Utes and pick-up trucks form one of the most popular new vehicle segments in Australia, and it’s also one of the busiest in terms of new models and technology development.
We’ve seen numerous new utes out of China in particular, and a lot of them are pushing the boundaries in terms of cabin refinement and tech. Plenty of hybrid and EV utes have already started arriving too, and more are on the horizon.
With that in mind, we’ve asked the CarExpert team which electrified ute they would buy if they were in the market.
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To make things interesting, we’ve thrown it open to all utes with any form of electric assistance, which makes everything from mild-hybrids to fully electric utes eligible for selection.
Some of these aren’t yet on sale in Australia, so the team was also invited to speculate on models they think will be winners.
Options include:
- BYD Shark 6
- Ford Ranger PHEV
- GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid
- GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
- JAC Hunter PHEV
- LDV eT60
- LDV eTerron 9
- Toyota HiLux 48V
- Toyota Tundra
Marton Pettendy: Ford Ranger PHEV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes make a lot of sense in a country like Australia because they offer EV-dwarfing range to haul people and their cargo over long distances between fuel stops, and diesel-beating torque that makes them ideal for towing, off-roading and general driving duties of all types.
The Ranger PHEV may have a higher price, a smaller battery and therefore a shorter electric-only range than the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, but it also has the biggest engine with the most torque, the highest payload, and a 3500kg towing capacity to match its diesel siblings and the GWM.
Available in four variants to suit a wider range of buyers, it will also have the backing of 180 dealers nationwide, the engineering expertise of a 122-year-old automaker, and the unrivalled combination of design, technology, refinement, performance and capability that attracted more Aussies than any other new vehicle last year.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
William Stopford: Undecided
The electric ute segment is essentially non-existent in Australia right now, with just the lame LDV eT60. I’m excited to drive the new LDV eTerron 9, however.
Then there are the hybrids. The Tundra looks great, but it’s not exactly a Prius when it comes to efficiency and I wouldn’t pick one over the other American pickups for the price Toyota is asking. The much cheaper GWM Cannon Alpha has a plush interior, but its ride quality is average at best.
The real centre of activity is the plug-in hybrid ute segment, and of the three either here now or coming within the next few months, I’ve driven just one: the BYD Shark 6.
Its interior puts most utes to shame, with slick tech, an attractive design and nice materials. The powertrain is also smooth and refined, with seamless shifts between petrol and electric power. But it still rides like a ute – a decent one, but a ute nonetheless – so don’t expect it to feel quite like an SUV as some have.
If you’re buying a ute, though, don’t you want maximum capability? For example, the 3500kg braked towing capacity and off-road capability of the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV?
But I come back to that point about unladen ride quality – no matter how much you use your ute, I doubt you always have something in the tray. These are often used as family vehicles, and they need to be comfy.
The regular Cannon Alpha isn’t exactly smooth, so I wonder how it fares with a big, heavy battery. The regular Ranger is the ride quality benchmark in its segment, but we haven’t driven one yet and these Chinese rivals significantly undercut it on price.
One of these three would likely be my pick, but I’ll need to drive them all to make up my mind.
James Wong: GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
Having not yet driven the Ford, the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV – based on our drive of a pre-production prototype – is the best example yet of how to maintain a dual-cab’s desired capability with an electrified drivetrain.
With a huge battery offering heaps of EV range, the Alpha PHEV can realistically be driven as an EV for over 100 kilometres for regular commuting, while also offering 3.5t towing and a proper mechanical 4WD system to do typical ‘ute stuff’.
Even better, the GWM’s cabin is luxe and its PHEV system puts out plenty of power and torque to get this 2.8-tonne beast moving with surprising gusto.
It’ll be interesting to see if my mind changes as more options arrive in Australia over the coming months.
Interested in buying a GWM Cannon Alpha? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything GWM Cannon Alpha
Damion Smy: Ford Ranger PHEV
This isn’t a tough decision at all for me.
Which of these has a stellar reputation – the kind of image and success greater than the brand it’s from, even enough to hold up that entire company for some years now?
Which has off-road credentials, safety tech, predictable servicing costs and a proper dealer network?
And which is a handsome, rugged yet practical ute – the PHEV seeing it lead its segment rival and the only other vehicle on this list I’d seriously consider, the Toyota HiLux.
Like the Toyota, it’s also less of a risk when it comes time to move it on, too, given it promises best-in-class dynamics with the 3500kg holy grail towing rating. Plug me into a Ford Ranger PHEV.
Interested in buying a Ford Ranger? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ford Ranger
Josh Nevett: GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
I’ve been a staunch advocate for the BYD Shark 6 since it arrived in Australia, but over time it’s become abundantly clear that the lifestyle-oriented marine predator doesn’t do ute things as well as rivals.
And it’s not only old-school internal combustion engine (ICE) utes that have the wood over the Shark 6, as the new GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV represents a compelling alternative in the electrified space.
With a bigger battery, more torque, better towing capacity and superior EV range, the Cannon Alpha Plug-in Hybrid brings more capability on-road and offers a proper four-wheel drive system with front, rear and centre locking differentials for when the tarmac disappears.
The Cannon Alpha PHEV effectively blends traditional workhorse traits with the flexibility of plug-in hybrid power, and it’s not even that expensive – pricing starts from as little as $61,490 drive-away for the base Lux, while the flagship Ultra comes in at $67,990 drive-away. Buy either for a modern, well-rounded ute experience.
Interested in buying a GWM Cannon Alpha? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything GWM Cannon Alpha
Max Davies: Undecided
I’m aware that saying I haven’t decided seems like a cop-out, but there’s actually a lot I want to consider before choosing one of these cars.
To get it out of the way, I wouldn’t go for a fully electric ute, because I don’t think it makes a lot of sense in Australia. The mild-hybrid and hybrid Toyotas are old and expensive respectively, so they’re off the cards for the time being too.
I was a little underwhelmed by the JAC T9 diesel and therefore maintain a conservative mindset regarding the incoming Hunter PHEV. That leaves the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and Ford Ranger PHEV.
After having driven the Shark for a week earlier this year (review coming soon), I was impressed by its on-road composure and general upmarket presentation. It also presents well and has a mostly competent suite of driver assist tech, but its off-road shortcomings make it difficult to pin to the top of my wishlist.
By default, that gives the Cannon Alpha an edge with its standard inclusion of low-range gearing and locking differentials. It may still suffer from similar driver assist inconsistencies seen on other GWM products, which is why I’m cautiously confident about its success.
Then there’s the Ford Ranger PHEV, which has a lot to live up to. The Ranger is still the segment benchmark with diesel power, so Ford at least has a strong foundation to build upon when implementing PHEV tech.
It starts to look less appealing when you consider the price, and then the fact that its claimed EV-only range is half that of the BYD and GWM. Still, good interior tech and otherwise solid construction could make up for that.
At the end of the day, it’s really between the Cannon Alpha and the Ranger in my eyes. There should be a fair indication of what ute buyers prefer by the end of the year, once owners have had time to mull their vehicles over and after they’ve both been on sale for a few months.
We’re also due to drive the Ranger PHEV for the first time very soon, so time will tell.
Let us know which you’d pick in the comments below!
