Which ute should you buy for under $60,000?

The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux may sit comfortably atop Australia’s new-vehicle sales charts, but there has been a huge shift in the ute segment over the past year.

The BYD Shark 6 has proved a disruptive force, outselling even long-running nameplates like the Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok – not bad for the Chinese brand’s first ute.

Other new arrivals on the scene include MG’s first ute here, the U9, plus its LDV Terron 9 twin. They join the growing ranks of affordable Chinese options here, which have also swelled to include the JAC T9 and reborn Foton Tunland.

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But it’s not just Chinese brands making moves in the ute segment, with Kia launching the Tasman – its first ute – last year, and fellow Korean brand KGM lobbing a new electric ute called the Musso EV.

With all this variety, those of us in the Olvera’s Car Care editorial team have decided to share our picks out of this bustling segment.

However, we’ve imposed a $60,000 list price cap, so you won’t find anything American here, nor favourites like the Ranger Raptor.

Which utes did we pick instead?

Alborz Fallah: MG U9

The best car-like ute I’ve driven of late. Looks are subjective but it drives exceptionally well and makes an ideal candidate for a city-friendly ute.

MORE: Explore the MG U9 showroom