2025 light truck buyer’s guide

The light-duty truck segment is red-hot in Australia, with 14,558 units sold in 2024 and more than 6000 registered so far this year, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular.

For starters, light trucks offer a compelling mix of value, productivity and durability for transport operators and tradies who need a hefty payload and serious towing capability – whether that’s a 4500kg GVM car-licence model or an 8000kg GVM do-it-all workhorse.

Most major manufacturers now offer ready-to-go tray packs and body options designed to get to work straight from the showroom floor, eliminating delays associated with aftermarket fit-outs.

As mid-range dual-cab utes push beyond the $60,000 mark, light-duty trucks – which often start at a similar price – are becoming an appealing alternative, offering greater durability, payload, towing capacity and fit-out flexibility.

While van options like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit or Volkswagen Crafter are available as cab-chassis models, they lack the GVM flexibility of light-duty trucks. Then there are crossover models like the incoming Ford Ranger Super Duty that's due Down Under in 2026, with a 4500kg GVM and 8000kg GCM, offering half-ute, half-truck capabilities.

This guide focuses exclusively on Australia’s top light-duty trucks in 2025 and excludes vans and utes, which will be covered separately.

Here is a list of the top light trucks currently available in the Australian market, ranging from tradie trucks you can drive with a car licence to payload-heavy last-mile runners in no particular order.

Isuzu Trucks has led the light-duty sales charts for a staggering 36 years and continues to dominate both the light- and medium-duty segments in 2025 with the rollout of its all-new range.

The last full N Series update came in 2008, making this new Euro 6-compliant lineup a major milestone and one that looks set to continue Isuzu’s winning streak.

Based on our initial test drive ahead of its official launch at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, the new lineup builds on the proven N Series formula with improvements in safety, refinement and overall capability.

The range offers 153 variants with low, narrow and wide cabs, plus short to medium wheelbase options. GVM ratings range from 4500kg car-licence models up to 8800kg workhorses.

Power comes from proven 3.0- and 5.2-litre turbo-diesel engines. The 4500kg GVM models use the 3.0-litre engine producing 110kW/375Nm, mid-spec NPR models gain a 129kW/430Nm tune, and the top-spec 8800kg GVM NQR is powered by a 5.2-litre engine delivering 140kW/513Nm.

A major update is the introduction of a new dual-clutch nine-speed transmission with a torque converter, complementing the existing six-speed automated manual but with quicker shifts and a broader gear spread.

The new range also features advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as LED headlights, autonomous lane-keeping and braking functionality.

Isuzu’s Ready to Work program remains one of the strongest off-the-shelf body offerings, with factory-backed Traypack, Tradepack, Vanpack, Servicepack, Tipper and Freightpack options.

Quick specs:

Engine Outputs: 110kW/375Nm; 129kW/430Nm; 140kW/513Nm
Transmission: Six-speed AMT or nine-speed DCT
Wheelbase: 2490mm to 4475mm
Payload: 2250kg to 5850kg

Hino’s 300 Series has remained a strong performer in the light-duty segment since its 2020 update, offering a blend of safety, performance and comfort that appeals to a wide range of operators.

Available in narrow and wide cabs with short and medium wheelbases, the 300 Series offers GVM ratings from 4500kg to 8000kg, with around 60 model variants.

Related: Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 2023 Review

The smaller models are powered by a 4.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 110kW/470Nm with a six-speed automatic, or 121kW/464Nm with a six-speed manual. A larger 5.0-litre engine is available on higher GCM variants, outputting 151kW/600Nm.

A standout in the lineup is the Euro 6 300 Series Hybrid, combining the 4.0-litre diesel engine with an electric motor and battery system for a more silent and efficient operation. Hino claims fuel savings of around 20 per cent compared to equivalent diesel models, with many fleets embracing the hybrid option to reduce emissions.

Safety is covered by Hino’s SmartSafe suite, standard across all models, with features like pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, pre-collision assist and daytime running lights.

Hino's Built to Go range includes factory-backed body options like the Tipper, TradeAce, Alloy Tray and SteelAce, enabling operators to hit the ground running.

Quick specs:

Engine Outputs: 110kW/420Nm, 121kW/464Nm, 139kW/510Nm, 151kW/600Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2500mm to 4400mm
Payload: 2200kg to 5500kg

The Fuso Canter has been a staple on Australian roads since 1971, with a proven track record in the light-duty segment.

