Tradies Reviews

It's a big deal when a new-generation Isuzu N Series truck launches and after 16 years, it's finally here. We test the new model to determine if it's better than its truck rivals, but also to see if it's a better buy than a ute.

The ST is the second model in the new Nissan Navara range and starts from $56,765, before on-road costs, and includes basics like an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen across the range with digital radio as well as (wired) Android Auto and (wireless) Apple CarPlay.It also gains alloy wheels, auto-folding mirrors, a leather-accented steering wheel and floor carpet, USB ports in the second row for charging, so it’s probably the minimum grade you’d want if you’re ever going to have kids in the back.Its 150kW/470Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels or all four depending on 4WD settings.From the Navara’s 75L diesel tank, the 7.7L/100km consumption figure theoretically means you should be able to drive more than 900km. But that’s in perfect lab-like conditions.The overall tub is 1555mm long, 1545mm wide, and 525mm tall, but the distance of 1135mm between wheel arches in the tub means it won’t fit an Australian pallet, but a Euro one will fit fine. The Triton’s maximum five-star ANCAP rating applies to the Navara, which has the same eight airbags, surround-view camera, forward collision warning and AEB, front- and rear-cross traffic alert, driver monitoring and traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors and trailer sway control.Nissan’s 10-year/300,000km warranty only applies if you service with Nissan, otherwise it’s five years and unlimited kilometres. Five years' of flat-price servicing at $499 per visit is also included, with intervals at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.Roadside assist is also free for a decade if you service with Nissan, or a year otherwise.

The 2026 Ford F-150 XLT is the entry-level version of this locally converted pick-up line-up in Australia.Now priced from $114,950 before on-road costs, it’s $8000 more than it was pre-update. The short- and long-wheelbase versions are now priced the same.The F-150 XLT is still cheaper than all versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra, though Ram is still offering V8-powered versions of the 1500 for less.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the XLT offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 853kg and 878kg, depending on the variant.With this update, the XLT now receives a considerably higher level of standard specification. New inclusions are LED headlights and tail-lights, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.This is above and beyond other highlights like 20-inch alloy wheels, a spray-in bedliner, seven-speaker sound system, fold-out centre console, column-mounted gear selector, power-adjustable foot pedals, fabric upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 10-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

The new 2026 Nissan Navara is based almost entirely on the Mitsubishi Triton, but with altered suspension from Australian firm Premcar.The base SL starts from $53,348, before on-road costs, and includes basics like an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen across the range with digital radio as well as (wired) Android Auto and (wireless) Apple CarPlay.Its 150kW/470Nm four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels or all four depending on 4WD settings.From the Navara’s 75L diesel tank, the 7.7L/100km consumption claim from Nissan means you should be able to drive more than 900km theoretically. Allow for shorter distances in the real world.Crucially, the distance of 1135mm between wheel arches in the tub means it won’t fit an Australian pallet, but a Euro one will fit fine. The overall tub is 1555mm long, 1545mm wide, and 525mm tall.The new Navara inherits the Triton’s maximum five-star ANCAP rating, which was tested in 2024, thanks to eight airbags and a list of safety kit including a surround-view camera, forward collision warning and AEB, front and rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring and traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors and trailer sway control.Nissan’s 10-year/300,000km warranty is fantastic but applies only if you service with Nissan. It’s five years with no kilometre limit otherwise. There’s five years' of flat-price servicing at $499 per visit, every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.Roadside assist is also free for a decade if you service with Nissan, or a year otherwise.

After three years, plus numerous recalls and stop-sales, Ford has finally launched an update for its biggest model in Australia, the F-150. There's now more standard kit plus a new flagship trim, but does it do enough to shake its reputation?

Nissan’s new Navara lands about a year after the Triton it’s based on, but some extra local engineering work on the ute sees the brand calling the D27 generation of this model more suited to Australia. We head to its local launch in Canberra to see if that really is the case.

Toyota claims the latest HiLux is a 'new generation' of its iconic hay-hauler, but is there enough that's genuinely 'new' to ensure it remains one of Australia's two top-selling utes?

The Iveco Daily 42S van is the new entry-level variant of the European designed van. With a separate body of a ladder chassis and truck-derived mechanicals, it represents a hardcore workhorse than can still be driven on a standard car license in Australia.The Daily 42S seats three and features a cargo barrier between the cabin and cargo area. Two wheelbases are available, as well as two overall lengths, and payloads varying from 1741 to 1872kg. Single rear wheels mean the 42S can accommodate a standard pallet between the wheel arches.Suspension is by torsion bars at the front and leaf springs at the rear, and power comes from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.Standard equipment includes climate-control air-conditioning, a tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, wireless phone charging, wireless connectivity and cruise control. But the seats are cloth, the floor coverings are vinyl and the wheels are steel as testament to the van's truck heritage.The cargo area is bare steel, but well thought out and includes 10 tie-down points in the floor, three LED lights and dual rear doors that open wide. A single side door is standard but a second side door can be added.Safety has been given a big shot in the arm with this upgrade, but still really only brings the Iveco into line with the bulk of the competition. But you do now get autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert and assistance. There are four airbags including side-curtain bags.Iveco's warranty is a long one at six years/250,000km and service intervals are especially impressive at two years or 50,000km.

While our love affair with dual-cab utes isn't about to hit the skids any time soon, many who use such vehicles to their fullest are also discovering the charm of light trucks and vans. With tougher engineering, these vehicles make sense for operators who routinely skirt the borders of payload legality in a dual-cab. They're not for everyone, but vans like the Iveco Daily are a real alternative.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter offers a big payload rating with zero tailpipe emissions, but is that enough to win favour with buyers given its limited driving range and six-figure price tag?