Popular utes score bad marks in real-world vehicle test

While six out of the 15 vehicles used less or as much fuel as promised, nine vehicles consumed more petrol or diesel on the road, with one exceeding its estimate by seven per cent. 

Alarmingly, four of the vehicles tested also produced more harmful emissions than allowed in lab tests. 

The results come one year after the motoring body launched the $14 million Real-World Testing Program, which was funded by the federal government and designed to analyse up to 200 vehicles over four years. 

Three of the country's top-selling utes were driven on roads around Geelong, Victoria, in the latest testing and all used more diesel than estimated and produced more nitrogen oxide than allowed in lab tests. 

The current model Ford Ranger 4x4 ute exceeded the NOx lab limit by 26 per cent, while the Isuzu D-Max 4x2 ute from 2023 and 4x4 ute from 2024 exceeded the limit by more than 50 per cent.

Both Isuzu utes produced more than triple the nitrogen oxide that will be allowed under guidelines to be introduced in December 2025. 

The road tests also showed Toyota's Corolla Cross hybrid vehicle used seven per cent more fuel than lab tests indicated and its Kluger hybrid SUV exceeded fuel estimates by four per cent.

Four of the vehicles tested were also shown to be producing more harmful emissions than allowed. (AP PHOTO)

The news was better for Audi's Q3, Hyundai's Tucson, and Kia's Carnival people-mover, however, as all three used less fuel than promised. 

The latest data brings the AAA's vehicle tests to 58 in its first year, and managing director Michael Bradley said the results proved testing needed to be undertaken.

He said 21 of the vehicles analysed produced more pollution than allowed in lab tests and one exceeded its fuel consumption estimate by 31 per cent. 

"We can now say with confidence that while some vehicles produce fuel consumption and emissions in line with lab tests reported by car makers, many do not," he said.

"The results raise a question for regulators about whether car dealerships should be required to reveal real-world testing results to consumers at (the) point of sale."

Mr Bradley said Australian motorists who relied on lab tests for guidance could end up paying more to run their vehicles, and urged consumers to compare the on-road test results before making a purchase. 

"Real-world testing will drive down demand for models that over-promise and under-deliver while improving affordability for Australians," he said. 

Vehicles in the program are tested on a 93km route through urban streets, rural roads and motorways based on guidelines used in Europe. 

The testing program followed a 2015 scandal in which Volkswagen evaded emission tests using software that recognised when its vehicles were used in labs.