Top 13 Best Utes for Towing Capacity 2023
What is the best ute for towing in Australia? We compare the top 13 utes in Australia by tow weight and payload ratings including the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara and more so you don’t have to.
Utes are lighter than SUVs and generally offer greater towing and payload capacity. 222,345 utes were sold in Australia in 2021 and while a large part of those sales were allocated to fleet buyers, more and more buyers are turning to up-spec utes due to their ability to pull heavy loads instead of SUV offroaders.
Not long ago a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity was reserved for the best and most heavy duty utes, but it’s now become standard in the most popular utes.
We’ve compiled a list of the utes on sale in Australia in 2022. We have included data for braked towing and payload capacity of utes on the Australian market and split it up for the various trim levels available to give a better idea of how well suited each vehicle is to towing.
Toyota Hilux ute towing and payload capacity
We’ll start this list with Australia’s most iconic ute that has been a favourite of tradies for years, unfortunately for the premium Hilux Rugged X it has reduced payload compared to it’s Hilux ute siblings.
| Toyota model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilux Workmate 4×2 petrol | 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre petrol four | 2500kg | 985-1205kg |
| Hilux 4×2 Hi-Rider diesel (Workmate, SR, SR5) | 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 2800kg | 1005-1235kg |
| Hilux Workmate 4×4 | 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 940-1250kg |
| Hilux 4×4 manual (SR, SR5) | 150kW/420Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 940-1225kg |
| Hilux 4×4 auto (SR, SR5, Rogue, Rugged X*) | 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 734*-1225kg (SR S Cab) |
Ford Ranger ute towing and payload capacity
In the last few years, the Ford Ranger has become Australia’s best-selling 4×4 ute and offers up to 3.5-tonne towing capacity. The awesome range topping Raptor is only rated to tow 2500kg because of it ride setup.
| Ford model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger XL low-rider 4×2 manual | 118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four | 2500kg | 1259kg |
| Ranger Raptor 4×4 auto | 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four | 2500kg | 748kg |
| Ranger XL high-rider 4×2 auto | 118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 1230-1476kg |
| Ranger 4×4 (XL, XLT, XLS, Wildtrak*, Sport, FX4) | 147kW/420Nm 3.2-litre twin-turbo diesel five | 3500kg | 922*-1331kg |
| Ranger 4×4 (XL, XLT, Wildtrak, FX4, FX4 Max | 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four | 3500kg | 954-1304kg |
Isuzu D-MAX ute towing and payload capacity
Isuzu D-maxs equipped with the ‘4JJ3’ 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine can tow up to 3.5-tonnes, though its unbraked rating of 700kg is 50kg short of the competition.
| Isuzu model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-Max SX 4×2 manual/auto | 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four | 2800/3000kg | 1405/1380kg |
| D-Max 4×2 (SX, LS-U) | 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 985-1305kg |
| D-Max 4×4 (SX, LS-M, LS-U, X-Terrain*) | 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 935*-1320kg |
Mazda ute towing and payload capacity
The Mazda BT-50 uses the same 3.0-litre engine that powers the D-MAX, but as with most sportier range topping models the SP and Thunder have low payload capacities.
| Mazda model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT-50 XS 4×2 | 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 1236kg |
| BT-50 4×2 (XT, XTR) | 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 1055-1315kg |
| BT-50 4×4 (XT, XTR, GT, SP, Thunder*) | 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 887*-1340kg |
Mitsubishi Triton ute towing and payload capacity
The Triton is one of the more affordable utes from the traditional set of competitors and rolls on a narrow track compared to its rivals. That said, the Triton’s upper-spec dual cab 4×4 variants can still haul 3100kg.
| Mitsubishi model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triton GLX 4×2 single cab | 94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre petrol four | 1800kg | 1280kg |
| Triton GLX 4×2 single cab | 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 2500kg | 948-1150kg |
| Triton 4×2 dual cab (GLX, GLX-R) | 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 960-1125kg |
| Triton 4×4 single and club cab (GLX, GLX+) | 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 900-1220kg |
| Triton 4×4 dual cab (GLX, GLX+, MR, GLX-R, GLS, GSR*) | 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four | 3100kg | 900*-1120kg |
Nissan ute towing and payload capacity
The Nissan Navara is the only ute on sale in Australia that has a 3500kg braked towing capacity across all its variants.
