Ute Reviews

Towing the tools during the week and the toys at the weekend has never been easier or more comfortable. Where once the tradie ute was a two-door three-on-a-bench cabin with a column-shift gearbox and an AM radio that made an alarm clock/radio sound good, 21st century machines are far closer to passenger cars.The venerable Toyota HiLux has come under fire from all sides, copping blows from Japanese, German and even locally developed Thai-built Ford products in recent years. Yet the Toyota workhorse finished 2012 as the second biggest-selling vehicle on the local market, as well as the most popular ute and best-selling four-wheel-drive within a segment that's grown substantially.By the end of 2003, there were 50,670 4WD pick-up/cab-chassis vehicles sold in a market that totalled 909,811 sales. Fast-forward five years and the 4WD ute segment totalled 83,308 with 12 models from nine brands on sale in a total market of 1.01 million.Last year, in a total market of 1.11 million, it speared well past the six-figure mark, recording 124,536 sales for 14 models from 11 brands. The reason: versatility. The more recently released dual-cabs now warrant some design focus to make the rear seat useful for more than short trips to the shop at smoko.Right-angled seat cushions have made way for more comfortable benches, lap-sash seat belts and child anchors. Road manners are far less rudimentary. The features lists have improved -- FM radio, seat adjustment and aircon are no longer considered namby-pamby -- as has the level of safety gear, with airbags, anti-lock brakes and even stability control fitted in recent times.The fleet market was largely responsible for putting the HiLux into the top 10 vehicles list but plenty of user-chooser customers need a more versatile machine. The result of expanded choice in the segment and increased competition has led to a wide range of makes and models, each with plenty of kit.HiLux still rules the roost but the others are gaining, adding features and sharpening prices to get a bigger chunk.2008 Toyota Hilux SR5 4WDEngine: 3.0-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe HiLux has been the dominant force in dual-cab utes, with the brand's reputation for reliability no small factor in its popularity. The SR5 has dual front airbags, aircon, cruise control, 15-inch alloys, nudge bar and anti-lock brakes, but tilt-only steering2008 Nissan Navara ST-X 4WD D40Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinderTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 9.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSNavara has been a sales gem for Nissan and this example has been optioned up to include roof racks and a canopy. It sits on 16-inch alloy wheels and packs more power and torque than the HiLux, as well as a few extra features to give it a look-in for the sales race, such as a rotary switch for the 4WD system.2010 Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R 4WDEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 9.9L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSExtra kit was also Triton's ticket in, given the HiLux's dominance. It has front and side airbags, a fifth ratio for the auto (HiLux still has four), stability control, 17-inch alloys and neat touches such as the roll-down rear window. The look isn't to all tastes but the bullbar takes care of some of that.

Buying a Chinese vehicle has become as quick, as easy and as inexpensive as buying Chinese food. It's the same philosophy - simplicity and low prices - that is slowly starting to make Chinese-made vehicles just as appetising. Hebei Zhongzing - simply, ZX Auto though it advertises as Grand Tiger - is a 22-year-old

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?This is Ford's top dog Ranger ute, the orange one for shrinking violets - ha! Comes out of a Thai factory but don't hold that against it, the build is pretty good, the look is "tough truck."Goes for $57,390 for the six speed manual two grand more for the six speed auto plus on roads. Ouch.Too many to mention. Hilux, Triton, Navara, Amarok, Colorado, D-Max and so say all of us.This is the 3.2 five pot turbo diesel with a healthy 147kW/470Nm output though these figures are pretty low considering the capacity of the engine and what other makes are getting out of smaller capacity units. Should mean the Ranger will last a long time - understressed.Plenty of poke, loaded or unladen you won't be disappointed. Gets out of the blocks quickly and has strong pull right up to about 4500rpm.Not particularly due in part to the 2200kg kerb weight. Add a tonne in the tray and a full tank and it's approaching 3.5 tonnes. That's why you get an averahge of 9.6-litres/100km. Still, the 80 litre tank means a decent range between refuels.Not particularly. Churns out plenty of carbon, wouldn't be the greenest in manufacturing either.Gets a strong  five stars. Has additional stuff like rollover mitigation,Hill Descent Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Trailer Sway Assist and more.Rides well, a tad firm perhaps but the seats are a good shape and noise and vibes are minimal. Plenty of kit makes wheel time pass quickly - Bluetooth, voice control, 5-inch colour screen with satnav, reverse camera, rain sensing wipers, auto headlights, dual zone climate control, power driver's seat heated front seats, roof rails, roller shutter for tray.Easy controls, smooth shifting six speed auto, supple but controlled suspension, better with a load in the back. Minimal turbo lag off the mark but large turning circle a hassle.Not at 60 grand. Get that tax deduction form ready.

