Should I buy a ute or a van?

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia’s top-selling vehicle for the last five years and direct competitors like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-MAX and Mitsubishi Triton are also top 10 regulars in the monthly new-vehicle sales charts.

But while these commercial vehicles are attractive to many Aussies – especially the most popular dual-cab 4x4 ute variety, which fulfills both weekday and weekend work equally well – some still prefer the benefits of a traditional van and for good reason.

Following the demise of Australian-made utes based on the beloved Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, local buyers have flocked to body-on-frame pick-ups now offered by a large assortment of brands.

According to VFACTS figures, light commercial vehicles accounted for almost a quarter (24%) of all new-vehicle sales so far this year, with the vast majority of those being 4x4 utes, which found almost 190,000 homes last year.

Utes offer a diverse range of choice, including cab configuration (single, extended or dual), tray configuration (styleside pick-up or cab/chassis, engines (four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel), transmission (manual or auto), drivetrain (4x2 or 4x4) and ride height, including models like the 4x2 HiLux Hi-Rider.

As a result segment leaders such as Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger each offer over 30 different variants. The same is true for factory-fitted or aftermarket options, with companies like ARB offering nearly 600 accessories for the new Ranger.

Such high levels of customizability, combined with all the latest safety aids, makes these utility vehicles well suited to the diverse needs of family buyers and, as such, the modern 4x4 ute is seen as often on the worksite as it is at the campsite, boat ramp and, sadly, the supermarket car park.

Unlike the ute, which provides a more emotional connection with its owners, the humble delivery van is very much a utilitarian workhorse used for one purpose, which is why 10 new utes are purchased for every van.

With the majority of sales going to businesses or government fleets, commercial vans can assume a variety of roles including postal and courier services, ambulances, shuttle buses, mobile sales offices, coffee vendors and all manner of trades duties.

Options are highly restricted, typically there’s only one engine choice and exterior colours are often limited to a single offering, so you better like white. You can, however, pick the size of your box in many cases, with various wheelbase lengths and roof heights allowing you to increase the cargo size and payload, or provide the ability to stand in it more comfortably.

Egress options include single or dual side sliding doors and for the back you may have the option of side-hinged barn doors or a traditional liftback. Common accessories include roof racks and a cargo barrier to separate the cabin and storage spaces.

This is unfortunately more complicated than comparing spec sheets. On paper, both utes and vans typically have a payload rating of between 900kg to 1200kg.

However, the true payload is the gross vehicle mass (GVM) less the vehicle mass (kerb weight) minus less any accessories and passengers. For example, for cab/chassis vehicles you will also need to include the tray in this calculation. In reality, these ‘one-tonne’ vehicles often have a payload closer to half of that.

Towing capability is equally convoluted. Most popular utes have a listed braked towing capacity of 3500kg (with a braked trailer), while the Ford Transit van maxes out at 2800kg and the Toyota HiAce at 1900kg.

The issue is this listed value typically cannot be achieved in parallel with the vehicle maximum payload, as we’ve covered here and here previously. Need to tow more? Time to consider one the US-bred full-size pick-ups.

In terms of physical size, most utes will struggle to fit a full-size Aussie pallet between the wheel-arches (the Volkswagen Amarok being one of the exceptions), however, this can be overcome by opting for a cab/chassis tray that sits above the wheel-arches and creates a flat space. Most vans can accommodate multiple pallets.

Access to the bed for reaching tools and equipment can be more difficult, especially without opting for a tailgate step, and cab/chassis trays provide the advantage of side access.

Meantime, a van’s rear barn doors are useful for quick access in tight spots and allow loading with a forklift, while a rear liftback can offer shelter from the weather and better (unobscured) rear vision, but aren’t forklift-firendly.

The upfront cost for a ute can vary as widely as its options, with prices ranging from around $30,000 all the way up to $85K for something like the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Entry-level compact vans such as the Renault Kangoo start from around $30,000, while more premium offerings from Mercedes-Benz can easily exceed $90,000. Expect to pay around the $40,000 mark for most vans, and special pricing is usually available to ABN holders for both vehicle types, so be sure to explore your options.

In terms of running costs this will depend largely on the configuration. A high-riding diesel dual-cab 4x4 ute will consume considerably more fuel than an entry-level 4x2 model.

It’s a similar scenario for a long-wheelbase high-roof van. And again, keep in mind the impact of accessories such as canopies, bull bars, roof racks and cargo storage.

Whether you pick a ute or a van, both will benefit from decent resale value in the current market. If you pick either a van or a ute from category leaders Toyota and Ford, you’d expect a three-year residual value in the high 50 per cent range. On the other hand, for less popular models from lesser known brands it will be closer to 40 per cent.

What makes the best choice largely depends on what factors are important to you and how you’ll use the vehicle. Are your priorities payload and towing, or ground clearance and approach/departure angles? Do you want something other than white?

Even within the same trade your choice may be split. A maintenance plumber who may deal mostly with small jobs would benefit from the convenience of custom shelving options available to van drivers and having all tools and parts securely stowed inside away from the weather and opportunist thieves.

Conversely, a 4x4 ute will be more useful for a commercial plumber frequenting job sites and with the need for carrying a variety of larger and/or longer materials.

Vans are the king of practicality, and the ability to stow everything out of sight and the weather can be a great advantage. However, due to their relatively low sales volumes, they’re not updated as regularly with the latest safety and connectivity technologies. And they won’t go off-road or cart the family around.

Ultimately, it comes down to choice. A dual-cab 4x4 ute offers just that – unless you need a bigger tray, it’s a vehicle that can get the weekday job done while also providing a safe, comfortable and convenient place for family leisure activities.

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