Toyota will pause production of its iconic LandCruiser 70 Series later this year, to update the vehicle in line with new emissions regulations.

The production pause is expected to occur in September, though reports suggest Toyota has sufficient stock to meet consumer demand during the hiatus.

This update is in response to ADR 80/04 (Australian Design Rule 80/04 – Emission Control for Heavy Vehicles), which was formally legislated on February 20, 2023. The rule introduces new emissions standards for heavy vehicles and applies to all M (passenger) and N (goods) category vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) exceeding 3500kg.

ADR 80/04 mandated that – from November 1, 2024 – all new heavy vehicle models approved and supplied to Australia for the first time must comply with ADR 80/04. Phase two mandates that – from November 1, 2025 – all heavy vehicles supplied to Australia, including existing models, must meet the new emissions standards.

To meet these standards, ADR 80/04 requires the use of advanced emissions control technologies, including Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). AdBlue, a urea-based fluid, will play a crucial role in helping diesel vehicles meet these stricter emissions standards – it’s used in SCR systems to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent.

As Australia transitions to adopt Euro 6 and even stricter Euro 6d standards, AdBlue will be essential for compliance in trucks, buses, and dual-cab utes.

Up until the end of April, Toyota has sold a total of 3159 LandCruiser 70 units.

Brabus has revealed its latest ultra-luxury off-roader, the Brabus XL 800, a vehicle that, in the words of Brabus, bridges the gap between off-roaders and supercars.

Based on the W465 series Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, this rock-star example features a bespoke suspension system incorporating portal axles, resulting in improved approach and departure angles and an impressive ground clearance of 47cm.

Powering the beast is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, tuned by the boffins at Brabus to produce a breath-taking 588kW at 6600rpm and up to 1000Nm at 3600rpm. Gains were achieved by modifying the turbocharging system and updating the engine management software.

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The stainless steel sports exhaust features twin tailpipes wrapped in exposed-structure carbon surround. The exhaust system even features active sound management depending on the selected drive mode, with a “Coming Home” mode to keep neighbors on-side. Integrated within the rear-end are red launch ambience lights that are in sync with the interior lighting. 

Giving the vehicle its presidential appearance is its carbon-fibre Widestar body kit, which adds wide fender flares fore and aft, as well as a front fascia with an integrated 4500kg winch, to give the vehicle its menacing stance. A set of Brabus-branded Monoblock Z/HD forged alloy wheels – 9.5 inches wide and 22 inches in diameter – look trick and are said to be lightweight yet incredibly strong. 

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Brabus treated the interior of the XL 800 to its Masterpiece trim level, which includes slate grey leather upholstery with custom stitching, applied by hand; a “Double Cube” quilting pattern on the seat centres, door panels, floor mats, and the centre strip of the headlining, which is finished in Dinamica microfibre; and BRABUS logos integrated into several interior elements. The perforated seats include both heating and ventilation functions. 

Zagame Automotive located in Melbourne is the exclusive distributor of Brabus vehicles in Australia, with the G700, G800 and G900 G-Wagens listed on its website, all of which are also based on the AMG G63. Prices typically start at $300,000, but can exceed $500K for highly customised versions.

With an enticing price tag of just $57,990 excluding on-road costs, the BYD Shark is a stunning first entry into the dual-cab market. Deliveries began rolling out early in 2025, and we’ve even taken ownership of one!

The BYD Shark features the brand’s DM-O (dual-mode off-road) technology, combining a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, yielding a total power output of 321kW. It boasts independent coil-spring rear suspension and offers three terrain modes: Sand, Mud and Snow, along with instant torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. BYD claims the Shark 6 will provide a combined range of approximately 800km.

Interior kit includes a 12.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera system, a wireless phone charger, a head-up display, and an NFC key card for added convenience. Here’s everything else we know about the BYD Shark 6 👇

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JUMP AHEAD

• May 2025: REVIEW | Off-road test
• April 2025: BYD updates its warranty policy
• February 2025: Shark gets five-star safety score
• January 2025: First Australian deliveries commence; new shipment spotted in Melbourne
• November 2024: Nearly 4000 sales in first month
• November 2024: We bought a Shark!
• November 2024: More than 2000 orders taken in first 24 hours
• October 2024: Factory-backed Ironman 4×4 accessories
• October 2024: Full pricing and specifications
• October 2024: Shark will be priced below $60,000 in Australia
• September 2024: On-sale date confirmed for Australia
• September 2024: SPEC BATTLE: 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV vs BYD Shark
• August 2024: Spied in Adelaide
• May 2024: BYD Shark unveiled!
• May 2024: Reveal date announced
• May 2024: Shark spied feeding in Melbourne!
• April 2024: BYD ute spied without disguise
• December 2023: BYD PHEV ute spied in Oz!
• November 2023: BYD Ute imagined
• October 2023: BYD Ute leaked
• September 2023: BYD Ute confirmed for Oz

May 2025: REVIEW | BYD Shark tested off-road

The Shark is a stunning first entry into the market, but there’s still room for improvement.

It has been making waves since it launched in Australia at an eye-popping $57,990, enticing more than 2000 orders in its first 24 hours on sale. At less than $60K, owners are treated, not only to a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but to a vehicle loaded with premium equipment. But, more importantly, how does it perform off-road? Not great, all things considered.

April 2025: BYD updates its warranty policy

BYD has simplified its warranty policy, announcing all-new six-year/150,000km bumper-to-bumper coverage, as well as its eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Previously, BYD offered a mix of warranty periods for various pieces of equipment, including the infotainment system, shocks, charging port assemblies, lights, suspension, tyre-pressure monitoring module, and more.

February 2025: Shark gets five-star ANCAP safety rating

The Shark is equipped with dual frontal airbags, side chest and side head-protecting airbags, and a centre airbag. Plus it’s loaded with plenty of advanced safety tech.

It excelled during testing in two key criteria: Adult Occupant and Child Occupant Protection, scoring 85 per cent and 87 per cent respectively. Plus, it received scores of 86 per cent (Safety Assist), and 74 per cent (Vulnerable Road User Protection) in the remaining key areas.