The Ford Ranger ute is so popular, Ford can't get enough of the utes from the Thai factory with demand outstripping supply. They sold 12,753 4X4 versions and 5354 4X2 models last year, narrowly behind Focus (18,586). The overall 4X4 sector of about 125,000 sales was up 25 per cent last year with Ranger sales rising

Great Wall V200 and Ssangyong Actyon Tradie go head-to-head in this comparative review.

If you want a definition of the term `workhorse' look no further than Toyota's 70-Series LandCruiser. Whether it's carrying miners or carting hay bales in every farming community in Australia, the 70-Series is hard-working 4x4 that earns its keep day-in day-out, year-in, year-out.To put the 70-Series through its paces we took it to where it is most relevant: the pastures of south-east Queensland and a disused tin mining area, now known as Sundown National Park, just south of Stanthorpe, a 4WD-only park.About the first thing you notice when you leave the urban environment in south-east Queensland is the number of 70-Series single cab utes on cattle properties. These vehicles are rarely seen in major towns. Go to a mining area and the 70-Series that dominates those sites are wagons known as troopcarriers or in the vernacular `troopies'.VALUEThe LandCruiser 70 is an old-school 4WD that comes as either a wagon or a cab chassis, the latter range recently expanded to include the option of a dual cab. While the addition of the rear seats was primarily for the mining and rural sectors, we would not be surprised to see a few picked up by serious off-roaders as the family getaway vehicle.Our test vehicle was the dual-cab cab chassis in top-of-the-range (GXL) spec. This means differential locks are standard, remote locking with a new key fob and a new in-dash clock with multi functions. Just to keep owners grounded the 70-Series still has manual front locking hubs and rear suspension leaf springs.All variants are powered, and we mean powered, by a 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel engine.TECHNOLOGYThis is where the 70-Series gets exciting. This 4.5-litre V8 turbocharged and intercooled engine develops 430 Nm of torque, on tap from just 1200 to 3200 rpm run through a five-speed manual gearbox. There is a transfer box with low range gearing and options of 2WD, 4WD high and 4WD low.The GXL also comes standard with front and rear differential locks available in 4WD high and low at the flick of a switch to the left of the steering column, firstly engaging the rear diff lock and if needed the front diff lock.DESIGNSince being introduced in 1984 as a replacement for the FJ40 series, the 70-Series has externally not changed a lot. It has an angular body that replaced the curved lines of the FJ40 line.Those original FJ40 smooth lines are now apparent on the Toyota FJ Cruiser, introduced in early 2011. The dual cab 70-Series ute is all about function and that is reflected in the basic design.Like the rest of the vehicle, the interior is designed for function not for looks. With a fair step up to get into the 70-Series there are seven grab handles to make it that bit easier for all five passengers. The front seats are comfortable, but lack a centre armrest.Also missing is cruise control, which is surprising given these are basically rural-use vehicles. The dash and instrument layout is user-friendly. We like the small rectangular mobile telephone holder just in front of the cup holder. We also liked the location of the 12V outlet that we used for our GPS.The rear seat has a fairly upright back and would test comfort levels for adults on long hauls. The rear seat has a fold and tumble ability should you need secure interior cargo space. The air conditioning worked well in hot, trying conditions.SAFETYThe bad news is this. Toyota will not be upgrading the 70-Series to modern safety standards and so the vehicle is likely to end production in around four years. In short one of the major customers for the 70-Series is the mining industry that is now, understandably, demanding 5-Star safety standards.Toyota is already developing the HiLux to these standards and is on the record as stating the 70-Series will not be upgraded with the likes of six airbags and stability control. As is stands the 70-Series has a three star rating but has just two airbags and recently gained ABS brakes. So this much loved fourby has entered the home straight in its 29th year.DRIVINGFor a vehicle that runs a pretty basic rigid live axle suspension, with leaf springs at the rear, the 70-Series handles remarkably well. Yes, the rear end can get a little twitchy on rough surfaces at speed and those same springs cause a pitching feeling on-road, which we suspect would calm down greatly with a load in the tray or a couple of passengers in the rear seat.On-road the vehicle has plenty of oomph, despite the gearing being aimed at slower, off-road conditions. In our drive out to Sundown we were rarely passed and the vehicle ate the steep Cunningham's Gap for breakfast in fifth gear. Although most of the tracks are not difficult they are rough-as-guts and it took around two hours of solid driving to travel 20 km. For most of the drive we used high range second gear, thanks to the enormous amount of torque on tap between 800 and 1200 rpm.VERDICTThe 70-Series GXL dual cab may well find a home with 4WD fanatics that like off-roading in difficult areas. They will not be disappointed. It may be old-school, but it's a hell of a truck.MODEL RANGEWorkmate 4.5-litre turbodiesel single cab chassis: $58,790 (manual)GX 4.5-litre turbodiesel single cab chassis: $60,790 (manual)GXL 4.5-litre turbodiesel single cab chassis: $62,790 (manual)Workmate 4.5-litre turbodiesel double cab chassis: $63,990 (manual)GXL 4.5-litre turbodiesel double cab chassis: $67,990(manual)Troop Carrier Workmate 4.5-litre turbodiesel five-door wagon: $65,790 (manual)Troop Carrier GXL 4.5-litre turbodiesel five-door wagon: $67,790 (manual)Workmate 4.5-litre turbodiesel five-door wagon: $59,990 (manual)GXL 4.5-litre turbodiesel five-door wagon: $64,290 (manual)Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series GXL 4.5-litre turbodiesel double cabPrice: from $67,990Engine: 4.5 litre turbodiesel, 151kW/430NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4WDThirst: 11.9 L/100km 

