The right work ute can be the difference between a good day and a great one. Just ask any carpenter, plumber or landscaper.
What’s more, for many Australian families, the humble dual cab ute – with seating for five – can completely transform the school run, road trip or Sunday drive to the seaside. In fact, this particular type of ute has quietly become the top-selling vehicle in Australia, surpassing SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks. In 2023 and 2024, Australia’s favourite vehicle was the Ford Ranger ute, followed closely by the Toyota HiLux.1
New ute models continue to enter the Australian market, with many of them from Chinese manufacturers and some of them hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even fully electric.2
“If you’re in the market for a new work ute, you’re very spoilt for choice,” says Stephen Ottley, motoring journalist and Editor of Torquecafe.com.au. “There have never been more options available.”
If you’re considering car insurance options for a new work ute – head to Youi’s Car insurance by make and model pages for helpful information about insurance costs for some common dual-cab utes including Ford, Toyota, Isuzu and more.
What makes a great work ute?
Ottley says a great work ute is something that gets you safely and comfortably from home to the worksite and back, “without having to worry if your work boots are ruining the upholstery”. Here are nine things to consider.
1. Safety
To earn a high safety score, a ute will typically need to offer a range of on-board safety assist features, for example, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, lane support or traction control.3 It should also have demonstrated a high level of safety comparative to similar-sized vehicles, for occupants and pedestrians, in the event of an accident.4 The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) can tell you which utes have earned a maximum five-star safety rating.
2. Comfort
It’s common sense to physically inspect, sit in and test drive any work utes you’re considering to rate their comfort. After all, you’re likely to be sitting in your ute a lot.
3. Durability
A work ute has to be tough. Lengths of warranty period vary between manufacturers, which could be an issue if you’re really putting the vehicle through its paces. Of the brands mentioned in this article, Toyota ranked highest – third – in leading US advocacy group Consumer Reports’ 2025 Reliability Survey.5
4. Value
Weighing up factors such as standard equipment, safety, fuel efficiency, warranty, servicing costs and potential resale value can help build a picture of a vehicle’s value for money. If your ute will be primarily for business use, your accountant may also be able to offer helpful input.
5. Connectivity
If you’re the kind of person who wears an Apple Watch, or you’re not a fan of phone charging cables cluttering up your console, you might want a new ute that supports wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with a wireless phone charger.
6. Off-road ability
Do you intend to take the vehicle off-road often? Some four-wheel-drive work utes come with additional off-roading features such as all-terrain tyres, high- and low-range, locking differentials and hill descent control.
7. Towing ability
Most dual-cab utes have a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes (braked), which means you can tow anything up to a large boat or caravan.
8. Payload and tray
Ute payloads vary, which may be an important factor if your business regularly requires a sturdier, harder-wearing tray or the flexibility of a cab chassis. Many dual-cab utes can accommodate up to one tonne in the tray.
9. Customisation
Customisations such as a bullbar or nudge bar may provide enhanced protection for those in rural areas. Other extras, including ute work lights or a lift kit, may appeal to ute drivers who frequently head off-road. However, not all modifications necessarily comply with local legislation and your vehicle’s warranty terms, so you may wish to check that any model you’re considering is well supported by the aftermarket.
Modifying a ute may have implications for your car insurance too.
“It’s important to tell your insurer about any modifications or accessories, as they may increase the value of your car and impact the insurer’s assessment of the risk,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product for Vehicle, Lifestyle and Leisure. “In some cases, there may be a change to your car insurance premium as well.”
What is the best work ute in Australia?
With Ottley’s help, together with car sales data and data from Australia’s major car awards, we’ve pulled together an overview of some of 2025’s best work utes.
Note that prices are subject to change and are based on the manufacturers’ suggested retail price for the lowest-priced variant, quoted for postcode 2000 in February 2025, and may not include costs such as stamp duty, other government charges, and options.
Entry-level work utes – under $50,000
LDV T60 from $39,0426
Shortlisted for the Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $50K by Drive, even the range-topping LDV T60 Max Plus comes in at under $50,000.7 For that you get dual 12.3-inch interior screens, a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, an automatic transmission and on-demand 4WD.8
Mitsubishi Triton from $44,1409
Where the old Triton couldn’t tow 3.5 tonnes, this new one can – thanks, in part, to a more powerful 150kW/470Nm twin-turbo diesel engine.10 It also boasts a wider and longer cabin with more space. According to WhichCar?, “the current-gen Triton is bigger and better than the past-gen in just about every way”.10
KGM SsangYong Musso from $40,00011
Voted the 2024 Car of the Year Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50K by Drive,12 the KGM SsangYong Musso is bigger than most dual-cabs, and comes with plenty of tech and features, plus a generous seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. “The SsangYong Musso isn’t just impressive when viewed in this sub-$50k category, but among the entire line-up of dual-cab utes on sale in Australia today,” says Drive.12
Mid-range work utes – $50,000-$65,000
Toyota HiLux SR from $52,71613
For seven years prior to 2023, the Toyota HiLux was the best-selling vehicle in Australia.14 In 2023 and 2024, it came second in the sales race behind the Ford Ranger.1 GoAuto says the SR variant could be the pick of the range, offering impressive engine performance and a 3.5-tonne towing range. “The SR has everything you need, goes practically anywhere, looks good, and is easy to live with,” says GoAuto.15
Ford Ranger XLS from $64,25716
The Ford Ranger was Australia’s best-selling vehicle in 2023 and 20241 – and for good reason. The Australian-developed, Thailand-built turbo diesel Ford Ranger has won major Australian motoring awards including Drive Car of the Year 2023,17 who praised its high levels of technology and safety, and CarExpert Ute of the Year 2023, for its all-rounder capabilities.18
BYD Shark 6 from $61,51019
A new entrant in the Australian market from Chinese manufacturer BYD Automotive, the Shark 6 is the first plug-in hybrid ute to be sold locally.20 It was voted the 2024 News Corp Australia Car of the Year.21
Luxury work utes – $65,000+
Volkswagen Amarok Panamericana from $86,55722
Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine,23 the Amarok Panamericana’s upmarket interior – by ute standards – is “a true tangible representation of the progression dual-cabs have made,” says CarSales.23
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon from $75,14524
Voted best off-road ute by CarExpert in a 2023 test,25 the Gladiator, which uses a 3.8-litre petrol V625, is the ute version of the famed Jeep Wrangler off-roader, and could be the pick for those looking to “go bush”. “If there’s any ute … specifically designed for off-roading, it’s the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon,” says CarExpert.25
RAM 1500 from $114,95026
If you have something large to tow, such as a horse float or big boat, the RAM 1500 might be for you. Voted best towing ute by CarExpert,27 the RAM 1500 is larger than your typical dual-cab ute and is powered by a 5.7-litre petrol V8. It can tow up to 4500kg (braked),28 eclipsing many popular dual-cab ute models.
