Ford Ranger wins Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100K
Yesterday at 06:35 PM
The Ford Ranger's dominance of the local dual-cab ute market continues as our Best Dual-Cab Ute over $100K.
Australians' love of the dual-cab ute is a bond that can't be broken and, in fact, seems to be growing stronger still.
Utes are now the go-everywhere and do-everything, one-size-fits-all solution to driving Down Under, and the level of kit and amenity provided by today's work-oriented dual-cab utes is simply astonishing.
It's an arena that's constantly developing too. We're regularly behind the wheel of minute model-year updates, more substantial facelifts, and even complete new-generation overhauls of iconic nameplates.
In terms of finalists for the Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $100K category, these are the cars that we had our eyes on throughout the last 12 months.
Earlier in the year we saw a substantial update of the Isuzu D-Max – a Drive favourite – bringing new styling, updated safety technology, and neat enhancements of the infotainment software.
We also saw a complete new arrival in the GWM Cannon Alpha, and another showing for the Ford Ranger due to its top-honours category win last year.
While we look hard at the level of equipment and features you get for a spend under $100,000, these everyday liveability features can't impinge on how these cars tackle off-road work.
This is why we spent time in the country tough-testing these finalists to really dive into the detail to try and find the breaking points of these utes.
Turns out, the momentum was with the encumbent. Here's your 2025 Drive Car of the Year Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $100K.
MORE: See the finalists for Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100,000
MORE: See all the winners – visit the Drive Car of the Year 2025 hub
Winner: Ford Ranger
Drive’s pick: Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 from $74,840 (before on-road costs)
Ford Ranger key facts:
- Priced from $43,280 to $90,440 (before on-road costs)
- Five-year warranty
- 7.2L/100km consumption (claimed)
Why the Ford Ranger won:
- Refinement and finesse ahead of rivals
- Practical and clever features integrated throughout
- Comprehensive driver-assist features that work in the real-world
The Ford Ranger's momentum can't be stopped as the country's best dual-cab ute on sale.
You only have to spend a few minutes on the roads around the country to realise the impact that this model is having on Australians – they're found in every nook and cranny of our country for a reason.
The Ford Ranger's off-road prowess is a force to be reckoned with. With multi-mode driving settings to play with, impressive clearance angles, and an overall go-anywhere ability that feels unstoppable, the Ranger shines on as a bush-bashing powerhouse.
The technology on offer is by far and away still the best you can buy in the segment. The portrait-mounted screen has a tonne of features to cycle through and the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displays effortlessly on the big display.
Don't forget – this model is also chock-full of safety gear. You don't want for any extra safety acronyms out of the Ford Ranger and, what's better, in doesn't intrude on the driving experience either.
So often these days, cars will beep and bong until they drive you crazy, but the safety systems offered by the Ranger are calibrated to work in local conditions.
There are healthy levels of payload capability and a strong headline 3500kg towing capacity, but the impressive thing about this ability is the fact that it doesn't render the Ford Ranger useless for the everyday commute.
Engineers have been able to refine the Ranger's powertrain vibrations and noise to a quieted hush, which is an incredible achievement for a dual-cab ute.
There's a great spread of powertrains on offer from the entry-level XL's single-turbo four-cylinder, right up to the Raptor's powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.
The smaller engines – which are either single-turbo or twin-turbocharged – perform well, but it's the more muscular V6 that feels the best and is our pick of the range. It's more comfortable as a long-range highway cruiser but also feels much better when loaded up and put to work.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 is our pick for the best specification in the line-up. This high-spec variant (and all the kit it affords) makes it far easier to live with a dual-cab ute in a daily driver sense.
However, every variant in the range offers something unique and it goes to show that there really is a Ranger for everyone.
FIND YOUR NEXT CAR: Search Ford Rangers for sale
The post Ford Ranger wins Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100K appeared first on Drive.
