Australia has long been the home of the ute. Not only did the ute originate here back in 1934 but year-in and year-out the best-selling car in Australia is a ute.
That’s right, Aussies buy more utes than any other type of vehicle. And you know what that means? It means we need more utes, and in different sizes – a ute for everybody.
And that’s why carmakers would be crazy not to bring their new mini utes here. Why deny Australians what’s truly theirs?
Just over a week ago we reported that Toyota is working on a small ute – a mini HiLux if you will – and it may even be revealed to the world before the end of this year.
Toyota is playing catch-up and chasing rivals such as Ford with its Maverick and Hyundai with the Santa Cruz, both of which have been hugely successful in the United States.
Word is Volkswagen is also conducting a study into a tiny ute based on its little Polo hatchback.
The Ford Maverick uses the same platform as the Ford Escape SUV but it’s longer at 5.1 metres end-to-end, but that’s about 40cm shorter than the length of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
The Maverick’s tub measures 1381mm long and 1353mm wide. The braked towing capacity of the Maverick is 1.4 tonnes depending on which variant you go for.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is based on the Hyundai Tucson SUV and measures just under five metres long. The Santa Cruz’s tub measures 1230mm long and 1369mm wide.
The braked towing capacity for the Santa Cruz is up to 2.2 tonnes depending on the variant.
Toyota’s ‘mini HiLux’, or the Stout as it is rumoured to be officially called, will ride on Toyota’s TNGA platform which sits under most new Toyota passenger cars and we would expect it to have similar tub dimensions and a braked towing capacity to the Santa Cruz and Maverick.
As reported by CarsGuide, Ford and Hyundai have ruled out bringing the Maverick and Santa Cruz here.
The response I’ve had from a Ford spokesperson in the past is that they don’t know if Maverick will “size up” to the expectations of Australians.
Well, I’d bet anything Australians would take to a small ute like any ute, and that’s in great numbers.
We’re about to be inundated with full-size pick-up trucks with the likes of the Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra joining the Dodge Ram and Chevy Silverado which are already here and selling well, so why not something on the smaller side?
The Maverick, the Santa Cruz and the Stout would sell like cakes that are hot here in Australia. Just look at the success of the almighty Subaru Brumby from the lates 1970s and ’80s.
Here was a ute that had a decent 400kg payload, with four-wheel drive but the ride comfort of a car. That’s exactly what these new little utes would be – Brumbys for the current time.
Speaking of which, that’s what Subaru needs to do – bring back the Brumby. Don’t let Ford and Hyundai get the glory for what you started, Subie.
Personally, I’d love to see utes go even smaller. Suzuki should seriously consider reviving the Mighty Boy from the auto-glorious 1980s. What’s better than a ute which is 3.2m long with just enough room for an Esky in the tub.
I totally get that as Australians we might miss out on the occasional American sports car or Euro hatch, but don’t deny us a ute – big or small.
Keyword: Mini Toyota HiLux, Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz - don't deny Aussies these utes | Opinion