January 2025: First Australian deliveries commence, and new shipment spotted in Melbourne

The first customers have received the keys to their all-new Shark PHEV; and a new load has been spotted in Melbourne, following ongoing port industrial action which delayed shipments.

Customer deliveries in Australia have begun for the BYD Shark 6, with the first set of keys for the hugely anticipated PHEV recently exchanging hands.

November 2024: Nearly 4000 sales racked up in first month!

Nearly 4000 Aussies have already put their hand up for BYD’s plug-in hybrid ute … and it hasn’t even landed yet!

Since retail pricing for the electrified ute was announced at $57,900 at the end of October, the petrol-electric dual-cab has seen around 4000 orders placed in Australia.

November 2024: We bought a Shark

We’ve just placed an order for a brand-spanking new BYD Shark 6!

We can’t wait to get our hands on it and put it to through the 4X4 Australia torture test, where we’ll see how it copes off-road and beyond city lights. We’ll also aim to bring it on as many comparison tests and trips as possible, so there’ll be no shortage of Shark content in 2025!

November 2024: More than 2000 orders taken in first 24 hours

In the 24 hours since pricing was released for the all-new Shark, more than 2000 orders have already been placed by the public.

The surge in traffic to the BYD website even caused it to temporarily crash, as order books opened with an introductory price of $57,900 (plus on-road costs).

October 2024: Factory-backed Ironman 4×4 accessories

Ironman 4×4 has collaborated with BYD’s local distributor, EVDirect, to develop a range of aftermarket products that can be equipped to the all-new BYD Shark.

Consumers can simply add the factory-backed accessories when purchasing the vehicle, and the equipment will be installed and backed by BYD’s six-year, 150,000km warranty. The Australian-designed range includes bull bars, roof racks, tonneau covers and canopies.

October 2024: Full pricing and specifications

The Shark will be released in Australia at a competitive price of $57,900 excluding on-road costs – at launch, only one model variant will be on sale. BYD have said this is an introductory offer, so expect that number to climb in the new year.

“No-one is left behind with the BYD Shark 6. There is no need for all of the fuss people might have heard about EVs,” said Luke Todd, EVDirect Executive Chairman and Managing Director. “With this vehicle, simply plug it into your normal wall socket overnight and you’re driving electric, but doing so without any range anxiety.”

October 2023: Shark will be priced below $60,000 in Australia

BYD has confirmed the Shark 6 will be priced below $60,000 when it is officially on sale in Australia from October 29 this year.

September 2023: On-sale date confirmed for Australia

The Australian on-sale date for the BYD Shark 6 has been confirmed, with the plug-in hybrid ute available to order from October 29, 2024.

September 23: SPEC BATTLE! 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV vs BYD Shark

Rocking the status quo! We line up the spec sheets of two plug-in hybrid utes en-route to Australia in 2025.

August 27: Spied in Adelaide

Eagle-eyed 4X4 Australia reader Jeff Sexton spotted this lightly camouflaged double-cab ute in a hotel car park in Adelaide.

Despite the covered badges, it didn’t take him too long to figure out that it was the upcoming BYD Shark that is expected to launch in Australia before the end of this year. BYD already revealed the look and styling of the hybrid-powered Shark at an unveiling in Mexico in May, but car companies still like to try and hide their upcoming models before local launch.

The Shark looks to be similar to the Ford Ranger in size, with similar styling, and if it does go on sale during 2024 it will beat Ford’s hybrid Ranger to the market.

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May 14: BYD Shark unveiled!

The BYD Shark has now been officially unveiled. Get all the details in our big reveal story, linked below.

BYD Shark will be revealed on May 14

Chinese carmaker BYD has confirmed its upcoming Shark ute will be revealed on May 14 at an event in Mexico.

BYD made its announcement on the platform formerly known as Twitter, where it said: “Get ready for BYD SHARK’s global debut in Mexico City, Mexico, and witness the strength and innovation behind our new Pickup Truck. Mark your calendars for May 14, 2024, it’s here to redefine green mobility to the next level!”

Surprisingly, the announcement includes a full photo of the Shark without any disguise – showing BYD’s awareness that the game is up, on that front.

Watch for more details to come on May 14, if not sooner.

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Here it is in Melbourne!

A Wheels reader has spied the new BYD Shark ‘feeding’ in outer Melbourne this week.

Pulled up at the Red Rooster in Ringwood this week, reader Halkin Developments spotted a camouflaged Shark plugged in at the Evie chargers outside the fast food restaurant.

Although the Shark has already been ‘revealed’ through photos of an undisguised vehicle in April, these new photos offer more context on the ute’s size, as it comfortably fills its parking space.

What do you think of the Shark as a Ranger and HiLux rival?

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April 2024: BYD Shark ute spied without disguise

We’ve seen revealing patent images and a prototype testing in Australia, but now the BYD Shark is a little more official, thanks to these photos of an undisguised example.

Get all the details at the featured story linked below. ?

December 2023: BYD PHEV ute spied in Australia!

The 2025 BYD plug-in hybrid ute has been snapped testing on an Australian freeway ahead of its local launch in 2024.

Pictures posted to social media show a left-hand-drive prototype of the as-yet-unnamed Chinese dual-cab petrol-electric ute wrapped in camouflage ahead of its global reveal in the coming months.

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November 2023: BYD Ute imagined

Thanks to those earlier patent images, we’ve been able to produce a pair of accurate (albeit still speculative) renderings for the upcoming 2025 BYD Ute.

Check them out below, and tell us what you think about the look! You can continue reading our evolving story further down.

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October 2023: BYD Ute revealed in patent images

This is our best look ute at the 2025 BYD ute yet.

Following spy pictures and a confirmation that BYD will subject its ute to a local development program, patent images of the Chinese ute have been unearthed by CarNewsChina [↗].

The monotone images show the ute’s proportions in its entirety, and confirm it will wear BYD badging rather than the carmaker’s outdoorsy YangWang and Fang Cheng Bao spin-off brands.

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The ute itself seems to follow similar design sensibilities to GWM’s Americana-style Ute Cannon range.

It has broad flared arches and with a long wheelbase and bed, presents at the larger end of the Australian pick-up scale. Think closer to the new Ford Ranger than the Mitsubishi Triton.

