Pick-ups vs cab chassis: Understanding Utes

There’s often confusion around the terms ute, pick-up, and cab chassis, with many Australians often referring to only pick-ups as ‘utes’. And while that’s not technically wrong - the word ‘ute’ (short for utility vehicle) is an umbrella term that can refer to both pick-ups and cab chassis models.

Both vehicle types are designed to carry passengers and cargo, but pick-ups are often preferred by lifestyle users while cab chassis utes are usually more ideal for commercial purposes. The distinctions between these two types are important, especially when choosing the right vehicle for your work or lifestyle needs.

To help you decide, we’ve broken down the key differences and benefits between pick-up vs cab chassis vehicles.

• What is a pick-up?

• Benefits of a pick-up?

• What is a cab chassis?

• Single vs dual cab chassis

• Benefits of a cab chassis

• The Kia Tasman line-up: Choose your pick-up or cab chassis

One of the most appealing features of a pick-up is its convenience – it is fully equipped with a factory-fitted cargo bed that forms part of the vehicle’s original body structure and provides a clean and cohesive appearance.

For drivers who are not after specialised modifications for trade or commercial purposes, pick-ups offer immediate functionality with minimal fuss and without compromising the vehicle’s aesthetics.

Pick-ups benefit from a wide range of manufacturer-designed accessories that can enhance the security and usability of the rear tub area. These can include the following:

• • Canopies - extend the rear tub’s carrying capacity while securing your cargo from the elements and potential theft.
• • Tonneau covers and roller shutters - enhance the cargo bed’s utility while offering sleek, weather-resistant protection.
• • Sports bars - add bold sport styling while enhancing your pick-up’s utility and rugged appeal.
• • Tub racks and roof platform kits - boost your ute’s carrying capacity for ladders, pipes, timber and/or oversized cargo.

Pick-ups are particularly well suited to drivers who lead active, outdoor oriented lifestyles, and desire the flexibility to transition seamlessly between workdays and weekends. The integrated tub can store all your tools of trade as well as carry camping gear, bikes, surfboards, or even pets - as long as they are restrained and/or travel in an enclosed space.

Dual cab pick-ups also feature a full rear bench seat that can comfortably transport multiple passengers. For tradies who want something suitable for family life or leisure, pick-ups deliver comfort without sacrificing practicality.

A cab chassis is a type of ute that comes with the cabin at the front pre-installed but no factory-fitted rear tub - instead it features a flat, open chassis at the back. This design allows buyers to custom-fit a tray or service body to suit their specific needs, such as toolboxes or extra storage compartments.

Many tradies, fleet operators, and businesses choose cab chassis type vehicles because they can tailor the model to their unique job requirements rather than adapting their work to fit a standard pick-up tray.

Cab chassis utes typically come in two different varieties: single cab and dual cab.

A single cab chassis has two doors and a single row of seats, usually accommodating up to three passengers. It offers maximum tray space and payload capacity, making them the preferred choice for heavy-duty work like trades or agriculture. With the extra space in the rear, single cab models are ideal for carrying large tools, machinery, or harvests, offering maximum utility for those who prioritise load over passenger space.

On the other hand, a dual cab chassis retains a second row of seats with space for up to five occupants, but trades the tub for a flatbed metal tray. The addition of a tray allows for strong load capacity and heavier payloads.

While dual cab variants offer slightly less tray space than single cab models, they strike a balance for those who need to transport both people and equipment.

One of the key benefits of a cab chassis ute is that it starts as a blank canvas, giving owners the freedom to customise a vehicle that suits their exact requirements. Without a pre-installed tub, the flat rear chassis is designed to accommodate a range of tray types including general-purpose alloy, heavy-duty alloy, and heavy-duty steel trays.

This open-ended setup offers unmatched adaptability and is especially valuable for tradespeople and commercial operators who need to carry specific tools and equipment, or require unique storage solutions.

Beyond the tray itself, the cab chassis layout can be outfitted to match almost any trade requirement. It also supports a wide array of practical accessories, including:

• • ladder racks
• • lockable toolboxes
• • under-tray storage
• • water tanks
• • fuel containers, and
• • slide-out drawers.
  
  

This makes them ideal for trade professionals, contractors, or rural users who rely on their vehicle to carry specialised gear. Whether you're managing tools for a job site or outfitting a fleet for business operations, cab chassis utes provide the foundation to build exactly what you need.

Cab chassis utes are purpose-built for demanding trade environments, making them the top choice for professionals who need a reliable, hardworking vehicle day in and day out. The cab chassis trays can open on all sides and are constructed from durable materials that can handle heavy payloads and are resistant to wear and tear from frequent loading and unloading.

Because of their open-ended design, cab chassis models can also handle awkward, oversized loads more easily than pick-ups.

The Dual Cab Pick-up Tasman is ideal for families or individuals who need to balance passenger comfort and cargo practicality. With enough tub space to hold a standard Australian pallet and compatibility with accessories like canopies, roller covers, and roof platforms, it’s a lifestyle-ready ute right from the showroom.

With the same five-seat configuration as the Dual Cab Pick-up, the Dual Cab Chassis Tasman swaps the tub for a tray, maximising load functionality. It’s the preferred choice for professionals who require crew space and tradie-ready capacity, with the flexibility to fit customised trays – available as general purpose alloy, heavy duty alloy and heavy duty steel trays. The steel trays are also available with body colour paint options to match your Tasman.

If payload and tray space are your top priorities, the Single Cab Chassis Tasman is the most focused model in the Tasman line-up. The rear seating is removed in favour of maximum tray length and payload carrying capacity and features the same custom tray options as the Dual Cab Chassis.

Each of the Kia Tasman ute options delivers its own mix of practicality, passenger capacity, and tray flexibility – crafted to meet the diverse needs of Australians. Explore the full range of Kia utes today.

Keen to learn more? For a full breakdown of all types of utes, explore our comprehensive ute guide.