The ultra-cool utes Australia needs from a special Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota HiLux and even a modern-day Suzuki Mighty Boy

With all the excitement and publicity that the latest versions of Australia’s popular one-tonne utes garner, it’s sometimes easy to forget that pick-ups are also big business in other parts of the world.

And even though they’re based on models already offered to us, a few of the cooler versions don’t even make it to Australia.

Which is quite vexing, given how much of a ute-obsessed nation we are… we even invented the coupe utility!

Here, then, are a few of our favourite ute grades, variants and/or versions denied access Down Under.

Ford Ranger Single Cab Low-Rider Pick-Up 4x2

Available briefly in previous generation Rangers, the Single Cab Low-Rider pick-up is no longer offered in Australia. It’s cab-chassis only nowadays.

This is the classic two-door, two-seater or three-seater bench ute for basic workhorse needs, with manual as well as auto transmission options, rubber floors, steel wheels and not too much else.

No doubt Ford Australia will point to low demand and unnecessarily high complexity as sound reasons not to import such a model, but there’s no denying the appeal of a cheap, basic ute – especially with the safety, comfort and dynamic attributes of the latest Ranger.

And with the premium PHEV and Super Duty versions on their way, we can’t really expect Ford to bother going downmarket again anyway.

Isuzu D-Max AT35

Introduced in 2016 in the previous-generation D-Max, today’s AT35 announced in 2021 continues the collaboration between Isuzu UK and Arctic Truck.

The latter is a former Toyota Iceland division but, since 2005, an independent off-road vehicle engineering, tuning and extreme-adventure firm based in Reykjavik.

Based on the UK flagship V-Cross grade, it gains Bilstein off-road suspension with special springs and dampers, 35-inch wheels shod with 17-inch all-terrain tyres with wheelarch extensions to clear them, 50mm extra ground clearance, improved approach/breakover/departure angles, a sports bar, rooftop lighting, AT35 badges, mudflaps and more.

Luckily, we can now enjoy something similar in Australia with the recently-launched D-Max Blade, enhanced by Walkinshaw Automotive in Melbourne.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab Pick-Up 4x2

If a Ford Ranger is a bit too big, rich and common for you, it’s comforting to know that the Triton continues to be a value leader amongst the established utes in Australia.

The sixth-gen launched earlier this year as a dual-cab only proposition, with the older-gen 4x2 models providing the entry-level cab-chassis workhorse versions at lower prices.

But there is a new-shape two-door pick-up available elsewhere, complete with all the safety, comfort and refinement upgrades found in the higher-spec dual-cab Tritons.

Whether we see this iteration is unknown, but unlikely given the expected low demand for a 4x2 two-door pick-up.

Toyota HiLux Revo Standard Cab Entry SWB Pick-up 4x2

It may be in the autumn of its lifecycle, but the existing HiLux still has some time to go in Australia.

And what better way to drum up a bit of excitement for the ageing series than to release what amounts as a homage to the classic Japanese old-school utes like the Datsun 1200 and Suzuki Mighty Boy?

That’s right. Toyota offers a stubby little two-door pick-up version of the HiLux, designed to fit into crowded cities and tight spaces. Powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, it includes most of the comfort and safety features available in other grades. It’s just a bit less long, that’s all.

We don’t seriously believe that this SWB wonder will make its way to Australia, but as a future cult car, all the ingredients are certainly there.

Meanwhile, we still hold out for the HiLux Champ to make an appearance on our shores. We can only hope!