Top five 4×4 utes of 2024

As we continue the countdown to the end of 2024, we’re giving you an annual look at the cars that have charmed us all year long.

Continuing the summary of last week’s mid-size SUV review, we move on to 4×4 cars. It’s the second largest segment by volume on the VFACTS sales charts, and while it may not be as densely packed as other segments, there are still plenty of options to choose from.

We’ve had the chance to ride a lot this year, and these are the five that topped our leaderboard this past calendar year. Some of these models have been reviewed multiple times this year, so we’ve only shown the variant that received the highest rating.

Prices are based on each manufacturer’s configurators using a Victorian postcode, which should provide a representative estimate of what the average Australian buyer will ultimately pay.

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Click on the car name in the table above to go directly to the information on the page, or scroll further to the full article.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger was our highest-rated car for 2024, scoring an impressive 8.6 out of 10 in a review written by senior contributor Matt Campbell.

We praised the Ranger’s SUV-like interior feel, something that was particularly evident in the Wildtrak version tested. Interior fit and finish were also positive, with high-quality materials and robust technology helping it achieve a high score.

What helped the Wildtrak get the highest rating of all vehicles was its V6 diesel powertrain, which we described as the “ideal fit for this type of vehicle.” The 10-speed automatic gearbox was also seen as a key factor behind the quality driving experience, with ‘smart shifts’ allowing the engine to thrive in all situations.

Our review summed it up by labeling this particular ranger as a “great choice for those who will use it for work, leisure or both,” praising its ability to be a flexible double cab for families. The price was listed as negative, while space in both the rear seat and the cockpit could also have been improved.

You can read our full review of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 here

Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Ford Ranger

Volkswagen Amarok

The Ranger’s Amarok cousin was our second best for 2024, with news editor William Stopford giving it a respectable score of 8.3.

Highlights included safety and ride comfort, while our in-depth ratings for cost of ownership, fuel economy and infotainment technology also reflected the Amarok’s positive attributes.

Unlike the Ranger, we praised its bi-turbo four-cylinder engine for its lower price yet respectable performance. We also said it was attractive both inside and out and appreciated the consistent steering feel.

We still preferred the Ranger’s interior, and our rating of the Amarok in comparison reflects that. It therefore scored relatively poorly on price-quality ratio and practicality and space.

Otherwise, the main drawback for an otherwise solid device was listed as a lack of USB outputs on the back.

You can read our full review of the Volkswagen Amarok TDI500 Style here

Do you want to buy a Volkswagen Amarok? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Volkswagen Amarok

Isuzu D-Max

The D-Max was the third and last to score higher than an 8.0 this year, as it was awarded an 8.1 by Marktplaats journalist Max Davies.

Sitting at the top of the D-Max range, the LS-U+ was praised for its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was said to deliver strong performance while maintaining proven reliability.

We were pleased with the interior technology and comfort, but also cited ride comfort as a major positive. It was also considered practical inside for its size and maintained commendable fuel economy.

It’s not particularly cheap, though, and that was reflected in our review. We weren’t happy with the fit and finish either, as we identified a handful of rattles both inside and on the handful of external accessories fitted to our tester.

We also said that the fact you couldn’t drive the LS-U+ on paved roads with all-wheel drive activated was a disadvantage, especially compared to rivals like the Ranger.

You can read our full review of the Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ here

Interested in buying an Isuzu D-Max? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Isuzu D-Max

MazdaBT-50

Mazda’s BT-50 was reviewed this year in SP guise and scored a 7.9 from marketplace journalist Josh Nevett.

Like the Ranger, we found the BT-50 SP to “drive like an SUV,” which was considered a major positive and contributed to its respectable score. Interior fit and finish were also solid and we had no issues with the advanced driver assistance systems either.

Safety, cost of ownership, fuel economy and infotainment technology also received commendable ratings. Its interior practicality and space weren’t as strong as some of its rivals, and while the performance of its 3.0-litre turbodiesel isn’t as high as others, we said it had “more than enough pressure” in the city.

Despite being on the cheaper side of the more expensive dual-cab utes, we rated the value for money as poor. This is largely because it gets quite expensive when the “SP Pro” options are fitted, and the infotainment upgrade it got was also expensive.

Nevertheless, we felt the BT-50, twin to D-Max, was well equipped and benefited from the credibility of the Mazda badge.

You can read our full review of the Mazda BT-50 SP here

Interested in buying a Mazda BT-50? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Mazda BT-50

Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi managed to crack our top five of 2024 with the Triton, thanks to the 7.9 rating awarded by assistant production editor Jack Quick.

We were impressed that towing characteristics are now on par with the rest of the segment, while the 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder showed commendable performance and fuel efficiency.

We also liked the driving dynamics and practicality of the interior, the latter of which received a higher rating than other competitors. The infotainment technology was also praised.

We didn’t like the driver attention monitoring system and found it “irritating” while driving. The stationary stop-start function also did not perform as we expected, and the driving comfort turned out to be substandard.

The six-speed automatic transmission is also less versatile than other units with more gears than some rivals, something we think needs to be addressed with a few more gears.

You can read our full review of the Mitsubishi Triton GLS here

Interested in buying a Mitsubishi Triton? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Triton