Utes are Australia’s second most popular new vehicle type behind only SUVs, and it has been a big month for new ute reveals and news.
This week saw the global reveal of the new Kia Tasman, and learned the price and details of the upcoming BYD Shark 6, the ground-breaking plug-in hybrid 4×4 dual-cab that broke the Chinese brand’s Australian website when orders opened on Tuesday night.
But among that crowd was a familiar name in the ute world: Isuzu. The Japanese brand, or specifically Isuzu Ute Australia, has unveiled its latest top-spec model – the Walkinshaw-fettled, offroad-ready D-Max Blade.
Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior 
Toyota HiLux GR Sport 
GWM Ute Cannon-XSR 
Mazda BT-50 Thunder
That got us thinking. It’s by no means the first time that a major auto brand has released a new dual-cab 4×4 ute variant designed specifically to tackle challenging off-road driving, in fact there are quiet a few to choose from.
So we asked the CarExpert team which off-road ute they’d buy for less than $100,000, and here’s what they said. But first, here are some of the most popular examples of the breed:
- Ford Ranger Raptor
- Ford Ranger Tremor
- GWM Ute Cannon-XSR
- Isuzu D-Max Blade
- Mazda BT-50 Thunder
- Nissan Navara SL Warrior
- Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior
- Toyota HiLux GR Sport
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Marton Pettendy: Ford Ranger Tremor
If I was in the market for a new, offroad-ready ute I’d buy a Tremor, since it’s the most hardcore version of the class-leading Ranger this side of the desert-eating Raptor, but will still travel 800km between refills, as well as carry 900kg and tow 3500kg.
It’s also a fully factory-engineered and built vehicle based on the only Australian-developed ute, and it comes with tasty off-road extras like full-time 4×4, a front bash plate, Bilstein dampers, all-terrain tyres, wider wheel tracks and a one-inch suspension lift (matching the HiLux Rogue and D-Max Blade, but not the Nissan Navara Warrior, HiLux GR Sport or Mazda BT-50 Thunder accessory option).
There are more unique off-road extras too, like an overhead auxiliary switch bank and Trail Control 3 and Rock Crawl 3 modes from the Raptor, all for $69,690 plus on-roads – just $3550 more than Sport on which it’s based and less than all of its most direct rivals bar the GWM Ute Cannon-XSR.
For me, it’s the perfect getaway machine, at least until Ford offers a Tremor V6 with an inch or two more ride height…
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
Jordan Mulach: Ford Ranger Raptor
I feel like this is going to be a popular answer, and for good reason.
If you can get past the fact it sounds like a VN Commodore with holes in its exhaust, the Ranger Raptor is almost flawless for those who want both on- and off-road performance.
Not only is the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 a welcome upgrade from the underwhelming first iteration that was powered by four-cylinder turbo-diesel, Ford has beefed up everything on the Raptor to set it far apart from the base Ranger.
What’s more, the engine is far from the limit of its potential, and Ford specialist Herrod Performance – which has a long-standing relationship with the Blue Oval – sells a power pack that not only gives it another 88kW and 197Nm, but also includes other components for added reliability.
And if it’s true off-roading that you’re after, rather than just going down a leafy drive while it’s raining, the Ranger Raptor is a proven performer at the Finke Desert Race, winning the Production 4WD class two years in a row.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
Paul Maric: Toyota HiLux GR Sport
I think I’d buy the HiLux GR Sport.
Compared to other utes in the same vein, it looks pretty tough and, being a Toyota, it’ll likely outlast the rest of them.
It’s a bit outdated inside the cabin, but I think its exterior looks more than make up for it.
I’ll be keen to see what Toyota does with the next generation of HiLux and how it takes the fight to the likes of Ford.
Interested in buying a Toyota HiLux? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
James Wong: Ford Ranger Tremor
If I had to choose a dual-cab ute, particularly one of these more focused off-road versions, the Ranger Tremor would be my pick.
As with just about every other variation of Australia’s favourite new car nameplate, the Tremor delivers a driving experience more like an SUV and offers the sort of refinement and tech that you’d expect of a modern car.
