Best used dual-cab ute for 2020

The dual-cab ute is one sub-sector of the light commercial vehicle class that’s proving incredibly popular – and not just with fleet operators.

These vehicles are typically off-road-capable 4x4 models and they’re tough enough for even the most demanding families.

Yes, forget your linesmen working in remote locations, today’s dual-cab ute is just as likely to be purchased by a family needing to tow a van or a ski boat to somewhere very scenic, but a bit out of the way for any other sort of tow vehicle.

The beauty of the dual-cab ute, of course, is that it’s also a useful tool of trade during the week, when the rest of the family is at school or work.

For the 2020 carsales Best Used Car Awards, proudly presented by Bingle, the year in review is 2014.

That year, the pick-up/cab-chassis market segments (4x2 and 4x4), slipped backwards by about 7500 sales, but recently released models such as the Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado and Isuzu D-MAX did gain sales during 2014.

Vehicles like the Nissan Navara D40 and Toyota HiLux from the same year were still a year away from replacement, and sales reflected that.

Just like the other categories for carsales Best Used Cars, the winner and two honourable mentions in the dual-cab ute category were the three vehicles with the best aggregate score, based on points out of 50 from RedBook and individual scores out of 10 from each of the five judges.

And in 2020, the carsales best used dual-cab ute is the 2014...

Buyers were well and truly smitten with the locally-developed PX series of Ford Ranger, which has won Best Used Cars again this year – a hat-trick for the model line.

With a strong 3.2-litre five-cylinder engine coupled to a smooth six-speed automatic, the four-wheel-drive variant delivered a useful blend of performance and economy, just the thing for long-distance touring and plugging away in the bush or towing.

In the mid-range XLT specification, the Ranger secured 86.0 points in total – 42.0 from RedBook and 44 points from the judges.

There was a manual version of this Ranger variant available, but most buyers will prefer the automatic, taking the price of the Ranger in this specification to $55,890 plus on-road costs when new.

According to RedBook, this variant is now valued at $30,650 in the used-car market.

“Aussie-developed and it shows in terms of fitness for purpose,” says Bruce Newton, carsales senior journalist.

“Ford tough truck looks, with great ride and handling and low cost to run,” says Ross Booth, RedBook data services director.

“Car-like comfort and driving dynamics make the Ranger the pick of the bunch,” says Ken Gratton, carsales technical editor.

You can read more about the Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 dual-cab in our launch review.

Driving the Ranger for the local launch, reviewer Matt Brogan observed: “Ford have produced a class-leading vehicle in Ranger and one we look forward to spending more time in as other models arrive.”

Find a used Ford Ranger XLT on carsales

Scored 40.7 from RedBook and 38 from the judges for a total of 78.7 points
RedBook value: $31,100

“Ford Ranger twin, producing a very similar package, albeit with only six-month service intervals” – Ross Booth, RedBook data services director

“Sneaks past its Ranger stablemate based on value for money, front-end styling and resale” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

Scored 41.2 from RedBook and 34 points from the judges for a total of 75.2 points
RedBook value: $30,950

“Lots of space, loads of equipment, just a nagging worry that 2.0 litres won’t cut it against 3.0-plus” - Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“Good diesel powertrain and driveability, with higher running cost than the Ford” – Ross Booth, RedBook data services director

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Car Awards?
• Less than six years old
• Standard side-curtain airbags
• Standard Bluetooth
• Standard electronic stability control (mandated for 2014)
• Standard reversing camera for SUVs

How did RedBook weight the categories for scoring?
• 10 per cent for resale
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership
• Five per cent for service intervals
• Five per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell

Read all about carsales Best Used Cars for 2020 here.