This is what the new Aussie ute looks like

It’s no secret that collectively, as a nation, we have had a long-running love affair with utes and the Aussie ute landscape is set to change drastically in the next few years.

Pictured above is a concept vehicle built by Hyundai, as an indication of what the Korean brand’s first ute could look like. But that’s a while off yet.

Last year, the Toyota Hi-Lux was our biggest selling passenger vehicle and the Ford Ranger wasn’t far behind as our fourth most popular new-car option.

If you look at what’s available to the Australian market — unless you’re importing and converting a massive American pickup — your options are limited to a rather uniform looking, utilitarian bunch.

They are all around the same size and largely; all look similar in some ways and if you have a family, you’ll end up in a dual-cab, or if you need a workhorse you’ll drive away in a single cab-chassis.

Sedan-based utes are gone. The demise of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon as we know it, thanks to local production wrapping up this year, marks the end of these sporty Aussie icons. 

There aren’t currently any truly high-end options, or many unusual, unique styles but the ute scene is set for a shake up and I, for one, am excited. 

Mercedes-Benz is preparing for the arrival of the X-Class ute and it will be the only one of its kind from a German luxury brand in Australia.

Could you imagine bumping about the farm in one of those? The X-Class will be available here sometime next year.

How about a BMW ute? It’s not actually a real thing… yet. 

However, speculative renderings of the upcoming BMW 8 Series have surfaced, offering one artist’s view of how it could look if BMW were to spin off a Commodore-style ute version. You can bet it would be fast too.

For something completely different again, the Jeep Wrangler ute is in development, set to go into production from September next year, though we’re unlikely to see it here until 2019.

The more the merrier I say!