2019 Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute: Cabin & Technology

There was a time when dual-cab 4WD utes were afforded a little bit of wriggle-room in the strict criteria with which we test other passenger vehicles. That time has gone. With the rise and rise of the double-cab 4WD ute and its growing role as a ‘family car’ in many instances, the need for change has arrived.

With that in mind, elements such as safety, technology and cabin refinement are under greater scrutiny than ever before – from both buyers and the team at carsales.

Looking to the 10 vehicles at hand in our 2019 dual-cab ute comparison, it’s obvious that some manufacturers execute this better than others. The goal posts have moved and we expect more than ever before of these utilitarian multi-taskers.

Our judging process demands not only that a vehicle ticks as many boxes as possible, but it has to pull it all together in a convincing package that is fit for purpose (the broader purpose). Our criteria include examination of ergonomics, comfort, storage, safety, driver-assistance technology and infotainment suites.

Then, we delve into the varying degrees of execution. For example, a vehicle may have dual-zone climate control, but the air-vents may be positioned poorly. Or a vehicle may have the largest infotainment screen, but the screen resolution is particularly poor – and buttons are only suitable for the ambidextrous among us. Eight-speaker sound systems are all good and well, but if the sound distorts when AC/DC needs it most, it’s simply unacceptable.

In areas of safety and driver assistance technology we reward the most advanced and extensive equipment. While it’s true many of our contenders scored a five-star safety rating, not all five-star rated vehicles are created equal.

As it turns out, with 20 points up for grabs, our top and bottom vehicles were divided by just six points. There was one winner, two contenders close behind it, and several others vying for equal billing. So let’s see which vehicles deserve a shout-out, and for what: The good, the bad and the unexpected.

Irrespective of price or specification, every vehicle on test had its highs and lows – some lower than others.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class has been panned for its un-Benz-like interior, but this fades when perspective sets in. The front seats are among the best-in-class. There’s soft-touch trim in all the right places and air-vents for the back seats. But the steering wheel only adjusts vertically and the rear-view mirrors give a narrow, Ned Kelly-style view.

Meanwhile, the rear-seat passengers sit high on stadium-style seats creating headroom compromises (good visibility for kids though). The X-Class has autonomous emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, while the infotainment screen and equipment are excellent despite the lack of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

Updates over the years have ensured the Ford Ranger Wildtrak feels contemporary inside. In Wildtrak form, its fabulous front seats, contrasting stitching on the dash, doors and seats, plus readily-apparent soft-touch trim lend a feel of plushness.

The 8.0-inch screen is home to top-notch infotainment, while there’s push-button ignition, but no vents for rear-seat passengers – who nevertheless get adequate stretching space.

Ranger Wildtrak delivers autonomous emergency braking, a good all-round view from the driver’s seat, front and rear sensors and a 360-degree camera. And the Ford is also the only vehicle on test to feature self-parking!

The Volkswagen Amarok’s refined interior is a highlight. It feels expansive and upmarket with its wide cabin (best in class) and classy dash presentation, hi-res 6.3-inch screen, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel and outstanding front seats.

Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute: The Verdict

The quality is evident overall. Yet it’s let down by oversights that include no autonomous emergency braking (joining the Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux) and, in the back, it misses out on head airbags, air-vents and a centre rear armrest. And rear legroom is the worst on test.

The Mitsubishi Triton may be smaller externally, but the cabin is as wide up front as all but the Amarok, X-Class and SsangYong Musso. It also rates well on legroom and headroom, and scores points for offering steering wheel reach, as well as rake, adjustment.

But there is precious little soft-touch padding and, although there’s dual-zone climate control, rear passengers are refreshed by peculiarly-styled roof vents.

Safety and driver-assist technology includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist and a 360-degree camera. You’ll also find Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

Eyes closed, the latest SsangYong Musso could have you believing you’re riding in a regular passenger car. Eyes open, you’d guess European. The wide cabin (second only to the Amarok) delivers heaps of legroom for all passengers and the well-bolstered, heated and ventilated front seats a comfortable driving position.

There’s a two-way adjustable steering column and soft-touch plastics complement its quiet engine and car-style on-road characteristics. There’s autonomous emergency braking, air-vents to the (heated) rear seats, plus a sunroof. A heated steering wheel, 360-degree camera and infotainment are as good as the best.

Sitting right in the middle of the segment in terms of interior accommodation, the Holden Colorado offers very good stretching room front and rear, as well as decent headroom and good vision to the rear from the driver’s seat.