Coming soon – the electric work ute
While it’s possible to buy an all-electric ute at present – the LDV eT60, which claims to be “Australia’s first electric dual-cab ute”29 – you’ll need about $93,000, double the price of many conventionally powered turbodiesel rivals.30 Maximum range is also only 330km.30 Fortunately, more electric utes are coming. Ford will also soon offer a plug-in hybrid version of its best-selling Ranger.31
Car insurance for your work ute – what to know
Marni Jackson says that if you use your ute for business purposes, such as visiting clients or shifting tools and equipment around, it might be covered under standard car insurance policies.
Whether you use your car for personal or business use, Youi offers three types of vehicle cover – Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only.32
However, Jackson suggests being clear with your insurer about what the vehicle is used for.
“If the vehicle is used as an essential part of any work or business, or to generate income or reward, you’ll need to disclose that as business use,” she explains.
Additional cover is also available, for example, for tradies who plan to store tools in their ute.
“Optional cover for business items may be added to Comprehensive or Third Party Fire & Theft policies. It provides cover for loss or damage to business items while they’re stored in the car if it’s damaged by an insured event,”33 says Jackson. “This is separate to our “contents inside the car” which provides cover for personal contents items and is included as standard with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft products.34
With so many work utes to choose from, and new models continuously becoming available in Australia, it’s never been easier to arrive at the worksite in comfort, safety and style. If you’re looking for car insurance that might be right for you and your business, consider starting a quote with Youi.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of February 2025 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant vehicle manufacturer websites for price and specification updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: CarsGuide – Australia's best-selling car for 2024 revealed, January 2025
2 Source: WhichCar? – New utes coming to Australia in 2025, January 2025
3 Source: NSW Government – Vehicle safety features
4 Source: ANCAP Safety – What do the star ratings mean?
5 Source: Consumer Reports – Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? December 2024
6 Source: LDV – Price Guide
7 Source: Drive – Car of the Year 2025 – Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $50K finalists announced, December 2024
8 Source: LDV – T60
9 Source: Mitsubishi Motors Australia – All-New Triton
10 Source: WhichCar? – 2024 Mitsubishi Triton review: Full range detailed, September 2024
11 Source: KGM SsangYong – Musso
12 Source: Drive – SsangYong Musso wins Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50K, February 2024
13 Source: Toyota Australia – HiLux prices
14 Source: CarExpert – Ford Ranger topples Toyota HiLux as Australia's best-selling vehicle, January 2024
15 Source: GoAuto – Car reviews –Toyota Hilux SR 4X4 Dual Cab Pick Up, December 2024
16 Source: Ford Australia – Ranger
17 Source: Drive – 2023 Drive Car of the Year – Ford Ranger, March 2023
18 Source: CarExpert – 2023 Ute of the Year revealed, March 2023
19 Source: BYD Automotive – Shark 6
20 Source: CarsGuide – BYD Shark 6 2025 review, October 2024
21 Source: News Motoring – BYD Shark 6 ute named News Corp Australia’s 2024 Car of the Year, December 2024
22 Source: Volkswagen Australia – Configurator
23 Source: CarSales – Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana 2024 Review, July 2024
24 Source: Jeep – Visualiser
25 Source: CarExpert – Best off-road ute revealed, February 2023
26 Source: RAM – RAM Trucks Build & Price Estimator
27 Source: CarExpert – Best ute towing test, February 2023
28 Source: RAM – 1500 Big Horn
29 Source: LDV – eT60
30 Source: News Motoring – LDV eTerron 9 electric ute coming to Australia, November 2024
31 Source: Ford Australia – New Ranger Plug-in Hybrid
32 See the Car PDS for full details.
33 An additional cost applies and is available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies. For business items, additional restrictions apply. For full details, see the Car PDS.
34 Exclusions and limits apply. Covers damage to or loss of business items while stored in the car or unbraked trailer, and where there is also damage to the car or unbraked trailer as a result of an insured event. To be covered for theft, items must have been in a locked boot or lockable compartment which was permanently secured to the car; and the car was locked and there are visible signs of forced entry. For full details, see the Car PDS.
