UTE vs WAGON, which is better Off-road

UTE vs WAGON, which is better Off-road
What do you think?
0:00 intro
0:39 UTE vs WAGON
1:00 Caming Ready/travel ready
1:30 Keeping Dust Out
2:00 Comfort & Ride
3:25 GVM Load capacity
3:49 Towing
4:57 Too Heavy
5:38 4x4 Off Road
5:52 Off Road angles
6:55 Off Road Panel Damage
7:52 Off-road Top Heavy
8:22 Off-road Lifting Wheels
8:52 Modifying
10:06 Security
11:01 Tax Deductions
11:37 THE STRONG POINTS
12:07 WHO WINS UTE OR WAGON???
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[@philsymons9614]

a trip off road, regardless of what you drive means you're winning...

[@callumfreebairn8082]

nah, depends on how much cargo

[@MichaelRoyDuckworth]

The one that wins is the one that chooses the most appropriate vehicle for their own needs.

[@libertybarker7401]

Mike Duckworth *** often its a matter of what you want, not what you need. AND YOU WILL BE MUCH MORE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU WANT. and happy is the goal.

[@OverlandTheAmericas]

A troop carrier offers combined benefits from both utes and wagons. That’s the winner ;)

[@flipper4x446]

I love my troopy

[@andrewjmoloney]

But very expensive

[@Kiieranjg]

I drive a troopy and boy I'd never say it was Comfortable on the journey; once you've parked up though it's a different story! Plus, it's a legitimate compromise in offroadability with the height, weight, and long ass wheel base compared to a ute or wagon.

[@hi9580]

Manual only and no 5 star ancap

[@gullf1sk]

Toyota needs to start making the 80 series again

[@gibbethoskins8621]

gullf1sk Technically they still do but it's now the 200

[@bmpradoadventures]

yeah but, the 80 is coils and live axle front and rear, not IFS and torsion bars

[@fowletm1992]

200 is Coil now still ifs but at least its solid rear

[@andrew52197]

They do not need to make the 80series again but the 105seres again

[@bmpradoadventures]

with the factory twin turbo v8 and 6 speed auto from the 200. lol

[@eildonweir9693]

Ute for me. Two seats Limits the hangers on. And they gotta convince the dog to vacate his seat. Ain’t gonna happen...he’s a better listener anyway.

[@robwilson7654]

throw out the rear seat and extend the drawer platform, water and battery below plus some packing space. Still all dustproof provided it is a Cruiser.

[@bleakhollow4845]

@@robwilson7654 lol

[@seekingtruthnotfindingany7301]

Awsome comment!

[@BoresaverAus]

I ordered some shirts and a sticker one day, and had them delivered the next! amazing service guys. Love the quality too. After having a dual cab Ranger I changed to a wagon (LC200) and love it. Comfort and no dust in the gear.

[@richardjessnitz761]

Great video as always, thanks. I'd like to add one point in favour of a UTE, as I recently switched from a UTE to a SUV. Loading dirty stuff. Sounds like a small thing, but stuff like a oily chainsaw, even just goodies used on a visit to the beach. In a UTE, chuck it on the back, no problem. In an SUV or station wagon it's tricky to pack dirty stuff. Roofracks are all good and well until something leaks shmoo on the roof paint. I didn't think much of it until I made the switch, but it definitely rearranges your approach to what and how to pack.

[@HartyBiker]

Like you said, it really depends on what you plan on doing with your 4wd as to what you buy. If you're camping with just 1 or 2 of you often a ute will be better because it's way easier to get away without towing a trailer, even for longer trips. But then they might not be as capable off road, depending on the ute or wagon you're comparing. One big plus for utes that you forgot to mention is that if you want to chuck in a load of fire wood for camping or tools for work or dirt and rocks for a backyard reno a ute is by far the better option as it's not in the cab with you and it's easier to clean out with just a hose, no doubt about it, but that's just 1 aspect. In the end it really just comes down to what you want and how you build it. Almost all 4wds are just as viable offroad and for camping if you're smart with the build so you can't really pick a clear cut winner.

