2024 Fuso Canter 616T City Tipper review

As work loads increase, is your ute still up to the task? We check out the capability of the Fuso Canter 616T City Tipper

For many tradespeople and contractors, the trusty ute has been the go-to work vehicle. It’s versatile, familiar, and easy to drive, often doubling as a personal car when needed.

But as workloads increase and the demands of the job grow heavier, at what point does a ute simply not cut it?

It is a big discussion and one that has become problematic, particularly for our friends across the Tasman.

They’ve developed a habit of loading their Rangers and Hiluxes to the gunwales with work bodies and tools, to the point that a substantial industry has sprung up offering Gross Vehicle Mass upgrades.

Such firms modify vehicles to a higher specification to carry a bigger load. Ford Australia has even announced it will be building a bigger, tougher Ford Ranger Super Duty to combat this problem.

New Zealand tradies, fleets, and those who tow heavy loads face a familiar conundrum: “Sure, my ute can tow a 3500kg trailer, but can I carry any tools or people as well?”

For many, the smart answer is simple: buy a truck. Heavy-duty, built and rated for the work. But what is the crossover point, and what are the compromises you face? We took the Fuso Canter 616T tipper out for a drive to consider the issue.

Light-Duty Truck with Big Advantages

Fuso pitches the Canter 616T as a light-duty truck that offers significant advantages over a traditional ute while remaining accessible to drivers with a standard Class 1 licence.

That means it has a GVM of 5995kg, with a Gross Combined Mass (GCM)—including a trailer—of 9500kg.

Why Consider a Light Truck?

The tipping point – pun intended – between a ute and a light truck often comes down to payload and practicality. While mid-size utes like the Ford Ranger XL Single Cab 4×4 are capable workhorses, their payload capacities max out at around the 1300kg mark, with double-cab options usually closer to 1000kg. 

The Fuso Canter 616T, on the other hand, can carry 3300kg in its factory-fitted ShinMaywa tipper body. This significant increase means fewer trips, reduced risk of overloading, and compliance with safety regulations, a critical factor in today’s workplace.

That number isn’t entirely accurate, as you need to account for the weight of the driver, passengers, and anything above 10 litres of fuel. But even with these considerations, you’re able to tote roughly three times as much a double-cab ute.

The Canter also matches the best utes in towing capacity, for it’s rated to haul 3500kg. However, the Canter maintains this capacity even at full payload, a feat the ute cannot achieve.

Breach a combined 6000kg weight between the vehicle and trailer, though, and you’ll need a Class 2 licence, but the same applies to light commercials.

For operators who frequently tow heavy trailers while carrying substantial loads, the Canter is a clear winner.

Built for Tough Jobs

The key to carrying the load lies beneath and it is hefty. The steel chassis proudly on display makes the typical ute underpinnings look spindly. The giant girders at its core run through most of the truck’s 4.7m length.

This robust construction supports the ShinMaywa tipper body, which has a 2m³ capacity and a 55-degree tipping angle.

Combined with its hydraulic tipping mechanism, powered by a cab-mounted ‘Power-Take-Off’ control lever, the Canter makes unloading quick and efficient, whether you’re moving gravel, soil, or waste.

The suspension system reflects the Canter’s work-first ethos. With multi-leaf springs, a stabiliser bar, and double-acting shock absorbers, it handles heavy loads with ease.

For added safety and performance, the Canter features front and rear disc brakes, gripped by two-piston calipers, and a suite of modern braking aids, including ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and an exhaust brake.

Solid it is; comfortable not quite so much. You sit over the front axle and will feel significant bumps in the road. A lower-rated 515 model with independent front suspension is available, and if you don’t need the carrying capacity of the 616, it’s worth considering.

The ride isn’t bad in context; I’ve driven light trucks with jarring rides and this isn’t one of them. A load goes a long way in smoothing things out, something evident in the nose-down attitude of empty trucks like this.

