4X4 Utes in Australia

  1. Home /
  2. Best 4X4 Utes
4x4 Australia project: Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger

The current-generation Ford Ranger arrived in Australia in 2022, as part of an all-out Ford assault on the booming ute market.

Boasting class-leading levels of equipment, the revamped Ranger consists of a vast model line-up, with a variety of 4×2 and 4×4 models in either cab-chassis or pick-up form – and in single-cab, super-cab or double-cab configurations

The base-spec XL is the cheapest entry into the Ranger range, followed by the XLS, XLT, Sport and Wildtrak.

Toyota HiLux

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia’s most popular vehicle for many years now.

Sales show now sign of fading, either, despite the latest-generation model having been around since 2015.

The comprehensive Toyota Hilux range is headed by three key models: WorkMate, SR and SR5.

Each model contains various cabin configurations in either pick-up or cab-chassis styles (and 4×4 or 4×2), and you need a sophisticated flowchart to best analyse the mountain of options available.

Isuzu D-MAX

The Isuzu D-Max was initially launched in Australia back in 2008 and has been a consistently strong-selling ute and a firm favourite with both recreational four-wheel-drivers and tradies.

An all-new model in 2020 saw increases in power and safety features, as well as a freshly re-designed interior to bring the D-Max closer in specifications and features to market-leading rivals.

Mitsubishi Triton

The Japanese-bred Mitsubishi Triton ute is available in single-cab, club-cab, and double-cab configurations, in either cab-chassis or pick-up guise.

A vast 4×4 and 4×2 model line-up consists of the entry-level GLX, GLX+, GLX-R, GLS and the top-spec GSR. Premium models are equipped with a Super Select II full-time 4×4 system, while lower-spec variants get a more rudimentary Easy Select part-time 4WD system.

Mazda BT-50

The Mazda BT-50 ute has a long history. Mazda has been selling utes in Australia since 1964 with the release of the B Series light truck, later going on to sell 4×4 versions known as the B2600 and Mazda Bravo before creating the BT-50 badge.

Launched in 2020, the current Mazda BT-50 was co-developed in partnership with Isuzu and shares underpinnings and engines with the D-Max ute.

Invicta battery and Piranha battery tray
Electronics & Gadgets

D-MAX gets a lithium dual-battery system

Our D-MAX build gets a dual-battery system comprising of an Invicta lithium battery and Piranha Off-Road battery tray

Yakima RuggedLine
Gear

D-MAX gets a Yakima RuggedLine mounting system

The touring mods keep on coming for the 4X4 Australia D-MAX, with a Yakima roof platform

V8 Ranger Raptor
Custom 4x4s

Coyote V8-powered Ranger Raptor is insane!

The V8 ute Aussies wanted but Ford wouldn’t build

Toyota Hilux Rugged X
Road Tests

Rugged X in the 4X4 garage

Range-topping Hilux Rugged X in the 4X4 shed

Navara versus Triton
4×4 Comparisons

Nissan Navara ST vs Mitsubishi Triton GSR

Navara ST and its smaller Triton GSR rival go toe-to-toe in a battle of the mid-size dual-cab 4×4 ute segment

2020 SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate
Reviews

Musso XLV Ultimate in the 4×4 Australia shed

How does the SsangYong Musso perform under the 4×4 Australia long-term microscope?

TruFit 3D floor mats
Gear

D-MAX gets a set of TruFit 3D floor mats

Is this the best bang-for-buck upgrade you can make to your 4×4?

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior
News

Prices and release date set for PRO-4X Warrior

Nissan Australia reveals pricing and release date for its halo PRO-4X Warrior

2021 Ram 1500 Limited
Road Tests

Off-Road Test: 2021 RAM 1500 Limited

Forget any preconceptions you might have about American pick-up trucks

2014 Mazda BT-50 custom
Custom 4x4s

Custom 4×4: 2014 Mazda BT-50

Sometimes less is more, and sometimes you need both, as this BT-50 proves

2021 Volkswagen Amarok W580S
Road Tests

Walkinshaw-fettled Amarok W580S driven off-road

The V6 Amarok gets a Walkinshaw Performance upgrade

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior
News

Nissan and Premcar unleash new PRO-4X Warrior

Taller, wider and tougher. Introducing the Navara’s new halo model

D-Max with Maxxis RAZR mud terrains
Gear

Our D-MAX gets a set of Maxxis RAZR muddies

Initial impressions of a set of Maxxis MT-772 RAZR tyres after 5000km

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior
News

Nissan and Premcar reveal the new PRO-4X Warrior

Covers drop on the Premcar-engineered, Raptor-hunting PRO-4X Warrior

2021 Ford Range rWildtrak and Cub Drifter
Reviews

Ranger Wildtrak in the 4×4 shed

Specced-out Ranger is in the 4×4 shed to prove once again why it’s so popular.

2020 Nissan Navara D23 ST custom 4x4
Custom 4x4s

Non-stop Nissan D23 Navara

While Ranger and Hilux tourers abound, it’s not every day you see a Navara set up as well as this one for off-road adventures

2021 Nissan Navara ST with factory accessories
Road Tests

Tested: Nissan Navara ST with factory accessories

An older platform, with a fresh redesign and factory-fitted accessories. Is this enough for you to consider buying a new Navara?

2021 Isuzu D-MAX gets 40mm Tough Dog Suspension lift
Gear

D-MAX gets Tough Dog Suspension upgrade

A 40mm Tough Dog Suspension lift fixes more than ground clearance on the 4X4 Australia D-MAX

News

Navara PRO-4X Warrior caught testing in Melbourne

Flagship Navara caught testing ahead of local arrival

2021 Isuzu D-MAX gets Ironman 4x4 bullbar
Gear

4X4 Australia D-MAX equipped with Ironman 4×4 kit

Ironman 4×4 works its magic on our 2020 D-MAX … spoiler alert, it looks awesome

Isuzu D-MAX on Stockton Beach
Explore NSW

4×4 Australia D-MAX heads to Stockton Beach with the I-Venture Club

The 4×4 Australia D-MAX gets sand on its tyres for the first time, with the Isuzu I-Venture Club

2021 Dual-cab ute Off-Road Comparison
4×4 Comparisons

2021 Dual-cab ute megatest: Off-road comparison

We take 11 utes from Ford, GWM, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Jeep, SsangYong, and Toyota, and put them through the ultimate off-road comparison test

2021 Ford Ranger XLT vs Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain vs Mitsubishi Triton GLS vs Nissan Navara ST-X vs Toyota Hilux SR5 comparison
4×4 Comparisons

Australia’s top-selling utes compared: Ranger vs D-Max vs Triton vs Navara vs HiLux

Kicking off 2021’s Wheels and 4×4 Australia dual-cab ute megatest series, running from May 17 to May 21, we’re comparing the premium options among Australia’s best-selling pickups.

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X
Road Tests

Off-Road Test: Nissan Navara PRO-4X

Bold, new-look Navara gets even tougher with the PRO-4X. We drive it off-road.