Best utes and vans coming to Australia in 2024 and 2025
09/05/2024 11:33 PM
Looking for a new workhorse? Buyers will be spoiled for choice in 2025 with the introduction of new commercial vans and utes – and plenty of electric vehicles.
The coming year is set to be a big shake-up for the Australian market, with several anticipated models launching in the coming months and throughout 2025.
Arguably three of the most eagerly awaited vehicles are in the ute segment – with Ford introducing the plug-in hybrid Ranger, BYD introducing the plug-in hybrid Shark, and Kia taking the fight to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux – Australia’s most popular models – with the all-new diesel-powered Tasman ute.
But for those in the market for a new commercial van, there’s a tsunami of new models arriving on Australian shores – with many offering electric or hybrid powertrains.
Here’s Drive’s preview – in no particular order – of new utes and vans going on sale in Australia in 2025.
Kia Tasman – Mid-2025
Easily one of the most highly anticipated models in recent memory, the Kia Tasman has been designed from the ground up to compete in Australia’s most popular vehicle category – dual-cab utes.
Not since locally-made offerings from Ford and Holden has there been a ute so blatantly created for the Australian buyer, evidenced most obviously by the name Tasman – after the European explorer for which Tasmania is named, as well as the Tasman Sea to Australia’s east. Other details include jumping kangaroos embossed into the wing mirrors.
Despite the Tasman being revealed in the final months of 2024 – ahead of its arrival into local showrooms in mid-2025 – plenty is known about the Kia ute, including the engine, the interior, and the expected price bracket.
MORE: All of our Kia Tasman coverage in one click
MORE: Kia Tasman ute shown testing in Australia with bullbar, unofficial payloads revealed: Video
JAC T9 PHEV – Late 2025
Another option for those wanting the benefits of an electric powertrain, without losing the flexibility of long-range driving – JAC says it will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its T9 dual-cab ute in the second half of 2025.
While details haven’t been announced, it could borrow its powertrain from the JAC JS6 SUV – matching a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, making a combined 150kW and 300Nm.
MORE: All of our JAC coverage in one click
MORE: JAC T9: Towing, off-road specs cut back for new ute from China
Jeep Gladiator (facelift) – H1, 2025
After raising prices on the Gladiator, then dropping them again halfway through 2024, Jeep is set to introduce an updated version of its dual-cab off-road ute in the first six months of 2025.
While the refreshed Gladiator was expected to arrive in the second half of 2024, its arrival has now been delayed to the new year.
The Gladiator will receive several exterior changes – most notably a new grille, headlights, and new alloy wheel designs – while the interior gains a much larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
MORE: All of our Jeep Gladiator coverage in one click
MORE: Jeep Gladiator price slashed by more than $20,000 as sales tumble
BYD Shark – Late 2024
The BYD brand has surprised many in the industry following its success in Australia, despite only being in the country for a handful of years.
Now the company plans to launch the first plug-in hybrid ute in this market – promising twin-turbo V6-like performance, but with fuel economy akin to a diesel.
While the BYD Shark ute uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, it’s matched with two electric motors, sending a combined output of “more than” 316kW to all four wheels.
The Shark should be as quick as a Honda Civic Type R, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds – but is rated to be able to travel up to 100 kilometres in pure-electric mode, and deliver fuel consumption of 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
As reported in September 2024, the BYD Shark is expected to be priced from $68,000 plus on-road costs when it goes on sale in the coming months.
MORE: All of our BYD Shark coverage in one click
MORE: BYD Shark price in Australia leaked: Cheaper than popular Ranger, HiLux, D-Max diesels
Volkswagen ID. Buzz – December, 2024
The electric van, channelling the heart of the original VolkswagenKombi, the ID. Buzz will be available in four variants – from a three-seat commercial van to a seven-seat performance people-mover.
Buyers can choose from either rear- or all-wheel drive, with electric driving ranges of between 461 and 487 kilometres being quoted for the ID. Buzz in Europe.
For those looking to get their family to school as quickly as possible, the ID. Buzz GTX has two electric motors putting out a total of 250kW to all four wheels, making it one tenth of a second slower than a Golf GTI.
MORE: All of our Volkswagen ID. Buzz coverage in one click
MORE: Volkswagen ID. Buzz price and specs: Electric Kombi due in December
Volkswagen Transporter – Q3, 2025
Volkswagen recently announced it was bringing the new-generation Transportervan to Australia in 2025.