[@tacituss703]

as a person only recently starting to learn about 4wd's, im very happy to see a welcoming comment section on most of these videos i watch. im leaning towards getting a wagon personally :)

[@tudortanase8957]

Whenever I need a ute.... I simply hitch up a box trailer after the wagon :)

[@asadkhan-qm1my]

love the sound effects on each transition.

[@The416punchaman]

Best on the net! Thanks for sharing, Ronny & Team!

[@jwilde801]

I discovered your channel about a month ago, and so far, it's changed my life. I've decided to take my 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I was building into a rock crawler, and change directions, and build an overlanding rig. I live in Utah, USA and everyone can crawl rocks here, and everyone DOES, but overloading is the new thing, and not everyone can do it, so it's probably far less crowded and isolated...and I want to be a part of it. Thanks again.

[@Bmaenpaa2]

Another great review. Thanks Ronny.

[@mountainconstructions]

Awesome topic! Thanks Ronny

[@djdonkeydong133]

Great video as always ronny

[@robinodell9453]

I have a wagon but I don't think there is any clear winner in either type of vehicle. Both have pros and cons and what personal preference work well for you.

[@australiasian]

Awesome video, thank you. I'll be looking into wagon style for security reasons so no one steals my MTB. Love your vids btw!!

[@jagersilva2169]

absolutely love the title cards sweet breakdown compared to other vids very clear

[@gardyjeanplong3638]

awesome video ronny thanks mate

[@TomHenson]

great video thanks Ronny

[@guillytravels]

Good job and video mate! You've made very good points! Congrats

[@b_gonzz]

Another great video Ronny thanks mate ! I have a 75 series cruiser and an 80 series wagon love them both.

[@willmorrow5065]

very good video thanks ronny

[@danielwatson8713]

I love the 80! So much that I dual cab chopped it. Now I've got both, comfort and luxury of wagon, space and flexibility of ute.

[@simon.v1556]

Great video Ronny

[@gibbethoskins8621]

I chose a wagon because I like to have my bed in the back over customs drawers, no flapping tents or dirty dusty swags. Snug as a bug, love it. But there can be no winner because it just comes down to personal needs ie. People who ride motorbikes gonna want a ute etc

[@Aron-ru5zk]

Gibbet Hoskins completely agree not many swags out there with windows, lights, electricity, tunes and air conditioning

[@vytas5584]

You can get a rear bar setup that can carry a motorcycle if you're super keen

[@anuedirisooriya]

Great review mate!

[@Tacomaholic]

I feel ashamed that it took me this long to find this channel. Thankfully that is easily remedied. SUBSCRIBED! 😀

[@benpanichi2163]

mate excellent video once again thanks bro

[@wilco9295]

Thanks Ronnie , good episode. Have a 100 series getting an additional vehicle next year. Been researching and tossing up for 6 months , new 200 series plus works or new 79 series plus works. After much advice , research and chewing it over I decided to go for the new 200 series GXL which I will custom up for touring. Love the 100 series it’s the second one I have had. Really enjoy your channel, thanks.

[@joshibrahim1537]

Great channel ; great vid

[@WildTouring]

Excellent comparison! From my personal experience, having owned several of both, I prefer the versatility of the Ute to customise to suit individual needs.

[@BrettWHooker]

Nice Pajero in there... ;-) Great video Ronny! Thanks for sharing.

[@MisterPrecision13]

Great video Ronney. I have a duel van ute with a canopy Would love a wagon. People with a wagon would love a dual cab ute with a canopy. Both are great and no one is really happy with what they have...

[@camgregory1618]

i’ve been torn between getting a 75 series and a gq shorty, this definitely helped, thanks Ronnie!

