mass (GVM), which is the upper operating weight that a manufacturer has certified.

The clear winner here was the RAM 1500, which will comfortably lug a 3,787kg trailer, even with a fully loaded tray and passenger compartment. Plus, with its monster-truck size 5.7-litre V8, there are wads of torque to get your convoy rolling. The LandCruiser 70 is also another towing brute, with a 4.5-litre turbo diesel and the ability to pull 3.5 tonnes while carrying a full payload.

Most fuel-efficient ute

If fuel usage is your main concern, like when you need to travel long distances, then the Nissan Navara Dual cab ST 4x4 pick-up came out as the most frugal ute in our list, using just 6.3L/100km combined. The Ford Ranger 4x2 XL Single cab low-rider with the 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine uses a pretty decent 6.5L/100km combined, according to Ford.

Best ute for carrying heavy loads

If you need to haul heavy loads, like pallets or blocks of cement, then the Holden Colorado 4x2 LS Single cab diesel can move around 1,487kg. A Ford Ranger 4x2 XL Single cab Hi-rider will handle 1,476kg without a fuss.

Best ute for carrying large loads

If you need to carry bulky, cumbersome loads, a single cab ute with a tray will be your best choice. The Isuzu D-Max, VW Amarok and Holden Colorado single cabs have huge trays that can accommodate cargo up to 2,550mm in length.

The widest tray on a double cab ute (measured between the wheelhouses) was the RAM 1500, followed by the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger.

Best ute for families

If you're looking for an ideal ute to use as your family vehicle, all the models in our list have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. However, the HiLux was given the topmost score more recently. The rest were last tested in 2016 (LandCruiser Cab chassis and Holden Colorado). In 2015, the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and Triton were tested. The Isuzu D-Max was last assessed in 2013 and ANCAP last crashed the Amarok in 2011.

A double cab body makes the most sense, as it gives a family-friendly five seats, with room in the tray for storing your luggage. Therefore, for parents, we'd recommend something like the 2019 Toyota HiLux. It comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Support, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning as standard. There are side head airbags in the rear, Fatigue detection and ISOFIX points too. Double cab HiLux utes scored a suitable 87% for child occupant safety.

Best ute for tradies

If you need a work truck, check our guide on the best utes for tradies.

Toyota HiLux

* Toyota calls its king cab model an Extra-cab

Ford Ranger

*Ford calls its king cab models a Super cab

Mitsubishi Triton

*Mitsubishi calls its king cab a Club cab

Holden Colorado

*Manufacturer's recommended list price

Nissan Navara

Isuzu D-Max

*Isuzu calls its king cab models a Space cab and dual cabs are labelled Crew cabs

Toyota LandCruiser 70

Mazda BT-50

*Mazda names its king cab models as Freestyle cabs

VW Amarok

RAM 1500

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Name	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Comp. Rate (p.a.)	Application Fee	Monthly Fee	Monthly Repayment
Simplify New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.19% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.6% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $927.29	Go to siteMore Info Compare
loans.com.au - New/Demo - Variable Rate Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.24% to 7.39%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.36% to 8.5%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $936.14	Go to siteMore Info Compare
IMB New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $2,000 - $125,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.24%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.59%	Application Fee $274.78	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $924.31	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.24% p.a. A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.
OurMoneyMarket New Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000) Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $934.23	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Stratton Finance New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.52% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.95% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $931.85	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 6.52% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with. Apply for up to $300,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.
RACV New Car Loans Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.29% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $945.77	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 7.29% p.a. A larger loan of $5,000 or more to help you buy a new or used car. 5-hour pre approval available and no ongoing fees.
OurMoneyMarket Used Car Loan ($5,000-$100,000) Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $100,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $934.23	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Simplify Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.19% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.6% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $927.29	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Stratton Finance Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $300,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.52% to 18%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 6.95% to 23%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $931.85	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate loan from 6.52% p.a. with a comparison rate of 6.95% p.a. A used car loan of up to $300,000 with quick approval times and balloon payment options.
loans.com.au - Variable Rate Used Car < 5 years Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.39% to 7.39%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.5% to 8.64%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $952.09	Go to siteMore Info Compare
RACV Used Car Loans Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 8.49% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 9.21% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $962.64	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 8.49% p.a. Benefit from no ongoing fees, 5-hour approval and a 21-day satisfaction guarantee. Interest rate discounts for members.
loans.com.au - Fixed Rate Used Car < 3 years Fixed3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.59% to 8.79%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.7% to 10.04%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $954.89	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Latitude Variable Rate Personal Loan Variable2 - 7 Years $5,000 -	Interest Rate (p.a.) 9.49% to 29.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 10.37% to 30.69%	Application Fee $0	Monthly Fee $13	Monthly Repayment $973.85	Go to siteMore Info Compare	Special Finder offer: $395 establishment fee waived for approved personal loan applications submitted through Finder. Latitude may withdraw offer at any time. T&Cs apply.

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Ben Gribbin

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Ben Gribbin is an experienced automotive writer and life-long car enthusiast with a passion for restoring classic vehicles. He brings many years of experience working with and writing about cars to Finder. See full bio