Ford Ranger Wildtrak and VW Amarok Highline go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Which would you prefer to eat? Kimchee from Korea or pad thai from Thailand. That's what it's like when it comes to one tonne utes. Most of the ones we get here are out of Thailand, but the Ssangyong Actyon is from Korea. We were keen to give it a try because we see Korea as more advanced than Thailand.And the new Actyon Tradie - the entry level model in Ssangyong's new ute lineup reinforces this notion in plenty of areas. It's a good thing as well as being a much better looker than the previous model.VALUEIt sells for $26,990 for the six-speed manual we drove last week. This is the steel wheel special, the work truck that never has an empty tray, the one that lives outside and never gets a wash, rarely a service.And get this, even though it's the base model the Tradie scores Bluetooth phone and audio, a soft feel dash and other cabin touch points, aircon, remote central locking including the spring loaded tailgate and a multi-function steering wheel.It needs a left foot rest for the driver and the handbrake lever mover on the right side. Apart from that, Tradie is full steam ahead.TECHNOLOGYThis is a complete revamp of that ladder chassis vehicle with a new front, new interior and new powertrain including a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with a variable geometry turbo from VM Motori in Italy. There's plenty of power and torque from the engine that's good for 114kW/360Nm, the latter from a low 1500rpm.And Ssangyong has geared the Tradie right with a low first to get off the mark smartly when heavily loaded, well spaced intermediates and a high but not too high top for cruising. Fuel consumption is good at 7.3-litres/100km which gives a 1000km plus range from the 75 litre tank.DESIGNThe four-door dual-cab body offers room for five and access through the rear doors is easy. There's a tray liner protecting the painted two square metre tray bed. A tray bar to tie on lengths of timber or ladders over the roof would be handy.DRIVINGThis one feels solid as a rock and yet has coil spring rear suspension and rides like a passenger car even when unladen. Look underneath and there's a big diff, large springs and fittings, robust tailshaft - stuff that looks like it can take a pounding.We did a bit of that too loading the Tradie with nearly a tonne of pavers despite the load capacity being about 850kg. Handled it no trouble.VERDICTWe like it. Love the price and would definitely prefer an Actyon to a Chinese take away. The time Mercedes-Benz spent with Ssangyong had a positive engineering effect in that the latter knows how to build a truck.SsangYong Actyon TradiePrice: from $25,282Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 114kW/360NmTranmission: 6 speed manualThirst: 7.3L/100 km (RWD), 7.4L/100km (4x4)

