Tradies Reviews

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?

The 4x2 ute market is typically favoured by trade and fleet buyers who prioritise workhorse practicality and sharp pricing over upmarket luxuries, but does the new 2026 Foton Tunland succeed in providing all three?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500 HD range leads the sales race for full-size US pick-ups in Australia but is a recent warranty upgrade enough to keep it at the head of the pack?

The Toyota HiAce has long reigned as the king of mid-sized commercial vans, but are recent upgrades enough to ensure it remains on the throne?

Ford's new Super Duty is born from the demands of its buyers, but can the brand capture that Raptor magic in creating an entirely new dual-cab niche?

Nissan tried but failed with its previous (and maybe last-ever) in-house-developed diesel one-tonne ute, the D23 Navara. For 2026, the "all-new" D27 Navara is a mildly-restyled Mitsubishi (MV) Triton, and might only be Australia/New Zealand-only, for now. But there is one massive difference, and that is the retuned suspension, courtesy of Melbourne's Premcar, that is behind the Warrior series.

Finally, a new HiLux! A vehicle Toyota has been plotting and planning for a decade. And I know what you must be thinking: what the hell were they doing with the other nine-and-a-half years?