Best Utes
1.RAM 1500
8.4
6 badges available
$82,950 - $199,950*MRLP
What we love
- -The monstrous power and torque
- -Ride quality is brilliant everywhere
- -V8 rumble and supercharger whine symphony
What we don't
- -First delivery is already sold out
- -You'll need off-street parking
- -Exploring the Baja DNA means you'll have to go a long way off-road
2.RAM 2500
8.3
3 badges available
$163,950 - $163,950*MRLP
What we love
- -Unparalleled towing performanceÂ
- -Cabin space and comfort are exceptional
- -Updated tech and infotainment
What we don't
- -Right-side column shifter feels out of place
- -Price means it's out of range for some buyers who could really use it
- -Brakes need some footwork to pull up quickly
3.Ford Ranger
8.1
8 badges available
$36,180 - $86,790*MRLP
What we love
- -Brilliant high-speed off-road performance
- -Impressive in low-speed technical terrain as well
- -A massive step up over the old model, in almost every aspect
What we don't
- -Capable of using copious volumes of fuel
- -Still can't tow or lug loads like other utes
- -Won't suit the needs of long-distance four-wheel-drive tourers
Winner - Best Off Road Dual Cab Ute
Drive Car of the Year 2022
Finalist - Best Dual Cab Ute
Drive Car of the Year 2022
Finalist - Best Dual Cab Ute
Drive Car of the Year 2022
6.Volkswagen Amarok
8.0
11 badges available
$45,890 - $86,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Automatic-equipped models now have a low-range transfer case
- -Premium interior designÂ
- -Top-shelf ride quality and driving experience for the segment
What we don't
- -Aventura ride quality felt busy on imperfect road surfaces
- -We are holding our breath for the price
- -Climate control accessed through the infotainment display
7.GWM Ute
7.9
3 badges available
$35,990 - $46,490*MRLP
What we love
- -Car-like interior amenities
- -Knockout value in its segment
- -Tailgate step should be mandatory on all utes
What we don't
- -Down on punch compared with other utes
- -Infotainment light on features with no nav, no DAB+
- -Suspension in need of some final finishing work
8.Volkswagen Crafter
7.9
7 badges available
$54,890 - $78,090*MRLP
What we love
- -Good loaded performance
- -Loads of interior comfort and practicality
- -Flexibility through the various options
What we don't
- -Low gearing yields high revs on the highway
- -Some additional standard inclusions would be nice
- -Rear-view camera should definitely be standard
9.Isuzu D-MAX
7.7
14 badges available
$32,200 - $67,500*MRLP
What we love
- -Dependable 3.0-litre engine remains strong against competition
- -Functional interior space, loads of storage
- -Solid value proposition
What we don't
- -Very little to get excited about between model years
- -Jumpy ride comfort
- -Dull infotainment system
Winner - Best Dual Cab Ute
Drive Car of the Year 2022
10.Jeep Gladiator
7.6
5 badges available
$78,250 - $87,250*MRLP
What we love
- -Stands out from the crowd
- -Comfortable, practical, well-equipped
- -Strong drivetrain performance
What we don't
- -Big turning circle, harder to park
- -Thirst for fuel
- -Busy ride on knobbly tyres
Finalist - Best Off Road Dual Cab Ute
Drive Car of the Year 2022
Drive's Best Cars
Drive's team of experts reviews and rates hundreds of the latest models each year to help you find your next new car. Browse our Best Car lists to discover how different models rank against each other and what our team loves and doesn't love about these top-rating vehicles.
* ‘MRLP’ is the manufacturer’s recommended list price as provided by our data provider and is subject to change, so is provided to you for indicative purposes only. Please note that MRLP is inclusive of GST, but is exclusive of any options and does not include on-road costs such as registration, CTP, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Where an MRLP is stated as a price range, this reflects the lowest to highest MRLP provided for that model range across the available variants.
Get weekly updates with the latest car news and reviews.
