The Tradie Ute Toyota HiLux Workmate Review

For a second, let us put aside the ‘Foreman’ 4×4 Ute class that is clearly the trending vehicle of the last 5 years and let’s review a Tradie Ute, the Toyota Hilux Workmate.

Tradies need a work horse, that is a given.  Some of you are knocking over 100 Kms a day or more.  Managing a business and employee’s, putting out fires started by your first-year apprentices, the last thing any Tradie needs is a Ute giving you grief.

So, what should you be looking for?

We have reviewed the 4×2 Toyota HiLux Workmate.

This Ute that is leading the race across the 4×2 range with close to 35 percent of the market. Why?

1. It’s petrol
2. It’s affordable
3. It’s comfortable
4. It’s re-salable

This version of the Toyota HiLux comes in a 2.7L petrol automatic transmission combination that is not matched by any of its class rivals.

Up first…

Affordability

The retail price before on roads is going to set you back $23,865.  When you add on-roads your looking at $26,032.

But you’re a Tradie and you need the Tradiespec, so let’s add some options;

• Genuine general purpose alloy Tray 2550mm     $1,750.00
• Rear Ladder Rack                                                       $440.00
• 1 x Lockable toolbox                                                   $770.00
• Tow Bar                                                                         $1,036.04

You are looking at a dealer delivery fee of somewhere around $500 as well.  For a brand-new Toyota HiLux Workmate with automatic transmission and a Trade Spec set up, you will be paying $30,000.

But here is the kicker…

With Toyota if you are a member of the Master Builders Association, you could qualify for the ‘Gold Fleet Discount’ which will knock roughly $1700 right off the top.

So, your new buy price could be $28,300.  Now that is pretty good considering your closest rival in price is the Isuzu D-Max at $29,000 before on-roads, without the Tradiespec set up and it is a manual diesel.

Sure, the HiLux gives you the comfort knowing you are not breaking the bank to get your business on the road, but what about comfortable driving?

Comfortability

This Ute has come a long way in recent years.  In fact, the new 2020 model even has Apple car play.    The seats are a hardy material that can take a fair amount of wear and come up a treat after a detail.  The plastic lining under foot can take a beating from work boots and washes mud and dirt off easily.

The Workmate has cruise control and a recent addition, lane departure detection which can get a little annoying, I choose to drive without it. The single cab is lacking a rear reverse camera which can be handy when it comes to reversing with toolboxes making some blind spots worse.

The inside interior has a nice polished trim that makes it presentable with a hint of foreman feel.

An unladen rear tray can mean the rear wheels are a little slippery in the wet, however once it is loaded with 100 Kgs you will find it gripping better.

The last key ingredient that is something too often overlooked is…

Resale

Resale is a an important consideration when it comes to work Ute’s. There are two key factors that determine a Ute’s resale.

1. What you can sell it for?
2. Who you can sell it to?

One thing is undeniable, of the 4×2 class of Ute’s, the Tradie Toyota HiLux Workmate holds its value.  Traditional depreciation modelling suggests that on average vehicles drop 20% of their value in the first year, and a further 15% in the second and third years.  Sometimes, depending on the make and model, a vehicle can drop as much as 30% of their value in the first year.

However, based on sales data we have collected and modelled you are looking at an average depreciation rate of 13%.  A whole 2% to 5% less than another standard vehicle.

To put some figures to those percentages, if you purchased the HiLux for $30,000 then the HiLux could still be worth $20,000 after 3 years.

Resale is often overlooked at the time of purchase, kind of like superannuation, most people worry about it later.  But resale is something that should be considered at the time of purchase given its effect on the life-time cost of a vehicle.  Trade businesses or businesses with fleets will view their owned assets from a cost vs. return perspective over the lifetime of the asset.

After you have considered the cost, you then must consider the demand for certain secondhand Utes.

The more people looking for a specific make, model, and spec, the more you will sell it for and the easier it will be to sell.  We have found it particularly difficult to find second hand 4×2 Ute’s with tray back and Tradiespec set up let alone HiLux’s.  When they do come on the market they are swiftly snapped up.

Reputation for reliability and durability is a consideration for people when purchasing a secondhand Ute.

The last thing you want is come time for resale and 1. You cannot find a buyer, 2. When do you do find a buyer, you are haggled into a corner.

Lastly, Toyota offer capped servicing costs for the first 6 services or 3 years at $180 per service.  You will need to drop by a dealership service depot every 10,000 Kms but you are in and out within a day.

Look, in the 4×2 category there is a reason the Tradie Toyota HiLux is a clear leader, it just ticks too many boxes when compared to its closest rivals.  We have a lot of them which we picked out of line up with its closest rivals.

• Affordability
• Comfortability
• Presentability
• Reliability
• Re-salability

Still unsure? Give us a call, we have got plenty of time to chat about Ute’s, it is what we do all day.