While full details will be announced close to its launch, the German car maker says the now-Ford Transit Custom-based Transporter will be available with traditional engine, plug-in hybrid, or electric options.
At this stage the new Transporter is due to arrive in the third quarter of 2025, assuming no delays.
MORE: All of our Volkswagen Transporter coverage in one click
MORE: New Volkswagen Transporter van to have more Ford DNA than VW
Ford Ranger PHEV – H1, 2025
All eyes will be watching Ford’s foray into the plug-in hybrid ute market when the Ranger PHEV launches early in the new year.
Despite prototypes already being spotted on local roads, details of the Ranger PHEV remain relatively thin – though the Blue Oval has confirmed the electric system will be mated to a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.
It’s estimated the Ranger PHEV will offer an electric-only driving range of approximately 45 kilometres.
MORE: All of our Ford Ranger coverage in one click
MORE: Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid set to cost more with South African production
Ford Transit Custom Sport – Late 2024
Commercial vans can tend to be boring white boxes, but they don’t have to be.
Buyers will soon have the chance to get their hands on the Ford Transit Custom Sport, offering a stylish and sporty van in a variety of configurations.
Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine making 125kW and 390Nm, the Transit Custom Sport comes in short-wheelbase (SWB) or long-wheelbase (LWB) bodies – the latter available with two rows of seating.
Priced from $59,990 before on-road costs, order books are now open.
MORE: All of our Ford Transit Custom coverage in one click
Ford E-Transit Custom – H1, 2025
One of the industries where electric vehicles make the most sense is in so-called ‘last-mile deliveries’, given courier vans often spend the day within a geographical area and are constantly starting and stopping.
In 2025, the electric van segment will begin to hot up, with the Ford E-Transit Custom joining the line-up.
An electric motor sends 160kW and 415Nm to the rear wheels, powered by a 74kWh battery providing a “targeted” driving range of up to 380 kilometres.
Full details of the E-Transit Custom are expected to be announced closer to launch in the first half of 2025.
MORE: All of our Ford E-Transit Custom coverage in one click
MORE: Ford E-Transit Custom electric van review: International first drive
Ford F-150 (facelift) – H1, 2025
Approximately 18 months after the full-size Ford F-150 pick-up went on sale in Australia, the facelifted model is set to hit showrooms.
The updated F-150 will get new LED headlights, a new grille, and new tail-lights, while inside there are two 12-inch displays – one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system.
Deliveries of the facelifted model are expected to begin between January and March 2025.
MORE: All of our Ford F-150 coverage in one click
MORE:Ford F-150 update delayed for Australia as test examples spied
Renault Kangoo E-Tech LWB – January, 2025
The small electric panelvan from Renault will soon be joined by a long-wheelbase version, as the Kangoo E-Tech LWBmakes its debut.
The Kangoo E-Tech LWB has an increased payload of 668kg, with a load capacity of 4.2 cubic metres – more than 27 per cent larger than the SWB version.
A 45kWh battery pack powers an electric motor at the front axle, producing 90kW and 245Nm – and good for a driving range rating of 286 kilometres (WLTP standard).
While initially announced with a price of $63,990 before on-road costs in December 2023, prices may change by the time the Kangoo E-Tech LWB arrives in showrooms in January 2025.
MORE: All of our Renault Kangoo coverage in one click
MORE: Renault set to boost local van range with new petrol, diesel, and electric models
Renault Trafic E-Tech – Q1, 2025
The popular commercial van from Renault is set to get an electric version, with the Trafic E-Tech expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March inclusive).
While local specification has yet to be announced, in Europe the Trafic E-Tech uses a 52kWh battery allows for 240km of driving range rating (WLTP) when unladen, and feeding a 90kW/245Nm electric motor.
The electric van can carry up to 1100kg, though it’s not clear yet whether Australia will be offered the short-wheelbase or long-wheelbase bodies – or both.
MORE: All of our Renault Trafic coverage in one click
MORE:Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric van revealed
Renault Master – Late 2025
The largest commercial van in the Renault stable, the all-new Masteris expected to replace the ageing existing model towards the end of 2025.
While Renault hasn’t announced specifics for Australia, overseas buyers get a choice of four diesel engines producing between 77kW and 125kW – along with an electric Master E-Tech.
Thanks to an 87kWh battery, it carries a driving range rating of up to 460km on a single change, with the electric motor producing 105kW and 300Nm.
MORE: All of our Renault Master coverage in one click
MORE: 2025 Renault Master revealed
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