As Australia’s top-selling ute, the Ford Ranger is the tried-and-true champion of the workday and the weekend. This all-rounder has honed its skills to deliver performance that’s hard to beat. Part of Ford’s next-gen vehicle range, it has stacks of features and smart technology with practicality considered first and foremost, making the Ranger a tough choice to beat. The result: a podium finish every time.

An up-and-comer with strong credentials for durability and performance, the Isuzu D-MAX is built tough and powerful for work or play. Power, towing and action at every turn, the Isuzu D-MAX is designed to handle the harsh Australian conditions, offers durability and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating for you and your adventurous crew. If you’re seeking a ute that packs a solid performance, this is one tough contender.

The impressive Hyundai IONIQ 5 has already taken home Gold at the Good Design Awards 2023 for its innovation and considered design. It promises a long range, ultra rapid charging, plus a distinctly cutting-edge EV design. Innovation abounds – the optional digital side mirrors give a clearer and more comprehensive view than conventional wing mirrors, while the augmented reality heads up display provides navigation, road and vehicle info on the windscreen into view to keep your eyes on the road.

A challenger in the EV space, Build Your Dreams (BYD) is an up-and-comer from China. The BYD Dolphin claims to be Australia’s most affordable EV, but the Dolphin doesn’t cut corners on features. The Dolphin has a range of up to 427km, a dynamic exterior design, and a rotating central 12.8” touchscreen providing access to the vehicle’s many infotainment and connected car functions. Other features include a 360-degree camera suite, wireless phone charger, cruise control and more.

A small city SUV, the Ford Puma is a fan favourite with a winning formula – topping its category three years running to win ‘Best Light SUV’ in the Drive Car of the Year awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Being small doesn’t mean missing out though. The agile and economical Puma packs a punch, giving small car drivers a full stable of advanced driver assistance features for extra safety and visibility, and Active Park Assist to guide you effortlessly into those rockstar parking spots you deserve.

The Hyundai KONA is the small SUV the rest of the category should keep their eye on, after being awarded Carsales Best Small SUV 2023 at the 2023 Melbourne EV Show. The top-spec KONA Premium model offers a dazzling array of features to genuinely improve your driving experience. It includes luxurious reclining front seats that offer zero-gravity relaxation at the push of a button, a wireless charging pad with cooling function to keep your devices safely juiced, Remote Smart Parking Assist which lets you auto-park in tricky spots and a smart power tailgate for hands-free convenience with shopping (or wriggly toddlers) in tow.

The Mazda CX-5 is a golden child of the medium SUV category, offering true versatility for a huge range of lifestyles and needs. From large families to adventurous couples, the CX-5 is an excellent option for those who just like a little more space and comfort on the road. It’s also packed with safety tech you’ll use every single day, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic monitoring, Lane-keep Assist System, High Beam Control and adaptive cruise control.

The Peugeot 3008 is a mid-size SUV from French shores that is turning heads in the Australian market. Its unmistakably Euro style and charm stands out in the Australian auto landscape. The 3008 offers the choice of a responsive and efficient petrol engine, or Plug-In Hybrid engine with up to 60km electric-only range, and go-further fuel economy of a claimed 1.6L/100km (combined cycle). And there’s a fully electric model on the horizon too. Viva la France!

The most iconic luxury SUV on the road today, the BMW X5 is the large SUV many others look up to. And its performance, comfort and lifestyle-focused tech look set to keep it that way. Featuring that iconic athletic BMW SUV body, it now runs on your choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrain. You might be driving a large SUV, but the X5 makes you look like a pro in the most challenging driving situations. BMW Trailer Assistant makes manoeuvring with a trailer a lot less tricky, and Parking Assistant helps out with automatic parking in awkward spots.

As Hyundai’s largest SUV offering in Australia, the Korean auto powerhouse has pulled out all the stops to make the Palisade rival its competitors. The incredibly spacious interior seats 7 or 8. Other features you’ll love include Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows you to remotely drive into and out of tight spots. The innovative Reverse Light Guide is a Hyundai-first technology that illuminates the rear of the vehicle when reversing, making it easier to see, and be seen, in low light conditions. Features like these make the Palisade one to watch.