A 2024 update brought fresh styling, new interior tech and mechanical refinements, enhancing the Canter’s appeal.

The lineup begins with 4495kg GVM car-licence models in narrow and low cab formats and stretches to 8550kg GVM wide cab variants across a broad range of 4x2 and 4x4 models.

Power comes from a 3.0-litre Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine producing 110kW/370Nm or 129kW/430Nm in higher-GVM variants.

Advanced safety features come standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, electronic stability program (ESP) and LED headlights.

Also available is the all-electric eCanter that comes in 14 variants including city and wide cabs with GVM ratings from 4500kg to 8550kg.

Like other manufacturers, Fuso offers pre-bodied options like pantechs, trays and tippers under its Built Ready program.

Quick specs:

Engine Outputs: 96kW/300Nm, 110kW/370Nm, 110kW/430Nm (electric), 129kW/430Nm (electric)
Transmission: Five-speed manual (select models) or six-speed DCT
Wheelbase: 2800mm to 4750mm
Payload: 1700kg to 5700kg

Though technically a van, the Iveco Daily in cab-chassis form is a strong competitor in the light-duty truck space.

Starting from a 4495kg GVM car-licence model and extending to a 7200kg GVM variant, the Daily can carry payloads of up to 4687kg, making it suitable for a range of transport and trade applications.

Power comes from a Euro 6 3.0-litre engine with outputs of 132kW/430Nm or 155kW/470Nm, paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto transmission.

The Daily includes advanced safety systems like emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, queue assist, lane departure warning and lane keep assist. Its interior is also among the most car-like in the category, largely due to its van underpinnings.

Iveco also offers an all-electric eDaily which is now available locally as a cab-chassis. It offers a 300km+ range with up to 7200kg GVM, popular with fleets looking to go electric.

Trayback solutions are also available off the shelf.

Quick specs:

Engine Outputs: 132kW/430Nm; 155kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 3450mm to 4750mm
Payload: 2375kg to 4687kg

Hyundai’s Mighty range may be under the radar of many Aussie operators, but it delivers strong value and payload capacity.

Starting from 4500kg GVM and extending up to 10,300kg, the Mighty comes in standard or super cab with various wheelbase options.

Power comes from a Euro 5 3.9-litre turbo-diesel producing 126kW/608Nm, with five- and six-speed manual or six-speed Allison auto options.

Safety features include electronic stability control (ESC), daytime running lamps and cruise control, though it lacks some of the more advanced systems found in competitors.

An eMighty electric variant is also available, with a 7300kg GVM and 200km range fully loaded with the ability to add 100km of range with a 20-minute top-up charge. However, unlike its diesel counterpart, the eMighty features Hyundai's SmartSense active safety suite.

Factory-ready pantechs, trays and tipper bodies are available.

Quick specs:

Engine: 126kW/608Nm (diesel); 120kW/320Nm (electric)
Transmission: Five-speed manual, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2850mm to 4400mm
Payload: 1600kg to 5690kg

Foton Mobility Distribution leads the electric light-truck market with its T5 model, which is now joined by Euro 6 diesel variants in the lineup via distributor Inchcape for operators covering longer distances.

The Aumark S diesel range comes in short- and medium-wheelbase configurations with GVMs from 4495kg to 8495kg, and is available as a cab-chassis or ready-built tipper.

Smaller variants are powered by a 2.5-litre Cummins engine (110kW/400Nm) paired with a five-speed manual or automated manual transmission, while larger models get a 3.8-litre Cummins engine (115kW/550Nm) and six-speed manual or automated manual transmissions.

Meanwhile, the T5 electric truck is available in 4.5- and 6-tonne GVM formats, offering up to 180km loaded range from an 81.4kWh battery and a 115kW motor. Towing and payload capacity is 3500kg, making it a strong zero-emissions contender.

Quick specs:

Engine Outputs: 110kW/400Nm (2.5L); 115kW/550Nm (3.8L); 115kW electric
Transmission: Five-speed manual/automatic; six-speed manual/automatic
Wheelbase: 2850mm to 4400mm
Payload: 785kg to 5295kg