1 May 2024 by Andrew Chesterton
For some strange reason, the Isuzu D-Max isn't often mentioned on the list of Australia's most popular vehicles. You hear all about the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux , of course. And you hear about the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid , the Tesla Model Y and a handful of others, too. But let's give the D-Max...Read more
3 April 2024 by Mark Oastler
The XSR may not be a class-leader in payloads or tow ratings, yet it still offers a set of numbers that for many owners (including hard-working tradies, of course) are more than adequate for many load-carrying and towing tasks. With its 2220kg kerb weight, the off-road-armoured XSR is not...Read more
22 March 2024 by Mark Oastler
The iconic 70 Series LandCruiser was introduced in 1985 and, during almost four decades of continuous production, has been the vehicle of choice for the farming, mining and agricultural sectors as well as a favourite of off-road enthusiasts. During that long evolution, Toyota has been careful not...Read more
14 March 2024 by David Morley
Maybe you've seen the TV and magazine adverts suggesting that only an American-made, full-size pick-up is the real deal, and that the rest of the dual-cab ute offerings are mere toys. Well, maybe this is the vehicle that makes even those other US pick-ups look a bit, um, underdone; a bit light on,...Read more
11 March 2024 by Mark Oastler
Value for money Australia’s 4x4 dual cab ute market is arguably the most diverse and competitive in the world, with a dozen rivals competing for buyers in the up-to- 3.5-tonne towing division, plus another three (soon to be four) in the full-size US pick-up class with its 4.5-tonne tow ratings. As...Read more
1 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton
Mitsubishi reckons the Triton deserves to be the third best-selling ute in the Australian market. In fact, it thinks it deserves to be challenging the Ranger and HiLux for out-and-out dual-cab supremacy, but how about we start with third place and see where we go from there, hey? Third place, of...Read more
26 February 2024 by Mark Oastler
A foreign visitor could be excused for thinking Australia was on its way to becoming the 51st state of the USA, judging by our national carpark. Not only have Aussies adopted one-tonne dual-cab utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in ever-increasing numbers, but full-size American pick-ups,...Read more
9 February 2024 by Mark Oastler
Numerous commercial van manufacturers are adding battery-electric vehicle (BEV) variants to their model line-ups. Anecdotal evidence suggests these vehicles are best suited to city and suburban fleet duties, in which they cover short-loop daily driving distances that are comfortably within a...Read more
15 January 2024 by Mark Oastler
The 4x2 segment of Australia’s light commercial vehicle market is where you’ll find utes primarily designed for hard yakka. These base-model workhorses come in a variety of body types including single cab, extra cab, dual cab, ute or cab chassis. Buyers are typically government and commercial...Read more
15 December 2023 by Mark Oastler
If Oscar Wilde was correct in claiming that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Ford should be blushing. Its audacious decision to create the Ranger Raptor, an extreme performance version of the local hero, with unique body, chassis, suspension and engine enhancements inspired by...Read more
5 December 2023 by Mark Oastler
Towing with the D-Max SX 1.9 4x2 Given its robust performance during last month's GVM test, with more than one tonne of payload, we were keen to see if our D-Max was equally proficient with a trailer in tow during our third and final month of ownership. Towing is an essential requirement for any...Read more
1 November 2023 by Mark Oastler
Ford has identified a gap in its local line-up it needed to fill, by offering a more off-road-focused version of the Ranger Wildtrak called the Wildtrak X. This model name was used in the original T6 Ranger generation so it's been dusted off for a second run. The X is designed for customers who...Read more
26 October 2023 by Mark Oastler
Our 4x2 D-Max dual cab-chassis, with 1.9-litre turbo-diesel, has a payload rating that’s 80kg higher than its 3.0-litre equivalent. That may seem illogical, given that the 3.0-litre engine has 30kW more power and 100Nm more torque. However, it all comes down to tare weights, or what these vehicles...Read more
13 October 2023 by Mark Oastler
In 2023 Peugeot commands around 50 per cent of sales in Australia’s small (under 2.5-tonne GVM) commercial van segment with its Partner range, which offers a choice of wheelbase lengths and model grades. The French marque has recently introduced its first fully electric variant to the Australian...Read more
10 October 2023 by David Morley
Economists must be wide-eyed watching the American-made, full-sized pick-up market in Australia. Against a backdrop of the highest interest rates we’ve seen for years, a pitiful exchange rate with the US-dollar, the most expensive fuel prices we’ve ever seen, the environment claiming a front seat...Read more
27 September 2023 by Mark Oastler
For many tradies a one tonne cab-chassis ute will do the job. However, if you need much greater load space and much higher GVM and GCM ratings, the obvious solution is to upgrade to a cab-chassis that competes in the Light Duty (3501-8000kg GVM) segment of the Heavy Commercial vehicle market. One...Read more
25 September 2023 by Mark Oastler
At the tradesmen’s entrance to Australia’s booming light commercial vehicle market, you’ll find utes that are primarily designed for work. With minimal standard equipment to keep a lid on costs, they are characterised by steel wheels, vinyl floors, hardy interiors and fridge white paint. Cab-...Read more
11 September 2023 by Mark Oastler
Iveco has recently refreshed its popular Daily E6 range of van and cab-chassis commercials, heralding numerous upgrades in styling, driver comfort, steering, active safety and ownership costs. We recently spent a week aboard one of the Italian manufacturer’s latest van offerings, which competes in...Read more
1 September 2023 by Stephen Ottley
Is this the car Ford Australia is crying out for? It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves from afar ever since the Maverick first appeared in the USA in 2021. In simple terms this is an SUV disguised as a ute, or if you prefer to look at it another way, a ute designed for the urban environment...Read more