There’s also that bold front grille with ‘BYD’ stamping proudly declaring the vehicle’s maker. The blacked-out A-Pillar and laid-back windscreen are particularly sporty for this type of vehicle, perhaps inspired by chief designer Wolfgang Egger’s history at Audi.

Keeping things luxurious, the top-down view reveals a sunroof. It wouldn’t be entirely unique to BYD, but it does demonstrate the market the brand is targeting with this vehicle.

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Chinese insiders confirm the ute will launch overseas in the fourth quarter of this year though exact powertrain details are still unconfirmed.

Initially, though, the Ute will launch with an undetermined plug-in hybrid system – potentially beating the Ford Ranger PHEV to the punch – with a battery EV version to follow.

BYD has said the ute will fall under its ‘Ocean Series‘ of vehicles that are already here in Australia as the Seal and Dolphin. The Ocean Series vehicles that are fully electric take animal monikers, while plug-in hybrids are named after vessels.

The Frigate, for example, is a plug-in hybrid medium SUV and the Landing Ship is a PHEV people-mover. As BYD will offer the ute with both powertrains, there are all manner of nautical nomenclatures possible – stay tuned for confirmation later this year.

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

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September 2023: BYD Ute confirmed for Australian release following local testing

Ahead of an Australian release in 2025, BYD’s first-ever ute will be subject to testing and evaluation down under.

“In our 2024 lineup, we have a larger SUV and a pick-up, which we’re very excited about”, EV Direct CEO Luke Todd told 4X4 Australia. He also revealed the ute will undergo Australian evaluation before it hits dealerships.

BYD’s electrified ute is yet to be revealed – even in its China home market –but the big, brash pick-up has been spied several times in camouflage [↗]. Reminiscent of American ute design (we see a hint of Ford F-150 in that fascia) the new BYD is likely to compete with one-tonne models such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

The successful launches we’ve had so far with products that people didn’t anticipate would go very well suggests we might shock a few people with the ute

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Unlike other Chinese marques with separate commercial and passenger brands (such as GWM and SAIC’s LDV), it seems the ute will proudly wear BYD badging. A glimpse inside shows plenty of digital screens where pick-ups have typically had analogue dials.

As for the model name, theories are scarce. BYD’s working codename is ‘F pick-up’, according to CarNewsChina, though that won’t fly in markets where Ford sells its F-Trucks. The BYD Whale perhaps? It’ll all be confirmed in 2024.

There are rumours of both battery electric and plug-in hybrid options to cover all bases, though BYD Australia importer EV Direct is yet to confirm details.

“We’ve been very embedded in the engineering, relationship and partnership with BYD… we had a couple of week-long workshops with the BYD engineers who are designing and building the ute”, said Luke.

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“We did that in China, we drove the ute and had great fun, but also did all the pressure testing and came away with a whole range of enhancements to make the ute the best it can be and the most attractive for the Australian market.

“We’ve been with BYD engineers in Australia on a research project looking at the conditions more in depth of Australia and what people are looking for in a ute”, Todd added.

It’s not unusual for ute manufacturers to come here to refine their vehicles. Mitsubishi, Isuzu, and Toyota are a few manufacturers who engage with Australia in development, while Ford had an even more full-on design and engineering program in Australia for its class-best Ranger ute.

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Aside from being one of the largest markets for utes outside the United States, Thailand and South Africa, Australia also has unique demands for these vehicles.

They’re used not just on worksites but as daily family transportation and lifestyle products – utes have some of the broadest demands of all new vehicles.

“I can confirm the feedback from the partnership and communication of what Australian consumers are looking for was extremely detailed. We’re talking an immense amount of data sharing of what consumers want for Australia and a lot of those inputs are being implemented into the ute… It is very much a co-designed vehicle for the Australian market.”

The only electric ute on sale in Australia is the LDV eT60, a $92,990 rear-wheel drive battery vehicle with big business fleets in mind. There are various small businesses converting Toyota HiLuxes and Ford Rangers to EVs for mining operations but little for the private buyer.

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Mitsubishi is weighing up options for its new Triton – whether PHEV, EV or HEV works – and LDV has promised a new-gen 4×4 pick-up next year. If BYD’s timeline and capability claims are to be believed, its ute could be the first electric one to resonate with both public and private buyers – that’s certainly what Luke Todd thinks.

“It’s the best of both worlds”, he said, adding “Obviously, consumers and fleets will make their own judgement but I’m very confident that we’re on the money. And the successful launches we’ve had so far with products that people didn’t anticipate would go very well suggests we might shock a few people with the ute.”

Accompanying the ute is allegedly a platform-sharing large SUV, though Todd did not comment on what would be a Ford Everest and Toyota Prado rival in discussions with 4X4 Australia.

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Yep, it’s long in the tooth. Yep, it’s getting replaced soon. Yep, it’s thirsty. It’s a fair question: Is the Y62 Patrol really still a good purchase in 2025? Look, the answer is highly subjective, but for me it’s yes, absolutely.

It’s big, it’s excellent for towing, it’s superbly comfortable and, for a fully independent rig, it’s incredibly capable. Oh yeah, and the engine, it’s an absolute ball-tearer. And despite never having a diesel variant, heaps of folks have proven that the old idea of “YoU nEeD a DiEsEl To ToUr!” is a load of steaming political promises.

So that’s what I’d go with, a stock standard lowest-spec Ti Y62 for $88,900, which given it’s about to be superseded by the Y63 means it’s the last of the model run, which is usually where manufacturers have got everything dialled in as nicely as it’s getting. Pick your moment to buy and you may even pick a runout model up for cheap. I mean, yeah, it’s showing its age, particularly the interior, but this may be your last opportunity to own a new rig with a big bent eight for a while, so I’m getting in while I can.

I’m also of the opinion that my money is better spent on aftermarket items over the stock stuff, particularly since most of the cost between the Ti, the Ti-L and the Warrior is largely taken up by gadgetry like sunroofs, electronic opening tailgates and bi-modal exhausts (which are heaps cool, but not a necessary expense for me). Sure, the Premcar-tuned Warrior has upgraded suspension, AT tyres and a few other off-road oriented bits and pieces, but I maintain that there’s aftermarket gear that’s just as good, if not better. It’s not a bad thing by any means, for me, I just can’t see the value.

