Musso wins again! 4x4 Australia best ute under $60k

We are thrilled to announce another major win for the KGM brand in Australia: the KGM Musso Ultimate has been awarded Best 4x4 Ute Under $60,000 in the prestigious 2025 4x4 Ute of the Year awards. This accolade, revealed on December 5, 2025, underscores the Musso's exceptional value, practicality, and all-round capability in one of the most competitive segments of the Australian market. Alongside the Musso’s other recent awards, Drive 2024 Best Dual Cab Ute Under 50k, Drive 2025 Best Dual Cab Ute Under 50k and Wheels 2025 Best Dual Cab Ute Under 50k – the Musso is now the most awarded value ute in the market.

The 4x4 Ute of the Year is Australia's leading evaluation of 4x4 utes, with rigorous testing conducted at Lerderderg State Park in Victoria. A panel of expert judges—including 4x4 Australia Editor Matt Raudonikis, veteran tester Dave Morley, and towing specialist Tim Van Duyl—assessed 12 vehicles across five key criteria:

• Value for Money (equipment, safety, and pricing vs. competitors)
• Breaking New Ground (technology and design innovation)
• Built Tough (strength for off-road and heavy loads)
• Doing the Job (practicality for towing, family use, and daily tasks)
• Bushability (off-road features like tyres, range, and protection)

Each category is scored out of 10, for a total of 50 points. The Musso Ultimate earned an impressive 30/50, outperforming rivals such as the Toyota HiLux SR5+, Isuzu D-MAX XTerrain, Mazda BT-50 GT, and LDV Terron 9 Origin.

Why the Musso Won

Judges praised the Musso for delivering "more substance in equipment, comfort, capability, and affordability" than its competitors, despite its established platform. At just $51,550 driveaway, it offers unbeatable bang-for-buck in the sub-$60K category.

Key highlights include:

• Premium Cabin Comfort: Spacious interior with leather-look upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear outers, dual 12.3-inch screens, 3D 360° camera, powered sunroof, and TPMS.
• Proven Powertrain: 2.2L turbo-diesel engine (133kW/400Nm) with a smooth 6-speed Aisin automatic and part-time 4x4 system (high/low range).
• Towing Prowess: 3,500kg braked capacity and 6,480kg GCM—ideal for workhorses and weekend warriors. During testing with a 2,000kg trailer, it achieved impressive fuel efficiency of around 12L/100km, even under load.

As towing specialist Tim Van Duyl noted: “The Musso was one of the most efficient for fuel use when towing. I saw around 12L/100km on our loop.” This win positions the Musso as a reliable, well-rounded choice for families, tradies, and adventurers alike.