
CarExpert Choice winner: Best Ute
It beat out the GWM Cannon and Volkswagen Amarok.
Australia's top-selling ute deserves its immense popularity, because it's a good thing.
There's the wide range as expected of a ute in Australia, with cab/chassis and pickup configurations, plus single-, super- and dual-cab body styles, and multiple engines.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
But Ford has gone above and beyond most of its rivals, additionally offering a smooth and powerful turbo-diesel V6 engine, as well as a highly capable, high-performance Raptor flagship packing a twin-turbo petrol V6. Ford has also recently introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The Ranger was engineered in Australia, and it shows in its class-leading driving dynamics that make it pleasant to live with. Also aiding this are its thoroughly modern in-car tech and a comfortable interior.
But with competitive payload and towing capacity figures, it's also a capable workhorse – exactly what you need from a ute.
The Ranger launched back in 2022, but it remains a class-leader, and Ford has subsequently broadened its appeal with more variants like the luxurious Platinum and rugged Tremor.
2025 CarExpert Choice: Best Ute
To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here.

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Gone are the Standard Range and Extended Range designations, with the updated lineup now consisting of Lux and GT trim levels, both with the same battery. There will be 30 examples of the Ultra imported, all in Aurora Green exterior paint with a black roof and a blue/grey interior, before this limited edition is dropped. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Ora. Click here to get a great deal. WLTP electric range is now stated at 380km for the GT and 400km for the Lux. The pre-update model had a claimed range of 310km in Standard Range guise and 420km as an Extended Range. GWM claims a switch to LFP chemistry provides a longer battery lifespan and faster charging capabilities, while also allowing for the introduction of vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability. This has a maximum output of 6kW, allowing you to power electrical appliances off the battery. The updated Ora also includes a heat pump, which captures residual heat from components such as the motor and battery, allowing the vehicle to use less energy to heat the cabin in cold weather. App connectivity is now available, allowing you to remotely control vehicle functions, view the vehicle's location, and monitor its charging progress in real time. The refreshed hatch is a bit slower, with GWM claiming a 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds compared with 8.4 seconds. You can blame a higher kerb weight for that, as the Ora now weighs between 1650kg and 1670kg – up from 1540-1580kg. There's a new single-tone Sun Black finish, replacing the old black with white roof option, which is mated with a blue and grey interior. This interior colourway was previously exclusive to Oras finished in Aurora Green. The updated Ora can also be distinguished by revised badging at the rear. There's now a large GWM wordmark on the tailgate and a smaller Ora one, instead of the other way around. Inside, there's a new USB-C outlet next to the existing USB-A outlet. There are three selectable regenerative braking levels, including a single-pedal mode. There's vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, with a maximum 6kW output. The GWM Ora is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty. GWM offers capped-price servicing across its range, though it has yet to confirm pricing for the updated Ora. The GWM Ora has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment includes: The Ultra and GT also include front parking sensors. There are three trim levels in the 2026 Ora lineup, though the Ultra will soon be retired. Above: Lux The Lux comes standard with the following equipment: Above: GT The Ultra adds: The GT includes the additional equipment of the Ultra, plus: There are three interior colourways available: The following exterior finishes are available on the Lux: The following exterior finishes are available on the GT: As mentioned, the Ultra is coming here only in Aurora Green with a black roof. Premium paint (ie: anything bar the Hamilton White options) costs an extra $595. MORE: Explore the GWM Ora showroom Content originally sourced from: The GWM Ora now has a new battery and more tech following a running update and a switch to Thai sourcing. The updated electric hatch is arriving in local showrooms this month. A new 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, developed by GWM subsidiary SVOLT, replaces the old 48kWh lithium-ion and 63kWh ternary lithium packs. Gone are the Standard Range and Extended Range designations, with the updated lineup now consisting of Lux and GT trim levels, both with the same battery. There will be 30 examples of the Ultra imported, all in Aurora Green exterior paint with a black roof and a blue/grey interior, before this limited edition is dropped. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Ora. Click here to get a great deal. WLTP electric range is now stated at 380km for the GT and 400km for the Lux. The pre-update model had a claimed range of 310km in Standard Range guise and 420km as an Extended Range. GWM claims a switch to LFP chemistry provides a longer battery lifespan and faster charging capabilities, while also allowing for the introduction of vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability. This has a maximum output of 6kW, allowing you to power electrical appliances off the battery. The updated Ora also includes a heat pump, which captures residual heat from components such as the motor and battery, allowing the vehicle to use less energy to heat the cabin in cold weather. App connectivity is now available, allowing you to remotely control vehicle functions, view the vehicle's location, and monitor its charging progress in real time. The refreshed hatch is a bit slower, with GWM claiming a 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds compared with 8.4 seconds. You can blame a higher kerb weight for that, as the Ora now weighs between 1650kg and 1670kg – up from 1540-1580kg. There's a new single-tone Sun Black finish, replacing the old black with white roof option, which is mated with a blue and grey interior. This interior colourway was previously exclusive to Oras finished in Aurora Green. The updated Ora can also be distinguished by revised badging at the rear. There's now a large GWM wordmark on the tailgate and a smaller Ora one, instead of the other way around. Inside, there's a new USB-C outlet next to the existing USB-A outlet. There are three selectable regenerative braking levels, including a single-pedal mode. There's vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, with a maximum 6kW output. The GWM Ora is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty. GWM offers capped-price servicing across its range, though it has yet to confirm pricing for the updated Ora. The GWM Ora has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment includes: The Ultra and GT also include front parking sensors. There are three trim levels in the 2026 Ora lineup, though the Ultra will soon be retired. Above: Lux The Lux comes standard with the following equipment: Above: GT The Ultra adds: The GT includes the additional equipment of the Ultra, plus: There are three interior colourways available: The following exterior finishes are available on the Lux: The following exterior finishes are available on the GT: As mentioned, the Ultra is coming here only in Aurora Green with a black roof. Premium paint (ie: anything bar the Hamilton White options) costs an extra $595. MORE: Explore the GWM Ora showroom Content originally sourced from: