Ute Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the used Isuzu D-Max 2008-2012, its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when you are buying it.

Regular readers will be aware that one of our constant gripes is that Australian governments of all persuasions are making little or no attempt to encourage us to switch to low-emission vehicles. So the cancellation, in mid-2014, of the previous $2000 federal government grant on private-use LPG vehicles – including this week's test car, the Ford Falcon EcoLPi – while disappointing, should come as no surprise.The change means that buyers must now pay the full $2500 surcharge if they opt for the cleaner burning LPG fuel over the equivalent petrol-fuelled Falcon. Based on previous calculations by Ford Australia it will take about two and a half years to recoup this amount. In the unlikely event of the current low petrol prices continuing for any length of time then it will take even longer.Unless Ford changes its mind and follows the lead of Holden, who have decided to retain the Commodore name post-local production, then this will be the final generation of the Ford Falcon. And a sad day it will be with more than 3.5 million Falcons being sold since its debut in 1960.The EcoLPi is now available in the entry level Falcon and XR6 models with both sedan, cab-chassis and Styleside ute bodies. Our test was in the XR6 sedan.RELATED: 2015 FG X Ford Falcon six-cylinder vs EcoBoostMORE: 2015 FG X Ford Falcon XR8 review | first driveALSO: 2015 Ford Falcon FG X | the story behind the story The most obvious exterior change is the new global Ford signature trapezoidal grille, which to my eyes doesn't work anywhere near as well in the big Falcon as it does in the smaller Fords. There's also a new chiselled headlight treatment and smoother, wraparound tail-lamps with LED technology on high-end models. The EcoLPi XR6 gets daytime running lights where the standard Falcon doesn't.There's little to distinguish it from the petrol XR6The first thing that you'll notice when you get into the EcoLPi Falcon is a delay of a second or so between pressing the start button and the engine firing up. Indeed, apart from the screw-in fuel cap and a slightly smaller boot (down 71 litres to 464 litres) there's little to distinguish it from the petrol XR6. That boot space is helped by the absence of any sort of spare tyre. A repair kit is supplied.The EcoLPi six-cylinder engine generates 198kW and 409Nm at 3250 rpm, marginally higher (by 3kW and 18Nm) than the same engine when operating on 95RON unleaded petrol. EcoLPi's power peaks at 5000 rpm, 1000 revs lower than the petrol, and so can run out of steam a bit early.Fuel consumption from the Ford Falcon EcoLPi is about 25 per cent higher than that for the equivalent six-cylinder petrol model. The 120-litre gas cylinder can only be filled to about 93 litres as space must be left for expansion of the liquid into gas form. In country running the fuel range can be over 700 kilometres, around town this will drop to about 400-500km.The EcoLPi shares a five-star ANCAP safety rating with the whole FG X Falcon range.Official ADR 81/02 testing with EcoLPi on the combined urban/highway cycle produced figures of 12.6L/100km on the EcoLPi XR6. On a 400km round trip to the NSW South Coast we averaged an acceptable 13.6L/100 km.Similarly, CO2 emissions from the EcoLPi are 204g/km compared with 225g/km from the petrol XR6.In addition to the standard safety features both Falcon EcoLPi models get a driver fatigue warning system; reversing camera; front and rear parking sensors; front seat side-thorax airbags; and with its dynamic stability control recalibrated to match the Ford EcoLPi engine, transmission and suspension.The EcoLPi shares a five-star ANCAP safety rating with the whole FG X Falcon range.We found Bluetooth pairing to be frustratingly complex to such an extent that we almost went to the last resort and consulted the owner's handbook!While such things are an annoyance to motoring journos who change cars every week they will easily become second nature to 'real' buyers and Ford's Microsoft-based Sync2 system certainly offers plenty of leading edge technology including emergency assistance and voice commands to control telephone, music, radio, air conditioning and satellite navigation (package option in XR6).The system is accessed through a high-resolution 8-inch colour touch screen with four large colour-coded quadrants. It's easy to use with minimum distraction time.The driving dynamics so much better than any of the SUVsThere's also digital radio, that is if you live in a city.Coming off a succession of SUV road tests we found Falcon slightly more cramped on entry with the steering wheel needing to be set high and the seat low to avoid knee-scraping. Once underway all that was forgotten with the driving dynamics so much better than any of the SUVs. But that's the practicality vs performance trade-off battle that SUVs are clearly winning and contributing to the Falcon's demise.Out on the open road Falcon EcoLPi XR6 is indistinguishable from its petrol-fuelled partner. Its quiet and comfortable when cruising and with excellent turn-in, plenty of rear grip and minimal body roll even under hard cornering.Unlike other alternative fuels, LPG is readily available right across Australia

