Tradies Reviews

Ford Ranger 2023 review: Raptor - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 25 Jul 2023

We know Ford's Ranger Raptor dual cab ute is all about peak performance off-road, but how does it stack up as a hard-working load carrier? We've lived with it as a daily driver for a week and put it to the load test to find out.

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Ford E-Transit 2023 review: 420L BEV Mid Roof - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 21 Jul 2023

If you're running a commercial fleet of hard-working vans it's possibly time to weight up the pros and cons of switching from internal-combustion to pure electric. We've tested Ford's E-Transit EV van across a range of conditions (including heavily laden) to see how it stacks up on performance, range, energy consumption and maintenance costs.

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Volkswagen Amarok 2023 review: Core & Life

By Andrew Chesterton · 27 Jun 2023

Sure, top-spec utes are great, but what if you don't have a pile of money so high you'd need a 4WD dual-cab to climb over it? Volkswagen reckons its Core and Life models are the answer, offering the cheapest way into the Amarok range, and plenty of bang for your bucks. But which is best? We put the Amarok Core and Amarok Life to the test to find out.

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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2023 review: 419 LWB Panel Van - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 31 May 2023

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a popular option in the heavy commercial van segment for close to 30 years, during which time a raft of new keenly-priced and well-specified competitors have arrived to challenge it. Does this latest, third-generation version do enough to hold them at bay?

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Hyundai Staria Load 2023 review: Premium

By Tom White · 29 May 2023

Hyundai's Staria Load makes the case for a van that offers the specs to take on the dominant HiAce along with cool styling, high safety, and the luxuries of a passenger car. Can it really do it all?

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Toyota HiLux 2023 review: SR5+ - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 18 May 2023

It's been eight years since the eighth-gen HiLux landed in Australian showrooms, and it is the country's favourite vehicle - by sales. But newer rivals like the Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max have taken a bite out f its market share in recent years. How does the dual-cab HiLux stack up in 2023?

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Volkswagen Amarok 2023 review

By Byron Mathioudakis · 11 May 2023

The original VW Amarok changed the ute, pushing out refinement and drivability boundaries. The new version is based on the Australian designed and engineered Ford Ranger, and shares its underpinnings, most powertrains, safety systems and structure. But the VW features its own look inside and out, as well as unique driving tunes and specification, to create an unexpectedly different experience.

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Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 2023 review: Petrol - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 04 May 2023

Despite competition from a couple of well-credentialled competitors, in the shape of the Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo, VW's Caddy continues to dominate the small light-commercial van category. Is this on-going sales success deserved? Mark Oastler has loaded it up and taken to the hills in a TradieGuide test to find out.

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Ram 1500 TRX 2023 review: GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 19 Apr 2023

You think the Ford Ranger Raptor's 'tuff', well think about the Ford F-150 Raptor in the USA, with 335kW, a five-link rear suspension and Fox Racing Shox all around. RAM did, and created the 1500 TRX to comprehensively out-muscle it. T-Rex tops Raptor, right? We've driven it, and loaded it up, on local soil. Read on to see how this monster performs.

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Mazda BT-50 2023 review: XTR LE

By Mark Oastler · 03 Apr 2023

Mazda's BT-50 ute competes in one of the Australian new car market's hottest segments against the all-conquering Ford Ranger, evergreen Toyota HiLux, and many more. Can a new premium XTR LE grade zoom zoom a few more 4x4 ute buyers Mazda's way?

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