From utes to vans, diesel to electric, this is your complete guide to Australia's business fleet.

When you think of working vehicles, your mind will often spring to a tradie, clad in fluorescent high-vis, driving a white ute. If we’re going to complete the picture, it’s probably a Toyota Hilux.

But the reality of Australia’s working fleet is so much more than one type of vehicle and in fact, since 2017 the majority of new vehicles registered to businesses have been SUVs.

Such is the diversity of working Australian vehicle needs, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to rules or advice. While someone may be looking for small fleet of vans to treat as operational assets, someone else may be considering a hybrid hatchback to manage daily expenses of running an evening job as a ride share driver.

Whatever the case, you need to blend automotive knowledge with financial and business guidance to get the most out of your working wheels.

Welcome to Drive's Business Guide for Work Cars!

Business Drive

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Business Drive - Episode One Trailer

Which type of work car is best for you?

Dual-cab 4x4 Ute

Dual-cab 4x4 Ute

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Four-wheel-drive double-cab utes are the mainstay of Australia's working fleet as they can do almost anything - carry loads and passengers, tow, tour and travel off-road. In 2023, four of the top-five vehicles sold to ABN buyers were dual-cab 4x4 utes.

Van

Van

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Available in three common sizes (medium shown in the image), vans offer seating and mobile workspaces up front and covered load areas behind. There are a huge number of options available to buyers to handle different sizes, payloads and even electric options.

Large ute

Large ute

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Most commonly referred to as 'US pickup trucks' the large-size utes scale up the cabin space, load bay and towing capability of the more regular sized twin-cab options. A large ute makes sense if you need to tow upward of 3-tonne on a regular basis, or need ultimate comfort and flexibility on long-haul work journeys.

SUV

SUV

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The most common type of vehicle registered by ABN holders is the familiar SUV. Not everyone needs to tow diggers or haul wood up a rocky trail, for most Australian business buyers, working on the road means getting across town to visit clients and customers in a comfortable, efficient and flexible vehicle.

Are work cars going electric?

One of the fastest-growing electric vehicle segments is light commercial vehicles, specifically vans. On paper, these big (and small) box delivery machines make perfect sense as a zero-emissions workhorse, on set routes, carrying their loads quietly through urban streets, returning to a known depot for restocking, and recharging.

It’s a great concept, providing a clean, silent and vibration-free working environment for the driver, and working with the low-speed, high energy-recovery driving patterns that favour electric vehicles.

But in reality, not all delivery work fits this utopian template, and if longer distances, heavier loads or non-standard routes and destinations are your daily business, then a push for electrification is an overhead you’re not really looking for.

what to do after car accident

Why aren't there any hybrid utes in Australia?

Could a hybrid ute be the solution car companies, fleet buyers and business owners are looking for? Read more.

Can you convert a car to a hybrid?

EV conversions have become popular in the past decade, but what if you don't want to completely eliminate your petrol-powered engine? Can you convert a car to a hybrid?

Explore finance options

Cost management, tax implications and value opportunities are always front of mind for business workers and owners. Need some more information or basic numbers to crunch? Check out our finance guide.

Drive Car of the Year Winners

Honda CR-V

2024

Honda CR-V
Best Medium SUV under $50K
Land Rover Defender

2024

Land Rover Defender
Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K
SsangYong Musso

2024

SsangYong Musso
Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50K
Ford Ranger

2024

Ford Ranger
Best Dual-Cab Ute over $50K

Latest Work Car News

Renault and Volvo team up to build electric delivery vans
News | 6 Apr 2024

Renault and Volvo have announced a new partnership, launching the electric van business Flexi.

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Toyota HiLux Champ officially launches, not coming to Australia
News | 28 Nov 2023

This mini Toyota HiLux could be the perfect ute for tradies, but its no-frills ethos means it will likely never be officially sold in Australia.

Volvo truck division needs Australia to fund wider roads or change the rules – experts say ‘not so fast’
News | 2 Jun 2023

Volvo’s truck division wants Australian taxpayers to foot the bill for wider roads to fit its fleet of new electric prime movers – or change the rules to allow them to take up more space. But road safety experts have pumped the brakes on the radical proposal.

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Polaris Goupil G4: Tiny electric truck coming to Australia
News | 9 Sep 2021

The shapeshifting two-seater – which is narrower than most quad bikes – will reportedly join local traffic later this year.

2021 Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 price and specs
News | 15 Feb 2021

The 2021 ‘T6.1’ update brings more safety and tech to Volkswagen’s range of vans and utes.

2021 Iveco Daily price and specs: Updated truck and van released
News | 1 Feb 2021

Load-lugging vans and trucks updated, with four-wheel drive variants yet to come.

Drive Marketplace: Work Cars for Sale

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2023 Mitsubishi Triton

2.4L Diesel Dual Cab Ute 4XD Manual
$50,990
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KilometersIcon1,010 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconManualLocationSpecsIconQLD
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2024 LDV T60

PRO 2.0L Diesel Dual Cab Ute 4XD
$38,978
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$40,990
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KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconQLD
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2024 Toyota Hiace

2.8L Diesel Commercial Van ELWB RWD
$91,482
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$91,589
Price DropPriceDown
KilometersIcon123 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconWA
new

2024 SsangYong Musso

2.2L Diesel Dual Cab Ute LWB 4XD
$40,500
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KilometersIcon9 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconQLD
demo

2023 Nissan Navara

2.3L Diesel Dual Cab Ute RWD
$44,888
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$46,826
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KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconQLD
used

2022 Hyundai STARIA

2.2L Diesel People Mover 4WD
$40,675
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$41,705
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KilometersIcon52,700 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconNSW
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2024 Kia Carnival

2.2L Diesel People Mover FWD
$64,790
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$64,888
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KilometersIcon2,000 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconVIC
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2023 Ford Ranger

2.0L Diesel Dual Cab Ute 4XD
$61,850
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$63,850
Price DropPriceDown
KilometersIcon6,948 kmFuelTypePetrolIconDieselTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconVIC