Toyota Hilux 2005 review

All because I'd spent some time getting dirty on construction sites.

I admit that was years ago. I know that because it suddenly dawned on me that the type of person who is driving a ute today is definitely not the same type of person, and in some cases, not remotely of the same species, as in the 1970s.

A ute was driven by a toughie. Now, it could be a petite mother, a grandad on his way to the hardware store, a student travelling to school or, on the odd occasions, a clean-cut tradesman.

Utes have also gone the way of their owners.

No longer rough and ready, they're smooth, car-like and, well, a bit soft.

Toyota has made utes since 1967 and has certainly gone from the tough to the functional look.

The inside of the latest Hilux is all Camry. It is a car with a tray in the back. But it's not quite soft.

I'm not 100 per cent sold on the look of the new Hilux, and the ute has had a price rise that appears out of step with its hungry rivals.

Externally, the styling is subjectively brash. It boasts high side sheet metal which dwarfs the wheels, and a front borrowed from a monstrous Dodge Ram 4WD out of a Midwest US town.

But all that hides a more sophisticated chassis than its predecessor.

A new front suspension has done wonders for the car's, er, that should read ute's, handling and straight-line stability.

My error came from driving the latest Hilux SR5 4WD dual-cab out of town. Forget what you're driving and you'd swear this was a car.

It holds its line smoothly through the corners, brakes solidly and sits on the road with very little need for the driver to constantly correct the steering.

It is just as responsive in the dirt. The 4WD system is a Plain Jane part-time arrangement, though it has manual freewheeling hubs.

Engagement is from a second floor-mounted lever, which is

becoming passe compared with some other companies that use a dashboard-mounted switch to electronically engage 4WD Low.

However, it could be argued that the Hilux's manual system is more reliable and just as quick.

The four-litre V6 is an awfully strong mill with heaps of power.

Combined with a leaf-sprung rear suspension and live axle, the off-road ability is excellent.

Toyota is renowned for quality engineering at a premium price. By comparison with its rivals, it doesn't offer the same level of features, so you pay more for less, but get it back again when you sell.

The dual-cab is versatile and perfect for the weekly worker and weekend family man.

Heavens, this could almost be good as a tradie's car. All you need is a dog and a can of Passiona.