Ute vs Light Truck: What’s best for business?
In this Ute versus light truck showdown, Isuzu NPR Tradepack takes on Toyota HiLux SR to see what makes most sense for businessWhen it comes to choosing the ultimate all-round workhorse for your business, is a light-duty truck or a dual-cab ute the better option? Whether you need a reliable tow vehicle, a cargo-carrying machine, or a versatile runaround, the decision isn’t always clear-cut.
For many tradies, the dual-cab ute like the Toyota HiLux is the go-to choice, offering a balance of weekday utility and weekend adventure. But what happens when you need to tow a heavy trailer and haul a lot of gear at the same time? Sometimes, a one-tonne ute just doesn’t cut it.
Enter the light-duty truck, such as the Isuzu NPR Tradepack. With superior towing capacity and higher payload ratings, this vehicle offers serious grunt for those heavy-duty jobs—all while being drivable on a standard car licence. But can it match the comfort, safety, and user-friendly features of a dual-cab ute?
To find out, we put the Isuzu NPR Tradepack and the Toyota HiLux SR through their paces in a series of real-world tests. From load capacity to towing power, fuel efficiency to handling, we’ll help you decide which vehicle truly delivers as the best all-rounder for your business and budget.
Test vehicles:
Engine/transmission:
Weights: 2115kg (Tare), 3050kg (GVM), 5850kg (GCM), 3500kg (towing)
Length: 5230mm
Price: $56,210 plus on-road costs
Engine/transmission:
Weights: 3105kg (Tare), 4500kg (GVM), 9000kg (GCM), 4500kg (towing)
Length: 6645mm
Price: $72,381 plus on-road coasts
Related: Six things to check before buying a full-size US pick-up truck
Related: Five reasons NOT to buy a ute
Related: Mercedes-Benz Unimog 2020 Review
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