Comparison

The growing popularity of mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial vans that can carry up to six people, generically known as crew vans, has seen an increasing number of rivals from mainstream manufacturers with a second row of seats. These include Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.There’s no argument that 4x4 dual cab utes are by far Australia’s most popular and versatile light commercial vehicles. However, not everyone needs high-riding off-road ability and some would happily trade that for more spacious rear seating and a huge fully-enclosed cargo bay to carry their crew and all their gear – be it for work or play.It's those two key attributes which present a compelling argument for crew vans – but which one would you choose? We’ve combined our most recent road test activity of three of Australia’s best examples from Toyota, Ford and Renault to see how they measure up in a side-by-side comparison.

The ute scene has seen some action in 2020, with the launch of an all-new Isuzu D-Max which is now paired to a brand-new Mazda BT-50. Those two fresh young things are up against the stalwart king of the dual cab utes - the Ford Ranger - in this comparison test. It's a very tight contest.

The Discovery Sport has had this particular market niche to itself for a few years. Will it be unseated by the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLB challenger?

The top three contenders in the local medium-sized (2.5 to 3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van class are the Toyota HiAce followed by the Hyundai iLoad and Ford's Transit Custom.

Talk about a busy time in the ute segment. The just updated Toyota HiLux has arrived, but there's an all-new Isuzu D-Max that is out to steal its thunder. Can it do so? We put the new 2021 HiLux SR5+ up against the all-new D-Max LS-U in a four-wheel drive double cab comparison... and you might be surprised by what we found.

The Nissan Juke and Hyundai Kona are eye-catching small SUVs that offer different things for different buyers. We've assembled the two top-spec models - which are separated by just a couple of hundred dollars on price, but there are some bigger gaps between them when it comes to driving manners, practicality, ownership and standard equipment.

The Honda HR-V is the king of compact SUVs when it comes to practicality. But now there's a new, even smaller, arguably smarter, challenger - the VW T-Cross.We put these two up against each other to see which was the best small SUV across a mix of criteria.

Not all hybrids are created equally. And not all mid-sized SUVs are the same, either. But in this test we've got two of the most popular and practical models you can buy in the medium SUV space, and both of them are petrol-electric hybrids.Here we have the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL AWD up against the Subaru Forester Hybrid L - and we want to see which is the best option for you.

So you need a hardcore off-road wagon that can scramble up a craggy mountain and smash through mud holes, but also cope with the drudgery of day-to-day life and all the practical considerations that come with it? Well, we've got four very interesting players in the rugged 4WD SUV segment that could well fit the bill.

This a small SUV comparison with a difference. Why? Because one of these cars is not necessarily like the others. Two of the vehicles here are premium-branded SUVs, and one is a challenger.Mazda Australia is pushing upmarket with the new CX-30 model, which we’ve got here in top spec G25 Astina trim. And up against it? The all-new Audi Q3 35 TFSi - its first appearance in a CarsGuide comparison test - and our reigning pint-size premium SUV champion, the Volvo XC40, which we’ve got in entry-level Momentum spec.All three of these models have a starting list price tag in the $40,000 range, and they are all petrol powered, automatic, and two-wheel drive. Both the Audi and Volvo have a bunch of optional extras fitted that nudge their prices considerably, but the Mazda is almost box-fresh. However, we’re aiming to assess these models not so much on the glittery added bits, but the way they perform in other ways. We’ll assess each of these models against a range of criteria to help you decide which deserves to be on your shopping list. Let’s get to it.