For people that have more money than me (roughly 99.9 per cent of the population) and don’t want to faff around having parts fitted, then I can see why the Warrior works. But back to what I’d buy.

The mods list is fairly basic. First off would be a full three-inch exhaust for around three grand so I can hear that engine sing, because I’m not a barbarian. The usual two-inch lift with the best shocks I can afford and some 33-inch rubber would be on the cards ($5000-ish), but not before I throw on a Raslaar front bar, lightbar and winch (setting me back around $6500), a set of sliders and scrub rails from the same company (call it $2500) and a set of quality drawers with an Evakool drawer fridge incorporated from RV Storage Solutions ($3000 or so). I’d also bung in a GME XRS UHF for $650 so I can politely ask caravanners to keep left when they’re not overtaking, which is pretty much always.

I reckon that’s a shade over twenty gees well spent, bringing it in line with a top-spec model (just a lot better for me) giving me a decent touring rig (thanks to the factory 140L tank) that’d be well protected on gnarlier tracks and still get me to any touring destination in the country in comfort and style while I‘m listening to the strains of that so-sexy V8 soundtrack.

The unassailable Ford Ranger remained the best-selling 4×4 vehicle in Australia in April, despite a significant decline in monthly and year-to-date sales.

Ford sold a total of 3776 Ranger 4×4 vehicles in April, representing a decline of 25.8 per cent on the monthly charts – the Blue Oval sold 5089 units in April 2024. It’s also a 16.0 per-cent dip on the year-to-date charts – 16,238 sales in 2025 compared to 19,329 in 2024.

With a recall now in motion for V6-powered Ranger and Everest models built between 2022 and 2025, it’ll be interesting to track sales in the upcoming months.

The Toyota HiLux is already hot on the Ranger’s heels, almost overtaking the big Ford in April. Toyota enticed a total of 3509 consumers to sign for a HiLux 4×4, just 267 sales shy of the Ranger. However, these 

Things get interesting when you combine 4×2 and 4×4 sales, with the HiLux not just outselling the Ranger, but every other vehicle on sale in Australia. The HiLux registered 4121 overall sales, positioning it ahead of the Ranger (4031), Toyota RAV4 (3808), Ford Everest (2234) and Toyota Prado (2233).  

Yep, the Everest outsold the Prado by a solitary sale. They were trialled by the Isuzu MU-X (1223) and 300 Series LandCruiser (1022), both of which registered significant monthly declines – 34.8 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively.

The BYD Shark ended the month with 1293 customer deliveries in April, lifting year-to-date sales to 6129. A total of 2026 and 2810 sales were registered in February and March, so it’s an interesting watch.

Sales were down across the board in April 2025 compared to April 2024, with both the LCV and PU/CC 4×4 segments declining by 4.6 and 3.1 per cent respectively.

However, when breaking down LCV sales, private sales actually increased by a whopping 17.1 per cent (6.5 per cent year-to-date). Causing the overall decline is a drop-off in business, government and rental sales (-13.0 per cent, -13.2 per cent, and -14.9 per cent respectively).

Diesel sales within the LCV segment also continue to fall, down 9.2 per cent for April 2025 and 11.6 per cent so far this year. A total of 19,215 diesel-powered LCVs were sold in April 2024, compared to 17,451 in April 2025. This is mirrored in SUV sales, which, despite an increase in April 2025 compared to April 2024 (+6.2 per cent), is down 3.7 per cent year-to-date.

The market also experienced a sharp decline in plug-in hybrid sales. A total of 2601 plug-in hybrids were purchased in April, representing 2.9 per cent of sales. This is down from 4.7 per cent in March 2025, with FCAI chief executive Tony Weber attributing this to the removal of the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for these models at the end of March.

“The earlier inclusion of PHEVs in the FBT exemption played a critical role in making these vehicles accessible to more Australians. Removing that support has led to an immediate and disappointing drop in demand in a price-sensitive vehicle market,” Mr Weber said.

“For NVES to succeed, it must be supported by holistic policy settings that assist consumers to move to zero and low-emission technologies, including continued investment in recharging infrastructure,” he said.

The braked towing capacity of the inbound GMC Yukon Denali has been confirmed, with the large SUV stamped with an official rating of 3628kg.

This gives the Yukon Denali the highest towing capacity of any SUV currently in new-car showrooms around the country. Its key (albeit smaller) rivals – Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Nissan Patrol, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X – all have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg. 

Priced at $174,990 (RRP), the three-row eight-seater is powered by a 6.2-litre EcoTec3 V8 engine producing an impressive 313kW and 624Nm. The vehicle’s brakes towing capacity is limited to 750kg, while the SUV’s GVM is listed at 3447kg.

“We know how important towing is to our customers, so we’re thrilled to confirm the GMC Yukon’s braked towing capacity is the very best in its class“ says Jess Bala, Managing Director, General Motors Australia and New Zealand.

“We have always considered the GMC Yukon a flagship vehicle unrivalled in the region, and the braked towing capacity only furthers that status. Not just luxurious, spacious and a capable three-row SUV powered by a potent V8 engine, it can also tow an unmatched 3628kg.“

The V8 engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and features a Dynamic Fuel Management system, which has the ability to deactivate half the cylinders under light loads to improve fuel efficiency. Its Active Response 4WD system includes an electronic limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case.

The Denali measures 5330mm in length, 2058mm in width and 1943mm in height, with a 3071mm wheelbase. It features a huge 3480 litres of cargo space with the rear rows folded.

Interior features include heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 16.8-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 14-speaker Bose sound system, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15-inch head-up display, and dual 12.6-inch rear entertainment screens. A panoramic sunroof is also included.

Standard driver assistance technologies comprise adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, lane keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

Customer deliveries are nearing, with the first remanufactured right-hand-drive vehicle rolling out of GMSV’s stand-alone facility last month.

GripSport manufactures several heavy-duty bike rack designs right here in Australia … and I don’t use the word ‘heavy-duty’ as a blasé way to describe these racks.

