Tradies Reviews

Nissan Navara 2023 review: SL Warrior - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 20 Mar 2023

Nissan Australia scored a hit with its locally enhanced Navara Warrior PRO-4X. Now it's offering a more affordable version that keeps all the hardcore stuff and trims away some of the fancy bits around the edges - the Navara SL Warrior.

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Ford Transit Custom 2023 review: Sport 320S SWB - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 07 Mar 2023

The current version of Ford's Transit Custom may be coming to the end of its life, with a new generation model due late this year, but the Blue Oval hasn't been sitting on its hands. The Sport version has been on the receiving end of ongoing upgrades to safety and standard specification. So, how does it stack up against the light commercial van competition?

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Toyota HiAce 2023 review: LWB turbo-diesel

By Mark Oastler · 21 Feb 2023

Despite the emergence of new competitors in recent years, Toyota's HiAce van remains the go-to workhorse for thousands of Aussie businesses. After a long gestation period rear barn doors are now offered as part of the package. Do they make a big difference?

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Mitsubishi Triton 2023 review: GLS - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 23 Nov 2022

For many years the Mitsubishi Triton has maintained a solid foothold in the local 4x4 dual cab ute market as Australia's third-highest seller behind the dominant Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

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Toyota HiLux 2023 review: Rogue - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 25 Oct 2022

In 2018 Toyota Australia launched three 'halo' variants of its HiLux dual cab 4x4 ute comprising Rugged, Rogue and top-shelf Rugged X. Although the Rugged had an early departure due to slow sales, the 'urban adventurer' Rogue and 'hardcore off-road' Rugged X have proven popular with premium-grade HiLux buyers, finding more than 17,000 homes.

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GWM Ute 2023 review: Cannon-X

By Mark Oastler · 19 Oct 2022

The badgework for Great Wall Motors' Cannon range is a confusing mix of the GWM acronym used in export markets and the letter 'P' displayed on the grille and other places which symbolises its domestic brand name Poer.

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Ford Ranger 2023 review: XLT V6 - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 04 Oct 2022

When the all-new T6 Ford Ranger was released in 2011, Ford made sure its big bruiser was never short of grunt. The premium engine choice at launch was a punchy 3.2-litre inline five-cylinder turbo-diesel with 147kW/470Nm, soon followed by a new Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder which literally 'boosted' power output to 157kW/500Nm.

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Isuzu N-Series truck 2023 review

By David Morley · 29 Sep 2022

If your payload and towing requirements are moving beyond the abilities of a conventional ute, maybe it's time to think about a light truck. We've been steering the Isuzu N-Series to get a feel for how it stacks up in terms of value, comfort, ease-of-use, and more.

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Peugeot Expert 2023 review: Pro - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 19 Sep 2022

Mid-sized (2.5 to 3.5-tonne) commercial van buyers have a variety of makes and models to choose from, even though most buy the venerable HiAce. Latest VFACTS figures confirm Toyota's long-standing dominance, as the HiAce commands just under 40 per cent market share with the remainder spread across ten competitors from Europe, China and Korea.

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Jeep Gladiator 2023 review: Rubicon - GVM test

By Mark Oastler · 14 Sep 2022

The Jeep Wrangler-derived Gladiator dual-cab ute launched here in 2020 is primarily designed with serious off-roading in mind. The premium Rubicon model grade is named in honour of the notorious Rubicon Trail in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, which all Jeep models most conquer before they can display the marque's revered Trail-Rated badge.

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