The Best Utes In Australia (Including Some That Don’t Exist – Yet!)

In Australia, a ute (short for "utility vehicle") is more than just a car—it’s a lifestyle! 

Picture a rugged pickup truck mashed up with a sporty sedan, ready for work, adventure, or a weekend trip to the beach. Whether it's hauling tools or surfboards, Aussies love their utes for their versatility and toughness. Plus, you’ll have some bragging rights when you’re cruising in one. Down under, the ute is an iconic ride that screams both style and practicality. It’s the ultimate multitasker!

Trucks, on the other hand, are usually larger, heavier-duty vehicles designed for bigger loads and tougher jobs. In the U.S., what we call a pickup truck is often seen as similar to a ute in Australia, but true trucks in Australia are much bigger vehicles, like what you'd see in transport or freight.

So, while all utes are utility vehicles, not all trucks are considered utes!

Holden Ute

You can’t talk utes without tipping your hat to the legend: the Holden Ute. 

This classic Aussie icon has been doing the heavy lifting for years, mixing sedan-like comfort with a bed big enough for surfboards, tools, or whatever you can throw in there. Sadly, the Holden Ute is no longer in production, but it’ll forever hold a special spot in every ute lover’s heart. 

Ford Ranger

One of the most popular vehicles In Australia, the Ranger Ute become a go-to option for those who want the utility of a truck but with the nimble feel of a smaller vehicle. 

One of Ford’s true global vehicles, the Ranger is an excellent choice for anyone with an active lifestyle. Off-road, city streets, or hauling gear for the weekend, the Ranger has the power, agility, and style to get the job done. If you want the most killer Ranger in the lineup, check out the Tremor, complete with position-sensitive Bilstein Dampers with external reservoirs, General Grabber tires, and new springs that, in conjunction with the tires, deliver additional ground clearance.

Volkswagen Amarok

The VW Amarok might be a newer face in the ute world, but it’s making waves fast. 

Under the skin, the Amarok is actually a Ford Ranger Ute, but combined with VW flair, it’s a whole new beast. Marrying European style with serious ruggedness, it’s got the chops to be a workhorse or a weekend warrior. You get all the bells and whistles Volkswagen fans expect, plus the utility to pack up for a road trip or adventure. Check out the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel model with over 600 Nm of torque (440 lb-ft)! 

Chevrolet El Camino

Now, let’s bring some old-school muscle into the mix. 

The El Camino was the original American ‘ute’ before utes were even a thing. Half car, half truck, and all attitude, the El Camino is a nostalgic nod to muscle car glory with a bed big enough to haul just about anything. Imagine it with a modern refresh—muscle car power paired with 21st-century tech. It’d be a head-turner on both the track and the highway. 

Maybe Corvette wants to get into the ute game? 

Ford Ranchero

The Ranchero deserves a spot in any ute lineup. 

Much like the El Camino, the Ranchero combined the comfort of a car with the utility of a truck bed long before the automotive world thought it was cool. It’s got retro vibes that scream versatility, and with a little modernization—think some off-road upgrades and tech—it could easily be a beast on and off the road. 

Subaru Baja

Quirky, practical, and with a cult following, the Subaru Baja is the weird-but-wonderful entry on this list. 

It’s basically what you get when you cross a small truck with an SUV, giving you that all-wheel-drive capability Subaru fans love, but with the added bonus of a truck bed. While it was short-lived, the Baja has that ute spirit that would fit right into a modern-day lineup—maybe even with a little turbo boost. 

Come on, Subaru, we Subie fanatics really want this one, let’s make it happen! 

Jeep Gladiator

If any vehicle screams “ute” potential, this is it.

The Jeep Gladiator is already out there living its best ute life. It’s for those who want that rugged, off-road Jeep vibe but need the practicality of a pickup bed. You can hit the trails and take the scenic route home with the Gladiator—it’s built for both adventure and daily life. How many trucks do you know of that can tow a trailer and head off-road like a beast - all while having the ability to remove the roof, doors, and windows? 

Yeah, it’s totally awesome. 

Tesla Cybertruck

Okay, hear me out: the Tesla Cybertruck. It’s not your typical ute, but it’s futuristic enough to redefine what a ute could be. 

Its electric powertrain and massive cargo space make it a unique player in this lineup. Imagine rolling to the beach without worrying about fuel—just cruise past gas stations and charge up at home. It might not fit the traditional mold, but sometimes you’ve got to break the rules and well, the polarizing Cybertruck does just that. 

Dodge Charger Ute (The Hypothetical Badass)

Is it a muscle car? Is it a ute? 

Time to get a little wild: picture the last-generation Dodge Charger transformed into a killer ute. 

Take that mean muscle car look, add a truck bed, and you’ve got one tough and stylish ride. It’s got the grunt of a HEMI engine and the practicality of a ute—all while looking like it’s ready for a run down the track. Sure, it takes a ton of hacksawing and welding, but the bits are there to make a Charger-ute the next big thing. 

Porsche 911 Ute (Because Why Not?)

Alright, this one’s for the dreamers. 

Imagine a Porsche 911 with a sleek little truck bed. It sounds crazy, but the idea of merging Porsche’s legendary performance and handling with the utility of a ute is just too cool not to consider. It’d be the most luxurious ute ever—something for those who want speed and practicality in one stunning package. Porsche is already rolling out models like the 911 Dakar, so is a 911 Ute really that far behind? 

We don’t think so, but hey, we’re dreamers.

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