| Nissan model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navara SL 4×2 | 120kW/403Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four | 3500kg | 1146-1282kg |
| Navara 4×2 (SL, ST, ST-X) | 140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four | 3500kg | 1027-1256kg |
| Navara 4×4 (SL, ST, ST-X*, Pro-4X, Warrior) | 140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four | 3500kg | 876*-1126kg |
Volkswagen Amarok ute towing and payload capacity
The Amarok’s torquey 500+Nm turbo-diesel V6 is the the one to get for those who like to tow in a package that isn’t the size of the American utes.
| Volkswagen model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarok TDI 400 Core 4×4 | 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 1033kg |
| Amarok TDI 420 Core 4×4 auto | 132kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 1033kg |
| Amarok TDI 500 Core 4×4 manual | 165kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 | 3000kg | 1004kg |
| Amarok TDI 550 4×4 auto (Core, Sportline) | 165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 | 3500kg | 976-989kg |
| Amarok TDI 580 4×4 auto (Highline, Aventura, W580S*) | 190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 | 3500kg | 848*-933kg |
Jeep Wranger Gladiator ute towing and payload capacity
The Jeep Gladiator is a lifestyle ute aimed at off-road capability and the custom wrangler ute looks, though its 2721kg braked towing capacity falls short of the competition but may be enough for most.
| Jeep model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiator (Rubicon and Night Eagle) | 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V6 | 2721kg | 693kg |
Chevrolet Silverado truck / ute towing and payload capacity
The Chevrolet Silverado boast beefy V8s and insane torque in the diesel variant and offer outstanding 4.5 tonne and above towing capacity.
| Chevrolet model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
Silverado 1500 LTZ 4×4 auto | 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8 | 4500kg | 712kg |
Silverado 1500 Trail Boss 4×4 auto | 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8 | 4260kg | 752kg |
Silverado 2500 HD 4×4 auto (WT, LTX, Midnight, Custom Sport) | 332kW/1234Nm 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 | 4500kg or 5890kg with heavy-duty hitch | 875-975kg |
RAM truck / ute towing and payload capacity
When the RAM is optioned with the 1152Nm 6.7-litre Cummins diesel engine you can tow eight tonnes if you get the factory-fitted heavy-duty hitch and air-brakes.
| RAM model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 Crew Cab 4×4 (Express, Warlock, Laramie, Limited*) | 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre petrol V8 | 4500kg | 701*-833kg |
| 2500 Laramie Crew Cab | 276kW/1152Nm 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline | 4500kg (8000kg with air-brakes fitted) | 835kg |
| 3500 Laramie Crew Cab | 276kW/1152Nm 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline | 4500kg (8000kg with air-brakes fitted) | 1693kg |
LDV T60 ute towing and payload capacity
The LDV T60’s 3000kg braked towing capacity is the same as the Chinese-made GWM Ute Cannon but outperforms the Cannon when it comes to torque.
| LDV model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| T60 Max 4×4 auto (Pro, Max Luxe) | 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four | 3000kg | 750*-935kg |
* denotes the Max Luxe variant
Ssangyong Musso ute towing and payload capacity
The Ssangyong Musso at 3.5-tonne braked towing claim is the highest rated of the Chinese utes with and the long-wheelbase Musso XLV also has a 1035kg payload in base ELX trim.
| Ssangyong model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musso 4×4 (ELX, Ultimate) | 133kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four | 3500kg | 790-800kg |
| Musso XLV 4×4 (ELX, Ultimate*) | 133kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four | 3500kg | 880*-1035kg |
GWM Cannon ute towing and payload capacity
GWM is Great Wall Motors attempt at rebranding the Great Wall name. This Chinese carmaker is looking to break into the Australian light commercial segment with its new Ute Cannon range fitted with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and boasting a 3000kg braked towing capacity.
| GWM model | Engine | Towing (braked) | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ute Cannon 4×2 | 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 1050kg |
| Ute Cannon 4×4 (L, X) | 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four | 3000kg | 1050kg |
Final Thoughts
Of the top 13 Utes in Australia It seems the benchmark for towing in 2022 has been set at 3.5 tonnes and of the popular utes only the Triton falls short being beaten by the Chinese-made Musso. If you are interested in financing a New or Used Ute please get in touch with us. We can provide a no obligation quote on financing a ute for personal use or your business or both.