No siree; these racks are rated to carry bikes on and off the road, regardless of terrain. Some bike-rack manufacturers make claims regarding the weight of the bikes they can carry, but decrease said weight when driving off-road, or even state ‘not for off-road use’. Not GripSport; this company’s racks have been designed to carry bikes in all terrain types.

I’ve been using the GS4+ rack for the past couple of years on a number of 4x4s; it is essentially GripSport’s top-of-the-range vehicle-mounted rack that also incorporates tail lights (brake and turn indicators) and a number plate. Initially, I needed a robust off-road compatible rack for up to four bikes to fit on my Troopy, which had a rear-mounted swing-out spare wheel and dual jerry can holder.

To make my wish-list harder, I wanted a rack that could transform from a four-bike to a two-bike carrier with my 4×4 converted Hiace. Plus, asking the ridiculous, I wanted the bike carrier to drop or pivot down to aid access to the rear of the Troopy and the Hiace.

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While converting from four to two carriers takes 15 to 20 minutes, it’s relatively straightforward and saves purchasing two separate carriers. The tilting system remains in both configurations, the light and number-plate holder are retained, and the simple hoop wheel mounts are all adjustable to suit whatever wheelbase bikes are carried.

Given the GripSport rack’s upswept angle, my 4×4’s departure angle isn’t impeded so there is little chance of scraping bikes or the rack on the ground. This rack can handle up to four bikes at 30kg each. Whether you’re pedalling heavy electric mountain bikes, fat-wheeled off-road bikes, or any other weighty set of wheels, the dynamic load rating makes it possible to transport them.

I opted for the standard hoop set to hold the bike wheels over the Taco kit, which does indeed look like a taco shell. While the Taco version caters to varied frame length bikes to be fitted without adjustments, making putting different bikes on the same holder easier, the hoop design was my preferred option because once adjusted to each bike’s dimensions, the hoop does a better job of holding the bike in place, which is more suited to off-road conditions.

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Downsides? Yes, there are a couple. Smaller kids will need help lifting and reaching the bikes due to the high-mounting positions. Being manufactured from steel rather than alloy, the rack is heavy compared to lesser units. I can remove and install the rack by myself, but having two people makes the job much easier given the rack’s overall weight. While alloy offers weight benefits, the galvanised steel setup of the GripSport rack is stronger.

I have used the GripSport rack with two bikes over a 10,000km trip through the Flinders Ranges and Central Australia on my 4×4 Hiace, on my Troopy with four bikes on countless weekend escapes, plus on my HiLux about a dozen times. Throughout, it has performed faultlessly and has always maintained its ease of use. Dare I mention this on a 4×4 website, but I also fitted the rack to a Commodore wagon a couple of times, proving how versatile the system is. 

The GS4+ rack is a horizontal-style system that carries the bikes upright, but there is also a series of vertical bike racks if that is your preferred method. Overall, the GripSport bike carrier system has exceeded my expectations and it has endured some seriously corrugated and rough country.

RRP: $1590 (includes light assembly)

Build Your Dreams (BYD) made big waves late last year when it announced and showed its Shark 6 midsize AWD ute. Not only was the Shark the first PHEV-powered vehicle in the ute segment but it promised stunning performance at a stunning launch price of $57,000. 

Stunning because $57k barely gets you into a Ranger XLS or HiLux SR5, and the Shark comes with much more standard equipment than either of those two market leaders. 

The company backed up the fanfare selling a tad more than 2000 Sharks in its first month on sale (February ’25), outselling ever-popular utes like the Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara. It will be interesting to see if BYD can keep the momentum rolling on, and for how long it can maintain the current price point. 

Early adopters that jumped in to get a Shark shouldn’t be disappointed in their purchase as they have a large, efficient, extremely well equipped ute that is going to tick all the boxes for many buyers. In its single specification, the Shark 6 includes features and interior finishes that are only available on top-spec 4×4 utes from other manufacturers… and at a considerably higher price than $57k.

JUMP AHEAD

• What does it get?
• Powertrain
• Interior
• Safety
• On- and off-road performance
• Verdict
• Specs

What does it get?

BYD is a Chinese company that builds and sells more EVs in its homeland than almost all of its competitors put together. It’s well established in the EV market and is spreading globally quicker than the spicy cough, and it seeks that market domination wherever it sells cars.  

The Shark 6 is BYD’s first ute and it’s targeted straight at the Australian market where such vehicles are so popular that they make up a large part of overall sales.  

The Shark 6 is a familiar four-door cab on a separate ladder-frame chassis but that’s where the similarities to convention end. The suspension is independent at each corner using double wishbones and coil springs, and there is no low range in the drivetrain. In fact, there is no transfer case at all, nor any connection between the front and back wheels.

Size-wise, it’s at the bigger end of the midsize ute segment, closest to the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok in size, and the generous cabin space is well appreciated.

Powertrain

Propulsion comes courtesy of a pair of electric motors – one at each the front and back axles, plus a petrol engine that can operate on the front axle when called for, but its primary use is charging the batteries that power the electric motors.

The ICE power unit is a 135kW/260Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine and it is mounted longitudinally in the front of the vehicle along with a 130kW/330Nm electric motor. The motor powering the back wheels is totally isolated from the front. It makes 150kW and 340Nm and comes into effect when required either for traction or ultimate performance. That’s 321kW and 650Nm in total!

Most of the time it’s the electric motors driving the Shark 6 while the ICE maintains charge in the batteries, but the petrol engine cuts in at speeds above 70km/h and when full throttle is applied. Put your right foot down in the Shark and BYD claims it will dash from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, and we have no reason to question that – the Shark gets up and goes hard when you ask it to!

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The battery is a 29.58kWh unit that sits low and flat in the chassis and BYD claims a range of up to 100km on a full charge using EV power only, depending on driving conditions. 

The battery is charged by the ICE petrol engine, regenerative off-throttle charging or when plugged into a charger or home GPO. The petrol tank holds just 60 litres of fuel but with a 2.0L/100km official consumption rating, it gives close to 700km in touring range before you need to fill the tank or charge up from an external power source. 

