🛻 The New Navara and the Great Aussie Ute Shake-Up

If there’s one thing Aussies love as much as a good feed, it’s a good ute. Did you know that more than one in five new vehicles sold in Australia are utes?

From dusty farm roads (do you see what we did there 😉) to weekend beach runs and town trips, the ute isn’t just a vehicle, it’s part of the job.

But with heavyweights like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger already topping the charts with Australian farmers, the Navara will need serious power, reliability, and value to earn its place in the paddock.

In the midst of what seems to be a changing landscape in Australian utes, Nissan are teasing the all new Navara.

Nissan teases their all new 2026 Navara | Image Credit: Nissan Australia

So what’s happening? Let’s unpack it. 👇

🚗 A Fresh Start for the Navara

The new Nissan Navara is scheduled for Australia in 2026, and the brand knows it needs to sharpen its focus on farmers and trade-users alike.

The current Navara WARRIOR is designed and engineered by Premcar, who have taken the vehicle and made their own performance and durability enhancements for off-road driving in Australia.

  • Upgraded suspension, tougher springs, underbody protection

  • Enhanced safety tech including autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot intervention

But with models like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, among others already so popular amongst Australian Farmers, the Navara has to deliver serious power, reliability and value to earn its slot in the paddock.

The Top Selling Utes in Australia (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries)

  1. Ford Ranger

    57,960 Sales in 2024

Image credit: Ford Australia

  1. Toyota HiLux
    45,839 Sales in 2024

Image credit: Toyota Malaysia

  1. Isuzu D-Max

    24,031 Sales in 2024

Image credit: Isuzu Australia

  1. Mitsubishi Triton
    14,737 Sales in 2024

Image credit: Mitsubishi Australia

😎 New Kids on the Block

The ute market is getting more competitive and that’s good news for farmers who want more choice.

🦈 BYD Shark 6: From $57,900 plus on-road costs

  • Approx 321 kW / 650 Nm output.

  • The first plug-in hybrid ute in Australia

  • Up to ~100 km electric-only range.

  • Braked towing ~2,500 kg (which is less than many traditional diesels).

  • Uses coil-spring rear suspension for improved comfort.

  • Zero-to-100km/h acceleration run takes just 5.7 seconds.

The BYD Shark brings great value, smart tech, and quick acceleration, making it a real threat to the traditional players. However, the it’s lower towing capacity is something to consider for those needing heavy-duty capability.

Image credit: BYD

🛠️ Kia Tasman: From $42,990 plus on-road costs (4×2 Model)

  • Launched in Australia mid-2025.

  • 2.2 L turbo-diesel engine, 154kW of power and 440Nm of torque.

  • Braked towing around ~3,500 kg.

  • Fuel economy ~7.4-8.1 L/100 km.

  • Live rear axle with leaf springs, and independent double-wishbone front suspension with coils.

A solid newcomer that bridges what farmers know (diesel, rugged) with what they want (new model, modern spec).

Image credit: Kia Australia

🆕 What’s ahead for the Nissan Navara

As reported by CarExpert.com.au, details for the next-generation Navara have surfaced via an Australian government certification document, ahead of its global debut on 19 November 2025.

The documentation reveals the ute is built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Triton, will arrive in Australia by February 2026, and will include at least three trim grades, among them a PRO-4X version by Premcar.

🧑‍🌾 The Old Favourites: Still Running the Show

These are the utes you still see in every shed. Their names carry trust.

  • Ford Ranger: Comfortable, modern, with strong towing and tech. Most sold vehicle in Australia in 2024.

  • Toyota Hilux: Built for reliability. Easy to service anywhere.

  • Toyota LandCruiser: The rugged legend. Especially for remote or heavy duty work.

  • Isuzu D-Max: Durable, efficient diesel, parts & service wide-spread.

  • Mazda BT-50: Shares the reliable bones of D-Max, with a bit more cabin polish.

  • Mitsubishi Triton: Budget-friendly, improved spec in recent years, solid all-round.

These rigs are still dominating simply because they work.

🇺🇸 The Big American Tanks

Size matters, and these monsters deliver. But they also demand more.

💪 Ford F-150

  • Twin-turbo 3.5L V6: ~298 kW / ~678 Nm.

  • Braked towing up to ~4,500 kg.

  • Big inside and out, but heavy on fuel, servicing and cost.

🐏 Ram 1500 / Dodge trucks

  • 3.0L Hurricane Straight Six Twin Turbo Engine

  • Braked towing up to ~4,500 kg.

  • Huge torque, massive tray space, serious presence on station blocks.

  • Higher running cost, parts may be less easy to source, size can be an issue.

Image Credit: Ram Trucks Australia

While both of these machines make a statement, their increased running costs and price take them not worth the investment for many farmers.

⚡ Possible New Favourites on the Horizon

The scene is far from static. Some newly released and upcoming models will shake things up further.

Coming Soon:

  • 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty: Heavy-duty 4×4 workhorse due early 2026, rated for 4,500 kg GVM and 8,000 kg GCM.

  • LDV eTerron 9: Fully-electric dual-cab ute arriving late 2025 with up to 325 kW and 3,500 kg towing

Out Now:

  • MG U9 Ute: All-new diesel dual-cab ute sharing its base with LDV Terron 9, on sale 2025.

  • 2025 JAC T9: Budget-friendly diesel ute with 3,000 kg towing and 5-star ANCAP safety, on sale now.

Whether you’re chasing the Super Duty Ford Ranger or you aren’t too worried about the badge and looking to explore what’s on the market, these are definitely some picks you can keep tabs on.

📊 What the Numbers Tell Us

Here are some confirmed stats that show how dominant utes are in Australia’s new vehicle market right now:

  • Utes and light commercial vehicles took 25.3% of new vehicle sales in June 2025. The top four utes (Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, BYD Shark 6) made up 15.2% of all new vehicle sales that month. (FCAI)

  • In June 2025 the top four models in outright sales were all utes: Ford Ranger ~6,293 units, Toyota HiLux ~6,195 units, Isuzu D-Max ~3,119 units, BYD Shark 6 ~2,993 units. (4X4 Australia)

Image credit: CarExpert.com.au

What this tells us: utes are hugely important in Australia, and dual-cab models are especially dominant. The increase in new car brands trying their hand at the ute market make sense, and only improves the competition on the market.

💡 What It Means for the Farm

Choosing the right ute isn’t just about power and tray size.

Here’s what matters:

  • Fuel & maintenance: Diesel remains king for heavy load and long days. Hybrids/PHEVs are improving but still evolving.

  • Resale value: The classic models (Hilux, Ranger, LandCruiser) still hold strong.

  • Servicing & parts: In remote areas especially, dealer/parts support is critical.

  • Capability vs cost: A huge American beast might tow a lot, but does the farm demand it? Running costs matter.

  • Future proofing: If your farm is going electric, or you’re near town with better infrastructure, newer hybrid/EV utes may start to make sense.

Gif by martin on Giphy

🌟 Final Thoughts

We’re in the middle of one of the biggest shake-ups in Aussie ute history. The new Navara is part of this shift, the old favourites are adapting, and newcomers are pushing boundaries.

If you’re buying or upgrading soon, pick based on your real farm work: load, terrain, servicing network, budget. You could be missing out by just picking by teh badge!

Would you consider a one of the new kids on the block? Or do you still think we’re years away from knocking off the old faithfuls? Let us know below.

Will the New Utes Rival the Old Faithfuls?

But can these fresh models take on the paddock-proven legends like the Hilux, Ranger, LandCruiser 70 and D-Max?

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