New models, wider specification choices, and no sign yet of the ‘death’ of the internal combustion engine.
It’s no surprise that New Zealand’s roads and trails are thick with utes – mostly diesel powered, mostly double cab, mostly 4WD. These vehicles sum up the Kiwi lifestyle and psyche like no other.
Every month, the sales charts are blitzed by DDC utes, Ford and Toyota usually taking top spot though Mitsubishi has occasionally sneaked into view.
A big part of the reason for this is the ever-increasing capability of utes in an offroad or gravel road setting, and the sheer sophistication of the leading DDC utes on road and in an urban setting. Not long ago, a diff lock was way too specialised to be offered as standard. Fox and Bilstein suspension upgrades were only available from aftermarket fit-out shops. Traction control, stability control, hill descent control were only available on premium SUVs. Nobody had camera-based rear-view mirrors.
Two decades ago, most utes were big on utility, not so big on capability or comfort.
Welcome to the future.
There’s a fair buzz around this year as ute buyers look forward to the imminent arrival of the new VW Amarok. A new four-step model range, a choice of power plants and the hint of more to come.
It’s been a legend for a long time. Possessed of enormous torque, the outgoing model shook up the ute scene when it arrived in 2010. VW had never offered a ‘proper’ 4WD ute, and it quickly carved a devoted following locally. It did take a decade or so for a version with a proper low range to arrive, but most owners never felt the deficit.
The second-generation Amarok shares its platform with the next-Gen Ranger and is being launched right now. Compared to the previous Amarok, the new model is better in almost every area. It’s longer and slightly taller, giving more space for the occupants and in the loadbed. The most obvious similarity is what is under the bonnet, as the Amarok once again gets a gutsy V6 diesel engine.
Isuzu has just revealed a mild facelift for its D-Max ute with new wheels, grilles and other cosmetic touches. The D-Max shares its platform with Mazda’s BT-50.
Ford’s next-gen Ranger, like its predecessor, owns the top spot in sales rankings from month to month and the model range is the most comprehensive ever. The Sport V6 deserves special mention here, with the most torque of any Ranger including the Raptor.
Not forgetting the big iron: with the F150 going on sale in Australia, it’s only a matter of time before the best-selling pickup in the world arrives in New Zealand. Ram and GMSV have proven the viability of big utes in New Zealand and the value for money is huge.
Toyota has been watching the big pickup market and industry sources say.