Driving the Shark around town it is mainly in full EV mode so it’s super quiet, and even when the petrol engine cuts in to charge the system you barely hear or notice it, resulting in very smooth and quiet propulsion. It’s only when you put your foot down that you notice the ICE powering the front wheels, but even then it is relatively quiet and smooth, particularly when compared to diesel-engine powered utes. These attributes, and the well-appointed interior, make the Shark 6 a very agreeable town ute.

Interior

The Shark 6’s cabin is spacious and reasonably well laid out. The finishes and touchpoints are soft, giving a feel of quality and luxury missing in most midsize utes which are more commercial-grade. The orange trim on the vents detracts from the quality appearance but that’s purely subjective; someone must like it.

The seats are covered in synthetic leather that has a genuine leather look and feel. The front seats are both heated and ventilated and have power adjustment. The rear seat has room for adult-size passengers with a reasonable recline on the backrest making it better for comfort than many other utes, especially on longer drives.

The centre infotainment screen is a huge 15.6-inch unit that sits in landscape mode in standard placement, but it can be rotated 90° to be viewed in portrait configuration if desired. However, if you wear polarised sunglasses the view of the screen might go dark for you in this upright mode. The landscape orientation is easier to view anyway. 

The multimedia unit has DAB radio, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and inbuilt satnav with free map updates for three years. The 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system adds to the premium feel of the cabin. Also included is dual-zone climate control and a wireless phone charging pad.

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From a functionality point of view, it’s good to see that the temperature controls are always on the screen so you don’t need to go looking for them through menus, but with no physical dials or knobs, you can’t use them without taking your eyes off the road. There are physical rollers on the steering wheel and consoles for sound system volume control which is a plus for usability.

There are plenty of USB power outlets for both front and back seat passengers as well as a 230v/10A power outlet at the back of the console. There’s another three 230V/10A GPOs in the cargo tub for running tools and appliances off the battery pack. 

The orange vents aside, the high levels of equipment and features gives the Shark’s cabin a premium feel that is lacking in the top models of the popular midsize utes, and is only found elsewhere in full-size American pickups costing twice as much as the BYD.

The quiet ride is aided by the use of Continental tyres but they are not well suited to off-road activity. Thankfully they are a common 265/65R18 size so you should be able to fit more durable alternatives. BYD offers the option of Toyo or BFG all-terrain tyres as well a choice of alloy wheel designs.

Safety 

As you would expect of any all-new vehicle, the BYD Shark 6 features all the latest ADAS tech including a driver monitor with all the associated bells and whistles.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that the system was nowhere near as intrusive and annoying as similar systems in most other new vehicles. The warning chimes are subtle and not too offensive and the ADAS doesn’t constantly fight you at the steering wheel on freeways and backroads… but try and make a lane change without using an indicator (common practice in Melbourne) and the system lets you know it’s there and that it’s working. 

On- and off-road performance

Not so smooth is the suspension which is very stiff and gives the Shark a firm ride on smooth roads and a rough ride on Melbourne’s woeful roads and highways.

One particular patch of potholes on exiting a roundabout rattled the Shark to such an extent that the whole cabin shook violently, leading me to wonder how it would feel once we got on a dirt road. I didn’t have to wait long as we soon hit the access road to our photography location; a well-groomed gravel road that has small corrugations in it. Again the Shark 6 shook violently with the scuttle shake you used to get in some convertible cars, but in this case it was felt through the whole passenger compartment. 

I swapped into another 4×4 ute (standard suspension and tyres) and drove up the same road and while the corrugations could be felt it didn’t react and shake hard like the BYD did. With this in mind, I would have concerns about taking a BYD Shark 6 on standard suspension on any extended outback travel. A softer and more compliant suspension package would be warranted, and would improve the ride quality both on and off the road. 

The shortcomings of the suspension also revealed themselves as the track deteriorated and the lack of suspension travel has it easily cocking wheels and losing traction. This in turn showed up the shortcomings of the drive system. After stopping on what could only be described as a gravel driveway with a slight incline, the Shark 6 wouldn’t advance off the mark, only spinning a single front tyre.

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As described earlier, there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels, only an electronic one. The Shark 6 does have multiple dive modes – Normal, Mud Land, Sand Land, Snow Land and Mountain Land. In the Normal mode, which you would expect to use on such a gravel track, the Shark 6 is essentially a front-wheel drive vehicle and it wasn’t until I selected one of the other modes that drive was applied to the rear wheels by its motor and the Shark 6 progressed. 

It was no surprise that the Shark 6 failed to progress when pointed at a steeper rutted track when in Normal mode but playing with the modes did bring positive results. We found that Mountain Land mode worked the best and got the Shark 6 up the track… but it did so kicking and screaming. The electronics are slow to react and feel and sound a lot like the early ETC systems from Land Rover that came out in the Discovery Series 2 (update model without centre diff lock) and early Freelander models. It’s slow to react and noisy in doing so, resulting in excessive wheelspin and kicking up plenty of dust. 

With its electric motor powering the rear wheels any sort of locker would probably come as a software update from BYD, but for owners looking to upfit their Shark 6 for specific usage, BYD has partnered with Ironman to develop a range of accessories. These must be purchased from BYD at the time of buying your Shark and they include a choice of front bumpers including a bull bar, roof racks, roller tonneau cover and a canopy. 

With the exceptionally high sales of the Shark 6 in its first months on sale we expect other aftermarket equipment manufacturers to soon jump on board with gear for this ute. 

Verdict

I expected better of the Shark 6 considering how ‘advanced’ it feels in many areas, and I was disappointed in its performance off sealed roads.

This is not an offroad 4×4 ute; I brought up these tractive deficiencies of the Shark 6 when we drove a pre-production prototype last year and BYD said it would be updated and addressed in the production model.  The off-highway deficiencies aside, the BYD Shark 6 is an exceptional ute that brings new levels of efficiency, interior trim and design to the ute segment. 

I said at the start that the Shark 6 represents a great first entry into the ute market, and that comment stands. Now we await to see how the brand seeks to address its deficiencies, or whether it prefers to leave the vehicle as simply a ripper town ute.  