[@619MikeR]

thank you, best comparison video i've seen. Going wagon for myself and the wife gets the truck. 4runner/tacoma

[@Peter-jm7zt]

That was honest factual with no crap. black and white, really well done. After that video I recon (not that I know much) , 2 Door ute or extra cab tray back, with less over hang, solid axles , 4 coil , 4 wheel disc, turbo diesel. Thanks for another great video Ronny, with no crappy sponsor driven options. Well done.

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Brilliant Ronny! I would have said ute but ive just installed some gull wing doors in the rear side of my wagon. Really works well!!!

[@TrueDaturaMindNz]

owning a toyota 4x4 is a win in itself

[@carloseduardoleroy7723]

Very good comparsion, thank you. I think the structure of the UTE is rougher or stronger for overlanding while the wagon is better for the road, the city and family.

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

Hi Ronny Dahl, you're a wonderful person, thanks for all what you're doing. I think UTE wins.

[@ninja_hamster]

Thanks for the awesome video! Good overview of pros and cons. I like the wagon (SUV), but each person has a different use case, so the answer can be different for other people.

[@phippsyoffroad1363]

Another great Vid Ronny, hard to call, I have a '14 Hilux DC decked out for touring, recently purchased a '00 GU patrol will be modified for 4wd play with the club and mates. Too hard to call for me so i had to have one of each. Cheers from one Ronny to another.

[@mathewgee3467]

Just recently bought a stock Nissan patrol GU S2. Doing it up slowly and i've never been happier.

[@Achisachis73]

nice video, thank you

[@jaymueller2418]

Your channel is awesome.

[@Ronny_Dahl]

cheers mate, happy watching and thanks for watching.

[@prasadtemkar4498]

Sticking wit me 80 series on this one Ronny :)

[@andrestaieb4289]

Hello from Panama Ronny! Great video as always. Wagon vs UTE, both great at the end, then comes the little playing vehicles like a samurai/jimny which are not comfortable at all, nor secure, nor great handling big loads, but they are a lot of fun to drive! Source: got that jimny!

[@tedbower685]

I had a tray back hilux it was great for what i needed at the time spotlighting ,work fishing etc, aside from the security issues the biggest problem was everything got soaking wet when it rained even with a tarp when you went to get something out it got wet. i now have a well body hilux with hard canopy access is a problem as i am not young and agile anymore having to crawl in and out to retrieve gear from the front is a pain in the proverbial. the amount of dust that gets sucked in terrible.Great videos Ronny

[@ahss6275]

You answered my question 🍻👏

[@slowboat6021]

Great topic Ronnie, I guess it's personal preference mostly but I like the wagon. Bear in mind that many of smaller utes ie Ford Ranger, don't have a large GCM so when towing big stuff the load carrying capacity is greatly reduced. A GVM upgrade does not necessarily increase the GCM. Highway comfort is another big issue especially here in WA driving a screaming bouncing Rodeo for 700km did my head in.

[@Quarry4x4]

Always entertaining. Thanks. Ute for me.

[@troberts0034]

I have both. I have a 3/4ton GMC Crew Cab short bed 4x4 and a Second Gen Nissan Xterra. The GMC is long, heavy, slow, under powered but has tons of space for my family of 5 (plus dog). It has the topper on it with locking dark-tint windows and we have room to spare for gear for a weeks trip. The Xterra gets better mileage, better weight/power ratio, still a good amount of room for people but we have to pair down our gear for a week to just the essentials if we don't want to use the roof rack or a hitch carrier.

[@TheOfficialHaximus]

UTE! I own a 4.2TDI GU Patrol and love it!

[@mrpoopypants9586]

Wagons for families?? These comments surprised me. Two kids, two adults trips away, trying to carry minimal gear, chose the Ranger dual cab with mods to carry the gear comfortably and tour in comfort. Love it. Wagon way too small, even the cruisers. Was worried not toyota, but so far it's great. Lots of storage under the canopy (and I have dust proofed it - can be done) seems more than capable enough and really comfortable. Carting gear for a family of four can be tricky to work out, but the dual cab is popular for a reason. Great videos Ronnie, love your stuff. Thanks.

