Choosing between a ute or wagon in detail.
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The advantage of the ute payload is almost all gone when you modify the tub to be more like a wagon. Every mod removes some payload headroom, leaving you surprisingly close to a wagon capacity but without the comfort and convenience you simply can't add to a ute. When towing light loads, the wagon is vastly superior, when going heavy, both are so heavily compromised that it makes no difference which one you use, the kids are staying at home to keep it legal and safe in either case. GVM upgrades offer similar improvements to both, so unless you go up in size (300, US Ute etc), it's personal preference.
I am going through a similar process as you. I've had 3 dual cabs spanning 30 years and believe that they still suit my requirements for all the same reasons that you mention. Currently have a 10yo DMax and looking at what's next. Bang for Buck, plus experience, make it hard to look past a BT-50.
Currently tow a 2T (loaded) 19ft tandem caravan (they don't make them that light any more) but looking at something more modern with ensuite and more rugged with a view to taking it on some rougher roads around Oz when I start touring across the next couple of years. That means a van probably 2.4T TARE min, getting up towards 3T loaded.
I have been of the belief that fully optioned/loaded to my requirements (but within GVM/GCM/Axle loads) the BT-50 would be suitable, and while I still believe that, after having watched a bunch of your videos (among other sources) lately, I am starting to wonder if it's a little too borderline. The new V6 Ranger however, being a little bigger (and definitely more powerful) would give me a little more margin – and there's the built in trailer braking stuff. I don't want a bigger vehicle and while I would love to get a lighter caravan, they simply don't exist any more in the specs that I am looking for.
Your van is smaller, BT-50/DMax would smash it, but since you seem to love your current Ranger, I can see that it would be difficult to choose anything else.
Great video. Thankyou. I love the flexibility of utes but I’ve always leaned towards wagons because of the fear of bending a Ute chassis when towing. I know this is mainly an issue if overloaded but I’ve read of people that have bent Ute chassis when hitting (eg) washouts too fast. Is this a thing? Value your opinion.
Great comprehensive video as always
Hahaha I need to know Robert the suspense is killing me😊
Thanks, good summary of the differences between ute and wagon.
Ive had both. Again the term “fit for purpose” comes to mind. My 200 and 300 series wagons are not suited to our lifestyle. The plastics internally bruise too easily and in owning horses, horse feeds, saddles and bridles take their toll. A dual cab for me allows me to carry dogs, bales of hay, fence posts etc. however in retirement a wagon for travelling including troopcarrier may be the ticket 🤔 food for thought
I like van (MVP)
I too have looking to purchase this type of vehicle. The disadvantage of the ute is 1. drum brakes in 2025? 2. The expense & weight of a canopy. 3. If you ever need to carry something longer than 1.5 metres then the ute is useless while you can fold down the seats in the wagon. 4. in summer everything inside the canopy gets warm (food etc) while the wagon has a/c. So it's wagon for me.
76 have the payload of the Ute and the angle of a wagon best of both world.
Went though the same debate but the wagon won out because I can't fit a double cab in my driveway!
So Robert, when I said in the earlier video that you should just confirm that it’s going to be a Quartermaster and spare us the suspense… but now maybe it’s going to be Quartermaster or Grenadier? The drama!
Just gimme a fully modded SLWB Hiace 300 series.😊
– Great comparative video packed with valuable info. Thanks.
I think you’ll get a Ranger XLT with a 3L V6 & 10sp Auto in Sedona Orange.
Why?
17” wheels
Plenty of power and torque
Has full time 4wd capability
Meets your towing requirements
974kg payload.
Still has 3120kg of towing capacity left when at max GVM.
And most importantly, you can have it in orange 😋
So, this is "Part 2"?
We have slept in the back of our old LC200 many times, as comfortable as the Hilton. 😁
Great detailed to the point Vid👍 really enjoyed it
Maybe he will choose a Triton because it has AWD? Or maybe a higher spec Ranger. Time will tell….
