Utes

For so long seen as purely a tool-of-trade, in recent decades the ute has grown into a Swiss Army-style work/family/lifestyle multi-purpose machine. And in his second month with the Ford Ranger Platinum, Andrew Chesterton is appreciating the family side of its character more than ever.

Ram has been teasing a new mid-size pick-up for years now and it’s still yet to come to fruition.Speculatively called the Dakota, which revives a name previously used by the US pick-up company, this mid-size pick-up (what we would call a ute) was initially teased in 2021 with the unibody STLA Large platform set to underpin it.However, Mopar Insiders now reports the Ram Dakota will be based on a body-on-frame platform.This makes it a more direct rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, among other North American mid-size pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.It’s unclear what type of body-on-frame platform the Dakota will receive. It could have a shrunken version of the body-on-frame architecture that underpins the larger Ram 1500, or perhaps a version of the Jeep Gladiator’s body-on-frame platform.Another option is the STLA Frame architecture which will underpin the Ram 1500 Ramcharger range-extender (REEV) and 1500 REV electric pick-up will be scaled down for the mid-sized Dakota.Mopar Insiders indicates production of the new Ram Dakota will begin in 2027 at the company’s production plant in Belvidere, Illinois. It’ll only be made as a dual-cab.As previously reported, a Ram spokesperson told US outlet Hagerty that the Dakota will “take full advantage” of the company’s “multi-energy strategy”. This means it’ll likely offer internal-combustion (ICE), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV) powertrain options.At this stage the company hasn’t publicly disclosed any technical information, but Ram no longer offers diesel powertrains, which likely rules this out for the Dakota.Also, the potential of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain could see it go up against the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV.We’re yet to see what this Ram mid-size pick-up will actually look like. It’s expected spied prototypes will be on the road soon, but in the meantime digital renders give us an indication of what to expect.The Dakota will likely only be produced in left-hand drive from the factory, though it could be remanufactured to right-hand drive for the Australian market through its partnership with Walkinshaw.“A mid-size ute is on our wish list for Ram in Australia,” said Ram Trucks Australia General Manager Jeff Barber earlier this year.“We think it would be a great fit for Australia.”

Toyota is brewing a new HiLux that it hopes will get it back on top. The HiLux is showing its age and has been shown up by the far newer Ford Ranger in the past few years, so what is Toyota going to do about it?

GWM will discontinue sales of the Cannon Alpha Hybrid ute just weeks after the launch of its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.The move comes as the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is available on a limited-time offer from $57,490 drive-away for the base Lux variant until September 30, 2025.With the top-spec Ultra PHEV variant available from $64,490 drive-away for the same period, the two plug-ins are both cheaper than or the same as the $64,490 DA standard hybrid variant.The change in line-up isn’t a coincidence, according to GWM the move hasn’t come due to a lack in popularity for the hybrid, but rather due to wanting to offer relevant products to customers.“With advancements in PHEV technology and a competitive price point, our goal is to offer a range that truly connects with customer needs,” a GWM Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.“The Cannon Alpha PHEV strikes an ideal balance between cutting-edge electrification and uncompromised 4x4 capability. “For those who prefer a more traditional option, the diesel variant remains an integral part of the Cannon Alpha lineup.”For reference, the Cannon Alpha Hybrid made up around a third of Cannon Alpha sales — the rest being diesel — before the plug-in hybrid arrived. In the first half of 2025, GWM registered 1063 Cannon Alpha sales all-up.The PHEV is also more powerful than the standard Hybrid — its 300kW tops the 255kW thanks to more powerful motors assisting the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. The PHEV also boasts a claimed 115km electric driving range under (generous) NEDC testing thanks to its 37.11kWh battery.The only other full-hybrid ute on sale in Australia is the larger American Toyota Tundra, the Cannon Alpha PHEV is one of three plug-in utes on sale in Australia alongside the popular BYD Shark 6 and the recently arrived Ford Ranger PHEV.The Cannon Alpha and Shark sit closely on pricing, with the latter kicking off from $57,900 before on-roads, the Ford Ranger PHEV is much more expensive — it starts from $71,990 before on-road costs.

There’s a new number-one seller in town. The Ford Ranger has run down the Toyota RAV4 at the halfway point of the yearly sales race.

