Ute Reviews

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.

Think you knew what to expect from the Ford Ranger Raptor? Think again. The new-generation 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has rewritten the rules for performance utes, and could well be the best performance vehicle under $100,000.

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.

A V6 engine in the Ford Ranger? Sounds like something we need to do some fun stuff with! So, in this review, we test the 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 by doing the stuff you'd want to do if you owned one - off-road, towing and plenty more!

Australia's bestselling vehicle, the current Toyota HiLux is now in its twilight years, and must mostly rely on reputation to stay ahead of an increasingly stronger pack, led by the 2023 Ford Ranger. On the other hand, the popular SR5 Double Cab still looks great, is reassuringly familiar and is quite the performance powerhouse, thanks to a host of Aussie-influenced tweaks. But do they do enough? Particularly around town?

The D-Max is well established as a decent all-rounder and a solid touring and towing platform, but Isuzu has now boosted its ute line-up with some new variants, one of which is the LS-U+.The LS-U+ slots in at second-from-the-top-shelf and is equipped as standard with a tow bar receiver, and an extra 100kg of GVM (gross vehicle mass) over the 21MY D-Max LS-U.

Based on the engine family first seen in the old Australian Ford Territory TDCi turbo-diesel, and more recently in the US-market Ford F-150 full-sized truck range, all eyes are on the big new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.Available in the XLT (from $62,290 before on-road costs), Sport (from $66,690 before ORC) and Wildtrak (from $70,190 before ORC) only for now, it has few peers with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for all V6 variants.By the way, Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.On the fuel consumption front, the V6 turbo-diesel is actually a whole half-a-litre per 100km more economical than the old 3.2-lite five-pot turbo-diesel.The official combined average consumption in the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel 4WD is 8.4L/100km, for 222g/km of CO2 emissions and an average distance range of 952km.So, what's the 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel like to drive?Reminiscent of theTerritory TDCi, it is slick and sophisticated, yet offers more punch than Australia’s only locally-built SUV ever managed.In a nutshell, the V6 amplifies the acceleration and performance of the significantly improved and rapid 2.0-litre BiTurbo, thrusting forward with determination, accompanied by a more stirring V6 soundtrack.Additionally, the 10-speed auto is even more relaxed an its smaller brother, and with greater torque levels to draw upon, it’s both more responsive to throttle inputs and less likely to hunt through the gears.Better around town, stronger out on the open road and more reassuring when you need to overtake, especially at speed or blasting up a hill.For this and other reasons, the $3000 premium paid for going the V6 is definitely worthwhile, and backed up by very reasonable combined-average fuel consumption figures of 8.4L/100km.

The perennially popular Wildtrak – now from $67,190 before on-road costs – is the top of the Ranger series if you exclude the off-road-ready, high-performance-orientated Raptor with its unique 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.Diesel-powered only like the rest of the Ranger line-up, the Wildtrak comes with two engine options.The previous 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been dropped for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed automatic, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains. The transmission includes up to six driving modes.The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's also available in the XLT and Sport only for now has few peers, with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.As per the Sport and XLS, the Wildtrak is only available with the Double Cab pick-up body, and adds a series-signature front grille design, a unique front bumper and different body accents, for a more-aggressive appearance.You'll also find an integrated brake controller, exterior mirror with puddle lights and zone lighting all-round, along with roof rails and aluminium load box tie down rails. Note these are now load bearing, so you can secure items to these.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for Wildtrak.That's not all though. The Wildtrak's rear cargo introduces load box illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, a unique sports bar style, all-terrain tyres for its redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered roller shutter for the tub and a cargo management system.Like all Rangers, it also has securing points at the front of the load box, box capping with integrated fixing points for added sheetmetal protection, a rear load box step for easy side access and a lighter tailgate, thanks to Ford's 'easy lift assist' system.Inside, the Wildtrak features a larger (now 12-inch) portrait touchscreen, pull out cupholders on both ends of the dashboard, ambient lighting, specific-design front seats with power activation and heating for both, a 360-degree camera and active park assist.It shares the Sports specification's dual front tow hooks, skid plate, LED front fog lamps and all-season tyres, as well as leather upholstery, wireless charging, an Off-Road screen showing 4WD activation and other related settings, and floor mats.Ford's SYNC 4A multimedia system, a digital instrument cluster, USB-A and -C ports, power windows, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-sheathed steering wheel and gear knob, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality and traffic-sign recognition and lane-centring tech are also fitted.As with all grades, the Wildtrak brings nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist and rear parking sensors, while all pick-ups have blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech to the table.The Wildtrak is only available as a 4x4.

Beginning from $63,690 before on-road costs and based on the XLT grade, the Sport is only available with the Double Cab pick-up body for now, and adds contrasting blacked-out themes inside and out, as well as two front tow hooks, 18-inch alloys, wireless charging, an Off-Road screen showing 4WD activation and other related settings, a skid plate, LED front fog lamps and all-season tyres.Luxuries include leather upholstery, a powered driver’s seat with eight-way adjustment, wireless charging and two front mats.These all come on top of the XLT's 10.1-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync4 multimedia system, digital instrument cluster, USB-A and -C ports, cloth seats, power windows, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-sheathed steering wheel and gear knob, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality and traffic-sign recognition and lane-centring tech.Naturally, like all Rangers, the Sport buyer also secures nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist and rear parking sensors, as well as blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech.The Sport is available only as a 4x4.The rear cargo area comes with a black sports bar, rear box illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, securing points at the front of the load box, box capping with integrated fixing points for added sheetmetal protection, a rear load box step for easy side access and a lighter tailgate, thanks to Ford's 'easy lift assist' system.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for Ranger Sport.Mirroring the XLT and Wildtrak, the Sport offers a pair of engine choices.The previous 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been dumped for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed automatic, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains. The transmission includes up to six driving modes.The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's distantly related to that found in Australia's Ford Territory is the Sport's other engine option.It delivers a healthy 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.Note that Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.

The Ranger is actually a story about two types of truck.Imagining a Venn diagram, the left circle is the XL and XLS for fleet orders and the right circle contains Sport, Wildtrak and Raptor for private buyers. And, right in the overlap in between, lives the XLT.Now starting at $700 more than before from $53,990 before on-road costs, the latest XLT is the least-expensive T6.2 Ranger with the series' now-signature C-clamp LED headlights, and can also be identified via its chrome grille bar, pick-up tub bed-liner with illumination, a sports bar and 17-inch alloys.Inside the XLT includes keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fancier interior trimmings, a leather-sheathed steering wheel and gear knob, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality, traffic-sign recognition and lane-centring tech.Additional safety items include rain-sensing wipers, and a reverse camera kit on Cab chassis models.Of course, the items found in XL and XLS also make it to XLT, such as 10.1-inch touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 4A multimedia system, digital instrument cluster, USB-A and -C ports, cloth seats and power windows.Naturally, like all Rangers, XLT also scores nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist and rear parking sensors, while all pick-ups have blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech.The rear cargo area in pick-up models also come with a black sports bar, rear box illumination and a bedliner with a 12-volt socket. These are above the standard securing points, box capping with integrated fixing points for added bodywork protection, integrated load box step for easy side access and Ford's 'lift assist' tailgate.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for XLT.The XLT is available in all body styles, 4x2 and 4x4 grades and with two engine choices.The previous 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been dumped for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed automatic, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains. The transmission includes up to six driving modes.The XLT is also the entry point in Ranger for the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's distantly related to that found in Australia's Ford Territory.Also available in the Sport and Wildtrak, it has few peers with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. The six driving modes are: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.