From workhorse to family favourite
FROM basic twoseater chassiscab machines to doublecab wellsides with all the interior bells and whistles, a ute can serve as anything from a pure workhorse to the family’s favourite set of wheels. Vans are similarly flexible in their possible configurations.
Here’s the lowdown on what’s available at present in the newvehicle market, comprising the top 15 light commercial options based on 2018 newvehicle sales, plus summaries of other choices.
Prices, where given, are list prices that generally span the entire range. Consider them a starting point only, as there is room for negotiation with some brands and specials on offer from time to time, too.
A few quick notes about naming conventions and ute configurations.
Utes are typically sold as either wellsides, which means a cargo tray with deep welded metal sides is fitted as standard, or in chassiscab form, which means there is no deck, tray or wellside fitted when you buy the vehicle.
There are also three basic cab configurations. Single cab means front seats only, and no space behind for back seats. Then there are
versions with a relatively meagre second row of seats, for which every company has its own name (supercab, extracab, clubcab, spacecab, kingcab and so on). Lastly, the version with a decent second row, typically accessed by a separate rear door and generally, but not always, called a doublecab.
Of course, the bigger the cab the less cargo space behind, so, like everything in the automotive world, what you prefer will depend on your need.
Now, the vehicles themselves. —
Ford Ranger ($37,990$84,990)
The Ranger has been New Zealand’s topselling vehicle of any kind every year since 2015, and remains so through the first third of 2019. A comprehensive allturbodiesel (with three different engine choices), allautomatic lineup
Mitsubishi Triton includes single chassiscab, supercab and doublecab variants with both two and fourwheel drive models. There are two main equipment levels (XL and XLT) as well as the Wildtrack and — at the top of the tree — the extensively tweaked Ranger Raptor.
Toyota Hilux ($31,990$56,990)
The Hilux is now into its eighth generation, the current model having been around since 2015 and updated in 2017. Hilux is renowned for its durability, so tends to hold its value well. There are auto and manual options, but all current models feature 2.8L diesel power. Choose from chassiscab, extracab and doublecab variants with either two or fourwheel drive. There are two main equipment levels (S, SR) as well as the topflight doublecabonly
SR5.