When General Motors and Isuzu split, Holden relinquished the popular Rodeo badge. The revised replacement in 2008 was the Colorado.To meet the evolving role of utes as combined tradie-family transport, the Colorado had a flashy new look that would fit comfortably in suburbia and bush alike.Underneath it remained the same tough truck as the Rodeo predecessor and was just as capable of slogging through the rough stuff off-road.There were two and four-door Colorado utes, with rear or four-wheel drive and petrol or turbo diesel engines.Depending on your need for comfort you could choose between the LX and LT-R, the latter with all the fruit you could want. Even the LX had aircon and MP3 sound, the LT-R adding Bluetooth phone connectivity and reversing sensors.The petrol option was a punchy 3.6-litre V6 (157kW/313Nm) and the turbodiesel a more frugal 3.0-litre four-cylinder (120kW/360Nm). Backing them were a smooth-shifting five-speed manual or a four-speed auto.For lighter duty, the rear-wheel drive model sufficed.For going off-road there was also the option of dual-range four-wheel drive.On the road the Colorado was comfortable and quiet, the seats were supportive and the cabin well laid-out and welcoming.The price for the V6's ample performance potential was in fuel consumption when pushed.The well-proven mechanical package gives little troubleMeanwhile the turbo diesel was not only the thriftier engine when it came to fuel consumption, it also had greater low-down grunt to make it more drivable and more comfortable and competent off road.The Colorado is rated to tow up to 3000kg braked.The well-proven mechanical package gives little trouble, according to the trade and owners alike.Initially there were some complaints from owners about noisy front suspension bushes.Holden got on top of that relatively quickly with revised upper shock absorber bushes and retainers so there shouldn't be any out there still exhibiting the distracting noise.The Colorado is well equipped to handle the hard going and will do so competentlyIf you hear a creaking sound from the front when road-testing a Colorado, check to see whether the revised setup was fitted.Some owners complain of the fuel consumption of the V6, others moan about the turbo lag of the diesel.The Colorado is well equipped to handle the hard going and will do so competently if driven by someone knowing how to do it. Look for damage underneath, to the floorpan, chassis fittings, exhaust etc.It looks good, goes well, good for family or work use.Also check for a service record. It's most important on any vehicle but it's even more important on a car that's made to work hard for its keep, such as towing or off-roading.

Each of these utes cost more than a Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan. Joshua Dowling finds out why.

Remember when utes were just that, utility vehicles? Cargo carriers with a sedan front end and a big tray behind into which lots of stuff could be stuffed.Some still do use their utes in the old fashioned way, to cart things, but many are now bought as large sportscars with extraordinarily large boots.Utes, such as the Holden SV6 Ute that spent time in our driveway last week, are increasingly popular with 'the boys' and sometimes girls as well.The trouble with being a motoring journalist is that when neighbours, family and friends spot a ute in the driveway they tend to call in to ask if perhaps you could help them move things.So last week we did a couple of trips to the tip and spent time loading up flat packs of unassembled furniture from a well known Swedish store that specialises in allen keys.Many external styling changes to the VF Ute distinguish it from the VE Ute it supersedes. The new front gives it a stockier look, partly because the bonnet has been raised to incorporate pedestrian protection, but also to follow the global General Motors latest design theme.Although it's built on the same platform as the VE Commodore, around 60 per cent of chassis components have been either modified or replaced. The use of an aluminium bonnet has trimmed a bit off the mass of the Ute, but it's still a large hefty vehicle.While the VF sedan has significantly different styling at the rear, the Ute and station wagon remain much the same as before. This has been a ploy with Holden's local designs for many decades and buyers understand the cost-saving reasoning.Changes to the interior are extensive and give the VF Commodore a fresh, modern look. The centrepiece is the large, easy-to-read 8-inch colour touchscreen with well-spaced controls that are big enough to avoid hitting two-buttons at the same time.Visibility outwards is still marred by the wide A-pillars that we have been complaining about since the launch of the VE Commodore. Some alterations have been made to the trim to try and cure this. Slimming the underlying metal was going to be expensive so we will have to live with the need to move our heads about to negate the blind spots created by those big pillars.The big VF Commodore Ute lopes along with a minimum of fussThe awkward handbrake we found irritating in the VE Commodore for so many years has finally been replaced by a small electric unit in the centre console, it's so much easier to use.The big VF Commodore Ute lopes along with a minimum of fuss and makes light of coarse road surfaces that can rattle even the most expensive Europeans. It deals with corrugated dirt tracks as though they're barely there. The phrase 'built tough for Australia' is an oldie but a goodie.Performance is strong, yet fuel consumption is surprisingly lowOn the open road the interior of the Commodore is noticeably quieter than before and there are times when you forget you're driving a commercial vehicle because it feels like a relatively upmarket sedan.The 3.6-litre V6 and the six-speed automatic behind it are both responsive; they communicate electronically with one another to give pleasing amounts of torque at all times.However, the V6 is still not as smooth as similar engines used in many competitors. It's certainly not as harsh as when first introduced almost a decade ago, but it really should be better. Now, it may never be...Performance is strong, yet fuel consumption is surprisingly low for a big utility. Expect the 3.6 V6 to use about 7.0L/100km when cruising in the country. And around 9.0-11.0L/100km when driven sensibly in suburban areas.Handling is excellent with good feedback through the steering. The new electric power steering (EPS) unit gives a sharp feel that's all but indistinguishable from that of the hydraulic units used in all previous Commodores. EPS is there primarily as a fuel saver because it only takes power from the engine when it's needed, not all the time as when a hydraulic pump is running non-stop.

