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JUMP AHEAD
- Ford F-150 (facelift)
- GWM Cannon Shanhai
- Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
- Isuzu D-MAX (facelift)
- JAC T9
- Jeep Gladiator (facelift)
- Kia Tasman
- Mitsubishi Triton
- Toyota HiLux V-Active 48V
- Next-gen Toyota HiLux
- Toyota Tundra
- BYD Ute
- Foton "Tunland" ute
Ford F-150 facelift: Late 2024
The F-150 that hit Australian dealers in September 2023 in two trim levels – the XLT and flagship Lariat – has already been given an update in the US.
The world’s best-selling ute was updated with styling tweaks including a new grille, bumpers plus LED headlights and taillights, as well as a ‘Pro Access’ split tailgate as on option on the Lariat. Not yet confirmed for Australia, the option provides a smaller central tailgate opening – almost two-thirds its width – that is hinged to swing open at 37, 70 and 100 degrees.
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The Australian line-up is expected to remain the two trim levels – both available in short wheelbase and long wheelbase guise – with the Pro Access expected to be offered.
The electric F-150 Lightning is also still on the cards for Australia, having been spotted testing on local roads after the company registered the Lightning trademark locally.
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GWM Cannon Shanhai: TBC
The Cannon Shanhai is bigger than the GWM Ute that arrived in Australia in 2020 and brings a more luxurious, advanced pick-up using the same P71 ladder-on-frame underpinnings as the GWM Tank 300.
Australian buyers will receive the facelift that the Cannon was given in early 2023, which is sold overseas with a mild hybrid 260kW/500Nm petrol V6 – a salivating Ranger Raptor alternative – and 135kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, both using a nine-speed automatic.
A Borg Warner four-wheel drive system, locks on both axles and a 3300kg towing rating are features of the China-spec Cannon Shanhai.
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There may be a plug-in hybrid in the line-up, with a 258kW/615Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder announced for the China market.
An electric version was shown at the 2020 Beijing show promised 400-500km range as a rival to the only electric ute currently on sale, the LDV eT60.
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Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster: TBC
The pick-up version of the rugged Ineos Grenadier will add a second body style to the British car maker’s showroom.
Priced from $105,000 plus on-road costs, the Quartermaster stretches the Grenadier ladder-on-frame chassis wheelbase 305mm to 3227mm – for a total 5400mm length – with a tray able to fit a 1200mm by 800mm European pallet.
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It has the same powertrain choices of 3.0-litre BMW petrol or 3.0-litre turbo-diesel turbo-charged inline sixes, offered solely with an eight-speed ZF automatic.
Payloads are 823kg for the diesel and 907kg for the petrol. A chassis cab version, aimed at conversion specialists, is also inbound (from $102,000) a little later in the year. The Quartermaster keeps the off-road gear, including heavy-duty solid beam axles, two-speed transfer case and up to three locking differentials.
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Isuzu D-MAX facelift: OUT NOW!
The D-MAX is the oldest of the current generation of dual-cab utes, so a welcome facelift brings an updated design and additional features.
The core vehicle remains – with no updates to its 1.9L and 3.0L turbo diesel powertrains – but there’s a redesigned nose with a revised grille and headlights, new wheel designs and fresh ‘triple armour’ LED tail lights up back.
The cabin brings more car-like features taken from the MU-X, including an updated centre screen, USB-C charge ports as well as a larger instrument cluster and redesigned paddle shifters. There’s also a new ‘rough terrain mode’, while Isuzu Australia says that the front camera module has a ‘wider and more accurate view’.
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Reports out of Thailand – where the D-MAX is produced – speculate the D-MAX could soon gain a newly developed 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
There's no word on Australian plans for the 48V mild hybrid, but Isuzu has confirmed a battery-electric ute for our shores. Previewed by the 'D-Max EV' concept, the 130kW/325Nm twin-motor variant is expected to debut in Europe next year with Australian deliveries likely beginning in early 2026.
JAC T9: Q3 2024
The affordable faction of the popular dual-cab ute segment is set to expand with another Chinese newcomer, the JAC T9, ready to battle the GWM Ute, LDV T60 and SsangYong Musso.
BLK Auto began importing JAC (Jianghuai Automobile Co) trucks in 2023 and will bring the Toyota Hilux-sized T9 to Australia in 2024 priced from $42,662 before on-road costs. The double-cab ute will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine making 125kW/410Nm and ZF eight-speed automatic, with a part-time four-wheel-drive, rear diff lock and 3500kg towing. An electric version is planned for later in 2024, which in overseas guise runs a 77kWH battery pack and 150kW/290Nm electric motor with a claimed 300km range.
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Loaded with safety gear and tech – including the mandatory Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility – the company said the T9 would bring a five-star ANCAP rating at the 2022 announcement, but the criteria have become more stringent since. Local launch is expected in the second half of 2024.