The steering isn’t the sharpest either, but it’s light and easy to twirl, with a stunning 10.2-metre turning circle. The brakes are exceptional, and the lever-actuated exhaust brake makes steep declines a breeze.

Under the Hood

The Canter is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 110kW of power and 370Nm of torque. Torque delivery arrives early in the rev range, ensuring plenty of grunt for heavy loads from a standstill or climbing steep inclines.

It’s also relatively quiet, considering it’s partially under your seat. The engine’s Euro V compliance aligns with modern emissions standards, balancing performance and environmental responsibility.

Fuel consumption is higher than most of the ute market, by our measurement, around 13 litres per 100km, the price you pay for capability.

Driving Made Easy

A key feature of the Fuso Canter 616T is its six-speed Duonic dual-clutch transmission. Fuso claims it offers the ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual. This transmission smooths the transition for drivers accustomed to cars or utes.

The two-pedal set-up is a major draw for businesses, allowing a broader range of employees to operate the vehicle without requiring manual transmission training.

However, don’t expect it to be as slick as a car’s dual-clutch system. It’s slower, likely prioritising durability, and can get caught out on slow uphill crawls. That said, it’s easy to shift manually when needed.

Working on a muddy site? While the Canter isn’t four-wheel drive, its mechanical limited-slip differential helps with traction on muddy or uneven ground, an area where electronic systems in utes often struggle under load.

Round-Town Comfort

Despite its rugged design, the Canter doesn’t skimp on driver and passenger comfort. The cab’s practical layout includes features such as dual overhead storage bins, in-dash document storage, a lockable glove box, and Bluetooth connectivity via the eight-inch multimedia touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, catering to modern business needs.

This is no “flash Harry,” with simple upholstery, hard-wearing plastics, and big, chunky buttons designed for operation with gloves. It’s simple, functional, and effective.

The seats are upright but sufficiently padded. My only qualm was the pedal height, which could be fatiguing on long drives, a problem solved for me by cruise control.

From a safety perspective, the Canter offers some driver assistance features including stability control, AEBS collision active braking and a lane departure warning system.

The Canter’s ECE R-29-compliant cab provides reinforced construction for added protection. The driver benefits from an airbag, a three-point seatbelt, and adjustable lumbar support.

The outside passenger gets a three-point seatbelt and airbag, though we’d avoid the centre seat in the 616, which features a lap belt and no airbag.

A ute will undoubtedly be more comfortable and, on paper, safer. However, for handling larger loads, the truck has the edge in safety.

Long-Service Reliability

For businesses where uptime is critical, the Canter’s 30,000km service intervals represent a cost-effective approach to maintenance.

Backed by a three-year, 100,000km warranty, it’s built to keep working with minimal downtime. This compares favourably to utes, which generally require servicing every 15,000km.

Durability is another standout feature. A quick browse on Trade Me reveals plenty of these light trucks that have clocked up “moonbeam distances.” They’re built to a much tougher grade than passenger-focused utes.

Price and Range Options

The Canter 616T tipper retails at $70k plus GST but current promotional pricing has it at just $52,990 (ex GST), aligning it with the cost of a low-to-mid-spec Japanese ute.

If the 616 isn’t the right fit, Fuso offers a range of Canter models, including the 918 Wide Cab Extra Long Wheelbase with a GCM of over 12,000kg and crew cab versions with seating for up to seven. 

My pick of the range? The 716E 4WD crew cab. This off-road monster offers room for the whole team and strikes a balance between capability and utility.

Is It Time to Move Up?

The decision to upgrade from a ute to a light truck like the Fuso Canter 616T City Tipper depends on workload and practicality.

For light loads, occasional towing, or mixed personal and work use, a ute remains a versatile and economical choice.

However, when the job demands higher payloads, reliable towing under full load, and durability across tough conditions, the Canter steps in to fill the gap.  

This article first appeared in the December/January 2025 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.