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Specs

Get out and enjoy this great land and support local communities.

There’s plenty going on all around Australia, and Ron Moon has his finger on the pulse regarding track changes and advice, station stays, recommended campsite stays, and much more. Read on for iconic events and unmissable outback destinations to jot down in your itinerary!

Explore Australia

Copper Coast Cornish Festival (SA)

The towns of Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo, will be a buzz with excitement, celebrating the Kernewek Lowender Copper Coast Cornish Festival between May 12 and 18. With over 60 events, the program allows you to experience unique Cornish heritage and traditions.

Enjoy a Cornish pasty, a locally brewed Swanky, food, entertainment, art, concerts, dancing and people of all ages dressing in traditional Cornish costumes. There’s a cavalcade of cars and motor cycles and a street party while you’ll be spoilt for choice as you fill your days with truly unique experiences.

Ord Valley Muster (WA)

This great event will run from 16-25 May and will include a heap of attractions including the Kimberley Moon Experience, featuring some great artists from all over Australia. There’s Art in the Park, along with bush tucker and more. Check out ordvalleymuster.com.au for the latest information and to book – it sells out, so get in quick.

Bourke Show (NSW)

The Bourke Pastoral and Agricultural Association welcomes everyone to come and participate in a great community event to be held this year on Saturday May 17. 

The upcoming event will include a wide range of activities from a dog and pet show, to an animal nursery and a whip-cracking competition. In addition, there will also be a fashion parade, a bull sale, an historic car competition and display, food stalls, a sideshow alley, rides, a mechanical bull, live music and fireworks. It promises to be a fun-filled and diverse event with something for everyone.

Turning on the Fagus (Tas)

In late April and May, Tasmania’s only winter-deciduous native tree turns on its autumn show, triggering a pilgrimage to see entire hillsides ablaze in shades of rust, orange and gold.

The fagus hasn’t quite achieved the renown of other endemic Tasmanian plants, such as the Huon pine, yet this prehistoric survivor of the Gondwana era is remarkable. It’s one of only a handful of native deciduous species in Australia. The unique Tasmanian fagus thrives in cool, wet locations, typically above 800m, and in autumn its crinkle-cut leaves change colour as it announces itself in flamboyant style. Check it out if you are down in Tassie.

Closure of Piccanninie Ponds (SA)

Piccanninie Ponds remains closed for water activities until further notice to allow for the regeneration of aquatic vegetation and fauna species following an outbreak of filamentous algae. The Conservation Park remains open to the public, however entry into the water for diving and snorkeling is not permitted and permits are not being issued.

Closure of Aroona Dam Sanctuary (SA)

Aroona Dam Sanctuary, just outside Leigh Creek, will be closed intermittently during June, August and November 2025 for a pest-control program. These dates include from 6pm on 12 June until 6am on 17 June, and again between 28 August until 2 September, and from 27 November until  2 December 2025.

Nelia Gaari Station (NSW)

Situated on the west side of the Darling River between Menindee and Wilcannia, Nelia Gaari Station is a sheep grazing property that offers a unique and welcoming spot to park your caravan, campervan or 4×4 vehicle for short or extended stays. Go boating, fishing, yabbying or exploring, play a round of golf, or just kick back around the campfire. Your hosts Lily and Greg invite you to share their beautiful stretch of the Darling River.

Lucky Bay (WA)

Located 30 minutes south of Kalbarri township, this beachfront nature-based camping area is an ideal off-the-beaten-track getaway. Accessible only by 4×4, campers spend their days by the beach, swimming, fishing and four-wheel driving or just relaxing.

The camping area is nestled amongst the sand dunes and is suitable for tents and camper trailers. Facilities include bush toilets, a chemical toilet dump point and rubbish bins. Lucky Bay is also a dog-friendly campground, however dogs must be kept on leash at all times. Please note that fresh water is not available at Lucky Bay, so campers must be self-sufficient.

Also note that bookings are not available for Lucky Bay; campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For further information, call the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions on (08) 9937 1140. Fees are $15/night/vehicle.

Wirraminna Station (SA)

If you are heading along the Stuart Highway on your travels this year and are looking for a place to stop for the night then this may be a good one for you. Wirraminna Station is located 2km off of the Stuart Highway between Pimba and Glendambo.

The station offers 10 large drive-through caravan sites and there is plenty of room for pets, and loads of space for kids to ride their bikes. There is 5G Telstra phone service but no Optus. Call 0488 068 956 or email [email protected] for more information and to make a booking.

Banka Banka Station stay (NT)

Set on the Barkly Tablelands, north of Tennant Creek and just off the Stuart Highway, this sprawling 140,000ha working cattle station is rich in natural and cultural attractions. The property offers multiple types of accommodation ranging from camping, powered sites and king, single and double cabins.

The traditional owners continue to use and enjoy Banka Banka and play an active role in the management of the property to ensure you have a cultural experience. Spend some time learning about the traditional use of their country and take a walk to important cultural sites such as Kajanpurra Waterhole and Punkkurr Punkkurra Spring.

John Williamson at Big Red (QLD)

The Big Red Bash won’t be thumping the desert this year but John Williamson will be playing a one-off event on Tuesday 8 July.

The one-night-only concert featuring the legendary John Williamson atop Big Red, is being held exactly 12 years since John played there in 2013. Just 1000 tickets will be up for grabs for this event. Ticket pricing and on-sale date will be announced very soon. A Vehicle Pass will be required for each vehicle. Camping on private land is also possible.

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The Stockmans Camp (VIC)

This excellent camp situated on a property 10 minutes south of Buchan in the far east of Victoria is a top spot to stay a while, or to start or finish a trip through the Victorian High Country or up through the Snowy River region of the state. There’s a large area for camping while a few boutique cabins can be booked for those looking for some luxury. Phone 0492 854 326 or visit www.thestockmanscamp.au for more information or to make a booking.

The Brunette Races (NT)

There’ll be Territory bush racing at its finest when the Brunette Races are run between 19 and 22 June this year. This iconic event is a highlight of the outback social calendar and consists of horse racing, an exciting rodeo, a campdraft, a kids gymkhana and lots more. The races are held at the A.B.C. Amateur Race Club racetrack, located on Brunette Downs Station, which is situated on the Barkly Tablelands.