Extra-cab with a canopy 😎 nice cold aircon and no old clothes smell 😂
Just went through this and ended up with a musso due to none of the wagons having enough payload. My wife wouldn't let me get a service body so i was stuck with a canopy on the tub and i hate everything about it. Why manufacturers make tailgates fold horizontal insted of folded all the way down 180 deg is the dumbest thing known to man. It makes getting anything in or out of the tub an absolute PITA and 90% of the time you need to climb in to get anything. Not having air-conditioning in the load area is a pain so the dogs can't travel in the tub.
Why cant manufacturers just make wagons with 1t payload. Why cant the government just change ADRs to actually help customers and just make all wagons have a min 1t payload and all utes have a min 1.5t payload and make GCM = GVM + towing capacity. It would solve so many of the overloading problems we see. Pretty much any wagon you see towing a large caravan that has a bullbar is over weight
Your bottom line: Payload and space.
I'm guessing a GXL Troopcarrier wasn't on your radar, but with 1115kg payload, full 7010kg GCM, huge space, 180L fuel, no adblue, no 48V, tall tyres, auto and manual transmission options, factory diff locks F&R, 5 seats, no annoying beeps, dust proof body, proven reliability, and a million ways to fit it out including a poptop camper, it is fairly unique. Fantastic resale. Surprising fuel consumption with tall skinny tyres.
Downsides are it carries no ANCAP rating, handles like a truck, tall in carparks, limited "comfort". And its still in such demand there is still a 12 month wait to get one.
"Life is too short for boring cars" and a Troopy is popular because its not boring and a great overlanding 4wd. Mine is set up as a wagon.
I prefer the station wagon. With the rear seats folded down, the loading area of the wagon is usually longer than that of the pickup truck. Since I prefer to sleep in the car, the wagon is my first choice.
Always accurate, informative, logical and well presented. Well done Robert.
My previous vehicle was a 2013 dual cab D-Max which we set up for towing our caravan and touring (last year of owning it it had a canopy). It took nearly 2 years to come to the conclusion that for what we do, a dual cab is still the best solution for us. Upgraded to an MY24 D-Max (dual cab) with a canopy and has proven that we made the right decision sticking to a dual cab. There are just things that you can't do as easily in other cars compared to a dual cab. Looking forward to seeing what you ended up with.
The Ute doesn’t fit in my garage hence my Everest.
👏👏👏
Cant wait to see a UTE Suzuki JIMNY!
Just spent two days in a 2025 Ford Ranger, 3.0 V6 diesel.Slovenia, Europe.Permanent 4WD, Part time 4×4 + 4 lo. A new feature. Although the impracticality of the UTE for me is a no-go. Would putt the wallet out on the sun for a Wagon with this drivetrain and engine. But no such car here…. All 1.5 three cylinder cofee grinders here for non commercial use.
After haveing a Disco 4 for 9 yrs we spent 12 months looking for a replacement.Didnt want a tradies ute for many reasons.One was,none were anywhere near as comfortable as a wagon.We ended up buying one of the last of the LC200s,best thing we ever did,and it suits our lifestyle.Hasn't missed a beat and ticks all the boxes for us.
2:00 very misleading. With their back seats folded down some wagons will have more storage than a ute. That’s especially relevant if you only have a driver or driver and passenger upfront.
Something I like about wagons is weight distribution front to rear tends or can be a bit better when it’s loaded up. You can load things low and more towards the centre of the vehicle. Especially good when you start “temporarily” removing seats.
Is an upcoming talk you're giving on Wednesday week a hint?
Bruh, just buy the bakkie. Nice analysis though. I would have put safety in the middle and had another category for versatility.
You have a trailer… What do you need a ute for.. 🙂
Thanks!
Does your wife take the ute shopping in shopping centre car parks??
Comments and Clarifications:
1. More info at https://l2sfbc.com/newcar/
2. A ute tub is around 150-200kg, and a service body around 350-450kg. Canopies that fit over tubs are 30-80kg. A ute still has a payload advantage, even more if you swap the tub for a lighter tray.
3. There have been high-payload wagons such as the old model Defender and now the Troopy.
You dont hear of wagons bending like a ute, but some might be subjective