2026 CarExpert Choice Awards: Best Ute

Used to carry tools to the worksite, tow the boat to the bach or tackle a weekend off the beaten track, today's utes are expected to do far more than just haul a load. Buyers demand genuine workhorse capability alongside the comfort, technology and safety of a modern car.

Judged by CarExpert’s automotive journalists and grounded in real-world testing, the following award is built on CarExpert’s role as a trusted source of practical, independent car advice, giving Kiwi buyers a clear guide to the vehicles most worth considering.

Winner: Ford Ranger

Taking out the 2026 CarExpert Choice Award for Best Ute is the Ford Ranger.

The Ranger continues to set the benchmark by combining serious capability with everyday refinement. It remains one of the most accomplished vehicles in the segment, delivering excellent towing and payload credentials without sacrificing ride comfort, handling or interior quality.

Just as importantly, it feels as comfortable commuting through the city as it does tackling demanding jobs or venturing off-road, making it the complete package for Kiwi buyers.

Read our full Ford Ranger review here.

Finalist: Kia Tasman

Joining the shortlist as a finalist is the Kia Tasman.

The Tasman arrives as one of the newest challengers in the ute segment, bringing a fresh approach rather than following the established formula. Beneath its polarising styling is a spacious, well-designed cabin packed with technology. Its composed on-road manners make it an impressive first effort in one of the industry's toughest categories.

Finalist: Volkswagen Amarok

Also earning finalist honours is the Volkswagen Amarok.

While it shares much of its engineering with the Ranger, the Amarok carves out its own identity with a more premium, European-inspired character. Its more sophisticated interior design, polished driving experience and strong equipment levels make it an appealing choice for buyers wanting all the capability of a modern ute with an extra layer of comfort and refinement.

The ute segment has never been stronger, with buyers spoiled for choice across a range of capable models. But for its unmatched blend of toughness, technology and real-world versatility, the Ford Ranger is our Best Ute for 2026.

See the full list of Winners and Finalists here.