Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute of 2019

It’s no surprise that Australian new-car buyers love dual-cab 4WD utes.

For years now light commercial utilities like those gathered here have sold in higher numbers than many passenger-car segments combined. In short, one in six new vehicles sold here has a tray or tub on the back.

Did you know the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger were the nation's two best-selling new vehicles last year, bar none? Indeed, five of the top 20 vehicles sold Down Under in 2018 were utes and the most popular among them are high-end 4x4 dual-cab variants.

These facts alone make this comparison one of the biggest and most important tests we do, and the buying public obviously agrees since our 2017 Dual-Cab 4WD Ute Comparison still often appears in our trending articles list.

This year’s test is our largest yet.

For 2019 we’ll look at well-specified iterations of the 10 best-selling double-cab utes in the Australian market. All offer four-wheel drive, comparable payload and towing capacities, and -- for the most part -- the latest in infotainment and safety technology.

These factors will be assessed by eight expert judges from across the carsales network, but we’ll also use independent specialists to scrutinise manufacturer specification claims. All 10 vehicles will be tested for the key attributes they are engineered to deliver.

In line with market demand, all of the 4x4 double-cab utes tested are powered by turbocharged diesel engines matched to automatic transmissions. Testing took over a week and no stone was left unturned.

The winner of this test will indeed be a deserved one and we expect plenty of knee-jerk criticism from one-eyed owners and salesman in the passionate ute world.

In the first part of the test we hitch a 3000kg caravan to our 10 contenders and set out on a mixed road loop. Braking and engine performance are scrutinised, so too dynamic and stability measures. We also look at the electronic driver aids that now make towing safer. The dual-cab 4WD utes that tow best don't necessarily have the biggest engines.

>> More on Towing here

It’s fair to say the results show that some light commercial utes really do carry their weight better than others… while others can sometimes be downright dangerous. Let’s take a closer look at who can carry a load best.

>> More on Payload here

The need for light commercial vehicles to offer the safety technology, infotainment connectivity and cabin comfort comparable of similarly-sized SUVs is an increasingly important part of our biennial test.

>> More on Cabin and Technology here

Whether it's getting about a work site, maintaining remote mining or energy infrastructure, heading bush for the weekend or taking the family on an extended outback holiday, off-road ability is high on the priority list for buyers of dual-cab 4WD utes.

>> More on Off-Road Driving here

Here we look at how the utes perform on sealed and unsealed roads, factoring in stability, dynamics, power and comfort… It’s an area that produces interesting results and reveals that some utes that perform poorly in other tests shine brightly in this one -- and vice-versa.

>> More on Sealed and Unsealed Road Driving here

Like all vehicles, dual-cab 4WD utes require regular servicing and maintenance to stay in top condition. As trusty workhorses, however, utes often cover a lot more kilometres and are worked a lot harder than regular vehicles. But whether it's a tool of trade or a weekend warrior, it's important to know how much your ute will cost to service in the longer-term and how generous its warranty is.

>> More on Cost of ownership here

We’ve driven, tested and scored them, so now find out which model wins the carsales Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute of 2019.

>> Read the Verdict here