Amazing value, especially in terms of the tech! A 360-degree camera view with high quality screen resolution, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors and Apple CarPlay, all for $40 grand or thereabouts. You just can’t beat it (although the sound system needs a bit of an upgrade). Externally this thing is a dream, easy to park with the front and rear parking sensors and the 360-degree camera system. Internally it’s roomy with plenty of space and comfort for above average-sized people, up front and in the back seat. Plus it’s a ute. Take the family out on Sunday and go to work on Monday... in comfort. You sit up high with good vision and the ride is okay. But you have to take into account it's a ute, not a luxury vehicle. The driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come in handy. It is a four-pot, 2.0-litre diesel. I bought it new and I’m happy, but if GWM brings its twin-turbo V6 to Australia, in a ute… well, I might consider my options. ;) Fuel economy is pretty good at approx 8.0 litres per 100km. Capped price servicing is appealing compared to the competition. Some people are investing big dollars tricking them up but I’m happy with a couple of modest mods like adding a drivers grab handle to the A-pillar, installing internal rear lights, upgrading the reversing light (the standard one isn't the greatest) and improving the sound system. So far so good, I’m only at 18000km but in the social media forums there are people pulling big caravans and the likes and getting into six figure categories on the speedo. The diesel particulate filter system is good and bad. It allows for DIY regenerative burns, but when the time comes that the car suggests a burn it can throttle back responsiveness which is frustrating and dangerous in certain situations. Aside from the DPF, the GWM Cannon ute is brilliant.

JAC has slashed the pricing of its T9 turbodiesel dual-cab ute in Australia with the introduction of a limited-time drive-away pricing offer for run-out model year 2024 (MY24) stock.

Multimedia is great. Safety tech is extremely dangerous. In the MY24.5 model, there are no ways to save your settings. I have almost had two big accidents with Ford's now permanent lane assist. You can turn it off, but it just turns itself back on. It is extremely dangerous. I have written to Ford customer service and am awaiting a response.Interior is perfectly fine for a small family. Rear cargo is quite small and even smaller if you have a roller shutter. If you get roof racks and rear racks, the vehicle could carry quite a bit of gear. Just with the ute, it doesn’t allow for anything long.Drives really nicely when all safety features are turned off. You will definitely notice when it’s on. You can be well in between your lane and it will take control of your steering. It’s dangerous.Diesel fuel needs less refining yet costs more, go figure. It’s not great on suburban roads. Pretty good on the highway.It’s a brand-new car with 1000km, so it’s hard to give it less than a 10.

Volkswagen Australia has detailed its model year 2025 (MY25) update for the Amarok dual-cab ute ahead of first arrivals during the second half of 2025.The Amarok line-up continues to open with the Core TDI405 at $55,490, before on-road costs, or $55,990 drive-away. The latter price is $2000 more than the MY24 version.The line-up still extends all the way to the Aventura TDI600 at $82,990, drive-away. This is $3000 more than the MY24 version.Almost every Amarok variant picked up a drive-away pricing increase for MY25 except the Aventura TSI452 which continues to be the only variant offered with the 2.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine.It now starts at $79,990, drive-away, which technically remains unchanged from MY24. A full pricing table is at the bottom of this story.Headlining the MY25 Amarok update is the introduction of the off-road-oriented 10 Deserts Edition TDI500 which was made to commemorate the company achieving a Guinness World Record last year.Only 300 examples of this limited-edition dual cab ute are being made and they’re priced from $68,490, before on-road costs, or $69,990, drive-away. This is $8000 more expensive than the Amarok Life TDI500 which it’s based on.The 10 Desert Edition TDI500 features a 40mm suspension lift, 17-inch satin black wheels wrapped in Continental ATR tyres, underbody protection, a black sports bar, soft tonneau cover, all-weather floor mats and ‘10 Deserts’ decals.Additionally, MY25 versions of the Amarok Style, Panamericana and Aventura trims get 230V power sockets with an Australian plug pattern, backed by an integrated 400W inverter. They also pick up a ‘Trailer Assist’ mode which makes hitching and reversing trailers easier.It’s worth noting the related Ford Ranger also recently picked up these features as part of an update.Another change for MY25 is the ‘Mid Blue Metallic’ exterior paint option has been replaced by the new ‘Reed Green Metallic’ finish.Lastly, Amarok Core, Life and Style variants now get the option of a cab chassis tray body style.Opting for this is an additional $4000 over the standard asking price of the dual cab pick-up variant.Included is a standardised alloy tray that weighs 132kg and measures 1650mm long by 1900mm wide. There’s also a steel tray that weighs 243kg and measures similarly to the alloy tray, but pricing for this hasn’t been disclosed.Both of these trays are available as dealer-fit accessories, meaning they are covered by the same five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the Amarok itself.It also means any existing current-generation Amarok can have a tray retrofitted as a dealer-fit accessory. 

LDV is doubling its ute line-up. The Chinese brand’s new Terron 9 dual-cab workhorse will arrive in showrooms in July, where it will sit alongside the brand’s existing T60 ute.