We compare eight of the country’s most popular dual-cab utes to find which one is the best to drive.
The once humble four-wheel drive ute is getting pulled in many directions these days.
While some deride and dismiss this kind of vehicle for being crude and rough-riding, the ute has to keep a lot of plates spinning in its remit: Along with maintaining a healthy payload and high towing capacity, buyers are also demanding that the modern-day four-wheel drive is refined and comfortable: enjoyable to drive with good bump absorption and noise insulation.
And while many no doubt use their own utes mainly for the rough-and-tumble of off-roading, adventuring and load-carrying, there are plenty of examples that parade around town with only friends and family weighing them down.
This element of a ute’s character – which has never been more important than it is today – is what we are putting under the microscope in this megatest.
And in this story in particular, we are looking at which four-wheel drive ute is the best to drive.
Of course, things like payload, off-road ability and towing capacity are all very important to utes. You can read about those things in our many reviews on Drive.com.au, and you can also dig into the nitty gritty of our recent off-road megatest.
There is a lot that these utes share in common in this comparison: turbo-diesel engines, automatic transmissions and similar overall dimensions. Most have leaf-sprung rear suspension, whole only a couple use coil springs. Rear drum brakes are more common than discs still, and most of these utes have a more rudimentary part-time four-wheel drive system.
In this test, it’s more than just engine performance. That’s one important metric, but others include driver comfort and ergonomics, ride quality, visibility and steering.
And with no further ado, here are the top three best driving utes from our recent ute megatest.
Equal 3rd: Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
Classic torquey diesel engine not the fastest, but feels unstressed and unfazed
New 4JJ3 engine a big improvement in refinement over the previous generation
Electrically assisted steering feels light and easy at low speeds, but adds weight nicely as pace increases
Ride quality and comfort sits towards the top of the pack
Active safety equipment can be a little bit noisy, but is adjustable Comfortable seats and driving position
Equal 3rd: Mazda BT-50 SP
3.0-litre engine uses capacity for natural, lazy torque for easy progress.
Engine performance overall good, and handled well by smooth six-speed automatic gearbox
Ride quality is good, with nice bump absorption on offer
Steering well weighted, lots of electric assistance at low speeds Ergonomics, seat and steering wheel adjustment all good
2nd: Toyota HiLux SR5
Engine/powertrain feels the punchiest and brawniest in this field of entrants
Ride quality good for segment, improved steadily over the years through subtle tuning
Comfortable seats, good driving position and adjustment on offer
Six-speed automatic gearbox didn’t put a foot wrong
Steering feels a little heavy at low speeds and stopped, but feels nicely weighted at speed
1st: Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Seats are comfortable and nicely bolstered, but miss out on adjustable underthigh support
Powertrain is smooth, torquey and flexible despite being only 2.0-;litres in capacity
10-speed automatic gearbox improved in new Ranger, more direct feeling and more decisive.
Driver assistance systems not intrusive during everyday driving
Ride quality is quite good for the segment
Steering nicely tuned, dynamics also high for the segment
| Ford Ranger Wildtrak | GWM Ute Cannon X | Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain | Mazda BT-50 SP | Mitsubishi Triton GSR | Nissan Navara Pro-4X | SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate | Toyota HiLux SR5 | |
| 3=perfect, 1.5=avg, <1.5=sub-par | Score | Score | Score | Score | Score | Score | Score | Score |
| Driving position | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Seat comfort | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Ergonomics | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Vision | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Noise levels | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Engine | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| Transmission | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Steering | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 |
| Brakes | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Ride quality | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle dynamics | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Manoeuvrability | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Driver assist sys. effectiveness | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.5 |
| TOTAL | 23.5 | 17.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 18 | 20.5 | 18 | 23 |
| RANK | 1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
To find out how the rest of the bunch fared, be sure to check out our full article of Australia’s best value Medium SUV in 2022.
The post The best dual-cab ute to drive in 2022 appeared first on Drive.