2023 ute comparison Page 9

Shopping for a 2023 ute in Australia and feeling spoiled for choice?

Ford Ranger brings lush tech, confident road manners and serious touring chops; downsides are higher pricing and the occasional early-build niggle or option creep.

Toyota HiLux is the reliability-and-resale king with a dealer on every corner; it rides a bit choppy, feels dated in drivetrain, and spec-for-spec can be pricey.

Isuzu D‑Max (and badge‑mate Mazda BT‑50) deliver strong safety kit, honest workhorse manners and good ownership value; the 3.0‑litre can feel gruff and cabin polish lags the flashier utes.

Volkswagen Amarok (Ranger’s suave cousin) offers punchy engines and a premium cabin; you’ll pay for the privilege and options can balloon like a sausage roll in a pie warmer, while tyres and servicing aren’t bargain-bin.

Mitsubishi Triton is a budget-friendly, warranty-rich tradie special; it’s capable but tighter inside and not as refined or powerful as the newer crowd—test drive with your payload and trailer in mind.