Ford is also one of the few manufacturers in this space to offer Australians a much cleaner Euro 6-certified diesel engine, which greatly reduces NOx emissions thanks to AdBlue injection.
Meanwhile, most other brands persist with decade-old emissions treatment tech that results in high fuel consumption with high emissions.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
Jack Quick: Ford Ranger Raptor
It’s not as affordable as it once was, but at $90,440 before on-roads (or just under $100k drive-away in most capital cities), the Ford Ranger Raptor still narrowly slides under our budget cap.
It’s worth noting how influential and game-changing this dual-cab 4×4 ute has been in its segment. As it currently stands, it’s leaps and bounds above its competitors.
This twin-turbo petrol V6-powered monster is so fun to drive, both on and off the road. It’s something I always beg to grab the keys for when we have one in the garage.
The Raptor is not only high-powered, but also rather comfortable. This is thanks in part to its rear coil suspension and luscious leather seats that offer heating.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
Max Davies: Isuzu D-Max Blade
Let’s be a touch different and go for something Australian instead.
Sure, the Ford Ranger was developed in Australia, but it isn’t built here. And while the D-Max is also made in Thailand and previously had no Australian development ties, Walkinshaw has now added the flavour of some local engineering and manufacturing – the latter of which takes place just 30 minutes south-east of Melbourne’s CBD.
Then there are the two Navara Warrior variants, which happen to be built 30 minutes north of Melbourne’s CBD following another homegrown R&D program, this time by Premcar. Nissan’s two-pronged Navara Warrior offer, including the mid-spec SL variant and the top-shelf Pro-4X, gives it a much wider price range, but the Navara platform really is showing its age.
Therefore the D-Max Blade gets my pick. There may be some recency bias poking through here, given I just attended the media drive, but the D-Max was already my best-of-the-rest pick in the ute segment and Walkinshaw has now capitalised on that to create the Blade.
While there’s no extra power, its off-road suspension and wheels have made the already accomplished D-Max experience just that little bit more versatile. Plus, it looks as tough as nails and has a pretty bulletproof engine anyway.
It’s a top-spec model, which means it competes with the HiLux GR Sport and the Navara Pro-4X Warrior close to the mid-$70,000 mark. The only real downside is that it’s more expensive than the Tremor, but I think it does the job better than the other expensive utes.
Interested in buying a Isuzu D-Max? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Isuzu D-Max
Josh Nevett: Ford Ranger Tremor
It’s hard to go past a Ranger here, and the Tremor is the pick of the bunch for off-road adventures.
Based on the mid-spec Sport, the rough-and-ready Tremor brings full-time four-wheel drive, remote-reservoir Bilstein shock absorbers, all-terrain tyres, a front bash plate and heaps of other adventure-focused goodies for a very reasonable price premium.
Unfortunately, the package doesn’t include V6 power, but Ford’s bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine is just about best-in-class regardless.
The Blue Oval also reigns supreme in the interior technology department, with its extra-large Sync4 infotainment system.
Looking at the rivals, the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport may have the tools to keep up with the Ranger off the blacktop, but neither can match the Tremor for cabin and powertrain refinement. Both are more expensive, too.
At sub-$70,000, the Tremor is a great choice for lovers of the outdoors.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
William Stopford: Ford Ranger Raptor
I was the last one to respond to this op-ed question because I was off at the Kia Tasman reveal. So I’ve had the chance to see everybody else’s responses and sorry, but I have to be unoriginal and nominate the Ford Ranger Raptor too.
I drive a lot of utes and appreciate their functionality, but I wouldn’t say I’m a dyed in the wool ute person. Sometimes I drive a ute, however, and it just clicks with me – some full-sized American pickups, for example, and the Ford Ranger Raptor.
I’ve driven it off road and found it extremely capable, but even more importantly I’ve found it comfortable on road too. It’s a great all-rounder and it looks the business, too.
It doesn’t sound all that great, but it still sounds better than any four-cylinder turbo-diesel ute – the regular Ranger included. It also features all the high points of the regular Ranger, such as best-in-class technology.
I haven’t had a chance to drive the Tremor yet, but I suspect it could become my first choice if Ford ever puts its terrific turbo-diesel V6 under the bonnet.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
