Ute (vehicle) facts for kids

This page is about usage of the term "ute" and coupé utility models produced in Australia and New Zealand

. For the coupé utility body style in general, see [[coupé utility

]]. For the Native American tribe, see Ute people.

A 2014 Holden ute, a type of car-based pickup.

A 2016 Toyota Hilux, a popular ute in Australia.

A ute (pronounced "yoot") is a special type of vehicle popular in Australia and New Zealand. The word "ute" is short for "utility" or "coupé utility". It describes a car with a passenger area in the front and an open cargo space at the back. This cargo area is often covered by a flexible lid called a tonneau.

Originally, utes were built like regular cars, but with the cargo tray built right into the car's body. Today, the word "ute" is used more widely. It can mean almost any vehicle with an open cargo area at the back. In other countries, these vehicles are usually called pickup trucks.

What Does "Ute" Mean?

The word "ute" comes from "utility vehicle." For many years, it described two-door cars that had a cargo tray. Famous examples include the Australian Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore. These early utes usually sent power to the rear wheels. Their cargo trays were part of the car's main body.

Since the early 2000s, the meaning of "ute" has grown. Now, it often refers to any vehicle with an open cargo tray in the back. This includes vehicles that other countries call pickup trucks.

The History of Utes

The first Australian ute, a 1934 Ford.

A 1927 Chevrolet Roadster Utility.

The idea of a car with a tray at the back started in the United States in the 1920s. These early models were called "roadster utilities." They were soft-top cars, unlike the hard-roof utes that came later.

The very first Australian ute was made by Ford Australia in 1934. This happened because a farmer's wife wrote to Ford in 1932. She asked for a vehicle that could take her to church on Sunday and carry pigs to market on Monday!

In response, Ford designer Lew Bandt created a two-door car with a tray. It was built on the Ford Model A chassis. This new vehicle was named the "coupe utility." When it was shown in the US, Henry Ford jokingly called it the "Kangaroo Chaser."

In 1951, Holden also started making a "utility" model. It was based on their 48–215 sedan. With both Ford and Holden making utes, this began a long tradition in Australia. These companies made two-door vehicles with trays, all based on regular car designs.

Utes in Australian Culture

A 2010 HSV Maloo R8, a high-performance ute.

Utes are a big part of Australian culture, especially in country areas. There are even special events called ute musters where people show off their vehicles. Many ute owners, especially in rural places, like to customize their utes. They add things like strong front bars (bullbars), extra spotlights, and large mudflaps.

Since 1998, a huge event called the "Deni Ute Muster" has been held in Deniliquin. It has become a very popular attraction.

Australia also had high-performance utes, like the FPV F6 and the HSV Maloo. For example, the 2017 HSV GTSR Maloo had a powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. There was even a racing series called the Australian V8 Utes, where modified Holden and Ford utes competed.

American Utes in Australia

Some large American pickup trucks from Ford, Ram, and Chevy are brought into Australia. Local companies change them to be right-hand drive. Customers can choose to have these trucks made lighter. This allows them to be driven with a regular car license, instead of needing a special truck license.

Some groups in Australia have raised concerns about these very large American trucks. They worry if these trucks are too big for Australian roads and parking spots. There are also concerns about safety for pedestrians and other cars in crashes. Another issue is that these heavy vehicles might have different rules for pollution compared to smaller cars.

Australian Ute Models

Ford Utes

A 1936 Ford Model 48 ute.

A 1964/65 Ford XM Falcon Utility.

A 2018 Ford Ranger dual cab ute.

The ute version of the Ford Falcon was made from 1961 to 2016. For many years, it had the classic coupe ute style. But in 1999, with the AU Falcon, the Falcon ute changed. Its cargo bed became separate from the cabin. This allowed Ford to make both "utility" and "cab chassis" versions.

Here are some utes made by Ford in Australia:

1941–1949 1941 Ford
1949–1951 1949 Ford
1946–1953 Ford Anglia Coupe Utility
1956–1962 Ford Consul Mk.II
1961–2016 Ford Falcon Ute
1952–1959 Ford Mainline Utility
1953–1955 Ford Popular 103E
1946–1953 Ford Prefect
1956–1962 Ford Zephyr Mark II Coupe Utility

The Ford Ranger (T6) was designed by Ford Australia. It was one of the best-selling new cars in Australia in 2019 and 2020.

