Best Used Dual-Cab Ute for 2023

The 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak has achieved an amazing result, winning the category of Australia’s best dual-cab ute in carsales’ Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

It’s the fifth year in a row that Ford’s locally developed ute has topped the rankings in this class. That’s a feat that only the Mazda CX-5 has replicated, in the medium SUV category.

For this year’s judging, the upmarket Wildtrak trim level was selected and pitted against rival flagship models from other brands.

According to industry sales figures for 2016, the Ranger in 4x2 form trailed the Toyota HiLux by a massive margin – reflecting the Toyota’s fleet discount pricing program – but the race was much closer between the 4x4 variants (31,076 HiLux sales for the year versus 30,880 Ranger sales).

During 2016, the updated Ranger Wildtrak scored forward collision warning and adjustable distance cruise control, both of which boost the safety factor in RedBook’s number crunching.

But it’s the package as a whole, not just the minor update, that has won over Aussie buyers (and the judges in this case).

With the Ranger, buyers get a vehicle that can handle the worst the bush can throw at a standard 4x4 ute, while also getting families there and back in comfort.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Ranger in this year’s running of Best Used Cars.

RedBook data placed the Ford below a host of finalists in the category, only outshining the Toyota HiLux and the Volkswagen Amarok for cost of ownership, safety, retained value and market appeal.

As was the case last year, the Ranger was the judges’ darling, which illustrates the value of that counterpoint – all the science of RedBook data, plus the wants of human beings in the real world.

For the record, the Ranger Wildtrak dual-cab assessed was a 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel variant with six-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.

Its RedBook score was 36.8 points, and the judges’ score of 46 took it to a total of 82.8 points out of 100.

When new, this specific variant sold for $61,790 plus on-road costs, and in the used-car market a 2016 model like this is valued by RedBook at $47,600.

Taking out the Best Tradie Vehicle for 2016, the Ranger was praised by carsales staff for being “one of the best-handling utes there is”.

In addition, the staff writers noted: “Packaged with an impressive array of safety equipment, the car is comfortable on the road, well-equipped and delivers strong value-for-money as a weekday workhorse that can double as a lifestyle machine on weekends.”

You can read more about the Ranger in our Best Tradie Vehicle feature here.

“The best dual-cab to drive and the gruff old 3.2 is a solid engine,” says Bruce Newton, carsales senior journalist.

“Top-shelf version of previous-gen Ranger delivers punchy five-pot diesel power,” adds Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor.

The Ford Ranger has won over Australians in a way that few local designs ever have. You can see them everywhere – on suburban streets or out in the bush – and the Ranger Wildtrak is a highly popular choice, despite being an expensive one.

It’s this variant’s all-round value for money – particularly now, in the used market – that continues to impress buyers, making the Ford Ranger Wildtrak a deserving winner in carsales Best Used Cars for 2023, proudly presented by Bingle.

Related: Buying a used Ford Ranger (2015-18)

Honourable mentions:

The Mazda BT-50 XTR Hi-Rider dual-cab 4x4 scored 41.2 points from RedBook and 36 from the judges for a total of 77.2 points
RedBook value: $34,750

“Mazda’s no-nonsense and very savvy alternative to the Wildtrak” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“Mazda’s unsung Ranger twin offers sportier handling at the expense of ride” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

The Isuzu D-MAX LS-Terrain 4x4 scored 40.4 points from RedBook and 35 points from the judges for a total of 75.4
RedBook value: $42,900

“Popular diesel dual-cab appeals to tradies, families and adventurers for good reason” – Marton Pettendy, carsales managing editor

“Isuzu’s one-tonner has been an example of constant improvement over the years, and it’s rugged and off-road capable as well” – Ken Gratton, former carsales technical editor

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars?
• 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 value
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership
• 5 per cent for service intervals
• 5 per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell