2019 Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute: The Verdict

Every two years we take the opportunity to test the cream of the dual-cab 4WD ute crop – and for 2019 it’s our biggest comparison test yet.

Including the all-new SsangYong Musso Ultimate – which re-entered the Australian market in December last year – and V6-powered Mercedes-Benz X 350d POWER for the first time, our comparison also assessed stalwart favourites from previous reviews.

This year, the field includes the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak BiTurbo, mildly-updated Holden Colorado Z71, workhorse Isuzu D-MAX LS-T, facelifted Mazda BT-50 GT, upgraded Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium, third-generation Nissan Navara ST Black Edition, polished-up Toyota HiLux Rogue and the gutsy V6-powered Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Ultimate.

It’s a mammoth undertaking and one we divided by task, rather than vehicle. As light commercial dual-cab 4WD utilities become more than a tool of trade vehicle, it was important to assess not only the higher-specified variants that family and recreational buyers want, but also the criteria on which those buyers make their purchasing decision.

Tackling towing and payload hauling, off-road, unsealed and sealed road driving, and looking thoroughly at in-cabin comfort, convenience, accommodation and technology left no stone unturned. It’s a test that combines all of our experts’ knowledge with the most real-world testing we could conceive – and the results speak for themselves.

Towing is an obvious selling point for many double-cab 4WD utes, which is why so many manufacturers go to great pains to ensure a 3500kg braked towing limit -- on paper, at least. And while this may be something of a misnomer for some of the utes on test – limited by Gross Combination Mass, downball weight, speed and other factors – there are others that are a little more up front about it.

The Mitsubishi Triton can tow 3100kg (braked), while automatic variants of the Toyota HiLux have a braked towing capacity of 3200kg.

In some cases the ability to tow at capacity is also affected by how much weight is in the ute itself, meaning the tray must remain empty if capacity is to be reached. For this reason, we towed with an empty tray and a caravan weighing just on 3000kg.

Towing expert Phil Lord and RV editor Chris Fincham go into more detail on these considerations in their portion of our comparison. As you’ll see, we used an independent mobile weigh station to determine exactly how much weight was carried, and the win eventually went to the Ford Ranger for its stability, confidence and accessible low-end torque.

Find out more on the towing capabilities of our 10 dual-cab utes

Like the 3500kg towing capacity advertised by many manufacturers, the ‘one-tonne’ (1000kg) payload capacity spruiked by some is also inaccurate. Only four of the utes assembled here are capable of legally taking a tonne in their trays, the other six range between 790-961kg.

Rated carrying capacity isn’t the only factor at play here. Feeble tie-down points, narrow trays and suspension that isn’t up to task has an obvious impact on the ability for our entrants to haul a load safely. The datum for this test was a relatively modest 650kg.

Placing the weight as centrally and as forward as possible in the bed helped distribute the load. Our test route followed the same undulating track used by our tow testers and the mix of terrain, speed and surface therefore allowed an accurate reflection of what buyers might experience in the real world.

Conducting this aspect of testing this year was contributing journalist and garage-owner Andrea Matthews and former magazine and newspaper auto journalist and current Boatsales editor Barry Park. After careful deliberation both agreed the Ford Ranger was the most capable vehicle here. Its 961kg payload capacity easily tackled the task at hand.

Read all about the load hauling capabilities of our 10 dual-cab utes

While we all want a ute that can carry a load and go off-road, we also want one that’s accommodating, comfortable and quiet (digitally measured, to be sure). Increasingly, we also want a ute specified with the latest connectivity and amenity technology – and the best electronic driver and chassis aids available anywhere in the market.

It’s this final point that really began to drive a wedge between the front-runners on test. Indeed, where many of the utes were happy to tow, haul or perform off-road, there were only a few that offered the ergonomic benefits and creature comforts offered in the family SUV.

It’s a point we can no longer dismiss by saying “yeah, but it’s just a dual-cab”. Modern buyers demand a vehicle that can do it all. When one doesn’t, they’ll simply shop elsewhere. Loyalty is dead and creature comforts are king.

Measuring the cabin for size and comfort at this year’s test was senior contributing journalist Tim Britten, who brings 50 years of experience to our comparison (the first ute he reviewed was the HK-series Holden!). On the technology and practicality front it was our consumer editor Nadine Armstrong, who made sure no feature was left unassessed.

This year, Tim and Nadine awarded the Mercedes-Benz X-Class as the winner in this category.

