As a tradie, your work vehicle isn’t just a means of transport to the job site. Your ute is a tool that can significantly impact your efficiency and comfort on the job. It’s also a major investment, so you’ll need to factor in all your requirements, such as storage space, towing capacity, off-roading ability, and comfort.
Looking for ways to afford a new ute? Check whether you’re charging enough.
In this guide, we’ll showcase the best utes for tradies, checking out how they stack up in terms of price, power, utility, and fuel efficiency.
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Known as the Holden Rodeo between 2003 - 2008, the D-Max has also shared a platform with three other popular utes: the Colorado, Ranger, and the BT-50 (depending on model year). Save on brand name and buy the bones beneath them all with the tradie favourite Isuzu D-Max—is it the new HiLux?
Favoured by tradies for its build quality and reliability, the Isuzu D-Max is a no-nonsense ute designed to keep up with all your day-to-day activities. With an impressive towing capacity and various body styles, the D-Max caters for all different trades, from construction to landscaping and more. Isuzu has a solid reputation for building trucks and their utes remain a strong choice for tradies. The D-Max excels in off-road conditions, making it ideal for remote job sites.
The D-Max is a reliable workhorse known for its longevity. It may lack the refinement of some competitors, but it will get the job done. A great choice for any tradie.
The Toyota HiLux has a legacy of style, reliability, and performance. It’s a favourite among tradies and has been the most popular ute for almost 20 years running. Rumour is that recent models can’t hold a candle to the original, but the HiLux still excels in off-road work and Toyota offer a competitive remote-area service programme.
The Toyota HiLux is extremely popular among tradies for its reliability and versatility. It offers a refined ride and is suitable for all trades, construction jobs, and off-road work. A variety of options allow tradies to pick anything from a bare-bones rugged workhorse to a high-spec luxury sports model.
The Mazda BT-50 boasts a powerful motor, ample storage space, and a comfortable interior. It's a versatile ute that can handle various work-related tasks while staying usable as a weekender. The BT-50 is ideal for trades that require a balance of strength, cargo space, and comfort.
The Mazda BT-50 has won a bunch of awards—deservedly so. It’s a favourite among tradies for its stylish exterior, comfortable interior, and smooth driving experience. It manages to capture a unique balance between form and function, making it equally suitable for business and personal use. It’s a compelling option for tradies in need of a ute that can handle the demands of the job site while offering a touch of sophistication on weekends.
One of the OGs for tradie utes, the Ford Ranger is a popular choice known for its versatility and reliability. It shares a platform with the Mazda BT-50 and is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, so it’s suitable for all terrains. It’s a great all-round package of capability and comfort, making for an excellent daily driver both on and offsite.
Tradies love the size and power of the Ford Ranger. It has more power and luxury features than a lot of other utes on this list, giving tradies a premium option to splurge on. On top of that, it’s a solid reliable vehicle for weekends with the family as well as on the job.
The Volkswagen Amarok balances style, size, and comfort, making it great for tradies who often work residential jobs. It’s gaining popularity among more sophisticated tradies for its refinement and handling. As a euro option, it offers a more exotic package, but comes at a higher price compared to some competitors.
Tradies appreciate the Amarok's more luxurious interior, comfortable ride, and modern technology, making it suitable for both work and daily commuting. While it comes at a slightly higher price compared to others on this list, the Amarok's build quality and refinement make it a standout choice for those who value craftsmanship and a touch of class in their ute.
The Nissan Navara is a ute that combines power and comfort, making it an attractive option for tradies looking for a balanced performer. It’s super efficient and offers plenty of room while maintaining a smaller profile which proves easy to park.
The Navara's balanced performance and efficiency make it a practical choice for tradies who need a reliable work vehicle that can also save on fuel costs. Its ability to navigate city streets with ease while offering ample storage space is a winning combination.
The Mitsubishi Triton is a legendary ute known for its rugged construction, advanced technology, and ample storage space. It's a dependable choice for tradies who need a versatile work vehicle. New Tritons also come with a market-leading 10-year warranty and 10-year capped price servicing.
The Mitsubishi Triton is a solid ute at an affordable price. It drives well on all terrains and offers some nice features at higher trim levels. If you don’t need huge towing power, the Triton is a choice most tradies won’t regret.
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