The 10 cheapest new utes in Australia

Utes are Australian’s bread and butter, and certain examples continue to be some of the top-selling vehicles in Australia.

While there’s a lot of emphasis put on many high-end and flagship models, in the current cost of living crisis money is front of mind and people/businesses are wanting to purchase cost-conscious workhorses.

In this article we’re going to lay out the 10 cheapest new utes currently on sale in Australia. Many are fleet-focussed models that are rear-wheel drive only and have a manual transmission.

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For the sake of continuity, we’ve ranked them using drive-away pricing for Victorian private buyers. This is because only some brands offer drive-away pricing.

Pricing varies slightly from state to state due to differing taxes, plus some carmakers offer different pricing for ABN buyers.

It’s worth noting we’re only taking into the account the initial purchase cost of the ute. Ongoing costs such as fuel, service costs, and insurance, among others, haven’t been considered.

Isuzu D-Max

While the base Toyota HiLux is the most affordable ute on sale in Australia from a recommended retail pricing (RRP) perspective, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) currently offers a drive-away deal for the entry-level D-Max ute that undercuts the base HiLux.

The Isuzu D-Max range currently starts at $32,700 before on-road costs or $32,490 drive-away for the SX single-cab chassis 1.9-litre 4×2 manual, and extends to $70,500 before on-roads or $67,990 drive-away for the flagship X-Terrain dual-cab pickup 3.0-litre automatic 4×4.

It’s worth noting the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel in the entry-level D-Max doesn’t produce as much power or torque as the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, though it’s claimed to be more fuel efficient. It also has a reduced towing capacity (2800kg for the manual, and 3000kg for the automatic).

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Isuzu D-Max
MORE: Everything Isuzu D-Max

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Toyota HiLux

The Toyota HiLux has been tussling with Ford Ranger to be the top-selling vehicle in Australia for a considerable amount of time now. In 2023 the Ranger ended the HiLux’s seven-year reign atop the sales charts, and so far in 2024 it’s on track to outsell it again.

While a lot of the Ranger’s sales are in the more profitable 4×4 ute segment, Toyota consistently outperforms the Ford in the 4×2 ute segment where fleet buyers account for a larger share of the customer base.

The HiLux range currently starts at $26,475 before on-roads for the Workmate single cab-chassis 4×2 manual, and extends to $74,310 before on-roads for the GR Sport dual-cab pickup 4×4 automatic.

It’s worth noting the cheapest version of the HiLux is lower-riding and powered by 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Toyota HiLux
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux

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Mitsubishi Triton

Although Mitsubishi is selling new-generation versions of the Triton in dual-cab pickup guise, the cab-chassis and Club Cab versions haven’t arrived yet.

In the meantime Mitsubishi continues to offer outgoing MR-generation versions of the Triton in cab-chassis guise.

With this in mind, the Mitsubishi Triton range currently starts at $30,740 before on-road costs for the GLX single-cab chassis 4×2 manual.

The currently dual-cab pickup-only new-generation Triton range on the other hand starts from $43,690 before on-roads for the GLX 4×2, and extends to $63,840 for the GSR 4×4.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Mitsubishi Triton
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Triton

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GWM Ute

The GWM Ute is the most affordable Chinese-built ute currently sold in Australia. The majority of other utes are manufactured in Thailand.

GWM recently tweaked the Ute lineup, cut pricing, increased the towing capacity of most models, and included a tailgate lock for pickup variants.

There are bigger changes coming in the first half of 2025, including a more powerful 2.4-litre turbo-diesel. It’ll also coincide with the Ute being renamed to the Cannon Ute.

In the meantime, the range is currently priced from $36,490 drive-away for the Cannon 4×4 dual-cab pickup, and extends to $48,990 drive-away (until September 30) for the Cannon-XSR 4×4 dual-cab.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a GWM Ute
MORE: Everything GWM Ute

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Nissan Navara

The current-generation Nissan Navara is nearing the end of its lifecycle, though a new model hasn’t been revealed yet. In the meantime the company has launched a limited-edition variant, as well as new dealer-fit accessories.

The D23-generation Navara has been on sale in Australia since 2015 and last received a major update in 2020. The new-generation model isn’t expected to arrive locally until early 2026.

Navara pricing currenlty starts at $33,550 before on-roads for the SL single-cab chassis 4×2 manual, and extends to $71,265 before on-roads for the locally reworked PRO-4X Warrior dual-cab pickup 4×4 automatic.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Nissan Navara
MORE: Everything Nissan Navara

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Mahindra Pik-Up

The Mahindra Pik-Up is one of the oldest new utes currently sold in Australia if you don’t count the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series.

Its current design dates all the way back to 2006, though there have been incremental facelifts and updates. Currently it’s only sold in Australia in dual-cab form with an automatic transmission.

Pricing for the Pik-Up starts at $37,990 drive-away for the S11 dual-cab chassis, and extends to $38,500 drive-away for the S11 dual-cab pickup. Mahindra is also offering the accessorised Pik-Up Work Pack at $39,990 drive-away.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Mahindra Pik-Up
MORE: Everything Mahindra Pik-Up

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KGM SsangYong Musso

Following SsangYong’s recent rebrand to KGM SsangYong, the Musso ute now has a new name – KGM SsangYong Musso.

This dual-cab ute remains the same as before the name change. The most recent update included a new mid-range variant, revised exterior and interior design, as well as new tech.

The Musso range currently starts from $40,000 drive-away for the ELX, and extends to $45,000 drive-away for the Ultimate.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a KGM SsangYong Musso
MORE: Everything KGM SsangYong Musso

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Mazda BT-50

The current-generation Mazda BT-50 is a twin-under-the-skin with the Isuzu D-Max and is made in the same Thai factory.

The latest update included a new luxuriously appointed cab-chassis variant, as well as all 4×4 variants picking up an off-road traction control aid called Rough Terrain Mode.

The BT-50 range currently starts at $35,520 before on-roads for the XS single cab-chassis 4×2 1.9-litre automatic, and extends to $74,095 before on-roads for the Thunder dual-cab pickup 4×4 3.0-litre automatic.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Mazda BT-50
MORE: Everything Mazda BT-50

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Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger ute was the top-selling new vehicle in Australia for 2023, and so far in 2024 it seems to be on track to continue this feat unless the Toyota RAV4 overtakes it at the last minute.

Unlike many other utes, the Ranger is only sold in Australia with an automatic transmission. The GWM Ute and Volkswagen Amarok are also in the same boat.

The Ranger lineup starts at $36,880 before on-roads for the XL Hi-Rider single cab-chassis 4×2, and extends to $90,440 before on-roads for the Baja-ready Raptor.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a Ford Ranger
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger

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LDV T60 Max

Although LDV has introduced the updated T60 Max Plus locally, it continues to sell versions of the pre-update T60 Max lower down in the range.

Pricing currently starts at $41,042 drive-away for the T60 Max Pro manual, and extends to $52,095 drive-away for the T60 Max Plus Mega Tub automatic.

It’s worth noting the manual versions of the T60 still miss out on autonomous emergency braking, like the Mahindra Pik-Up.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a LDV T60
MORE: Everything LDV T60

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