Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2022: Technology

Some of us are old enough to know what a radio blank is, and most utes back in the day had one. That referred to the radio – usually with only the AM band – being an optional extra, with its dash cut-out covered at the factory with a blanking plate.

Since those times, we’ve come a long way with in-car tech, and there’s no sign of the advancements slowing down.

Indeed, it doesn’t take long for a vehicle that entered a new generation only a few years ago to get behind the times – as evidenced here in carsales’ Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2022.

As you’d expected, all seven utes on test here have Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

But for smartphone mirroring, only one model allows you to connect both Apple and Android wirelessly – the Ford Ranger XLT.

The Isuzu D-MAX LS-U+ and Mazda BT-50 SP have wireless connectivity for CarPlay, leaving the remainder – GWM Ute Cannon-X, Mitsubishi Triton GSR, Nissan Navara PRO-4X and Toyota HiLux SR5 – with cord-only operation, which can clutter up the lower dash area and be annoying if you don’t leave the cord in the vehicle.

Six of the seven utes on test have a variety of charging points, the exception being the HiLux, which has just one USB port up front.

These are all high-grade dual-cabs, but only the GWM Ute offers standard wireless phone charging for applicable smartphones.

On the flipside, the GWM is the only ute here that misses out on DAB+ digital radio, and it’s one of two models – the other is the Mitsubishi Triton – that doesn’t have a native satellite navigation system.

You won’t find a head-up display on any ute here, but the Ford Ranger XLT does have a full digital dash display. The rest have a small LCD panel in the instrument cluster that includes trip information and, in most cases, a digital speedo (the Triton misses that, too).

Similarly, there are no branded audio systems on the model grades we’re testing here, but a big difference in system quality. This is evidenced by the standard eight-speaker system found in the Isuzu D-MAX LS-U+ and Mazda BT-50 SP, compared to six for the rest.

If you want the options that open up with an embedded SIM, such as remote engine start, remote locking and unlocking and so on, you’ll only get this here in the new Ford Ranger and the just-announced update for the Toyota HiLux.

Centre screen sizes range from a large 10.1-inch portrait screen in the Ranger to the seven-inch landscape screen in the Triton.

How well they operate is also just as variable.

The Ranger’s screen is a simple one to navigate and has a wide range of versatile utility. It can do everything from calling up the owner’s manual to going through a trailer light check.

The only issue with the Ranger’s screen is one afflicting such touch-screens more generally; when on rough roads or when travelling off-road, the lack of physical buttons invariably means that the driver’s eyes are diverted from the road to make a positive engagement with the screen.

The Isuzu and Mazda infotainment systems share all but the logos on the start-up screens. These two utes offer plenty of features, and while time spent with them makes it easier, their menus are not as seamless as they could be.

The standard warning beeps and lights afflicting these two border on serious driver distraction, but luckily most can be switched off.

The GWM Ute has a 9.0-inch screen like the Isuzu and Mazda, and on first blush seems to be a great screen to use with many useful features. But there are some odd quirks such as the cameras that automatically activate when slowing down to about 15km/h, and then switch off as you accelerate above that speed.

While this is great when slow, tight manoeuvres are required, it locks out any other operation on the screen. It even blocks the manual volume control knob from operating while the camera screen is on.

The Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux offer fewer features in this category, and some might argue that’s a good thing.

There are fewer opportunities for an index finger work-out as there’s less going on, and the Triton and Navara have tactile switchgear surrounding their screens for those who prefer the certainty of analogue.

Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2022 – Technology