In the world of utility vehicles, towing capacity is a crucial factor for many buyers. Whether it’s for hauling heavy work equipment, towing a boat for a weekend getaway, or embarking on a caravanning holiday, the ability to tow safely and efficiently is paramount.
In 2023, the competition among towing vehicles in Australia has never been fiercer. With a range of options available, from the stalwart Toyota Hilux to the powerful RAM 1500 Laramie, consumers are spoilt for choice. But the question remains: which is the best towing vehicle in Australia?
In this article, we delve into the results of the Ultimate Towing Test 2023, a comprehensive evaluation of some of the most popular utility vehicles on the Australian market. We’ll examine their towing capacities, performance under load, and overall handling to determine the best options for Australian drivers.
The Purpose of the Test
The Ultimate Towing Test 2023 was designed to provide a clear, unbiased assessment of the towing capabilities of various utility vehicles. By testing these vehicles under the same conditions and using the same metrics, we aimed to offer valuable insights to consumers about which vehicle might best suit their towing needs.
The Vehicles Involved
The test involved a diverse range of vehicles, each with its own strengths and unique features. These included:
- Mitsubishi Triton
- GWM Ute
- Chevrolet Silverado
- RAM 1500 Laramie
- Toyota Hilux
- Nissan Navara
- Isuzu D-Max
- Mazda BT-50
- Ford Ranger Raptor
- Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6
In the following sections, we’ll delve into the specifics of the tests conducted and provide a detailed analysis of each vehicle’s performance. Stay tuned to find out which vehicle emerged as the best towing vehicle in Australia in 2023.
This summary of results and commentary of this article is based on the tests performed by Car Expert. Watch the video version hereL
Towing Test Methodology
To ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation, we conducted a series of tests that assessed each vehicle’s performance in key areas related to towing. These tests were designed to simulate the conditions and challenges that drivers might encounter in real-world towing scenarios.
Acceleration Test
The acceleration test measured how quickly each vehicle could reach a certain speed while towing a load. This is a crucial factor for drivers who need to merge onto highways or overtake other vehicles safely.
Fuel Economy Test
Fuel efficiency is a key concern for many drivers, especially when towing heavy loads can significantly increase fuel consumption. In this test, we measured the fuel economy of each vehicle while towing, providing valuable data on the cost-effectiveness of each option.
Sag Test
When a vehicle is towing a heavy load, the rear end can sag, affecting the vehicle’s balance and handling. In the sag test, we measured the difference in the vehicle’s height at the rear between unloaded and loaded states. The less sag, the better the vehicle is likely to handle when towing.
Hill Road Test
Towing on flat terrain is one thing, but what about when you need to climb a steep hill? The Hill Road test evaluated each vehicle’s handling and performance under load in hilly conditions.
Vehicle Evaluations
In this section, we’ll provide a detailed analysis of each vehicle’s performance in the tests. We’ll discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability for towing.
Mitsubishi Triton
The Mitsubishi Triton is a popular choice among Australian drivers, known for its reliability and value for money. But how did it fare in the Ultimate Towing Test 2023?
GWM Ute
The GWM Ute is a newcomer to the Australian market, offering a budget-friendly option for drivers. But can it hold its own when it comes to towing?
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a heavy-duty American truck, renowned for its powerful performance. But does this translate into superior towing capabilities?
RAM 1500 Laramie
The RAM 1500 Laramie is another American powerhouse, boasting a robust engine and a high towing capacity. But how does it handle under load?
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a stalwart of the Australian utility vehicle market, known for its durability and off-road prowess. But is it the best option for towing?
Nissan Navara
The Nissan Navara combines comfort and utility, offering a well-rounded package. But can it deliver when it comes to towing performance?
Isuzu D-Max
The Isuzu D-Max is a robust and reliable option, with a reputation for toughness. But how does it perform in the towing tests?
Mazda BT-50
The Mazda BT-50 offers a blend of comfort, style, and utility. But can it handle the demands of towing?
Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ford Ranger Raptor is a high-performance variant of the popular Ranger line, boasting enhanced off-road capabilities. But is it up to the task of towing?
Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 is a powerful and versatile option, offering a high towing capacity. But how does it fare under load?
In the following sections, we’ll delve into the results of the tests and reveal the top performers in each category. Stay tuned to find out which vehicle emerged as the best towing vehicle in Australia in 2023.
Results
After rigorous testing and careful analysis, we’ve compiled the results of the Ultimate Towing Test 2023. Here’s how each vehicle performed in the key areas of acceleration, fuel economy, sag, and overall feel on the Hill Road.
Acceleration
When it comes to acceleration, the Ford Ranger Raptor emerged as the quickest vehicle both with and without the trailer. It was closely followed by the Chevrolet Silverado and the RAM 1500 Laramie. On the four-cylinder front, the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max were the top performers, offering impressive acceleration even when towing a heavy load.
Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel economy, the Isuzu D-Max stood out as the most efficient vehicle, closely followed by the Mazda BT-50. However, it’s worth noting that the Toyota Hilux also delivered commendable fuel efficiency, making it a cost-effective option for regular towing.
