19 April 2022 by Mark Oastler
The latest generation of Mazda’s workhorse has clearly benefitted from the company’s joint venture with truck manufacturer Isuzu, resulting in the BT-50 sharing the latest D-Max ute’s rugged 4x2 and 4x4 underpinnings and body hard-points. The only major differences between these two are exterior...Read more
21 March 2022 by Mark Oastler
Isuzu’s popular RG range of D-Max 4x4 dual cab utes comprises four model grades which ascend from the work-focused SX to the better-equipped LS-M, more upmarket LS-U and premium X-Terrain. Road test reviews often focus on entry-level and top-shelf models. So, we thought it timely to have look at...Read more
2 March 2022 by Mark Oastler
The Toyota HiLux partly owes its enviable status as Australia’s most popular ute to its long-standing dominance of 4x2 sales, which mostly attract ABN-armed tradies and fleet buyers chasing rugged no-frills workhorses with low purchase and operating costs combined with strong resale values. In...Read more
23 February 2022 by Mark Oastler
When the current HiAce was launched in 2019, it was a no-brainer that this sixth-generation model would continue - or probably increase - Toyota’s long-standing dominance of Australia’s mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van market. The latest VFACTS industry figures for January 2022 confirm...Read more
2 February 2022 by Mark Oastler
Ford’s desert racing-inspired Ranger Raptor was clearly the catalyst for Nissan Australia to create a tougher and more specialised ‘Warrior’ version of its D23 Navara. However, unlike the Raptor which is designed and developed in-house by Ford, Nissan has partnered with Melbourne-based OEM...Read more
18 January 2022 by Mark Oastler
Volkswagen’s Caddy has for many years dominated Australia’s under-2.5 tonne GVM small van class. In 2020 its leadership was emphatic, commanding more than 70 per cent of sales in this light commercial vehicle segment. The mid-2021 release of a fifth generation Caddy , logically called Caddy 5, was...Read more
28 December 2021 by Mark Oastler
Up to the end of November the Toyota HiLux 4x4 was outsold by Ford’s Ranger 4x4 in 2021, but the HiLux continued to maintain top spot in Australian ute sales because of its firm grip on the work-focused 4x2 market, in which it commands an enviable sales share of around 40 per cent. Toyota offers a...Read more
10 December 2021 by Mark Oastler
The Ssangyong Musso 4x4 ute has always been a small-volume player in Australia. However, since adding the XLV long wheelbase/leaf spring variant to its existing short wheelbase/coil-spring offering in 2019, the Korean manufacturer has been increasing its sales foothold. Up to and including November...Read more
15 November 2021 by Matt Campbell
You probably aren’t buying a Ford Ranger Raptor X for hard work. In fact, if you can afford this pick-up truck, you’re likely to be the person who shows up at the worksite to tell employees what to do, rather than schlepping and sweating yourself. That would make sense, as the foreperson of the...Read more
29 October 2021 by Matt Campbell
If you’re considering a Ford Ranger Raptor X, get in quick - this farewell model for the current-generation ute lineup is about to finish up, with an all-new Ranger arriving soon. But if you are in the market for a Raptor X , there are some things you need to know - like, if you’re planning to tow...Read more
15 October 2021 by Matt Campbell
Farewell Hyundai iLoad. Hello Hyundai Staria Load. The Staria Load is the all-new bigger, smarter, safer van that replaces the iLoad commercial box-on-wheels, which was on sale in Australia for 14 years. As you'd expect, there's a lot of progress to be had in that many years, and the new Staria...Read more
26 September 2021 by Marcus Craft
This is the Ford Transit Custom Sport 320L double cab in van (DCiV). As well as its load space, this van has a total of five seats in its cabin, so it has cargo- and passenger-carrying capability. But how does it perform towing an almost 1800kg cherry picker? Read on. Explore the Transit Custom...Read more
22 September 2021 by Matt Campbell
You might have seen our other coverage of the Ford Ranger FX4 Max - the gap-filler between the regular Ranger line-up and the desirable Raptor X flagship. It takes some of the stuff we love about the existing Raptor - namely the powertrain, Fox Shocks and wheel-tyre package - but comes in...Read more
7 September 2021 by Mark Oastler
The VW Amarok launched in 2010 has never posed a threat to the sales dominance of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in local 4x4 ute sales, even though it has some excellent design qualities and is still one of the best to drive. With VW joining forces with Ford in joint development of the next...Read more
26 August 2021 by Marcus Craft
The Ford Transit is a light commercial vehicle that has always had a good reputation as a work van. The Custom Sport 320S* is a nice looking variant in the Transit line-up that builds on the range's rep. (* In this case, the ‘320’ stands for 3200kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) – even though this...Read more
17 August 2021 by Mark Oastler
RAM Trucks Australia’s success in carving out a small but sustainable niche in the highly competitive 4x4 dual cab ute market with its Texas-sized 1500 Series pickups is due to a number of factors. However, there’s no doubt a pivotal selling point is that it’s the only Fiat Chrysler Automobiles-...Read more
9 August 2021 by Mark Oastler
The MY21 Iveco Daily E6 cab-chassis range competes in the Light Duty (3501-8000kg GVM) segment of Australia’s Heavy Commercial vehicle market, where competition is fierce with a dozen brands and 15 models battling for buyers. The E6 cab-chassis , like its closely-related van sibling recently tested...Read more
26 July 2021 by Marcus Craft
The Ford Transit Custom Sport 320L double cab in van (DCiV) has a load space, but also a total of five seats inside (two upfront and three in the second row). But how does it perform with a decent load onboard? Read on. Read more about the Ford Transit 2020 review: 350L LWB FWD Van GVM test Explore...Read more
19 July 2021 by Mark Oastler
In MY21 guise, the D23 Nissan Navara features fresh styling, big increases in standard safety, minimum one-tonne payload ratings, increased load tub volume across all dual cab variants and a model range simplified to four key grades. Those comprise SL, ST, ST-X and the new top-shelf PRO-4X, which...Read more
