Articles by Mark Oastler

VW’s 4x4 Amarok V6, although an excellent performer, has not posed a threat to the sales dominance of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in Australia’s 4x4 ute market. Beyond brand loyalties or prejudices, one of the greatest barriers to sales growth has been the German ute’s high pricing, as it has struggled to match less powerful competitors built in Thailand with their low manufacturing costs and free-trade agreements.Even so, VW has recently tried to address this issue with the release of the Core TDI 550 V6, with pricing much closer to $50,000. This brings Amarok’s outstanding 3.0 litre V6 capabilities within the reach of more ute buyers, but in the Core’s more basic work-focused specification. We recently spent a week behind the wheel to see if it hits the target.

If your top priority is having the longest load area, a Single Cab ute is the go. If regularly carrying passengers is important, then a Dual Cab (aka Double Cab/Crew Cab) is best. But what if your needs fall somewhere in between? The Extra Cab option (aka Super Cab/King Cab/Club Cab/Space Cab) slots right in between a

Tare Mass? GVM? Kerb Mass? GCM? These terms and acronyms can be found on your vehicle's compliance plates, in your owner's manual and many articles and discussions about weights, but what do they actually mean? They all refer to how much of a load your vehicle is designed to carry or tow, which is crucial to its safe

A lot of urban 4x4 ute owners rarely venture further off the bitumen than the dirt shoulder or their gravel driveway.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class fell short of high expectations when launched in 2018 as it was perceived to have relied too heavily on Nissan’s Navara in appearance, design and chassis/mechanical hardware.

The HiLux ute remains Australia's best selling new vehicle. Does its performance still match the model's 'unbreakable' reputation?

Mercedes-Benz may be best known as a maker of luxury vehicles, but its light-commercial working wheels have been pace-setters for decades. New FWD versions of the Sprinter van are no exception.

They say perception is reality and many ute buyers have had a hard time getting their head around a Ford Ranger powered by a 2.0-litre engine. So, is it a smarter option than a big six?

It might be at home bashing its way across vast outback deserts, but how does Ford's Ranger Raptor perform when challenged with the more mundane tasks of day-to-day life? We put it to the test.

The Chevrolet Silverado is an American legend, but does this giant have what it takes to create a similar status in Australia?