Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2021: The Verdict

The dual-cab 4x4 ute segment has one of the longest product cycles in the automotive industry. If a manufacturer builds a great ute to start with, it can take less-inspiring rivals years to regain lost ground, depending on where they are in their product cycle.

It’s no wonder, then, that some of the older utes keep winning awards.

It is no secret that the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok have long been considered among the market’s best all-round utes.

This is how it has panned out with previous carsales Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute awards run every two years, with the silverware going to the Ford Ranger in 2019 and 2015, and with the Volkswagen Amarok taking the honours in 2017.

These two models have scored the most points in previous awards programs due to their blend of amenity, technology, safety, and on- and off-road and towing performance.

But times have changed. The market has had a massive shake-up since our last ute-fest in 2019. Not only did the Ranger receive yet another update in 2020, but new-generation models have arrived with significant new safety and technology credentials – in particular, the Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50.

Last year also brought a big overhaul for the Toyota HiLux, and delivered us the all-new Jeep Gladiator.

This year, the long-awaited GWM Ute has arrived to replace the Great Wall Steed, and the Nissan Navara has received yet another important upgrade.

So let’s count it down to find the carsales Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute for 2021…

There’s no denying that the 2021 LDV T60 is a good-value proposition, and covers off the basics for convenience features and in-cabin tech.

Yet in this group it lags behind when it comes to engine performance, refinement, towing ability and ride quality.

While it scored a five-star ANCAP rating in 2017, the LDV lacks the important autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system most others in this group now come with as standard.

Without the certainty of any capped-price servicing program, the LDV’s otherwise relatively well-rounded cost of ownership proposition is diminished.

How much does the 2021 LDV T60 LUXE cost?
Price: $34,153 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/360Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 254g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

The 2021 SsangYong Musso excels in smooth-road refinement, is a stable towing platform with willing performance and is loaded with most of the in-cabin convenience and tech you’ll want.

Yet ultimately it lacks the performance and all-round ride and handling composure of other utes here.

No independent safety rating is another Musso negative. 

How much does the 2021 SsangYong Musso Ultimate cost?
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: Not tested

If anything shows how diverse the one-tone dual-cab ute market has become, it is the 2021 Jeep Gladiator.

This ute is so left-field it’s hard to categorise, but here it is with five seats and four doors, a tray and leather seat trim. It deserves a seat at the table.

The Gladiator Overland is rich with in-cabin tech and features, but its lacklustre safety credentials and a rather low payload capacity don’t help it on the scoreboard here.

How much does the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland cost?
Price: $75,450 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrol
Output: 209kW/347Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 260g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Three-star (2019 ANCAP)

Just going purely on the features list of the 2021 GWM Ute Cannon-X, you’d think it would be up near the top of the scoreboard.

Its convenience and in-cabin tech list is impressive, and it ticks all the safety boxes except one – there is no ANCAP safety rating yet.

The GWM Ute didn’t score so well in our on-road performance category because its engine is behind the pack for power and responsiveness, its auto transmission lacks finesse, and its ride/handling package is not quite as cohesive as others on test here.

How much does the 2021 GWM Ute Cannon-X cost?
Price: $40,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.4L/100km
CO2: 250g/km
Safety rating: Not tested

While VW really got it right with the original Volkswagen Amarok back in 2011, aside from introducing the V6 TDI powertrain in 2016 it has not made any significant improvements since.

As ever, the Amarok is one of the best utes to drive, on road and off, and also provides the best interior and tray space.

Yet the 2021 Volkswagen Amarok has lost significant ground by not keeping up with advances in safety, convenience and tech features, and its cost of ownership is relatively high.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Amarok Highline TDI580 cost?
Price: $61,990 (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 (2011 ANCAP)

The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton is very much an average player, achieving middling scores in all our key areas.

That’s not to say it doesn’t have some stand-out features, such as its clever 4WD system, communicative steering and efficient engine.

Yet the Triton is not inherently rock-solid either when towing or riding over rough roads and lags behind the pack for in-cabin technology.

How much does the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GSR cost?
Price: $53,490 (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 (2015 ANCAP)

An improved payload, better looks and more tech and safety have given the 2021 Nissan Navara a new lease on life.

But the Navara’s new-found safety credentials, solid payload capacity and smooth-road ride are contrasted with its ordinary towing stability, average rough-road ride and overall performance.

How much does the 2021 Nissan Navara ST-X cost?
Price: $57,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 208g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2015 ANCAP)

Benefiting from a major update last year, the 2021 Toyota HiLux has become an even more well-rounded dual-cab ute thanks to slight performance and ride improvements and a step-up in cabin technology.

These complement the HiLux’s already strong safety and off-road credentials, but a less-than-supple ride, so-so towing performance and expensive servicing take away some of the top-selling Toyota’s lustre.

How much does the 2021 Toyota HiLux SR5 cost?
Price: $59,920 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2019 ANCAP)

With much shared under the skin with the new Isuzu D-MAX and many shared features, it’s no wonder the new 2021 Mazda BT-50 also scored highly in this test.

It’s bristling with the same comprehensive safety and technology equipment as its D-MAX cousin, but the BT-50 isn’t quite as attractive when it comes to the standard features list, cost of ownership equation or ride quality.

But the BT-50’s blend of overall on-road, off-road and towing performance is at an equal footing with the D-MAX.

How much does the 2021 Mazda BT-50 GT cost?
Price: $59,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2020 ANCAP)

The 2021 Isuzu D-MAX is a breath of fresh air in the dual-cab 4x4 ute category, thanks not only to its smart looks but the most comprehensive safety suite yet offered in this segment.

The all-new Isuzu also scores strongly when it comes to cost of ownership, with the best combination of strong resale value, good-value capped-price servicing and long service interval, roadside assistance and warranty periods.

The only areas where the D-MAX is not quite so accomplished are its less-than-ideal ride quality, level of engine refinement and towing performance.

How much does the 2021 Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain cost?
Price: $62,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 207g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2020 ANCAP)

Ford not only spent up big on the Ranger during its Australian-based development program, but has continued to apply significant regular updates to its global mid-size pick-up platform.

This has kept the Ford Ranger ahead of the curve in a market that demands a ute not only performs well in all key operational attributes, but offers almost all of the latest safety and technology features.

Quite simply, there is no other mid-size dual-cab 4x4 ute on the market today that handles, rides and performs as well as the Ranger – whether unladen, laden or towing – while also offering an integrated, cohesive package of cutting-edge safety and technology.

That’s why the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 is carsales’ Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute for 2021.

How much does the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 cost?
Price: $64,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km
CO2: 218g/km
Safety rating: Five-star (2015 ANCAP)