For every popular existing ute nearing a generational change, there’s at least one all-new challenger on the way
- 1. New Toyota HiLux
- 2. New Volkswagen Amarok
- 3. New Mitsubishi Triton
- 4. New Nissan Navara
- 5. All-new Kia ute
- 6. All-new Hyundai ute
- 7. Ford F-150
- 8. Toyota Tundra
- 9. GWM Shanhai Cannon
- 10. GWM Poer King Kong
- 11. Geely Radar RD6
- 12. INEOS Grenadier dual-cab
- 13. BYD ute
- 14. JAC T9 Hunter
- 15. Chery ute
- 16. Foton ute
- FLEET
- 1. ROEV HiLux and Ranger
- 2. SEA Electric HiLux and LandCruiser
- 3. H2X Warrego Ranger
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Aussies love their utes. We just can’t get enough of them.
There’s just something about the way modern dual-cab 4×4 utes combine genuine workhorse utilitarianism and off-road capability with family-friendliness and increasing amounts of safety and luxury.
More than one in five new vehicles sold Down Under are utes, and sales across all sizes and configurations within the nation’s second most popular new-vehicle sales segment continue to rise.
Australia is now one of the world’s three biggest markets for hay-haulers, prompting more and more challenger brands to attempt to cash in on the lucrative business.
But these challengers are being met with staunch resistance from the established favourites and their proven track records, not to mention the legions of loyal customers who will happily become repeat buyers.
So just how many and which new utes are due to or could come to the Australian market in the next couple of years?
In 2019 we listed 12 electric utes that could be launched here in coming years, including the full-size Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV and Fisker pick-ups.
But while we can add at least one more EV ute to that list, there’s been no confirmation of an Australian release for any of them since then.
So now, in no particular order, here are 16 new or all-new utes and pick-up trucks that are either confirmed – or have potential to be confirmed – for local showrooms by the middle of the decade.
1. New Toyota HiLux
The 2025 Toyota HiLux could well be the single most important launch of the decade for the nation’s number one auto brand, given the current model is still Australia’s best-selling vehicle despite being the best part of eight years old.
Toyota Australia is already playing a major role in the development process, with rumours of prototypes currently testing on Aussie soil.
Details are thin on the ground for now, but do know the new HiLux will be based on a variation of the TNGA-F ladder-frame architecture that underpins the Toyota Tundra (see below) and LandCruiser 300 Series.
Release date: By 2025
Digital images: KDesign
2. New Volkswagen Amarok
The new-generation 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is the twin-under-the-skin to the new For Ranger, sharing its Aussie-engineered T6.2 ladder platform, footprint, powertrains and basic even cabin architecture, but it does have a couple of USPs.
The first is the local inclusion of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine good for 222kW/452Nm and the second is a more opulent, luxury-minded interior.
Unlike most of the other utes mentioned in this list, the new Amarok isn’t 12 months or more away, with first local deliveries due in late April – pending shipping and quarantine issues.
Release date: May 2023
3. New Mitsubishi Triton
The sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton has been heavily delayed by COVID and, like the HiLux and Amarok above, a good chunk of its development work was and is still being carried out right here in ’Straya.
The first new Triton since 2015 (as per the HiLux and Nissan Navara) will feature a bigger and more macho look to match its new-generation underpinnings, beefier towing capabilities and promised refinement improvements.
It could also well be the first local ute favourite to become available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, something that would give it a leg up on its immediate competition both in terms of emissions and performance.
Release date: Late 2023 or early 2024
Digital images: Digimods Design
4. New Nissan Navara
Following roughly 12 months behind the new Triton, the closely-related next-gen Nissan Navara is primed to counter its cousin’s PHEV system with an uprated version of Nissan’s e-POWER hybrid system, which uses an internal combustion engine purely to change an on-board lithium-ion battery.
Electric motors then power the wheels with the all-wheel drive application known globally as e-4ORCE, an innovation Nissan says can react 10,000 times faster than a mechanical 4×4 system.
Like the Mitsubishi, you can expect an all-new platform, at least one new diesel powertrain and a sizeable jump in refinement.
