As we proceed to rely all the way down to the tip of 2024, we’re supplying you with a year-in-review on the automobiles that took our fancy all year long.
Persevering with on from final week’s mid-sized SUV evaluate wrap-up, we’re transferring on to 4×4 utes. It’s the second-largest phase on the VFACTS gross sales charts by quantity, and whereas it will not be as densely packed as different segments, there’s nonetheless loads of choices to select from.
We’ve had the prospect to drive lots this yr, and these are the 5 that topped our rating charts over the calendar yr. A few of these fashions have been reviewed on a number of events this yr, so we’ve solely featured the variant that achieved the very best score.
Costs are primarily based on every producer’s configurators utilizing a Victorian postcode, which ought to present a consultant estimate of what the common Australian purchaser will find yourself paying.
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Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger was our highest-rated ute for 2024, scoring a formidable 8.6 out of 10 in a evaluate written by senior contributor Matt Campbell.
We praised the Ranger’s SUV-like inside really feel, one thing particularly evident within the Wildtrak grade reviewed. Its cabin match and end was additionally a constructive, with high-quality supplies and strong tech serving to it obtain a excessive rating.
Serving to the Wildtrak to the very best score of any ute was its V6 diesel powertrain, which we described because the “excellent match for this kind of ute”. The ten-speed automated gearbox was additionally recognized as a key issue behind its high quality drive expertise, with “good shifts” that allowed the engine to thrive in all conditions.
Our evaluate summed it up by labelling this particular ranger a “nice alternative for many who will use it for work, play, or each”, praising its capability to be a versatile household dual-cab ute. Its worth was listed as a adverse, whereas area in each the again seat and tub might even have been improved.
You may learn our full evaluate of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 right here
CarExpert score | 8.6 |
Victorian drive-away worth | $80,944 |
Professionals | Cons |
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Excellent V6 powertrain | Costly, and costs preserve rising |
Nice to drive | Again seat area a bit restricted |
Some nice tech inclusions | Tray curler cowl eats into area |
All for shopping for a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every little thing Ford Ranger
Volkswagen Amarok
The Ranger’s Amarok cousin was our next-best ute for 2024, with information editor William Stopford giving it a decent rating of 8.3
Highlights included its security and experience consolation, whereas our in-depth rankings for price of possession, gas effectivity and its infotainment tech additionally mirrored the Amarok’s constructive traits.
Not like the Ranger, we praised its bi-turbo four-cylinder engine for its cheaper worth but respectable outputs. We additionally stated it was engaging inside and outside and appreciated its constant steering really feel.
We nonetheless most well-liked the inside of the Ranger, and our score of the Amarok as compared displays that. It scored comparatively poorly on worth for cash and inside practicality and area because of this.
In any other case, its principal downside for an in any other case strong ute was listed as a scarcity of rear USB retailers.
You may learn our full evaluate of the Volkswagen Amarok TDI500 Fashion right here
Volkswagen Amarok TDI500 Fashion | |
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CarExpert score | 8.3 |
Victorian drive-away worth | $69,740 |
Professionals | Cons |
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Excellent know-how that every one works | Much less user-friendly inside than Ranger |
Enticing styling, inside and outside | No rear USB retailers or app connectivity |
Easy, responsive powertrain | A bit expensive |
All for shopping for a Volkswagen Amarok? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every little thing Volkswagen Amarok
Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max was the third and closing ute to attain greater than 8.0 this yr, because it was awarded an 8.1 by market journalist Max Davies.
Sitting close to the highest of the D-Max vary, the LS-U+ was praised for its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was stated to supply robust efficiency whereas sustaining confirmed reliability.
We preferred its inside know-how and luxury, whereas additionally figuring out its experience consolation as a key constructive. It was additionally deemed sensible inside relative to its dimensions and maintained a commendable gas effectivity score.
It’s not significantly low-cost although, and that was mirrored in our evaluate. We additionally weren’t overjoyed by its match and end as we recognized a handful of rattles each from the inside and from the handful of exterior equipment fitted to our tester.
We additionally stated the very fact you couldn’t drive the LS-U+ on sealed roads with four-wheel drive activated was a downside, particularly in comparison with rivals just like the Ranger.
You may learn our full evaluate of the Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ right here
Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ | |
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CarExpert score | 8.1 |
Victorian drive-away worth | $71,182 |
Professionals | Cons |
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Robust, dependable diesel engine | No full-time 4WD |
Comfy inside, good tech | Costs preserve climbing |
Spectacular experience high quality | A bit rattly right here and there |
All for shopping for an Isuzu D-Max? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every little thing Isuzu D-Max
Mazda BT-50
Mazda’s BT-50 was reviewed in SP guise this yr, and it scored 7.9 by the hands of market journalist Josh Nevett.
Just like the Ranger, we felt the BT-50 SP “drives like an SUV” which was recognized as a key constructive and contributed to its respectable rating. Its inside match and end was additionally strong and we had no points with its superior driver help programs both.
Its security, price of possession, gas effectivity, and infotainment know-how had been additionally given commendable rankings. Inside practicality and area wasn’t as robust as a few of its rivals, and whereas outputs from its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel aren’t as excessive as others we stated it had “greater than enough shove” round city.
Regardless of being on the cheaper finish of higher-spec dual-cab utes, we rated its worth for cash poorly. That is largely as a result of it turns into pretty costly when the “SP Professional” choices are fitted, and the infotainment improve it acquired was additionally pricey.
However, we felt the D-Max-twinning BT-50 was well-equipped and benefitted from the credibility of the Mazda badge.
You may learn our full evaluate of the Mazda BT-50 SP right here
Mazda BT-50 SP | |
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CarExpert score | 7.9 |
Victorian drive-away worth | $63,990 |
Professionals | Cons |
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Drives like an SUV | Costly with choices |
Effectively-calibrated ADAS | Rivals have extra grunt |
Premium cabin supplies | Infotainment improve isn’t price $5000 |
All for shopping for a Mazda BT-50? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every little thing Mazda BT-50
Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi managed to crack our 2024 high 5 with the Triton, due to its 7.9 score awarded by assistant manufacturing editor Jack Fast.
We had been impressed by the very fact its towing specs are actually up-to-scratch with the remainder of the phase, whereas its 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder confirmed commendable efficiency and gas effectivity.
We additionally preferred its dealing with dynamics and its inside practicality, the latter of which was given a better score than different opponents. Its infotainment know-how additionally acquired reward.
We didn’t like its driver consideration monitoring system and located it to be “infuriating” when on the transfer. Equally, its idle stop-start perform didn’t carry out as we’d count on, and its experience consolation proved to be under par.
Its six-speed automated transmission can also be much less versatile than different models with extra gears present in some rivals, one thing we really feel must be addressed with a number of extra gears.
You may learn our full evaluate of the Mitsubishi Triton GLS right here
Mitsubishi Triton GLS | |
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CarExpert score | 7.9 |
Victorian drive-away worth | $60,990 |
Professionals | Cons |
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Towing specs lastly segment-matching | Infuriating driver consideration monitor |
Environment friendly bi-turbo diesel | Idle stop-start is painfully laggy |
Lengthy conditional guarantee | Transmission wants extra gears |
All for shopping for a Mitsubishi Triton? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here