Last year Ford’s Ranger did the unthinkable – toppled Toyota’s Hilux as the country’s top-selling ute, a feat achieved after an unbroken 32 year run by the Japanese manufacturer.

This year - thanks to a comprehensive revamp - Ranger ute is better again. And not only was it comfortably the top selling commercial vehicle model in the latest month (October 15) of new vehicle registrations logged before our Annual went to press it was also the top selling model overall (car and commercial) year-to-date with 5,527 sales.

Allied to the strength of the ute market is the similar growth in sales of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles).

Year to date (October) SUVs accounted for a 34 percent share of the market with the Pickup/Chassis Cab segment second on 21 percent and the once all-conquering (dubbed ‘the Corolla class) small passenger vehicle segment now third with 15 percent.

Ironically, it has been the overwhelming man-in-the-street acceptance of sophisticated hi-spec double cab utes like the Ranger which has led to Ford breathing new life into the rugged, low range-equipped 4WD station wagon sector.

The Everest arrived too late – just – to be included in our current 4WD of the Year survey. But if this year’s SUV shootout is anything to go by it will be in pole position come 2016!
 
To read the full story in the 2016 NZ4WD Annual & SUV Buyer's Guide issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale December 14) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.