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Jeep Gladiator facelift: Late 2024
The V6 Gladiator takes the same revised front-grille and headlight treatment that debuted on the Jeep Wrangler, accompanied by new wheel designs and detail changes such as an in-windscreen antenna.
The cabin is where the biggest changes have been made, with a revised dash hosting a central screen, up from 8.4 to 12.3 inches and running updated Uconnect 5 software including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Local spec is yet to be confirmed, but overseas curtain airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning joined the party, with the 3.6-litre V6 eight-speed automatic combo remaining at 209kW/347Nm.
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Kia Tasman: TBC 2025
The first proper ute from Kia won't launch until 2025, but we'll likely get drip-fed details and images throughout the year to whet our appetites.
A diesel powerplant is on the cards (the Tasman's been benchmarked against Ranger and HiLux after all) as are petrol and electrified options. A full EV seems unlikely at this stage, though. It's understood it will be powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel to an eight-speed auto. However, there is speculation we could see the 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel currently found in the Genesis GV80 SUV.
Australian tuning and feedback is in the development process, with a potential high-performance Ranger Raptor rival in the works. Information is still scarce at the stage, so stay tuned to 4X4 Australia for more info when it drops.
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Mitsubishi Triton: OUT NOW!
The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton is larger and more capable with greater punch, towing capability and safety tech than ever before.
A fresh new exterior design and more car-like interior sits on a stiffer ladder frame chassis – Mitsubishi says the wider body itself is lighter – with a longer, lower load-height tray thanks to a wheelbase increased to 3130mm.
Mitsubishi will focus on the more profitable high-end models across four variants in two body styles, which sees the starting price rise a significant $13k for the entry-level GLX, with the range-topping GSR at $64k.
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Safety gear includes AEB, cyclist detection and a centre airbag.
Power from the revitalised 2.4-litre 4N16 twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder is now 150kW, up 17kW, with 40Nm more torque – now 470Nm on tap from 1500rpm. That helps increase Triton’s tow rating by 400kg to 3500kg, while fuel economy is also down by almost one litre per 100km to 7.7L/100km for 4x4 versions using the six-speed automatic, thanks to tech such as electric power-assisted steering.
Toyota HiLux 48V: OUT NOW!
Toyota's 'V-Active' 48V boosted HiLux has hit roads and dealers , but don't call it a hybrid.
An electric generator and lithium battery provides an additional 12kW and 65Nm – in conjunction with regenerative braking – to the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. Peak outputs are unchanged, however, with 150kW and 500Nm.
The small fuel efficiency gain – which the car maker says is around 10 per cent – gives the SR5 HiLux 4x4 dual-cab automatic a 7.2L/100km combined fuel figure.
Toyota HiLux: TBC 2025
Will Toyota attempt a final variant for this generation of HiLux to compete directly with Ford’s successful Ranger Raptor performance flagship?
The Hilux GR Sport was a step towards that, but if it’s going to happen it seems more likely the Japanese brand will wait for the next-generation ute. Which brings us to that other key question: will we see the ninth-generation HiLux in 2024? We don’t expect to see it on sale here before 2025, but it’s possible Toyota will at least reveal it this year, even if in concept form.
The industry is still waiting for confirmation, and information from the Japanese marque, but expect electric versions of the venerable ute.
Toyota Tundra: TBC 2025
Toyota will take on the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado with its own US-sourced full-size pick-up.
The 2025 Toyota Tundra will cost close to $150,000 before on-road costs when it arrives in dealerships next year, according to leaked pricing . The full-size pick-up is currently being evaluated as part of an Aussie trial with select customers. Toyota plans to offer just a single, high-spec variant of the Tundra in Australia, the Tundra Limited.
While Toyota Australia makes us wait longer for official confirmation, the local Tundras - converted by local company Walkinshaw Automotive Group - feature an 'i-Force Max' petrol-electric drivetrain with 326kW and 790Nm.
BYD Ute: TBC
A petrol-electric BYD Ute is expected to arrive in Australia, but there is no indication as to when that will occur. It was expected to appear in 2024.
In 2023, Luke Todd, the CEO of BYD distributor EVDirect said: "The vehicle is going to be … so well suited for the Australian market, and that’s why we’re making the claim that it will be the best in class when it comes out”. Last year, Todd also confirmed the brand “will sell and deliver BYD Ute next year”.
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Foton "Tunland" ute: Q4, 2024
The Foton ute is set to make a comeback in Australia, with a new line-up of “new energy” and internal combustion engine models expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2024.
While it might not use the Tunland nomenclature, it was last seen in Australian dealerships in 2019. However, with Inchcape now appointed as the brand’s new distributor, its return is imminent. Specific details about the next-generation utes are still under wraps.
In overseas markets, the 2023 Foton Tunland G7 (short wheelbase) and Tunland V9 (long wheelbase) are powered by a 120kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V9 model also features a 48V mild-hybrid system, though these variants were never sold in Australia.
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