Utes have always been popular with Aussies, but never more so than in recent years when there has been more to choose from than ever before. The humble ute is no longer a mere work wagon; it is now called upon to perform all sorts of duties, from traditional worker, to cool sportster, weekend escaper and family hack.

Ford Australia has started the final chapter of a story that began in 1933.This week in Albury, it launched the last ever locally made Ford ute, the FG X, which will be produced until mid-2016 when Ford shuts its Australian factories for good.The locally made sedan-based ute has a special place in Australian automotive history, given it was invented by young Ford designer Lew Bandt.His creation came after a letter had arrived at company headquarters requesting a dual-purpose vehicle that was smart enough to drive to church, but practical enough to cart livestock to market.Back then, when delivery trucks had basic half-door cabins (or no doors at all), its passenger car cabin must have seemed luxurious.In terms of ride quality, it is superior to the importsAustralia’s obsession with utility vehicles grew even stronger when the Falcon-based ute, an Australian version of Ford’s American Ranchero, was launched in 1961.It outlived both the long-wheelbase Fairlane and the Falcon wagon. More recently, vastly improved workhorse utes (including crew cabs) from Thailand such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have eroded its market share — and that of the rival Commodore ute — dramatically.Lower sales have meant less money to invest in new models and that is reflected in the lack of significant change in the latest model.The FG X ute doesn’t get all the upgrades that come with the sedan, which is perhaps why Ford didn’t include it in the official launch drive.Luckily, it brought an EcoLPI XR6 Ute along to haul spare wheels and this column leapt in to commandeer it.The ute looks the same from the rear but it gets the new Ford family front end, including its aggressive narrow headlights and daytime running lights. There are no aluminium body parts but the bonnet is made from super high-tensile steel that is lighter but also stronger than before.Inside, it gets a new eight-inch high-res touchscreen, new seats and trim and a fresh instrument cluster. It has a new radio, with dual antennas, which can also receive digital radio stations.New wide blade automatic windscreen wipers have also been fitted.There are no changes to the ute’s engine line-up, which comprises a regular 195kW petrol six-cylinder, the 270kW XR6 Turbo and the 198kW EcoLPI. There is no four-cylinder or V8 option.The petrol and gas non-turbo six-cylinder models get a converter that is able to save fuel without affectingrque refinement.Ford has rejigged pricing and the range runs from the base ute at $39,390 through to the red-hot XR6 Turbo at $39,810.Our XR6 gas-powered EcoLPI Ute is normally $35,140 but was fitted with the $4350 Luxury Pack that includes sports leather seats, satnav and 19-inch alloy wheels.The last ever Falcon is a handy work tool that also happens to comfortable and fun to driveIt is a smart-looking ute, especially thanks to the LED running lights that flash on when you flick the key in the ignition.The seats are more supportive than before and the leather trim looks classy. The interior still looks dated but it is still far more refined than any of the imported workhorse utes.In terms of ride quality, it is superior to the imports.The EcoLPI engine is an absolute beauty. It is well worth the $2500 premium and is noticeably more potent than the already pokey petrol six-cylinder (it has 18Nm more torque).Even better, the LPG tanks don’t intrude into the cargo area and there is still enough room for a spare wheel under the tray (this is not the case with the Holden LPG Ute).With a payload of up to a tonne and maximum tow rating of 2300kg, the last ever Falcon is a handy work tool that also happens to comfortable and fun to drive.It’s a concept that will be missed.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Toyota HiLux with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the updated Holden Colorado ute and Colorado 7 SUV at their Australian launch.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the updated Holden Colorado ute and Colorado 7 SUV at their Australian launch.