#ThinkingOutLoud About Why Americans Generally Don't Like Utes
The biggest difference in between utes and pickups are that utes have a passenger car chassis that has a cargo tray that’s integrated with the rest of the body; a pickup truck has it’s cargo bed separate from the rest of the body. I have a friend from Australia who says his Holden ute shares a lot in common with the Commodore wagon of the same year (one difference is a stiffer rear suspension that can carry more weight). He has also talked about how utes are more comfortable than pickup trucks, which makes sense, utes are more focused on daily driving. However, modern pickup trucks are rather comfortable for the vehicles that they are, leaf springs and all.
The Honda Ridgeline is the closest thing America has to a ute, and it's not all that popular...
In a country where a diesel truck that weighs almost 4 tons is considered manly, it shouldn’t be surprised that what is basically a Honda Pilot with a pickup bed is considered girly. The ironic thing is that a good percentage of truck drivers in the USA could do just fine with a ute, so why do many Americans drive pickup trucks? Crash safety is one of them, some think of vehicle to vehicle collisions and the fact that in a head on collision the heavier car tends to have a less drastic change in inertia than the lighter cars; “the guy with the most lugnuts wins.” People also like the high ground clearance and seating position that pickup trucks have as well as optional 4WD. While some utes do have 4WD, it’s much easier to find a 4WD pickup than a 4WD ute.
In conclusion, Americans don’t like utes for several reasons. Pickup truck buyers are very loyal and are an established part of car sales. They feel safer in a big pickup because of greater inertia. US citizens like the behemoth and masculine nature of pickups that utes don’t have as much. “It’s better have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.”
Comments
An Aussie
Yea that’s the same here. More people are buying pickups than utes cause they sit high and stuff. Most if them even though they are a 4by never see dirt.
Well, since the 80’s I’m not sure utes have received much exposure in the states. I’d have thought any two-door with 450bhp and no weight over the rears would gain a certain popularity within the muscle community.
You guys almost got the Pontiac G8 as a Ute and a wagon but they didn’t sell enough sedans for it to be worth it
One thing ive started to see becone more common is pickups with steel trays. I have seen nissan frontiers and f150s have the beds switched out for trays.
That’s everywhere over here. My Old pickup had an alloy tray and my father’s pickup has a steel one
The El Camino was a big hit to ameican buyers. The Ridgeline isnt popular because the brand is Honda, and noone is in the market for that truck because every other truck outperforms it.
in towing and hauling but not in mpg in comfort, the ridgeline is for people who don’t want a truck but need one
Americans like them, I mean we had the elcamino and the ranchero and they sold pretty well. Is just that now with CAFE standards and other such things, no company wants to take time and money relaunching an old idea they aren’t certain will bring in money, when they already have dedicated trucks and muscle cars .
For most people, buying a pickup instead of a ute is an emotional rather than logical decision. If you don’t need 4WD or five seats, a ute is a better choice. In Australia you don’t see any mid sized American pickups because you importing them and converting them to RHD is expensive and they don’t do anything that a Ranger or Colorado can’t do. There are some full size pickups around because they do serve an actual need, but for a lot of applications they’re overkill.
Closest thing we got was the El Camino, and to the lesser extent Ranchero. Such a shame such cool vehicles went out of production here.
El Camino? I dont think yall hated it and it looks like a ute to me
but it was discontinued
Its a G8
Personally, I love utes. I’d have one as it’s essentially a muscle car with a bed. El Caminos and Rancheros did decently well back in the da.
I think the biggest thing is that it’s just not really something that’s offered in American markets as much anymore. The Ridgeline is seen as being essentially a Honda Pilot and you’re right in saying that it’s seen as being a bit wimpy. If people dish out for a 4wd truck, they want something capable and rugged.