[@johnpoy8345]

I like your videos dude I'm a wheeler most I already know but it's cool hearing opinions on stuff cheers from over the ditch NZ by the way you guys got way better availability over there would love to open a shop selling your accessories fright is still to dear to purchase most of your domestic products keep up your vids 👍

[@mizzorian]

After stating the pos' and neg's of both, there is no winner...it comes down to budget and use....you guys are lucky to be living in such a beautiful country

[@barraponicsnthings9690]

Great video again ... Ute wins in my opinion, I've had a wagon before and the are just too limited, I love being able to customize my canopy and camping setup.... and it's always evolving!

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

very nice.

[@stevenp3176]

Haha fair enough on the translation for us Americans. Wish we could get some of the vehicles you guys are able to. Keep up the great videos.

[@stevehiggs7552]

Add air bags to your spring rear end , that help with weight and towing scenarios . Got 100 series FTE mother chipped ,great vehicle. Cheers

[@Benny3834]

I own both and couldn't agree more. My wagon is more family friendly and more capable of road. So we load the roof rack and pull a trailer for the big family trips. The Ute goes away when I'm fishing with the lads. The Ute ticks more boxes when you need space. To me there is no perfect vehicle. Knowing what you need pre purchase is the key. Another great review cheers mate

[@stuarttaylor9346]

You make all good points For both Ronny , I still like my Ute apart from friend wanting me to help move house

[@DHIRAJDC]

😂

[@pfzpayam]

Good points, I reckon troopy is in the middle which brings it to be the best option. But with 1HDFTE engine ofcourse.

[@puma1304]

and then there is also the toyota troopy... which in some ways could be an in-between alternative, and even not considering this it would always be my clear preference! (mainly because it is big and can be customized in many many ways)

[@codyb6106]

I like them both had a Tacoma now I'm in a FJ. Love them both it's just a mater of what you want to do with it. I have too many kids for the Tacoma that I had.

[@gunnarmoeller8606]

I have a wagon because i do little trips, carry not much, can sleep in it and transport surfboards. I live in Vietnam and we have a long rain-season, so things inside stay dry. But I totally agree with Ronny about both cars' strong points and wouldn't mind a Hilux as well.

[@martinnogales2259]

That's was awesome

[@hj7993]

Practical and unbiased comparison. It is all about person's needs and preferences. 👍 You can't have vehicle for everything. More ground clearance, less stability at high speeds. More comfort and luxury, more defectives and repairs. More capacity for carrying, more weight to handle during offroading. They are vehicles meant only for offroading (high off capability but no comfort and no features Vehicles meant for city (poor off capability but very comfort and luxurious) Vehicles meant for offroad/city (middle off road capability and middle comfort & luxury).

[@leverageplayz3194]

I must say for the first one you can get a soft canopy stock with the 79 and if u get a single cab a double mattress will fit in the tray

[@spooky9477]

That s10 in the beginning clip looked really nice, the only chevy truck i really like lol

[@robertrayner2991]

Could you do a 70 series cruiser comparison i.e. single cab 79 vs dual cab 79 vs 76 series wagon vs 78 series troopie? I'd be pretty interested to see a wheel lift comparison between all these cruisers Keep up the good work Ronnie

[@SamEEE12]

BJ73 is my favourite cruiser. MWB ftw.

[@twhaz2001]

IMHO.There are so many individual choices that go into what is needed. Just watching Ronnie's and other Overland sites helped me decide what type would suit may Overland style. SO, there is NO "winner" It depends on YOU.

[@Peter_s_toyotami]

I own a 76 and loving it but 79 is my dream overlander

[@great_offroad_adventures]

Having owned both it’s a close call....the Ute has more space which made it easier to go overlanding, touring, the Wagon is more comfortable and definitely handles obstacles better. What would I pick - probably the wagon....200 series for the win!!!

[@glenod]

Yah 200 series 2014 gxl here modded, mate has 2015 lc 79 ute with canopy. i like to drive it, he likes to drive mine..but i love the auto and electronics in low 4. 200 for sure

[@great_offroad_adventures]

Gleno D - For sure....always been happy with how mines performed.

[@shawnyap9358]

Wagon for the win.

[@ljh_0288]

200s are busses to drive. not digging the ifs front, to much low angle on the front.

[@susanss70spartymix77]

Had a Ute, then a wagon. Then back to two more utes. First was a single cab full size. Put a king size bed in the back with tool/storage on the sides and sliding under. Best short notice camping vehicle ever. At a mates place and the conversation turns to what the he'll, lets go now. This is no problem with that setup. Problems were three people max, parking and weight. It always was fully loaded but could be called on to go for a week or two with zero notice. The wagon was great for carrying more people, that was the main reason for purchase. It filled that role well. It also off roaded better because of the shorter wheel base. A full length roof rack with 1inch square mesh made it the best spotlighting vehicle I've seen in 30 years of shooting. Mattress on top with a wind brake and sand bags for distance shots. However, it failed badly when transporting meat back. A Ute can be washed out easily. A wagon cannot. Throwing game on the roof rack might look bad assed but its just a pain in the ass. So I went back to its but this time dualcabs. A compromise between the two. Too small for a bed in the back like a full size ute, but it can carry more people. A canopy provides a balance to keep gear in there for short notice but its too small to make it a full time instant trip vehicle without restricting its day to day usage. So I got a bigger dual cab. Its a good mix of everything except economy and certain off road conditions. Quite honestly, there is no vehicle that does it all very well. So pick the ones it does very well with what you need or want now. Just bear in mind, your needs will change. My 1st Ute carried three people and a king sized bed. But I was single and going out with the guys meant two vehicles and tents. Now I'm married, no kids, and the idea of a single cab with a bed in the back is ideal. The wagon for me had more disadvantages than anything but that was my particular case. I can see how for many it would be the best choice. Sometimes working out what is really important comes after the purchase. Be prepared for the limitations that you can't live with.

[@karlckloh]

LC78 Troopy. Best of both worlds.

[@DontTickle]

I have a ute and a wagon, both great and both great for different reasons

[@mridrick]

To be fair, should have used a 76 or 78 to compare to your 79. 80 is way too comfortable ;)

[@norsefalconer]

Missed one, flexibility. The Ute can be used to haul larger stuff and questionable stuff when not configured for overlanding. Especially stinky stuff, wet stuff and fuel/chemical stuff. Who wants THAT inside?

[@Wintertime74]

I like both options. They both have their purpose.

[@andrewcondee1949]

Great video! In the US we call the "tub" or "wellbody" a bed haha.

[@Ronny_Dahl]

and a tray back is a 'Flatbed'?

[@wyocoyotewyocoyote9007]

Nice! Another category "safety" on and off road. One of the problems of SUV's ("wagons") is all that crap you bring is liable to hit you in the head be it an on or off road situation. Now the same could go for an extra or double cab truck if you have many unsecured items up front, There is however an advantage having the partition esp if you add a "headache" rack. I'd imagine many SUVS are safer than trucks being designed for families, but That pickups have some other safety plusses.

[@wazoologist]

Age is also a factor. Always had some type of 70 series when I was younger, for 20 years and they were great. Now I'm older and the body gets sore and likes comfort more, so the wagon is the go.

[@andreweastaughffe1070]

having owned a newish dual cab ute and a wagon i would say if your single/married and no kids go the ute they are great for the weekend toys and packing for camping can be made easy by putting everything in boxes to just throw in and go but with a family the wagon comes into its own with all the inside space and comfort needed to keep your sanity with kid on long trips.

[@macdaddymtb]

When it came time to upgrade my 04 Hilux the two most practical options for a family tourer, bush basher and towing vehicle were a new 3.0L TD Nissan patrol or a 4.5L V8 79 series Cruiser. The 200 series and the new petrol Patrol were too prissy for my driving style. I went with the 79 series because of the V8 and farkin huge 1800x1800 tray which now has a beast of a steel canopy mounted on it. With 35's it is a pig of a thing to drive around the city and U-turns are basically impossible even on wide streets. I'd confidently say the Patrol or other wagons would be better in hardcore offroad and also much better in urban areas, but out here in the Riverland and pretty much the rest of central Australia the Landcruiser ute is king.

[@thedarkknight4243]

Sir, could you do a video on lift kits: suspension vs body lift, would love to have information on suspension lifts. Thanks a lot

[@DylanMcMullen]

Really wish we had those boxy steel trays on our trucks here in America. I love the look of them compared to the tubs

[@GTiR94]

All down to how and what you use it for. Personal preference and what works is the decider, neither is better than the other.

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

winner 2 ton4x4 van conversion , best of both worlds.

[@HartyBiker]

Tim Kirkpatrick unimog?

[@verlicht]

For me, a wagon is better by FAR. My wagon has an official "van conversion" so it's limited to just the front seats, but I only pay 10% of taxes I'd normally pay. I also converted my wagon so I can sleep inside instead of a roof tent. So for overlanding, it's a lot more subtle and safer. Would love to have an even longer wagon than the 110 I currently have.

[@gaz8410]

Ute for me. I can pile heaps of crap in the back, then hose it out after.

[@rollyb5061]

love it

[@user_mac0153]

Road kill fits straight into the tub. You can hoist a carcase on crane/block and tackle, and butcher to yore hart's contents.

[@moolyland]

I have just transitioned from owning 3 utes to my first wagon. I am not sure if I have made the right decision, but I do like my new 76 series. I have been so used to piling heaps of crap on the back. Now I guess it will be the roof.

[@Millsy.g]

I've got an FJ Cruiser. Biggest reason I went with it over anything else was head room. I just don't fit in a Tacoma or a 4Runner. Sure I fit in a full size pickup, but getting those things down trails is asking for a disaster (solo anyway). But I can't imagine getting anything else in North America. We just don't have the options up here. If I could get a new Land Cruiser like yours, I would probably consider it.

[@bananasusyd]

Really is a personal preference. I have a Ute, suits me. In-laws have wagons.

[@seanyoung8952]

You obviously weren't talking about a defender when you said a wagon is dust proof and luxurious haha

[@Aron-ru5zk]

Sean Young they make defender wagons and defender pickups so it doesn’t fit in either category

[@johnlatsch9720]

Or water proof.

[@johnlatsch9720]

The exception to custom is the defender. It's mainly bolted together. So you can turn make it a wagon to a Ute pretty easily.

[@benwhitmore2265]

“Tight on budget” gets an 80 series😂

[@Raevenswood]

Ben Whitmore that fuel efficiency though!

[@benwhitmore2265]

I can only imagine what they would do fully loaded on the highway!

[@kevinsmith7669]

Would be pretty good being turbo diesel

[@OFFICIAL_VIDEO_AWARDS]

About 12l per 100 on the highway, 14l city. That's on 33s, roof rack, bars etc 1HDT manual.

[@pacman5590]

24l a 100km in my 80s series 3FE. Thank god fuel prices have dropped!

[@ozacsic2832]

All of them are great it will just dpend on ur needs

[@chrisbruton5937]

Wagon here hdj100r , pity its ifs but engine is awsome. Endless bank account 105 series with 1hdfte conversion

[@mark2073]

In Canada there is often nasty weather and you don't want your stuff out in the back exposed to it, plus you don't want to spend a lot of time outside dealing with your stuff. Also they spray salt all over the roads so in a wagon your stuff is protected from that.