2024 Top 10 Best Dual Cab Utes in Australia

It’s hard to ignore the appeal of a dual cab ute for Aussie buyers.

Their confidence on the worksite buoyed by a reasonably family-friendly package, all in a package that can tow mountains and conquer them afterwards makes them a favourite for Aussie buyers looking for something truly versatile.

If you’re looking to upgrade at some point, let us help take some of the stress out of the research process as we present you with ten of the best dual cab utes on sale in Australia in 2024.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger was not only the best-selling ute in Australia last year, it was the outright best-selling vehicle.

Thanks to a fairly recent upgrade, the Ranger lineup looks tough, features a very impressive technology and safety equipment package and has no problem getting its hands dirty thanks to a powerful engine lineup and 4x4 options that pick up a rear locking differential.

With four engines to choose from, each offering braked towing figures of 3,500kg, the Ranger is a strong performer lugging heavy loads around and conquering the dirt, while the flagship Ranger Raptor is one of the most insane dual cab utes we’ve seen to date from any company.

• Engine: Four available

• Power & Torque: 125 - 184kW / 405 - 600Nm

• Transmission: Six & ten-speed automatics

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.6 - 11.5L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre 

Toyota HiLux

Toyota’s iconic HiLux remains one of the leading dual cab utes on sale here in Australia, with a seemingly endless number of options for buyers at different price points.

Toyota offers the HiLux in both 4x2 and 4x2 dual cab pickup body shapes, both of which offer a decent amount of interior space for family buyers combined with the go-anywhere confidence of the HiLux platform.

The HiLux range is split into five trim levels, with the addition of the HiLux GR Sport making for the most powerful yet thanks to 165kW of power and 550Nm, while the majority of the range produces 150kW/500Nm that maintains braked towing figures of 3500kg.

Toyota has also confirmed that its dual cab HiLux range will be receiving a mild-hybrid engine option said to offer 6 - 10 per cent fuel economy gains over the standard turbo-diesel.

• Engine: Three available

• Power & Torque: 122 - 165kW / 245 - 550Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.5 - 11.1L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi Triton

The Mitsubishi Triton enters 2024 as the freshest dual cab ute platform on sale in Australia thanks to a major overhaul.

Key highlights of the latest Triton range include an increase in its braked towing figures, a styling overhaul, technology upgrades and a more powerful 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder that kicks of 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque.

With a 4x2 dual cab base model topped by 4x4 variants higher up the range, the Triton lineup is ready for action on the job site or pushing off-road thanks to an updated 4WD system, low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential for the GLX+ and above.

• Engine: 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylidner diesel

• Power & Torque: 150kW/470Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.5 - 7.7L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda BT-50

Within Mazda’s updated BT-50 dual cab ute lineup, buyers have the option of no less than twelve variants split across seven trim levels, two turbo-diesel engines and both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains.

The base BT-50 comes powered by a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel unit producing 110kW of power and 350Nm of torque that offers 3,000kg of braked towing power, while the flagship 3.0-litre turbo-diesel kicks out 140kW/450Nm and offers 3,500kg of towing power.

While it might be down on power, the smaller 1.9-litre unit offers some significant fuel savings for buyers, with combined cycle figures of 7.0L/100km that increase up to 8.0L/100km in the BT-50 with the larger engine.

• Engine: Two available

• Power & Torque: 110 - 140kW / 350 - 450Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3000 - 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.0 - 8.0L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu D-MAX

The Isuzu D-MAX range is extremely large, giving buyers looking for a versatile dual cab ute a tonne of options across different price points.

The D-MAX 4x4 dual cab ute range is offered with the choice of two turbo-diesel engines, both of which receive a 4x4 system with a low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential that make it an incredibly strong performer when pushed off-road.

For the money, there’s a heap of equipment included in the base models, meaning price-conscious buyers won’t be feeling shortchanged, while an updated safety equipment list has brought it closer in line with the safest in the segment.

• Engine: Two available

• Power & Torque: 110 - 140kW / 350 - 450Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3000 - 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.0 - 8.0L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre

Volkswagen Amarok

There’s a brand new Amarok in town, and its been quick to assert itself as the best we’ve seen yet.

Underneath, the Amarok borrows a platform from the almighty Ford Ranger which means it’s a beast when put to the test on worksites and while conquering off-road trails, while key equipment upgrades have made it the most premium and safest Amarok to date.

Power for the TDI405 base model comes supplied by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit that picks up an additional turbocharger in the TDI500, while the flagship TDI600 doesn’t mess around with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel with 600Nm of torque.

The updated platform means the Amarok offers more interior space than its predecessor, while the redesigned cockpit makes it look like a significantly more modern affair.

• Engine: Four available

• Power & Torque: 125 - 222kW / 405 - 600Nm

• Transmission: Six & ten-speed automatics

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.2 - 9.9L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan Navara

The Nissan Navara has long been part of the dual cab establishment here in Australia thanks to its tough nature, reasonably practical cabin design and a particularly attractive value proposition.

In 2024, not much has changed, especially when you consider prices for its flagship Navara Warrior range that offers some serious off-road performance while significnatly undercutting its major rivals from Ford and Toyota.

The majority of the Navara range comes powered by a 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel unit that produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, with 4x4 variants picking up an electronic locking rear differential as standard.

• Engine: 2.3-litre turbo-diesel (twin-turbo for variants above SL) 

• Power & Torque: 120 - 140kW / 403 - 450Nm

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

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

LDV T60

The LDV T60 is a particularly attractive dual cab ute for Aussies looking for an absolute bargain in 2024.

With attractive drive-away pricing for ABN holders, the T60 range is split into two simple variants, with a ‘Pro’ base model and the ‘Luxe’ flagship, both of which come powered by a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel kicking out a healthy 160kW of power and 500Nm of torque.

The Pro range picks up a heavy-duty suspension package while the Luxe receives a more comfortable setup for daily driving, with both receiving a locking rear differential for when the going gets tough.

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

• Power & Torque: 160kW/500Nm

• Transmission: Six-speed and eight-speed ZF automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3000kg

• Fuel Economy: 9.2 - 9.3L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/200,000-kilometre

GWM Ute

Not to be outdone by its domestic rivals, the GWM Ute range offers dual cab ute buyers a seriously impressive value proposition, complete with a new off-road focussed flagship, the Cannon-XSR.

Offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, the GWM Ute Cannon range comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit paired with an eight-speed transmission that offers 3000kg of towing power and payload figures totalling 1130kg.

Inside, the GWM Ute’s cabin is sleek, feeling more like an SUV than a work-focussed dual cab ute, while the equipment lists are incredibly generous for the price, even in the base model.

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

• Power & Torque: 120kW/400Nm

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3000kg

• Fuel Economy: 8.3 - 9.4L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre 

RAM 1500

If you’re looking for one the largest dual cab utes on sale in Australia, look no further than the RAM 1500.

Designed as an incredibly tough yet spacious dual cab monster, the RAM 1500 offers acres of interior space that is fit for royalty, with power supplied by a massive 5.7-litre V8 that sounds absolutely glorious on the road.

That V8 also helps to lift the 1500’s braked towing figures up to 4500kg, making it one of the best dual cab utes for towing boats and caravans on long-distance journeys.

• Engine: 5.7-litre naturally-aspirated V8

• Power & Torque: 291kW/556Nm

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Braked Towing Capacity: 4500kg

• Fuel Economy: 12.2L/100km

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Three-year/100,000-kilometre

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If you’re looking to upgrade to a new dual cab ute, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help take the stress out of the process and find you the best possible price.