More on the in-cabin amenity and technological capabilities of our 10 dual-cab utes

We have highlighted the considerable difference in payload capacity of our entrants, and the ability for each to tow different loads depending on a range of ‘other factors’. It turns out the same is quite true of the four-wheel drive capabilities of the 10 utes on test. Not all dual-cab 4WD utes are created equal off-road, it seems.

Beyond the mix of ladder-frame platforms, leaf- and coil-sprung rear-ends and transfer cases that don’t offer low range, it’s the clearance, articulation and geometry of our rugged rivals that quickly presents as a limitation to off-road travel.

Add to that electronics that are often too clever for their own good and the variance between the best and the bogged becomes as clear as night and day.

Conducting testing on this year’s Dual-Cab 4WD Ute Comparison was carsales road test editor Matt Brogan and senior journalist Rod Chapman. With extensive car, SUV, 4WD, truck and motorcycle testing experience between them, both are well versed in covering ground slowly. The use of low-range crawl functions is as much as part of this test as diff locks and tyre deflators.

And rather than visit the four-wheel drive park this year, we decided to keep the utes honest and tackle real-world conditions in a disused quarry north of Melbourne.

Shaly surfaces, steep climbs and plenty of dust gave our utes a chance to show their best (and worst) and the win was eventually handed to the Ford Ranger – its third category win of this comparison.

The low-down on the off-road capabilities of our 10 dual-cab utes

Outside of specific tasks like those mentioned above, all of our eight judges drove each ute through an identical ‘road’ course.

The mix of sealed and unsealed roads saw the dual-cab 4WD utes tackle hill and dale, corrugations galore and open highway through the spectacular Macedon Ranges. The process provided an insight into ride/handling, driveline performance and in-cabin comfort for each of our 10 competitors.

Scoring saw the locally-tuned Holden Colorado edge ahead of the pack on this front. Our judges were unanimous in their praise of the Colorado’s stability, road-holding, comfort and performance.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ... err, office ... Andrea Matthews and the redbook.com.au team analysed cost of ownership data, warranty and servicing provisions, and included roadside assistance terms to determine the winner from a value for money standpoint.

Considering the discrepancy in the list price of our rivals – almost $40,000 on top of the cheapest entrant ($39,990 plus on-road costs) – crunching the numbers was anything but straightforward.

In the end, however, it was the Ford Ranger that leapt ahead by virtue of its solid five-year warranty, generous capped-price servicing provisions and lower cost of consumable service parts when viewed against its contemporaries.

More about the cost of ownership of our 10 dual-cab utes

Past Dual-Cab 4WD Ute Comparisons at carsales have awarded top billing to the Ford Ranger (2015) and Volkswagen Amarok (2017), each winning due to their blend of amenity, technology, safety and performance.

Both times, the respective winners have narrowly outpaced each other to take the blue ribbon, and this year’s comparison is no exception.

As I’m sure you’ll gather from reading the links here, in 2019 the updated Ford Ranger Wildtrak has clawed back its title from Volkswagen.

Our judges praised the Ranger Wildtrak’s ability to tow and haul, and the new bi-turbo four-cylinder engine’s plentiful torque and smooth acceleration thanks to an equally polished 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Wildtrak also delivered in its ability off-road, easily conquering obstacles that stopped others in their tracks – literally, in some cases -- and scored highly for cabin refinement, equipment and safety. Ford’s aftersales support was another string to Ranger’s already brimming bow.

10. Nissan Navara ST Black Edition (61.5/100)
9. SsangYong Musso Ultimate (64.0/100)
8. Isuzu D-MAX LS-Terrain (65.5/100)
7. Toyota HiLux Rogue (68.0/100)
6. Mazda BT-50 GT (69.5/100)
5. Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium (71.5/100)
4. Holden Colorado Z71 (75.0/100)
3. Mercedes-Benz X 350d POWER 4MATIC (77.5/100)
2. Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Ultimate 4MOTION (78.5/100)
1. Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo (85.5/100)

2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak:
Price: $63,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 157kW/500Nm
Transmission: Ten-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Holden Colorado Z71:
Price: $57,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Isuzu D-Max LS-T:
Price: $54,700 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 209g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Mazda BT-50 GT:
Price: $56,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 10L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 246g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Mercedes-Benz X 350 d POWER 4MATIC:
Price: $79,415 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 190kW/550Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium:
Price: $51,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 225g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Nissan Navara ST-Black:
Price: $51,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 SsangYong Musso Ultimate:
Price: $39,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A

2019 Toyota HiLux Rogue:
Price: $61,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 236g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2019 Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 4MOTION:
Price: $72,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 190kW/580Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 234g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP