Articles by Marcus Craft

Marcus Craft

Contributing Journalist

Raised by dingoes and, later, nuns, Marcus (aka ‘Crafty’) had his first taste of adventure as a cheeky toddler on family 4WD trips to secret fishing spots near Bundaberg, Queensland. He has since worked as a journalist for more than 20 years in Australia, London and Cape Town and has been an automotive journalist for 18 years.

This bloke has driven and camped throughout much of Australia – for work and play – and has written yarns for pretty much every mag you can think of.

The former editor of 4X4 Australia magazine, Marcus is one of the country’s most respected vehicle reviewers and off-road adventure travel writers.

Forgotten ute favourites!

By Marcus Craft · 08 Oct 2023

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Australian ute market only consists of about four models because the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton tend to get the majority of the headlines and press coverage.

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Is the Toyota HiLux still 'unbreakable'?

By Marcus Craft · 01 Oct 2023

Toyota's HiLux is one of the most popular utes in the world. Remote-area workers, mining staff, farmers and tradies punish these utes every day in tough, sometimes atrocious conditions – they're even used extensively in war zones around the world – and the HiLux remains the go-to light-commercial utility for those who need a work truck capable of enduring the worst anyone can throw at it and yet s

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The new Pajero Sport has a lot going for it

By Marcus Craft · 24 Sep 2023

Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport is a good honest vehicle without ever being over the top.

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GWM Ute Cannon 2024 review: XSR - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 19 Sep 2023

The 2024 GWM Cannon XSR is the carmaker's top-spec ute.This special edition, off-road-focussed vehicle has a range of visual and mechanical extras, including all-terrain tyres, front differential lock, as well as an upgraded 4WD traction system.The XSR has part-time 4WD (with 2WD high-range, 4WD high-range and 4WD low-range), rather than full-time 4WD, which is on lower-spec GWM utes.

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Incoming 4WDs threaten Jeep's position

By Marcus Craft · 17 Sep 2023

For a few years now, Jeep's foothold in Australia has been slipping.

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Off-road capable machines from the showroom

By Marcus Craft · 16 Sep 2023

There are quite a few great off-roaders available as standard that could handle a rough bush trip even if you were to drive them directly out of the showroom and into the bush after purchase – think the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, the Land Rover Defender or even something as fun and as impractical as the Suzuki Jimny.

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The Ford Ranger Raptor not worth the hype

By Marcus Craft · 10 Sep 2023

The launch of Ford’s latest-generation Ranger Raptor in September 2022 was greeted with a level of wild exuberance the likes of which I’ve never witnessed before.

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Why light trucks make the best 4WDs

By Marcus Craft · 03 Sep 2023

Your next off-road adventure machine should be a truck.

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Mahindra Scorpio 2024 review: Z8L - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 02 Sep 2023

Mahindra is better known for its agricultural machinery than its mainstream vehicles, but the Indian carmaker is hoping its Scorpio will change all that.This proper 4WD wagon has, on paper at least, a lot of appealing characteristics, including six seats, a low-range transfer case, an automatic rear diff lock and plenty of standard features for a price-tag at just over $45 grand.

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Aussies lead the way for 4x4 parts

By Marcus Craft · 27 Aug 2023

Companies such as ARB, Ironman 4X4, and TJM set the gold standard for 4WD aftermarket equipment and fitment long ago, and a stack of other newer Aussie aftermarket mobs are gaining recognition and bush-cred on the world stage as well.

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