Dual-cab ute leaderboard (default long-term owner profile)
A quick view of how today’s main dual-cab utes line up when you prioritise reliability, sales history, running costs and modern safety.
See full ute ranking →
Data-first automotive information for Australia
Understanding cars and utes with data, not just opinions.
We don’t test cars. We organise public information – from safety and specs to running costs – then turn it into tools, rankings and AI-curated stories you can actually use.
Platform Overview
What Auto Insight Lab actually does
Think of this as an organised layer between you and the internet – we turn scattered car information into structured data and tools.
1. Collect public information
We don’t invent data – we organise it.
Specs, safety ratings, warranty details, indicative pricing, fuel figures and more – we rely on publicly available sources and keep a clear separation between data and opinion.
2. Turn it into comparable scores
Cars on the same scale, across segments.
Our models translate messy details into consistent 0–100 scores for things like safety, running costs, performance and reliability – with weightings you can adjust.
3. Let AI turn numbers into stories
Readable, scenario-based insights.
Each week, AI-curated stories and threads walk through what the data suggests for real-world buyers – without claiming to replace test drives or professional advice.
Vehicles
Browse by the kind of vehicle you actually need
Start from how you use your car – then dive into data, tools and threads for that segment.
Passenger Cars
Sedans, hatchbacks and wagons for city and commuting.
Compact and mid-size cars, fuel-efficient options and budget-friendly picks.
SUVs & Crossovers
Family trips, school runs and long-distance drives.
5- and 7-seat options, boot space, comfort and safety in one place.
Utes & Commercial
Work, towing, payload and mixed family use.
Includes Hilux, Ranger, Triton, JAC T9, GWM Cannon, LDV and more.
Electric & New Energy
EVs and plug-ins with an eye on total cost of ownership.
Charging, range, incentives and daily running costs, side by side.
Tools
Let the numbers help you shortlist
Start with our data-led calculators, then add your own preferences, test drives and finance quotes.
Ute Calculator – rank the main players your way
Safety, running costs, performance, reliability and sales history – scored on the same 0–100 scale, with weightings you can adjust in seconds.
| Rank* | Model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Hilux | S-tier sales • proven workhorse |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | Strong performance and real-world appeal |
| 3 | Mitsubishi Triton | Value play with solid coverage |
| 4 | JAC T9 | Highest-ranked Chinese ute in our model |
*Default ranking for a long-term owner profile. Your order may change as you adjust priorities.
Try the interactive ute calculatorComing soon: more calculators for real-world buyers
We’re gradually adding more tools alongside the ute model, including:
- EV ownership cost snapshots vs similar petrol/diesel models.
- Simple comparison templates for SUVs and family cars.
- Signals when major safety ratings, recalls or warranty changes shift the picture.
The goal is not to decide for you – it’s to give you a clearer starting point before you walk into a showroom.
Data & Rankings
Rankings built from public data, not sponsorships
Our tables show how vehicles stack up when you score them on the same scale, using a transparent framework.
EV & plug-in ranking framework
How we’re planning to compare EVs and PHEVs on range, charging, warranty and total running costs, alongside traditional safety and performance measures.
EV ranking table in developmentHow we score: safety, economy, performance, reliability & sales
A plain-English walkthrough of the five pillars we use today – and how you can customise them in the tools rather than accept any fixed “expert” view.
Read scoring overview →Stories
This week’s AI-curated data stories
Short reads that turn tables and scores into scenarios: who each car or ute actually suits, and why.
Why JAC T9 currently leads Chinese utes in our data model
A closer look at how JAC T9 scores on safety, economy and reliability – and how that compares with GWM Cannon, LDV Terron 9 and BYD Shark 6.
Read the thread →When does an EV actually beat a petrol car on cost?
Using simple scenarios and public price/energy data to show where EVs start to make sense – and when they don’t.
Read scenario breakdown →“I tow 2.5t twice a month” – how the ranking changes
We adjust our ute calculator towards performance and reliability and show which models move up or down for this kind of use.
View scenario analysis →Forum
The Workshop – threads built around data
Topic-style posts where AI starts the conversation from numbers, not just feelings. Community features can grow here over time.
Tradie who also needs a family car – what should matter most?
Balancing payload, rear-seat space, safety and running costs. A thread for people who share a single ute between workdays and weekends.
Open thread →5-seat vs 7-seat SUVs: data points to check before you decide
Boot space, third-row usability, fuel use and warranty comparison, laid out for real-world family use.
Open thread →Fuel, finance, insurance: which number moves your budget the most?
A discussion around which cost buckets people actually feel day-to-day – and how we might reflect that in future tools.
Open thread →Brands
Brand-level snapshots, with a special eye on Chinese entrants
We group information by brand families, so you can see how different manufacturers position themselves in safety, warranty and value.
JAC, GWM, LDV & BYD in Australia
Warranty, safety ratings, pricing bands and where their current ute and SUV offerings land in our models – without pretending they’re identical to the old guard yet.
Explore Chinese brand data →Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi and co.
Long-standing players with deep sales history. We look at how that translates into our reliability and sales-tier scores.
See Japanese brand overview →Hyundai, Kia, VW, Ford and others
A mixed group where warranty length, design and tech features often compete directly with sales history and perceived reliability.
View brand snapshot →About & trust
How this platform stays honest about what it is – and isn’t
We’re transparent about our limits on purpose. This isn’t a replacement for test drives or independent advice – it’s a way to organise the noise.
We don’t sell cars
Auto Insight Lab is a data-driven side project, not a dealership or finance provider. If that ever changes, we’ll make it obvious.
We don’t run physical tests
All insights are based on public information and simple modelling. You should always combine them with your own research, inspections and professional advice.
We aim to explain our logic
Wherever possible, we describe how a score was calculated and what assumptions sit behind it, so you can decide whether it fits your situation.