Holden Utes

A 1953-1957 FJ Holden Ute.

A 1971-1974 HQ Holden Ute.

Holden made "utility" models from 1951 to 1968. These were part of their 48–215 to HR car ranges. From 1968 to 1984, the ute was part of the Holden Belmont/Kingswood range. Holden stopped making utes for a few years, but they returned in 1990. These new utes were based on the VN Commodore chassis. Holden continued making utes until their Australian car production ended in 2017.

In 2000, the Holden Commodore ute was the first Australian ute to have independent rear suspension. This meant each rear wheel could move up and down on its own.

In 2008, there was a plan to sell the VE Commodore Ute in North America as the Pontiac G8 ST. A prototype was built, but the plan was stopped due to money problems in 2008.

Here are some utes made by Holden or its parent company General Motors in Australia:

1946–1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster
1951–1957 Vauxhall Velox
1951–1968 Holden Utility
1952–1954 Vauxhall Wyvern
1968–1984 Holden Kingswood
1990–1991 Holden Utility (VG)
1991–2017 Holden Ute / Holden Commodore Ute (VP to VF)
2003 - 2006 Holden Crewman

Holden also sold utes made by other companies but with Holden badges. These include:

1980–2008 Holden Rodeo (which were Isuzu Faster and Isuzu D-Max models).
2008–2020 Holden Colorado (which were Chevrolet Colorado models from Thailand).

Other Australian Ute Brands

A 1970-1971 Chrysler Valiant VG Ute.

Many other car companies also produced utes in Australia over the years. These include:

Chrysler: Made models like the Plymouth Belvedere, Plymouth Cranbrook, Plymouth Savoy, Dodge Kingsway, DeSoto Diplomat, Chrysler Wayfarer, and Chrysler Valiant Utility.
British Leyland: Produced the Austin Cambridge Coupe Utility and the Austin 1800 Utility.
Hillman: Sold the Commer Light Pick-up (based on the Hillman Minx) and the Hillman de luxe Utility.

Asian Ute Models

Isuzu Utes

A 2013 Isuzu D-Max.

Isuzu sells the Isuzu D-Max in Australia. This vehicle was previously sold as the Holden Rodeo.

Kia Utes

The Kia Tasman is a new mid-size pickup truck. It is expected to be made by the South Korean company Kia in 2025.

Mazda Utes

A 2015 Mazda BT-50.

Mazda has sold the Mazda BT-50 in Australia since 2006.

Mitsubishi Utes

A 2012 Mitsubishi Triton.

Mitsubishi has sold the Mitsubishi Triton in Australia since 1978. In 2019, it was the fifth best-selling new car in Australia.

Nissan Utes

Nissan sold the Nissan Sunny Truck as a ute in Australia from 1971 to 2008. Since 1985, Nissan has also sold the Nissan Navara pickup-style ute in Australia.

Proton Utes

The Proton Jumbuck was sold in Australia as a ute between 2002 and 2010.

Subaru Utes

A 1989 Subaru Brumby.

Subaru made the Subaru Brumby. This was a small all-wheel-drive ute. It was sold from 1978 to 1993. It was also known as the BRAT in other countries. The Brumby was built in Japan but never sold there.

Suzuki Utes

From 1983 to 1988, Suzuki made a ute version of their Alto small car. It was called the Mighty Boy. It was sold in Japan, Australia, and Cyprus.

Toyota Utes

A 1962-1967 Toyota Crown utility.

A 1962 Toyota Corona pickup.

A 1996 Toyota Hilux.

Between 1960 and 1970, Toyota sold a ute version of the Corona. Toyota also sold a ute based on the Crown. These were put together in Australia by Australian Motor Industries.

Toyota currently sells a ute version of the Toyota Land Cruiser (J70). In 2011, the Toyota Hilux was Australia's best-selling ute.

European Ute Models

A 2017-2020 Mercedes X-Class.

A 2011 Volkswagen Amarok.

Mercedes-Benz Utes

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class was sold in Australia between 2017 and 2020. It used the same base as the Nissan Navara.

Volkswagen Utes

Volkswagen has sold the Volkswagen Amarok, a pickup-style ute, since 2010.

From 1979 to 2004, Volkswagen also sold the Caddy. This was a small pickup based on the Volkswagen Golf car.