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Utes are and have always been the backbone of Australian motoring.
In 2024, some new, very big heavy hitters are having their time in the sun, from brands as established in this field as Toyota, Isuzu, Ford and Mitsubishi.
Yet there are a few newer players getting in on the action, too, so get in, buckle up and let's take a ride through the world of the best new utes for 2024.
The refreshed Gladiator for 2024 boasts a redesigned front end with a new-look grille being the most obvious change.
Inside, a bigger (now 12.3-inch) UConnect multimedia touchscreen (up from 8.4 inches) is fitted, along with side curtain airbags across all grades, higher-quality materials, a revised centre console and improved equipment levels.
Otherwise, it's more of the same, more or less, for Jeep's Ranger rival, including what's under the bonnet, which is a 3.6-litre petrol V6.
The Toyota HiLux is finally going electrified, thanks to a new 48-volt system.
Fitted to the long-serving 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, it is said to save fuel to the tune of 10 per cent, though it is also claimed to bring "enhanced on and off-road performance". More muscle, then, as well.
Toyota has made the 48V tech standard on SR5 4x4 and Rogue Double Cab models with it optional on SR 4x4 dual cabs.
Though only released in September, 2023 in Australia, the facelifted version of Ford's F-150 arrives at the back end of 2024 with a raft of updates.
They include new LED headlights, bumpers and grille, a clever tailgate that can swing open or fold down dubbed ‘Pro Access Tailgate’ and updated multimedia on some grades.
All Oz-bound F-150s are powered by 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine that sends drive to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic. They're made as left-hand-drive in the USA, before remanufactured with the help of RMA Automotive in Melbourne, as right-hand-drive trucks.
The hot-selling Isuzu D-Max has been facelifted, with a redesigned nose offering new LED headlights, grille, bumpers and alloy wheel designs, as well as slightly better aerodynamic performance.
Inside, the have been updates to the (now larger and restyled) digital instrumentation display, revised multimedia system, and material and trim quality, for a more 'premium' look.
Isuzu has also boosted safety, with expanded front/rear cross-traffic braking tech, camera functionality and adaptive cruise control parameters, while off-road abilities benefit from improved traction control and broader off-road mode choices for the driver. Look out, Ford Ranger!
The sixth-generation Triton is almost all-new from the ground up with a heavily revised powertrain carrying over from the previous, 2015-era series.
Bigger, stronger and more refined than ever, the body and chassis are freshly developed, and offered initially in 'Club Cab' two-door extended cab and four-door dual-cab guises, with cab-chassis models to follow.
Underneath there is a substantially more powerful 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine with greater torque, an overhauled 4WD system and redeveloped steering and suspension systems promising improved handling and ride comfort - partly due to extensive testing in Australia.
The bigger GWM Cannon Alpha ute is sure to give Ford's product planners sleepless nights.
Larger and bolder looking than the smaller Cannon launched in 2020, it is powered by a more powerful engine than the current 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-diesel. A petrol-electric hybrid will also be offered - watch out, Toyota HiLux!
Over the existing Cannon, this new ute scores a far more luxurious interior, as well as better manners on and off the road.
A small update to both the Silverado's features and its pricing means the MY24 model of Chevrolet's popular full-sized ute, or truck, is bigger in noise and in cost.
A price increase of less than two per cent means the big utes starts from $130,500 before on-road costs, or $2500 more than before, but now comes with a new active performance exhaust.
The top-spec 2024 ZR2 starts from $138,000 and gains a rear-view mirror that connects to a rear camera, a new 15-inch head-up display, a power-adjustable steering column, a Bose premium sound system and adaptive cruise control.
While remaining 2023 stock has its drive-away pricing locked in, Volkwagen's 2024 Amarok is coming in a couple of thousand dollars more expensive, starting at $55,490 before on-roads for the Core TDI405.
New 2024 models gain a brake controller as standard, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert being added to the base Core TDI405.
Four drivetrains remain available, the TDI405's 2.0-litre turbo diesel (125kW/405Nm), the 154kW/500Nm version of that engine for the TDI500, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 (TDI600) good for 184kW/600Nm and the Adventura's 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine (TSI452, 222kW/452Nm).
The forthcoming BYD Shark ute won’t be a turbo-diesel, instead it will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain dubbed 'Dual-Motor intelligence' (DM-i).
That combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor on the rear axle to deliver all-wheel-drive grip and make 320kW and 650Nm.
A 30kWh battery feeds the electric motor and provides a driving range up to 100km in pure EV mode. One snag is the low 2500kg max towing capacity and a payload of 835kg.
The brand’s local division has promised the ute was designed with Australia in mind from the beginning, claiming it will be ‘best-in class’ when it launches.
Expect to see it in the second half of 2024 if all goes to plan.
Australia's most popular new model has been given a new trick for its 2024 model, with 'Pro Trailer Backup Assist' being added as standard for some variants and standard on others.
Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor variants score the new feature standard, which allows drivers to steer a trailer using the outer ring of the drive mode selector on the centre console, rather than needing to use the steering wheel. Heavy-duty suspension as standard for the Ranger XL.
A few key features have been dropped from the spec list while pricing, for most variants, remains the same as it did from January 1 this year, starting from $36,880 before on-roads.
JAC is back with a big, brash and bargain-priced ute upheld by a national network of more than 50 dealers.
It is pronounced “Jack”, rather than "jay-ay-cee" and that means you’re definitely going to hear a tagline along the lines of “JAC of all tradies”.
The T9 ute should hit Australian shores imminently powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder from $42,662 before on-road costs. An all-electric model is set to follow in 2025.
The Grenadier-based pick-up is the second model in the Ineos family, following the Defender-style off-road SUV that has launched in Australia.
The Quartermaster will touch down in three trim levels, with the entry-level ‘Quartermaster’ kicking off at $110,000 plus on-roads. There’s then a Quartermaster Trailmaster edition, and a Fieldmaster edition — the first focused on off-road capability, the second on more luxurious trimmings — both of which will set you back $123,000.
All models use your choice of a BMW-sourced straight-six petrol or diesel with switchable four-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic.
Want to know what other new models are due in 2024? Check out our rolling coverage by clicking on the links below.
- Best 4x4, off-roaders and light-commercial vehicles arriving in 2024
- Best electric cars arriving in 2024
- Best sports cars arriving in 2024
- Best small SUVs and crossover arriving in 2024
- The best new cars coming in 2024
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