Commercial Reviews

The Ford Transit Custom Sport variants include both plug-in hybrid and full electric drivelines. Compared with the lower-spec Trend specification of the same vehicle, the Sports adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit including a rear spoiler, external stripes, a 10-way powered driver’s seat and dual-zone climate control. The Sport PHEV costs $69,990 and the EV variant costs $79,990.Mechanically, the Sport is identical to the Trend versions, apart from a shorter wheelbase for a 400mm shorter overall length.The PHEV variant of the electrified Transit Custom comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine teamed with an electric motor and an 11.8kW battery that gives up to 54km of EV-only running. Selectable modes allow the driver to generate or save battery power, but the EV range is poor compared with the competition. Power is 171kW and torque is 400Nm, but the PHEV Transit can’t use commercial fast-chargers. The PHEV Transit Custom is front-wheel-drive.The EV version, meanwhile, switches to rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor between the rear wheels and a 64kW battery under the floor.The cargo area is accessed by a single sliding door (with the option of double doors) and barn doors at the rear which open wide enough for fork-lift loading. The cargo bay walls are lined and a tough plastic mat covers the floor. There are tie-down points, LED lighting and an illuminated step and there’s also a space-save spare tyre.Six airbags including front, side and side curtain are standard and the Transit Custom PHEV also boasts the latest driver aids including auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, a 180-degree rear camera system and onboard tyre pressure monitoring.Servicing is every 12 months or 30,000km and the Transit is covered by Ford’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years/150,000 on the PHEV battery. Capped-price servicing is also offered.

It was a matter of time, but Ford has now extended electrification to its popular Transit Custom range. But instead of a single model, there are two distinct drivelines; a pure EV and a plug-in hybrid. There's also a choice in specification and even wheelbase, and we reckon there are more variants to come. But for now, which of the sparked-up Transit Customs does the best job?

The single cab-chassis 4x2 is typically the lowest-priced utilitarian workhorse, with a standard equipment list that usually offers little more than steel wheels, unpainted plastic in high-wear areas, fabric seats and wipe-clean vinyl floors. And you pay extra for a tray.

Ford has come out swinging against Chinese rivals in Australia's growing plug-in hybrid ute segment, but does its Ranger-based PHEV have the right mix of price, power and performance to be the tradie's choice?

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak launches into an increasingly congested plug-in hybrid ute market, but it promises to do things a little differently to the top-selling BYD Shark 6.

Excitement about the finally-here Kia Tasman hit fever-pitch a long time ago and that hasn't abated. And for good reasons: The Tasman is a body-on-frame 4WD with a ladder chassis, off-road drive modes, rear diff lock and an exterior that draws admiring glances or annoyed glares. Is its top-spec X-Pro a serious competitor for the likes of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak or the Toyota HiLux GR Sport?

Are you not entertained by Jeep's updated brute of a ute?

The MG U9 Explore Pro is the hero model in the Chinese brand’s new ute line-up. Boasting a generous list of creature comforts and some clever features not available on the other variants, the Explore Pro is clearly targeting the premium ute buyer.

If you’re looking for a ute that can serve in the role of family transport the MG U9 Explore X is that kind of machine.

The MG U9 is the newest ute to hit the market and the U9 Explore is the entry-level model in the range.