Revealed: Most Affordable One-Tonne Utility Vehicles in Australia for 2020
In the latest RACV Driving Your Dollars survey, Mitsubishi's Triton GLX has been crowned the most affordable 4x4 utility vehicle (ute) to own and run in Australia, with a monthly cost of approximately $1,340.98 [1]. This figure places the Triton GLX well below the average cost to own and run a 4x4 ute in Australia in 2020, which was around $1,485 per month [2].
The RACV survey compared the costs of owning and running 79 of Australia's top-selling cars over a five-year period. The survey found that all-terrain wagons, many of which are based on the same underpinnings as Australia's best-selling utes, are the most expensive cars to own and run, with an average monthly cost of $1,804.61 [2].
The 70-series Toyota LandCruiser Workmate pick-up was the most expensive 4x4 ute surveyed, with a monthly cost of $2,087.38 [2]. The Nissan Patrol Ti was the most expensive vehicle overall, with a monthly cost of $2,447.43 [2].
Interestingly, Mitsubishi has the most affordable vehicle in each category - 4x2 utes, 4x4 utes, and all-terrain wagons. The Triton-based Pajero Sport GLX is the most affordable all-terrain wagon, costing $1,485.22 a month [2]. The Triton GLX (ADAS) is also the cheapest 4x2 ute to own and run, with a monthly cost of $1,242.73 [1].
The Isuzu D-Max follows as the second most affordable 4x4 ute, with a monthly cost of $1,465.68 [1]. The Isuzu D-Max-based MU-X LS-M is the third most affordable all-terrain wagon, with a monthly cost of $1,551.94 [2]. The Ford Ranger-based Everest Ambiente is the fourth most affordable all-terrain wagon, with a monthly cost of $1,617.16 [2].
The official sales figures show that utes are now the second-highest-selling vehicle type in Australia, with Australians preferring one-tonne utes as the second-highest-selling vehicle type after medium SUVs [3]. The survey highlights that while utes can be expensive to own and run, there are affordable options available for those looking to purchase a 4x4 ute.
References: [1] Mitsubishi Motors Australia. (2020). Triton GLX. Retrieved from https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/vehicles/triton/glx [2] RACV. (2020). Driving your dollars 2020. Retrieved from https://www.racv.com.au/travel/driving-your-dollars/2020/driving-your-dollars-2020 [3] Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. (2020). New Vehicle Sales Data. Retrieved from https://www.fcai.com.au/industry-statistics/new-vehicle-sales-data/
- Despite the high cost of owning and running all-terrain wagons, the industry finds that many of these vehicles share the same underpinnings as Australia's most affordable 4x4 utility vehicles, such as the Mitsubishi Triton GLX and the Isuzu D-Max.
- In addition to being the most affordable 4x4 ute and all-terrain wagon, the Mitsubishi Triton GLX also has a lower monthly cost compared to other top-selling cars in Australia's automotive industry, as indicated by the RACV survey.
- As Australians increasingly prefer one-tonne utes, the finance sector has observed that there is growing demand for affordable 4x4 utility vehicles, like those found in the latest RACV survey on lifestyle costs.