Release date: 2024
Digital images: Digimods DESIGN
5. All-new Kia ute
We’ve been hearing about Kia’s first ute since 2019, when the Korean brand’s local outfit said it had requested the full gamut of body styles, powertrains and drivetrains to take on the market-leading HiLux, which would generate upwards of 20,000 annual sales and see Kia rival Mazda for second place in the Aussie market behind Toyota.
The first tangible evidence of Kia’s all-new dual-cab came via spy shots from Korea in November and just last month Kia Australia confirmed it would be on sale here by 2025.
Details are thin on the ground, but rumour has it that flagship versions could feature a Genesis-sourced 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six developing upwards of 200kW/580Nm, which would be sure to make Ford and Volkswagen sweat a little under the collar.
The Kia Sorento’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit has also been mooted for the entry-level versions along with the possible inclusion of a hybrid and even an EV somewhere along the line. Either way, expect keen pricing, slightly larger dimensions than the new Ford Ranger and full one-tonne payload and 3500kg towing capacities for diesel versions from launch.
Release date: 2025
Spy photos: kia_club_official Instagram
6. All-new Hyundai ute
Despite being Kia’s bigger sister brand – at least until 2022 – Hyundai’s chances of landing its first direct rival for the HiLux and Ranger any time soon appear to have taken a dive.
While the Kia ute has been confirmed for Australia, Hyundai’s local division has been unable to nail down a business case for a Hyundai version of the same ladder-frame dual-cab, which we understand will be 18 months to two years behind the Kia’s local release – meaning a 2027 launch at the earliest, if at all.
Hyundai Australia’s difficulty in getting the tick of approval to localise and launch the new ute here is understood to be based on sales forecasts, which are believed to be more conservative than Kia’s – despite having more dealerships Down Under.
Hyundai Australia could even elect to forego the diesel ute and wait for the electric version being developed on the same platform. Or it could abandon this model all together and opt for a separate US-oriented EV ute that’s believed to be larger still and currently under development by both Kia and Hyundai.
Release date: 2027 (at the earliest)
Digital images: Kleber Silva
7. Ford F-150
Ford has taken a good, hard look at the RAM 1500’s success Down Under and decided it wants a piece of the action. It will launch its locally-converted Ford F-150 here in the middle of the year.
The local versions – of which there’ll be four – will all be powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 good for a V8-busting 298kW/678Nm.
Release date: Mid-2023
8. Toyota Tundra
Toyota is also weighing up a move on the full-size pick-up market with its new US-built Tundra, so much so that Walkinshaw is currently testing a fleet of 300 locally-converted vehicles across the country.
Earmarked for a 2024 release, the Tundras being tested Down Under have been converted to right-hand drive using 300 Series LandCruiser components and all feature a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid powertrain developing a combined 325kW/790Nm.
Release date: 2024 (TBC)
9. GWM Shanhai Cannon
The exiting GWM Ute has found a lot of fans in Australia thanks to its sharp pricing and leading aftersales care, but it only comes with a little 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, which is where the 2023 GWM Shanhai Cannon comes in.
Marginally bigger in every direction than the Ute, the Shanhai Cannon could arrive here as soon as late this year, with the option of either a 260kW/500Nm turbo-petrol V6 or a 135kW/480Nm turbo-diesel four-cylinder – both of which will make the Chinese offering more competitive against the heavyweights.
Release date: Late 2023 (TBC)
10. GWM Poer King Kong
Despite being trademarked for Australia, the GWM Poer King Kong may not be released here after all, with local GWM executives now saying the Shanhai may suffice for this market.
Occupying the segment above the Shanhai, the King Kong will be China’s cut-price answer to the RAM 1500, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.
Supposedly aimed at ‘young entrepreneurs’, the 5635mm-long King Kong is more of a lifestyle ute than heavy-duty load-lugger and is powered in China by 120kW turbo-diesel and 140kW turbo-petrol four-cylinder engines.
