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8 Best Types of UTE for Courier Work [Features Included]

Are you wondering what type of UTE is best for Courier Work? If YES, here are 8 best UTE for Courier Work [Features Included]. For any type of courier work, the vehicle for transportation is the backbone of your operation — a crucial workhorse that ensures that you meet the demands of your clients efficiently.

Although your purchase will have to do with the sort of courier services you offer, as well as your customers and employees, it is very imperative to the success of your business to buy a good-quality vehicle that meets the demands of your customers.

In the courier industry, vans are traditionally the working vehicle. However, in recent years, UTEs may have taken over as the ‘work vehicle’. UTEs, a utility vehicle, is simply to Australians what the pickup is to Americans. According to reports, there have been UTEs in the United States too, though they were seldom called that.

Presently, UTEs in Australia resemble station wagons with the tops taken off behind the front seats. According to reports, Australians purchase around 70,000 UTEs and small pickups annually, close to 9% of the entire vehicle market. This is because the UTEs are more adaptable as a vehicle for everyday use, more especially for courier work when you have to carry heavy deliveries.

Since a good number of courier works can regularly take you off road, the UTE has grown to become the preferred work vehicle for courier companies. Also, unlike a lot of vans, you can choose a UTE with low range gearing and a proper 4WD system. You can load virtually anything into a UTE, but the downside however, is that anything in the back isn’t protected (from weather, thieves) without additional outlay.

To safeguard them, you can use a lockable toolbox or a canopy, but to most courier companies it more or less kills the practicality of buying a UTE in the first place. Also note that the UTE comes with higher loading heights, therefore drivers and employees will always have to lift anything into the tray. If you are searching for the best UTE for your courier work, here are the top choices for you to pick from.

What is the Best UTE for Courier Work?

  1. Ssangyong Musso

Made in both standard and long-wheelbase guises, and boasting one of the biggest trays in class, coupled with the best-in-class seven-year warranty, this is one of the best UTE for courier work. Note that you can pick between coil rear suspension (allowing an 880kg payload) and a leaf-spring rear that can handle 1025kg.

In addition, its small but mighty 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel is aligned to a six-speed automatic transmission, offering midfielder performance, but tends to be quieter and more refined than most. Its safety tech dwarfs a few bigger names and includes AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

  1. Mitsubishi Triton GLS Premium

According to reports, the Triton has for quite some time had a price on its side – in the sub-$40,000 bracket, nothing comes close. In this price range, the Triton is competing with the big boys. Although it still has a price advantage, a few others like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux are beginning to come closer.

Note that its 2.4-liter turbo-diesel engine is powerful, but the six-speed auto (up from a five-speed) does make it a little more compact. Regardless, the official fuel consumption rating is higher than it was before some recent update owing to the wider, stronger tires, and a less aerodynamic front end. However, the Triton is a super vehicle for courier work especially in terms of performance, primarily because it is about 100–200kg lighter than most rivals.

  1. Holden Commodore UTE

The best thing about this vehicle is that it feels like a car to drive thanks to an independent rear suspension setup. When it comes to the interior, it comes with all of the modern conveniences of the regular VF II Commodore, such as a MyLink touchscreen interface, big seats, and a well improved cabin décor and material compilation compared with its predecessor. Also, have it in mind that all models come with a braked towing capacity of 1600kg. Be it the V6 or the V8; note that you are getting one of the most powerful vehicles for your courier service business.

  1. Renault Kangoo

Note that this little but mighty French number consumes as low as 4.7L/100km thanks to its 1.5-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Note that this vehicle is no real slouch too, as the unit produces 81kW and a strong 240Nm. In the most crucial area, the back, the Kangoo Maxi is just like a regular van.

It features a dual sliding side door, barn-style doors at the rear, and a deep and tall cargo area. Also, note that the Kangoo design incorporates a bonnet and extended front end so the drive is as close to a regular hatch as possible.

  1. RAM 1500

Even with its discouraging size and weight, the Ram 1500 is the closest thing any courier company can buy to the reliable Commodore and Falcon V8 utes of decades ago. With a wonderful sounding Hemi V8 that delivers 0-100km/h in around 7.0sec, this machine is way faster than most, although expect it to slurp at least 16L/100km around town.

Have it in mind that extra rear-seat room and vast cargo tray are the upsides of the oversized dimensions, especially for courier work that concerns big loads, but your parking-spot options are quite limited owing to its size. The coil-sprung rear end will aid to a thoroughly civilized on-road demeanor, and the local conversion to RHD is perfected with care and quality.

  1. Toyota HiLux SR5

Although this remains one of the newest UTEs on the market, it has proven a point to be reliable and efficient for very delicate courier work. According to a report, the HiLux has been Australia’s best-selling vehicle outright for the past three years in a row and is looking to kick it up by finishing first for the fourth straight time.

Note that steady updates, discount offers, and a bulletproof reputation have boosted the reputation of the HiLux. Nonetheless, it still has met a few bumps in its short race. The HiLux became more macho-looking owing to the front bumper it received in mid-2018 after a lukewarm reaction to the original design. Howbeit, it gained a switch that lets customers to manually activate a diesel particulate filter burn-off.

  1. VW Amarok TDV6 Sportline

First built in 2011, the VW Amarok remains one of the oldest vehicles in the segment. However, it has maintained pace with most modern utes, especially owing to the initial engineering work and improvements along the way. According to reports, the turbo-diesel V6 was inculcated in November 2016 to the flagship model but immediately trickled down to more affordable versions. You may even find a TDV6 Core edition.

Have it in mind that the most powerful engine here coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel-drive has, notably, created the hot hatch of UTEs. It is almost some seconds quicker to 100km/h than its closest rival with a time of 7.8 seconds (behind the Ford Ranger 2.0TT), and it is a class above the rest of the field. Be it a 650kg in the tray or a 2200kg caravan behind it, the UTE is built to thrive.

  1. Great Wall Steed

Although it may not be as pricey as most on the list, this UTE boasts of expensive goodies like on-demand four-wheel drive and rear disc brakes. Note that the cabin is nice too, and comes with leather and heated front seats. You can also get plenty of equipment: cruise control, electric driver’s seat, tire pressure monitoring, auto headlights/wipers, and Bluetooth.

According to reports, Sat nav is a $990 option but makes it efficient for courier work. The disadvantage is the Steed is based on old underpinnings, and it seems a generation behind newer and more modern rivals, especially in the handling stakes. And although this UTE will handle moderate off-road tracks, the Steed’s relatively low-slung body, and average wheel articulation entails that it is barely capable off-road.

UTEs can be muscle cars and are perfect for courier work. Owing to the wealth of options out there, your choice will depend on your specific needs, and you will have to weigh up a few factors when choosing, like storage space, power, fuel economy, safety, reliability, etc.