Zipping through the Karri trees (WA)

A short drive from Pemberton in WA’s south west is the famous Gloucester Tree. While its hair-raising climb has been closed for a few years now (will it ever reopen?) there are a few other attractions that make the area worth a visit. The highlight for many are the tree rope courses, aerial challenges and the 750m long zipline amongst the giant trees. These are all run by Aerial Adventure that is based in Pemberton.

A bridge across the Mitchell River (QLD)

The wide bed of the Mitchell River north of Dunbar station in the Gulf Country of Queensland is now seeing a bridge stretch across the wide sands. This will make it easier for people to travel from near Dunbar Station on the Burke Developmental Road to Musgrave on the main road north to Weipa.

However, we’re not too sure how many will be able to access it in the wet season when dozens of other rivers flood and prevent access to this part of the country. At this stage we don’t know when the bridge across the lower Mitchell will be finished or its cost.

Rockview Farm (QLD)

Situated just off the Burnett Highway between Goomeri and Ban Ban Springs, the Boonara Creek is the perfect spot to pull up and unwind for a day or two to enjoy the beauty of nature. Enjoy the creek view by day and then watch the sun set to a sky full of stars by night. Campfires and pets are allowed. For more go to Hipcamp and search ‘Rockview Farm’.

Omeo Holiday Park (VIC)

Set beside the picturesque Livingstone Creek, the local Omeo Holiday Park is a short stroll to Omeo’s historic town centre. Omeo is in the heart of the High Country and only 35km, or about a 40-minute drive, to Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. There’s a heap of 4×4 tracks in the local area as well as historic sites well worth visiting.

Spinifex Ridge Camping (NT)

Here’s a safe and pleasant spot to camp just five minutes’ drive west of Tennant Creek. There’s always plenty of space here so there is no need to book ahead. You can find directions to Spinifex Ridge on Google Maps or WikiCamps, or you can contact directly by phoning 0428 418 571 or emailing [email protected].

Sand driving at Stockton (NSW)

Stockton Beach and dunes within the Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) remains one of the most popular beach areas you can drive in NSW. The area provides 4×4 access to more than 19km of Stockton beach front and more than 350ha of dune driving in the Recreational Vehicle Area at the southern end of the park.

All vehicles must be registered and display a valid WCL beach vehicle permit. This includes recreational vehicles such as quads and motorcycles, which must hold RMS conditional registration for the recreational vehicle area.

Track access change: Robe (SA)

There have been significant changes to beach and track access south of Robe, especially around Little Dip CP, Nora Creina and Beachport. Some of the tracks that have been accessible in the past were through private property, and now ongoing issues with rubbish and people doing the wrong thing have resulted in the closure of those tracks.

With end-of-financial-year (EOFY) sales firing up across the country, 4×4 and camping enthusiasts are weighing up a familiar decision: Jump on a deal or wait for a next-gen model.

This is pertinent for the Toyota HiLux, with both updated and next-gen models landing over the next 18 months. However, for those gearing up for a winter trip or setting up a new touring rig, sharp runout pricing and dealer incentives are making it hard to look past the current model.

EOFY sales are primarily managed by individual dealerships and are dictated by stock levels and sales targets, but they often align with national promotions or support from the car manufacturer (like Toyota Australia). As a result, shopping around individual dealerships is often the best way to find the best deal.

Launched in 2015, the current HiLux isn’t the newest ute on the block, but it’s far from outdated. Over the years it’s scored important upgrades – including more grunt from the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel and better safety tech – but one of its biggest assets remains its reliability and huge aftermarket support. Whether you’re fitting a canopy, rooftop tent, long-range tank or full electrical setup, just about every major accessory brand has dialled-in gear ready to go.

For those willing to wait, Toyota is set to drop an all-new HiLux, built on the TNGA-F platform – the same bones that sit under the LandCruiser 300 Series. Expect a tougher chassis, better dynamics, hybrid (or possibly electric) drivetrains, and a cabin that finally feels next-gen. If the new US-born Tacoma is anything to go by, it’ll also come with a bolder, tougher look to match its upgraded tech.

The problem is, it’s not expected in Australia until late 2026 or even early 2027. And as seen with new LandCruiser and Prado launches, demand will likely outstrip supply. That means longer wait times, and possibly inflated prices at launch. Plus, early aftermarket support can take time to catch up – something to consider if you’re planning a full touring setup from the get-go.

The current HiLux comes equipped with a rear diff lock, solid low-range gearing, and decent clearance – all the basics you want for rough tracks, river crossings, and remote bush trails. While newer rivals like the Ford Ranger have raised the bar on-road, the HiLux remains simple, tough and easy to fix when you’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest servo.

For campers and tourers, the HiLux remains one of the easiest platforms to build from. It works with virtually every drawer system, fridge slide, roof rack, or battery box on the market. Its towing manners are sorted, it hauls a canopy with ease, and it’s as comfortable on K’gari as it is hauling up a dusty escarpment in the Flinders. Servicing is straightforward, too. Toyota offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with maintenance due every six months. Fuel economy hovers around 8.0L/100km.

So what’s the right move? If you’re keen to get behind the wheel now, bolt on some gear, and hit the tracks this winter – all while locking in solid EOFY value – the current HiLux is still a smart, capable buy. But if you’re set on hybrid power, fresh bones, and next-gen gear, the 2026 model could be worth the wait – just be prepared for delays, and the usual new-model headaches.

Buy now if

• You need a new ute soon for work, towing or an upcoming trip.
• You’re happy with the current generation’s proven durability and strong resale.
• You find a sharp deal on runout stock you can’t ignore.
• You’re planning to modify your HiLux – the current model has huge aftermarket support, from canopies and bullbars to suspension kits.

Wait if

• You want the latest tech and better fuel economy.
• You’re curious about a hybrid HiLux but don’t want to jump brands.
• You’re not in a rush and don’t mind being an early adopter.

Whichever way you go, the HiLux remains a favourite for Aussie tourers – and the right one for you might be just a few EOFY clicks away.