Top Picks for Business: A Comprehensive Review of Fleet Vehicles for 2024

Picking the right vehicle for your fleet is crucial. Make the right choice and you’ll be rewarded with something safe, reliable and cost-effective to operate. Here are some choices you can make when you’re looking for new fleet vehicles in 2024, across the key segments of the market.

Ute: Ford Ranger

It was Australia’s bestselling new vehicle in 2023, but most of those sales were to private buyers as the Toyota HiLux dominated the fleet market for utes. However, with Toyota preparing a new-generation HiLux in the near future, if you’re looking for a reliable, dependable and solid work ute for your fleet, the Ford Ranger is a great choice. Priced from just $36,880 (plus on-road costs) for a XL 2.0 Single Cab Chassis 4x2, it is more expensive than the Toyota HiLux WorkMate, but still good value. And obviously depending on the size of your fleet there are discounts to be had.

Van: Hyundai Staria-Load

One of the key criteria for any fleet operator should be safety and for years, vans have lagged behind the rest of the market in this department. Thankfully this has changed recently, with a number of new commercial vans scoring the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating – including this Hyundai Staria-Load.

While it clearly looks unlike anything else in the segment, it’s not a case of style over substance. The Hyundai offers plenty of cargo volume and a modern cabin, as well as class-leading driving dynamics. In addition, for operators looking for good people-moving capability, the Staria offers comfortable seating for up to eight passengers.

Pricing for the Staria-Load begins at $46,240, while the people-mover options begin at $49,000.

Mid-size SUV: Mitsubishi Outlander

SUVs are all the rage at the moment, with both private buyers and fleets, so no list would be complete without featuring one. There’s plenty to choose from but the Outlander is our pick, thanks to its generous size, five-star safety rating and the ability to purchase one with either a reliable petrol-engine or a fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The petrol-engined models start at a reasonable $37,740, but you’ll pay a premium for the clever plug-in hybrid technology, with those options starting at $57,290.

Small car: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Another major factor any fleet operator needs to consider is fuel efficiency (and making sure they have a Shell Card), which is why the Corolla Hybrid is such a sensible choice. Obviously the Japanese brand is renowned for its reliability, but with the Corolla Hybrid sipping just 4.0-litres per 100km it’s one of the most economical options on the market.

That is especially so when you factor in the upfront costs, which are much lower than switching to an all-electric option. The Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid hatch starts at $32,110, or you can get the hybrid sedan from $32,320.

Electric car: Polestar 2

For fleets looking to cut their emissions, the obvious choice is to make the switch to an electric car. Obviously that will come at a price, with most EVs carrying a heavy premium over their petrol-powered counterparts. However, there are some good choices if you’re willing to pay. On the flip side, EVs are very simple to run and maintain, so your operating costs should be reduced.

The Polestar 2 is already a popular choice with fleet operators, thanks to its ability to drive for up to 532km with the standard battery and up to 654km with the larger battery pack. Pricing for these models begins at $67,400 for the Single Motor and $71,400 for the Long Range Single Motor.

In the world of fleet management, the choices made regarding vehicle selection can impact the success of a business. Ultimately, the direction taken is in your hands, and by carefully selecting the right vehicles for your fleet, it can pave the way for efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility in your business endeavours.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}