6 of the Best Utes Under $40k in Australia

With popularity sky-high and problems in the manufacturing and logistics side of things, manufacturers have increased prices for their most popular ute ranges, leaving buyers curious as to what’s the best ute for around the $40k mark.

That’s exactly what we’ll be unpacking today, as we take a look at six of the best utes priced at or below the $40,000 mark here in Australia.

Toyota HiLux Workmate

Starting from $26,475*

Australia’s cheapest option for ute buyers remains the Toyota HiLux Workmate single cab, though there are some catches by opting for the cheapest member of the HiLux range.

For starts, power and torque figures from the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol are down on its major rivals, producing a modest 122kW of power and 245Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

Upgrading to the flagship 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that kicks out 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque means you’ll have to step up to a higher trim level, with the Workmate missing out on the powerhouse of an engine.

• Engine: 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.4-litre turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Five-speed manual & six-speed automatic 

• Power & Torque: 122kW/245Nm & 110kW/400Nm 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 10.4-11.1L/100km (petrol) 6.9-8.0L/100km (2.4TD) 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg (petrol) - 2800kg (4x2 diesel)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Triton

Starting from $30,740*

Mitsubishi’s Triton remains one of the cheapest utes on sale here in Australia, with the full range of single cabs as well as a larger Club Cab available for under $40k, while the Triton dual-cab is priced just above our cut-off.

The great news for price-conscious buyers is that the entire Triton range comes powered by the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, meaning you don’t miss out on any power by opting for a cheaper variant.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & six-speed automatic

• Power & Torque: 133kW/430Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.8 - 8.3L/100km (Single Cab) 8.4L/100km (Dual Cab)

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg (Single Cab) 3100kg (Dual Cab) 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/150,000km, can extend to 10-year/200,000km

Nissan Navara SL

Starting from $33,050*

No stranger to a bargain, Nissan has retained competitive pricing for its Navara ute range, with prices sitting just above $30k for the Navara SL Single Cab and around the $40k mark for the Navara SL King & Dual Cab.

Like the HiLux, grabbing a bargain does come at the expense of some power & torque figures, with the 2.3-litre turbo-diesel unit powering the Navara SL range producing 120kW of power and 403Nm of torque, which is down 20kW/47Nm from the range-topping engine.

Having said that, the base engine is far more potent than the HiLux’s entry-level powerhouse, lending itself to added towing power and more off-road potential and flagship towing figures of 3500kg for all Navara variants.

• Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & seven-speed automatic 

• Power & Torque: 120kW/403Nm 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.2 - 8.1L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

GWM Ute Cannon 4x2 Dual Cab

Starting from $35,990*

Stacking up as one of Australia’s cheapest dual-cab utes, the GWM Ute Cannon range has been quick to impress with Australian family buyers looking for a bargain.

While the base GWM Ute Cannon receives a 4x2 system, there’s still the option of a Cannon 4x4 for under $40k, the latter of which picks up a low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential.

Power for the entire GWM Ute Cannon range comes supplied by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel kicking out 120kW of power and 400NM of torque which is paired with eight-speed transmission and a generous features list in the base model.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Power & Torque: 120kW/400Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 8.3 - 9.4L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3000kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mahindra PIK-UP S11 4x4 Dual Cab

Starting from $37,990*

Buyers looking for a bargain in the world of dual cab utes may well already have the Mahindra PIK-UP S11 on their shortlist, and it’s not hard to see why.

For the money, there are few competitors that can match the PIK-UP S11 range in the dual-cab segment, and while it’s down on power, torque and the towing figures of its major rivals, it remains a super viable option for tradies.

Power for the Mahindra PIK-UP S11 range is supplied by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit pushing out 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque which is thrown to the wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4x4 system.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Power & Torque: 103kW/320Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 9.3L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Three-star (expired rating) 

• Warranty: Five-year/150,000km

SsangYong Musso ELX 4x4 Dual Cab

Starting from $35,000*

The last entrant on our list comes in the form of the SsangYong Musso range, which gives buyers a jam-packed equipment list for around the $40k mark.

For the money, you can get your hands on the Musso ELX with an automatic transmission, which is difficult to find at the price point, with a part-time 4x4 system, low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential.

Power comes supplied by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel kicking out 133kW of power and 400Nm of torque that offers flagship towing figures of 3500kg.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Power & Torque: 133kW/400Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 8.6L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Untested

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Best Utes Under $40k: Notable Mentions

• Isuzu D-Max SX - Starting from $32,200*

• Mazda BT-50 XS - Starting from $33,950*

• Ford Ranger XL - Starting from $36,180*

• LDV T60

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If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a work-ready ute, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you a great price.

* Prices accurate at time of writing.