Perceived quality has come a long way, with a touch of soft-padding, but the steering wheel adjusts only for height and there is (despite the dual gloveboxes) limited cabin storage. The Holden’s climate control is single-zone, the front seats tend towards being too flat and there are no air-vents to the rear.

The infotainment lifts its game but you still want for push-button ignition and a 360-degree camera.

Like its half-cousin Colorado, Isuzu’s D-MAX has advanced somewhat. Soft-touch inclusions noted, its interior appeal remains limited. The front seats, trimmed in slippery faux leather in LS-T form, are well-shaped and cabin room brings few complaints, but the (plasticky) steering wheel adjusts up and down only and vestiges of the original D-MAX sneak though in terms of seemingly-cheap vinyl and questionable build quality.

The second row gets two cup-holders but no air-vents, while infotainment is functional at best.

The Mazda BT-50 feels more dated than its Ford Ranger counterpart with a monochrome interior lacking luxuries like push-button starting. The Mazda’s one-way adjustable steering wheel and missing rear-passenger air outlets, are inherited from the Ranger.

But a closer look unveils an underlying quality in the general standards of fit and finish and the BT-50’s driving position is comfortable for the long haul with passengers rewarded with plenty of space and comfort. The infotainment screen lifts the game with good functionality including voice recognition and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-Class, though stemming from the same base, could hardly be more different. In ST Black Edition form as tested here, the Navara feels primitive with an uncompromisingly hard-touch interior, all-manual front seats, single-zone climate control, one-way steering wheel adjustment and velour interior trim.

However, the tape measure reveals there’s plenty of room inside although, like the X-Class, the external mirrors offer a narrow, post-box-style view to the back. Driver-assistance technology is lacking (save for a reversing camera), as are modern infotainment add-ons like Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The top-selling Toyota HiLux favours familiarity over styling. The cabin replicates the bulk of competitors in terms of passenger space (although it lacks rear-seat legroom) and the narrow-perch driver’s seat isn’t helped by an often too stretched-out driving position.

Safety and driver-assist technology is light-on but the HiLux redeems itself by delivering possibly the most practical cabin on test, with its sensible layout and ample (and accessible) oddment storage. Air vents, cup-holders and a central armrest are provided for rear-seat passengers.

Like all good tests (that involve five days of intense scrutiny and an Excel spreadsheet), it’s the combined efforts of any vehicle that make it victorious.

So while the Ford Ranger Wildtrak ticks more boxes than any other on test, and the veteran Toyota HiLux makes “practical” desirable, it is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class that really brings dual-cab ute cabin technology into line with mainstream passenger cars.

The aggregated scores saw the Mercedes-Benz X-Class narrowly edge out the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. The X-Class’ comfort and amenity were an agreed strength and with its superior in-cabin refinement supported by equally advanced safety technology, it’s hard to argue against it.

In what feels like an opposing take on the dual-cab ute, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak retains its rugged appeal without compromising comfort or amenity. Driver-assistance technology and safety kit combined, the Ford is in good company with the best-in-class Mercedes-Benz. An X-Class, however, it is not.

With its car-like driving position and refined interior, the understated and sophisticated Volkswagen Amarok wasn’t far behind our top pair. But its lack of second-row amenity (and the lack of curtain airbags in particular) earned the Volkswagen dismissive frowns from all judges. It led to an assessment that second-row passengers are considered second-class.

A surprise standout (at least where cabin refinement and technology are concerned) was the SsangYong Musso, which attracted applause for its plush cabin and modern inclusions that, for the most part, elude the remainder of the pack. The big Korean’s future looks good.

Snuggled in the middle of the pack, the Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara all sing from a very familiar song book. With practicality and functionality outweighing creature comforts and refinement, our middle-ground contenders lost points for execution, rather than absolute exclusions.

The Mitsubishi Triton has made commendable leaps forward in its cabin refinement and, if you’re chasing an extensive list of equipment, you’ll be well sorted. But overall packaging is a little below par in this company.

Which quite unexpectedly leaves the unbreakable and top-selling Toyota HiLux chasing the pack in this area of assessment. Far from lacking in equipment, the Toyota is let down in this area of testing by its overly utilitarian approach. For many (many) buyers though, this will be of little significance.

The good news story in this chapter is that all manufacturers are taking steps to make their workhorse utes true multi-taskers that cater to the growing expectations of 2019 dual-cab 4WD ute buyers.

All-singing, all-dancing they are not (yet), but they’re all definitely on an upwards trajectory.

Head back to the Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute of 2019