2016 Drive Car Of The Year
Here are our finalists for the Ute category
Just two vehicles will do battle in the next-smallest category, where Ford's Ranger XLT returns as the Best Ute to take on Holden's new Colorado LTZ. Having proved their mettle with full payloads in earlier testing, the pair will have to win over judges as a daily-driven proposition to take out an increasingly important award.
Holden Colorado LTZ 4x4 Dual Cab View vehicle
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| Price: | From $52,690 plus on-road costs |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder Turbo Intercooled Diesel |
| Power: | 147kW at 3600rpm |
| Torque: | 500Nm at 2000-2200rpm |
| Transmission: | 6-speed Sports Automatic, 4X4 Dual Range |
| Fuel use: | 8.7L/100km |
In a sign of the times, the battle to be crowned the Best Ute in 2016's Car of the Year awards is a classic tussle between Holden and Ford. The Colorado builds on its strong foundations with a grunty 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine but has been heavily updated in 2016 with a significant amount of input from Holden's local engineering division as well a new more polished look and an upgraded cabin with new conveniences. So, Red versus Blue - let the battle commence.
Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Dual Cab View vehicle
Dual-cab utes have quickly become one of the most popular vehicle types in Australia, and not just among tradies and farmers. The latest generation of pick-ups are challenging SUVs as the modern runabout for adventurous families. The Ford Ranger is among the best sellers - and our carry-over champion as the Best Ute - thanks to its car-like driving dynamics, well-presented cabin, up-to-date connectivity and the availability of the latest electronic safety systems. But it also doesn't forget its primary purpose either, with a grunty 3.2-litre turbo diesel engine, an easy-to-use four-wheel drive system and clever touches like access to a household power point to charge laptops or power tools and a standard tray liner in the back.
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| Price: | From $57,615 plus on-road costs |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 3.2-litre, 5-cylinder Turbo Intercooled Diesel |
| Power: | 147kW at 3000rpm |
| Torque: | 470Nm at 1750-2500rpm |
| Transmission: | 6-speed Sports Automatic, 4X4 Dual Range |
| Fuel use: | 8.7L/100km |