The local light commercial vehicle segment is currently served by over a dozen brands with vehicles to accommodate requirements of tradespersons, farmers and workers in the construction industry.
Capable cab/chassis workhorses on offer and covered here include four-wheel drive. Two-wheel drive models are covered under our ‘Utes’ section. Cab-chassis options on sale here include utes from Japan, South Korea and increasingly Thailand.
Cab-chassis models usually boast rugged construction and decent payload capacity. Generous towing capability is also a priority; with most popular models like the Mazda BT-50/Ford Ranger twins (at 3350kg) and Holden Colorado (3500kg) topping ratings. Segment best-seller Toyota HiLux is capable of 2500kg braked towing while Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton both manage 3000kg.
Both two-door and four-door body-styles are available. The dual cab four-doors can accommodate up to five passengers but cargo (tray) space is compromised.
Four and six-cylinder petrol and four, five, six cylinder and even V8 diesel engines are available throughout the segment, with diesels providing greater torque and fuel economy than their petrol counterparts. For example, the 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel in the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger achieves a combined 8.4L/100km. Most brands offer auto and manual transmissions.
Safety wise, most of the latest models in the segment earn a four or five star ANCAP rating and feature front, side and curtain airbags.
Prices vary from $26,340 for the Great Wall V240K2 to around $70,000 for the Toyota HiLux V8 Diesel.