With up to 26 variants, the new Holden Colorado ute comes in three body styles - three-seat Single Cab, Space Cab with rear access doors and two jump seats and the Crew Cab - the last body aimed at providing comfort that's almost car-like. Value Prices start at $26,990 for the entry-level DX two-wheel drive,

Chuck a tonne in the back of your new one tonne ute and chances are the towing capacity drops right away. They can't take the weight in the tub and through the tow bar at the same time. Not the case with the new Isuzu D-Max ute which can handle up to about 950kg in the load tub and still pull its 3.0-tonne towing capacity - without spilling its guts all over the road.VALUEPrices for the base cab chassis 2WD start at $27,200. Our test vehicle was $51,700. The Isuzu D-Max ute is functional and in the LS Terrain model's case, well equipped complete with a large touch screen and satnav (featuring 10,000 off road destinations), reverse camera, decent audio and Bluetooth connectivity.\We really appreciated the fine particle pollen filter and multi-media connectivity but the seats are a bit flat and the embossed leather tacky. The test vehicle had hill ascent and descent assist as well as other driving aids. A full size spare is supplied on all models.TECHNOLOGYThe ability to tow a decent amount while loaded up is because the D-Max is unashamedly a work truck right down to its ‘truck' engine and heavy duty transmission from Japanese manufacturer Aisin. It's actually the same tranny as Toyota uses in the 200-Series Landcruiser modified to suit the D-Max.The 3.0-litre four pot turbodiesel Isuzu engine is built for light commercial vehicle application and is infact a revised version of the previous unit achieving some 130kW/380Nm output, the latter from 1800rpm. The top of the range test vehicle, an LS-Terrain Crew Cab five-speed auto had selectable 4WD as well as sequential shift mode, not that you need it, this is a truck after all.The engine has a variable geometry turbo (VGT) and other refinements to improve efficiency and performance. D-Max has a double wishbone front suspension with gas dampers and leaf rear springs while the front diff' is independent the rear is a rigid, old-school set-up - just what's required for a ute.Terrain Command 4x4 system offers 2WD and 4WD high and low range - selected by a dial on the centre console (at up to 100kmh).DESIGNThis is a new model from Isuzu featuring a stylish new body and new chassis. It's a body-on-chassis design as all utes should be but in this case, that ladder features numerous cross members for extra rigidity and strength in arduous conditions.It also has a longer wheelbase than before to provide additional cabin space. Though similar to Holden's Colorado ute to look at, the D-Max is actually a more handsome beast thanks to its different frontal treatment and other tweaks to the sheet metal and trims. Comes off a different assembly line too, so calling the D-Max a rebadged Colorado is way off base. It's almost completely different.Inside is best described as serviceable with mostly hard plastic surfaces styled to look acceptable.DRIVINGOn the road, the D-Max is surprisingly smooth and quiet, much better than the Colorado. It has plenty of performance through a wide engine rev range and can achieve relatively frugal economy rated around the 8.0-litre/100km mark.The auto seems well in tune with the engine's outputs because there's never a hole when you push the accelerator. It has a softish ride and is suitably comfortable on and off road but the turning circle is big. There's plenty of room in the big cabin for five and access is helped by large doors and door openings.Loading the beast is easy too - not too high and the tub is large - certainly for two trail bikes and a mountain of spares. Goes almost anywhere off-road spoiled only by the stability control system that can't be turned off in 4H.VERDICTWe mostly like the D-Max apart from the cheap interior and large turning circle. It's a ridgey-didge light commercial vehicle up for pretty much anything you throw at it.Isuzu D-Max LS-TPrice: from $51,700Warranty: 5yrs/130,000km with 5yr roadside assistService intervals: Six months/10,000kmSafety: Six airbas, ABS, TC, ESC, hill ascent/descentEngine: 3.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 130kW/363NmTransmission: Five-speed auto, 4x4Dimensions: 5.3m (L), 1.86m (W), 1.8m (H)Weight: 2950kgThirst: 8.1L/100km (diesel), 214g/km CO2Spare: Full-size