Tradies Have Spoken: This Ute Is King — But For How Long?

There are debates that never die on a job site — and top of that list is:
“What’s the best ute for a tradie?”

Whether it’s about power, towing, resale, or just which one makes you look toughest pulling up to a site, the ute you drive says a lot. So we put it to the Intrade community to settle the score once and for all.

And let’s just say… one brand is clearly ruling the road. But the others aren't far behind.

🥇 Toyota 🏆 — Built Tough, Never Dies (42%)

The king stays the king. With 42% of tradies calling it their go-to, Toyota holds the crown.
Hilux loyalty runs deep in Australia — and for good reason. They’re known to survivefloods, fires, and more dodgy job sites than we can count.
Verdict: Bulletproof, reliable, and always holds its value.

🥈 Ford ⚡️ — Power & Performance (14%)

Coming in at a solid second, 14% of tradies still swear by the Ranger.
It’s a mix of grunt and comfort, with plenty of tech that doesn’t feel like overkill.
Verdict: For those who want performance without sacrificing site cred.

🥉 Isuzu 💪 — No-Nonsense Workhorse (13%)

Hot on Ford’s heels, 13% of you back the D-MAX.
No frills, no fuss — just a reliable machine that gets the job done every single day.
Verdict: Quiet achiever that’s built for the long haul.

🧰 The Rest of the Yard

• Mitsubishi ⚙️ — Reliable & Ready To Go (5%)
  Tradies who want value without compromise still keep Mitsi on the radar.

• Nissan 🚜 — Strong & Steady (6%)
  Navara still pulls weight — even if it’s not topping charts.

• RAM 🇺🇸 — Big, Bold & Built For Towing (6%)
  RAM lovers know the feeling of being king of the car park. Not for the faint-hearted — or the budget-conscious.

• Chevy 🐎 — Heavy-Duty Muscle (6%)
  Still niche here, but turning heads. The Silverado crowd is small but vocal.

• Mazda 🔧 — Quiet Achiever (2%)
  BT-50 gets the job done without all the noise. A tradie sleeper pick.

• Volkswagen 🏁 — Sleek & Powerful (3%)
  For the tradie who brings lattes to site. Amarok fans love a polished ride — but it’s not for everyone.

💬 What This Says About Tradies

Tradies don’t muck around when it comes to utes. These results show:

• Toyota still dominates for toughness, resale, and reliability.

• Ford and Isuzu are close behind, offering performance and practicality.

• Everyone else? Fighting for scraps — but still have their diehards.

For suppliers, sponsors, and fleet managers — take note. These aren't just preferences, they’re purchasing decisions in the making.

🔍 Final Take

Toyota may wear the crown today…
But this game isn’t over. With Ford levelling up and Isuzu building serious trust, it’s anyone’s race over the next few years.

So we’ll ask you again:

👉 Is your ute working as hard as you are? Or is it time to upgrade?

Keep your eyes on this space — we’ll be tracking the trend every quarter.

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🛠️ This is real data from real tradies. Just another reason Intrade is becoming the go-to voice of the job site.