Release date: TBC
11. Geely Radar RD6
The first dedicated-electric model in this list, the Geely Radar RD6 could be sold in Australia with help from Volvo as the Swedish-founded brand – and fellow Geely Group member – eyes a total EV transition by 2026 and looks for more affordable vehicles to offer.
Sold in China from the equivalent of $38,300, the Radar offers up to 635km (CLTP) of range from a single charge while its single electric motor churns out an even 200kW.
Release date: TBC
12. INEOS Grenadier dual-cab
We’ve driven the all-new INEOS Grenadier SUV ahead of first local deliveries this month, but the dual-cab version should be even more popular here.
Expected to arrive Down Under as soon as late this year, the twin-can 4×4 ute will ride on an extended version of the SUV’s platform – coil springs included – and offer full 3500kg towing capacity.
Release date: Late 2023 (TBC)
13. BYD ute
Very little is known about BYD’s upcoming ute, but we can safely assume it will be one of the cheaper battery-electric utes when it launches here by the end of the year or early 2024.
Spy images out of China have revealed a lengthy wheelbase, reasonably low ride height and a wide footprint for the silent load-lugger, but there are virtually no technical specifications to be found as yet.
Release date: 2024 (TBC)
Digital image: Sugar Design
14. JAC T9 Hunter
Another Chinese challenger, the combustion-powered JAC T9 Hunter, is due on Aussie soil in the middle of this year before an all-electric version follows early in 2024.
The initial versions will be powered by 125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – right on par for the lower end of the local ute market and in line with established offerings from GWM, LDV and SsangYong.
Release date: Mid-2023 (TBC)
15. Chery ute
Just when you thought the Chinese onslaught was over, Chery is also looking for a slice of the action with a pair of monocoque battery-electric and/or plug-in hybrid pick-ups; one small and one large.
Brand executives say entering the local ute market would be a major factor in reaching 75,000 annual sales Down Under by 2027, with the smaller model set to appear first in 2024.
Release date: 2024 (TBC)
16. Foton ute
Foton Motors is set to re-enter Australia’s highly competitive ute market as early as this year – this time with an all-electric Toyota HiLux-sized dual-cab.
First introduced Down Under in 2014, the Chinese auto brand is perhaps best known for the now-discontinued Cummins diesel-powered Foton Tunland dual-cab 4×4 ute, but a newer and exclusively battery-powered version of the Tunland will be its belated replacement.
Foton has a big new Tunland replacement – codename P25 – but it won’t be offered here as the new local Foton importer focusses solely ‘new energy (commercial) vehicles’.
Instead, it says the Tunland EV (which will get a new name for Australia), will be competitive with the near-$100,000 LDV eT60, which became the first EV pick-up available in Australia in late 2022.
The Tunland EV is expected to better the rear-drive LDV eT60’s 330km (WLTP) range.
Release date: Late 2023 (TBC)
FLEET
Apart from the pint-size homegrown ACE Yewt , a number of Australian start-ups are now rolling out fleet-oriented EV conversions of existing utes, some of which should eventually be available to the public, including:
1. ROEV HiLux and Ranger
The ROEV HiLux and Ranger electric utes are both on track to be shipped to fleet buyers and mine sites by the end of this year.
Each conversion varies between $47,990 to $57,990, depending on the donor vehicle and chosen battery capacity, but ROEV has already filled its 2023 build slots after only launching the project late last year.
2. SEA Electric HiLux and LandCruiser
A similar operation is being undertaken by SEA Electric, which just announced a new deal to supply MEVC with 8500 electric Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser vehicles over the next five years.
The vehicles will be able to cover up to 380km on a single charge and take less than hour to be recharged up to 80 per cent.
3. H2X Warrego Ranger
Even though production started last year, the last-generation Ford Ranger-based H2X Warrego isn’t due to be inducted into Aussie fleets until the middle of 2023 – the bulk of vehicles produced so far have been sent to Europe of certification.
Hydrogen is yet to take-off as a viable fuel type in Australia, but that hasn’t stopped this particular project going ahead and expanding, so much so that H2X is moving its primary production operation for the fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) to Asia.
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Keyword: Every new ute coming to Australia by 2025