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Articles by Mark Oastler

Mark Oastler
Contributing Journalist

Mark Oastler has been a prominent motoring journalist in print and electronic media for more than three decades.

Now based in Melbourne, his diverse roles have included more than a decade of motor sport TV commentary for both the Seven and Ten networks, editor of Street Machine magazine, founding editor of Australian Muscle Car magazine and freelance contributor to Wheels, Motor, Auto Action, Unique Cars, V8X, AMC, Suncorp and many more.

In addition to his regular LCV reviews and advice pieces for CarsGuide, he is also a feature writer and online TV host for the popular Shannons Club website.

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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Mazda BT-50 2023 review: XTR long-term | Part 2
By Mark Oastler · 30 Oct 2022
During our six-month test, we're adding a few accessories along the way to personalise the BT-50 to make it better suited to our family's requirements.
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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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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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Mazda BT-50 2023 review: XTR long-term | Part 1
By Mark Oastler · 14 Sep 2022
The Australian launch of the latest generation BT-50 in June 2020 heralded a significant change for Mazda's ute, as it was the first to 'platform share' with Japanese commercial vehicle giant Isuzu after previous pairings with Ford's Ranger.
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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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Ford Ranger 2023 review: XLS - GVM test
By Mark Oastler · 26 Aug 2022
The then all-new T6 Ford Ranger launched in 2011 was proudly designed and developed in Australia. So, if you ignored the fact it was assembled in Thailand to minimise production costs, it was the closest thing you could get to an 'Aussie' ute and Australian buyers responded in large numbers.
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Peugeot Partner 2023 review: Premium - GVM test
By Mark Oastler · 10 Aug 2022
Unlike Australia's mid-size (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van segment, where up to a dozen rivals compete for customers, there are currently only three players in the small (under 2.5-tonne GVM) van class, comprising the Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo - and Peugeot Partner.
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