Sag
The Toyota Hilux was the clear winner in the sag test, with less than 10% difference between its laden and unladen states. This means that when towing a 2500 kg load, the Hilux maintains a balanced and stable stance, ensuring safer and more comfortable towing. The Ford Ranger, despite its normal suspension, also performed well in this test, coming in second after the Hilux.
Hill Road Test
The Hill Road test revealed some surprising results. While the Mitsubishi Triton and GWM Ute struggled with the challenging conditions, the RAM 1500 Laramie and Ford Ranger Raptor demonstrated impressive performance and handling. Despite its softer suspension, the Raptor coped exceptionally well with the heavy load, offering a comfortable and confident ride.
Towing Test Australia – Winners
After evaluating the results, we’ve identified the top performers in each category:
- Best Four-Cylinder Vehicle for Towing: The Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 share this title, thanks to their impressive acceleration and fuel economy.
- Best Value Vehicle for Towing: The Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 offers a high towing capacity and excellent performance at a competitive price point, making it the best value option for towing.
- Overall Towing TestWinner: The RAM 1500 Laramie emerged as the best overall towing vehicle, thanks to its powerful performance, high towing capacity, and excellent handling under load.
Detailed Vehicle Towing Test Evaluations
In this section, we provide an in-depth analysis of each vehicle’s performance in the tests. We’ll discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability for towing.
Mitsubishi Triton – Towing Test Results
The Mitsubishi Triton is a popular choice among Australian drivers, known for its reliability and value for money. However, in the Ultimate Towing Test 2023, the Triton struggled with the Hill Road test, showing jittery handling and a less stable ride compared to other vehicles. Despite this, its affordability and reliability still make it a viable option for light to moderate towing tasks.
GWM Ute – Towing Test Results
The GWM Ute, a newcomer to the Australian market, offers a budget-friendly option for drivers. However, during the test, it exhibited sloppy performance on the Hill Road, indicating that it might struggle with heavy loads or challenging terrains. While it may be a cost-effective choice, it may not be the best option for heavy-duty towing.
Chevrolet Silverado – Towing Test Results
The Chevrolet Silverado, a heavy-duty American truck, is renowned for its powerful performance. However, during the test, it showed a surprisingly soft and ponderous performance on the Hill Road. Despite its high towing capacity, its handling under load was less impressive compared to other vehicles in the test, such as the RAM 1500 Laramie.
RAM 1500 Laramie – Towing Test Results
The RAM 1500 Laramie, another American powerhouse, boasted robust engine performance and a high towing capacity. It performed excellently in the Hill Road test, demonstrating superior handling and stability under load. Its impressive performance in all tests led to it being crowned the overall winner of the Ultimate Towing Test 2023.
Toyota Hilux – Towing Test Results
The Toyota Hilux, a stalwart of the Australian utility vehicle market, showed impressive performance in the sag test, indicating excellent balance and handling when towing. It also delivered commendable fuel efficiency, making it a cost-effective option for regular towing. Its durability and off-road prowess make it a strong contender for the best towing vehicle.
Nissan Navara – Towing Test Results
The Nissan Navara, which combines comfort and utility, offered a well-rounded package. However, its performance in the towing tests was not highlighted in the results section, suggesting that it may have delivered average performance compared to the other vehicles.
Isuzu D-Max – Towing Test Results
The Isuzu D-Max, known for its robustness and reliability, emerged as one of the top performers in the four-cylinder category. It showed impressive acceleration and fuel economy while towing, making it an efficient and powerful option for drivers who prefer four-cylinder vehicles.
Mazda BT-50 – Towing Test Results
The Mazda BT-50, which offers a blend of comfort, style, and utility, also stood out in the four-cylinder category. Like the D-Max, it demonstrated impressive acceleration while towing, indicating that it can handle heavy loads efficiently.
Ford Ranger Raptor – Towing Test Results
The Ford Ranger Raptor, a high-performance variant of the popular Ranger line, showed impressive performance in the acceleration test, emerging as the quickest vehicle both with and without the trailer. Despite its softer suspension, it coped exceptionally well in the Hill Road test, offering a comfortable and confident ride even when towing at 100% capacity.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 – Towing Test Results
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6, a powerful and versatile option, offers a high towing capacity. It was named the best value vehicle for towing, offering excellent performance at a competitive price point. Its high towing capacity and excellent handling under load make it a strong contender for the best towing vehicle.
Conclusion
The Ultimate Towing Test 2023 has provided valuable insights into the towing capabilities of some of the most popular utility vehicles in Australia. While each vehicle has its strengths, the RAM 1500 Laramie stands out as the best overall option for towing. However, the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 also offer excellent performance and value.
Whether you’re a tradesperson, a boat owner, or a caravanning enthusiast, we hope this guide helps you choose the best vehicle for your towing needs. Remember, the best towing vehicle for you will depend on your specific requirements, budget, and personal preferences. Happy towing!
