COMPARISON: 2017 Dual-cab Ute Mega Test

There are work utes – you know, the single-cab budget-focused models aimed at tradies specifically – and there are lifestyle utes, those that cost $60,000 to $70,000 that are more often seen with a dude in a suit driving them rather than a bloke in overalls. In fact, we drove those types of utes in our eight ute mega test a while ago, and we've even done an extra-cab lifestyle ute comparison, too.

But this time around we wanted to get down and dirty with a few more affordable models, the workhorses aimed more at coin-conscious consumers who will use their utes as, well, utes first and foremost. A proper Monday to Friday vehicle, not so much a lifestyle weekender, but with a dual-cab body to ensure that there’s space in the back if you need it.

So, here it is – our budget dual-cab ute mega test.

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[rsoul]

I love how you guys always jizz all over the amarok, and yes, it is a very nice town ute, and they are good off road, however, in terms of reliability, not so sparkling, we had amaroks as fleet vehicles in demanding conditions, as well as hilux and landcruiser, and they wilted under the pressure. Chassis corrosion, engine failures, and this was not over a very long period. VW make a fine car, but in terms of a bush ute, no, and that goes down to the 'core' of its engineering.

[joshbenton]

The Colorado is just such a comfortable Ute to drive, a '15 LTZ 4×4 was by far the nicest vehicle I have driven more than once. Had one for a couple weeks while I was looking after a farm, and had the canopy completely full of vege scraps probably 350+ kilo, plus tools for my day job, and it didn't even notice it
And it had great traction going up a slick grass hill every day, that when even slightly dewy, my Mazda 3 will get stuck, and I didn't even have to put the Ute in 4WD.

And going In rural roads and into a bumpy cow paddock, it was super smooth. Plus it hardly jolted when going over curbs into the grounds of a hospital that i was working in(that my car bottomed out on the curb)

[hangglider]

I drove all of them and I have to say the Amarok V 6 is outstanding. You even can't compare it - it is just a class of its own. Plus no fiddeling around with low gear switches. Plus it is a permanent 4wheel drive. Test it and be honest! It is great! I drove a VW T 4 syncro for 12 years - no issues...and sold it for 7000.- less than I bought it! The value stays high...

[joslyrasitrasitrabeh]

Mitsubishi Triton the best, more easy to maintain, cheapest maintenance, handling very good on cornering, Mitsubishi long lasting still very good to use 20-30 years, Rally Dakar highway 🏆

[Reznor_Meeks]

it can't be that I'm the only on cringing with the fact the win went to the oldest model here, the win went to the one manufactured that was exposed for cheating emissions & the win went to the one ute that does not have passenger airbags.

I would like to suggest to your test a few things that it seems most reviewers simply don't bother with such as:

-dealer/service network - how about we FINALLY start to expose bad behavior of the dealers toward their costumer as ownership experience ? (ex collect data from costumers NOT about the car but about their experience after purchasing, that should bring some reward to those manufactures of which insist on training their dealer network and bring some exposure to those manufactures who just want your money then throw u away)

-how thick is the paint, how much doe resist to scratching?

-panels integrity (does it dent easily)?

-interior materials such as the plastics scratch easy? cloth seats rip? etc etc

[alexfrankl]

Smallest dealer network, Isuzu, the fact they have made such an impact on the Aussie roads is a testament to its reliability and toughness .
Toyota would have to have the largest dealer network in Aus so it would stand to reason they manage to shift a few . buy the time the D Max is run-in the hilux would be up for injectors 😂

[JDMEVOVIGSR]

Why no Mazda BT50? Always gets forgotten. It's by far the most underrated ute.

[markleach]

If you want reliability and high re sale value stick to hilux or dmax. Having owned a 2016 sr5 hilux and spending a lot of time behind the wheel of my friends 2017 dmax, I can tell you first hand that you cannot fault both vehicles. They are both very reliable and comfortable. Yes, the ride will always be harder than a car because its a ute, however both are really nice and both have more than enough power and torque for off roading and towing. The reality is you can get into a dual cab 4x4 dmax (SX model) for $39k driveway which is very cheap for a reliable ute both for families or tradies. The dmax interior isn't as shiny as the sr5's however, this shouldn't be a problem if you are buying a ute, as you are buying a ute, not a premiun suv, you should re check your expectations if this bothers you. The best advice I can give is to stay away from bullshit reviews such as this one and go and test drive the vehicles for your self first hand, even ask various mechanics for their opinion, mechanics can be very honest when it comes to giving advice on problematic vehicles, unfortunately the same cannot be said for when they are working on your own car to a certain degree. In my opinion you cannot go past the dmax or hilux purely based on reliability, performance, functionality and re sale value, however at the end of the day its your money.

[jaimusicxx]

brilliant stuff guys - great review - informative and honest - well done!! I got my new Z71 Colorado a few weeks ago and it is a brilliant truck! i dont think any of these Utes would disappoint.The only thing that gets me is that there is no mention that the Hilux does not pass the rollover test (or moose test - sure overseas testing but could still happen on any Australian country road) so there is now way i would be putting my family in Hilux or the Amarok. Thanks for a great Vdieo

[sw]

I own MN Triton with few modification. Since AT tyre and suspension updated and tune chip plug, it can easy load one tone without any drama. I did maximum 1.2 tone once but short distance.

But I ask many local mechanics which brand is better. They all said toyota. Not like bullet proof advertising shit but less problem than another brand for sure.

If I really need to get new ute, probably Triton as well. Exceed model 45k drive way price with rear diff lock, great traction control system. Top up $3500 extra for suspension, chip and tyre upgrade you can get a very capable ute.

[s]

I don't know many long term Amarok owners who were happy with their ownership experience! They are fantastic under test drive conditions, but when you actually use one for 'proper work' they just don't cut the mustard.

Then dealing with VW after-sales, joy!

[AndyL]

Who cares about the bells and whistles we want to know which one is gonna keep going

[nathancormack]

it is a resanoble comparison but i think you should use same type of spec vehicles so you are not putting a bottom spec vehicle for one manufacturer againts highter spec vehicle from another manufacturer

[bluecent]

The Amarok is easily the best driving Ute out of this lot. When can we see a detailed review of the V6 Sportline, and have VW Oz made a call on When this airbag omission will be sorted?

[markcabayao]

Isuzu the best of all for durability and reliability!!! Proven and tested for 30 years.

[terrenceganasen]

stupid comments about workhorses. this test covered a lot more than just workhorses. people have different needs from their bakkies now and each vehicle has different strengths. glad to see the dmax and triton getting some points

[midnightstorm]

Thanks for this review. People can now decide what color of Hilux they are gonna buy.

[dratempest]

Only 3 I would consider would be the Toyota Mazda and Dmax the rest, well they are just weekend bling warriors 💍

[chiphood]

Had all these at work and taken them out on the weekends here in the NT, the Isuzu is the only one id buy.

[stuartmutch]

Thanks fellows, good test. Pity the video isn't longer with more of each ute in each section. I raise the question, in spite of the fact the Amarok doesn't have rear airbags it still achieves a 5 star safety rating. In the tests I have seen, this includes rear seat passengers. Does this then warrant dropping it to the bottom of the field in that area?

I drive different utes at work, and have owned quite a few different brands. Before buying our Amarok auto, I checked the service costs against our current vehicle at the time. It was about 30% LESS than the other vehicle ( a common and popular brand). I totally agree with your comments regarding it off road. We have towed a camper through places others had issues without a trailer. Amazing to drive off road.