The 3 most popular utes in New Zealand

Damien O’Carroll
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Utes. We love utes in New Zealand. They are useful tools for work and brilliant playthings for fun, and the increasing sophistication, safety and comfort of the latest utes have also seen them become a great everyday option for a family car as well. We also buy a lot of them, so here’s a look at the three best-selling utes on sale in New Zealand so far this year: the Ford Ranger (8729 registrations YTD), Toyota Hilux (5668 registrations YTD) and the Mitsubishi Triton (3544 registrations YTD).

1. FORD RANGER

PRICE RANGE: $56,490 to $96,490

WE LIKE: It's the top-seller for a reason.

WE DON’T LIKE: The brilliant diesel V6 is limited to the Wildtrak model only.

The Ford Ranger is by far and away the biggest selling new vehicle in New Zealand -  and by that we mean ALL passenger vehicles, not just utes. Not only does it easily out-sell the Toyota Hilux, but it also eclipses the second best selling vehicle in New Zealand - the Toyota RAV4. While the Ranger has a huge range of models available (everything from a single cab chassis model right up to the fire-breathing petrol V6 Raptor), the key to its success is the remarkable comfort and refinement it brings across that entire range.

For more info on the Ford Ranger check out:

2. TOYOTA HILUX

PRICE RANGE: $48,490 to $76,990

WE LIKE: Toyota predictability and reliability, hybrid brings extra driveability.

WE DON’T LIKE: It's starting to feel a bit old, particularly compared to the Ranger, hybrid doesn't bring big fuel gains.

The Hilux is a kiwi legend, and not just because Barry Crump drove one. Pretty much the backbone of New Zealand's rural economy, the Hilux has proven its worth many times over and dominated the ute sales segment for more than 3 decades before being dethroned by the T2 Ranger. While it doesn't have anywhere near the Ranger's refinement or interior quality, it still puts up a hell of a fight in terms of sales due to the fact that it's a Hilux, which means it does everything well and nothing wrong. The recent addition of a mild hybrid system to the venerable 2.8-litre diesel on the SR and SR5 models has brought an extra layer of driveability to the Hilux, even if it doesn't bring the serious fuel savings of Toyota's full hybrids.

For more info on the Toyota Hilux check out:

3. MITSUBISHI TRITON

PRICE RANGE: $38,690 to $59,990

WE LIKE: Fantastic big truck looks, remarkably good value for money

WE DON’T LIKE: Old fashioned infotainment, interior stil a bit plasticky

The Triton has always been a solid offering at the cheaper end of the ute price spectrum, so when an all-new model launched with a lot more tech and a bold new look, a significant increase in price could well have ended its run. That wasn't the case, however, and the new Triton not only delivered a bold new look, more tech and higher quality interiors, it still also savagely undercut both the Ranger and Hilux, while also giving the budget offerings from the likes of Ssangyong and LDV a lot to think about.

For more info on the Mitsubishi Triton check out:

OUR PICK

Like we said at the start - the Ford Ranger is the best selling vehicle of any kind in New Zealand for a very good reason, and so its stands to reason that it is clearly our pick. The Ranger is simply several steps above the competition in literally every regard, whether it be off-road capability, on-road refinement, technology, build quality or any other metric.

That said, the sheer value for money represented by the Mitsubishi Triton makes it a hard one to go past as well. No, it's not quite as good as a Ranger, but then it is on average close to $20k cheaper across equivalent models, meaning that you're basically get 90% of the ute for around 70% of the money.

The Toyota Hilux on the other hand doesn't have that price advantage, but gets buy on its rock solid reputation (and resale value), despite showing its age now. The hybrid was a pleasant surprise, but an all-new one is not too far off, meaning that competition in the ute segment is about to get even hotter.

CONCLUSION

While the Ranger stands head and shoulders above the competition in terms of both quality and sales numbers (and also price...), either of the other two top selling utes offer something that makes them a compelling option.

The imminent arrival within the next 12 months or so of not only an all-new Hilux, but also a petrol plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger and the lingering promise of some form of electrification for the Triton will only see the segment get even more competitive, while the arrival of new players like the BYD Shark 6 and Kia Tasman will just make things even more interesting in New Zealand's biggest new vehicle segment.