Off road

Mitsubishi has finally confirmed timing and critical details surrounding the new Pajero, locking in a true off-road 4WD that will launch before the end of the year.The brand had only so far confirmed a new large SUV was coming, leaving plenty of guess work to be done as to whether it would be a monocoque road-focused vehicle, or a true rival to vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol – not to mention newcomers like the Denza B5 and B8.But now we know the latter is the case, with Mitsubishi's president, Keisuke Kishiura, confirming that 4WD capability will be at the heart of the Pajero's development. And in more good news, the brand's most senior executive also locked in a 2026 launch for the new 4WD.Camouflaged examples of the new model have already been photographed in Australia.The executive specifically called out the off-road prowess of the old Pajero to US outlet Automotive News, saying "the Pajero is a cross-country SUV that combines fully-fledged off-road capability with the ease of handling and comfort of a passenger car", before adding:“We plan to launch the new cross-country SUV within the year.”Whether or not that also confirms the new model will be called the Pajero – which we believe it will be – we'll leave up to you, but it certainly locks in the off-road prowess, and fuels reports the model will be built using the Mitsubishi Triton's ladder-frame chassis.If it gets the Triton's underpinnings, expect the Pajero to use a version of the ute's 150kW and 470Nm 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. “For me, the Pajero is an object of admiration,” Mr Kishiura told Automotive News.“Thanks to its off-road capability, allowing it to tackle any weather or road surface with confidence, its reliability, which withstands even the harshest conditions, and its ride quality and comfort that minimise fatigue on long drives, the Pajero has been cherished by customers around the world.”

Nissan has teased a new off-road SUV to be built in China as a new global model, essentially confirming an SUV version of its well-received Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute.

The ninth-generation Toyota HiLux is not really new in the true sense of the word, it's an update with substance. There are no real major mechanical upgrades to the HiLux so has Toyota done enough to warrant your attention?

MY 2009 Mazda BT-50 3.0-litre turbo makes a whistle-like sound when accelerating in the lower gears. The noise is at its worst in the mornings but seems to go away when in fourth and fifth gear.

How do I turn off the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) on the dash of my 2014 Jeep Compass?

I have a 2010 Mazda BT-50 with an automatic gearbox. When starting and driving from cold, it tends to slip in second gear and clunk into gear also. It also randomly drops out of gear sometimes. All the gears are a bit clunky going in, apart from fifth.

What is the future of the Mazda BT-50? Could it become a Toyota-based one-tonne ute?With the existing, Isuzu D-Max-derived model now six years old and well into its mid-cycle facelift, speculation is rising as to what will come next once the reported 10-year supply contract with Isuzu ends.This means that the existing BT-50 that launched in 2020 following Mazda’s break-up with Ford (the previous BT-50 was based on the 2011-2022 Ford Ranger) still has about four years to go, so planning should be well-underway by now. 2030 isn’t that far away.One scenario could see a variation of the Toyota Tacoma, which has only been built in left-hand-drive in Mexico for North America since late 2023, despite sharing its right-hand-drive (RHD)-ready Toyota New Global Architecture-Frame (TNGA-F) platform with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Toyota Prado 250, among others.We say variation because, back in December last year, ex-Toyota Australia boss Sean Hanley revealed exclusively to CarsGuide at the HiLux launch that the Tacoma could become RHD for Australia when the right powertrain configuration is offered, to sit above the smaller, ageing HiLux in the range.“It's evolving and developing all the time, and I would never rule out the possibility of that car being part of our line-up at some stage,” he said at the time. “It all gets down to powertrain and configuration.”If that comes to pass, and Hanley did add that he was actively pursuing that outcome, it may give Mazda an in to the “evolving and developing” Tacoma thanks to the two Japanese brands’ growing association sharing passenger vehicles.This is especially prescient since the existing BT-50’s only major market in the RHD world is Australia, with Japan and the UK passing on this current generation, while South Africa ceased importing the ute after sluggish sales in 2024.Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi refused to comment on any possible Tacoma/BT-50 tie-up in the future, saying instead that a decision has not yet been made as which direction the company will move next.“Isuzu is still a partner in the current generation, but the next-gen is yet to be locked in,” he told CarsGuide last month.“Mazda has worked with Isuzu for many, many years, so (we have a) very solid partnership and we hope to continue it in the future.”This is an important question for Mazda to figure out, since the BT-50 contributes vital volume for the brand in Australia, coming in at fourth place in the first three months of 2026, with 3113 units sold, behind the CX-30 small SUV (3246), ageing CX-3 light SUV (3489) and CX-5 mid-sized SUV (6247).The one-tonne ute has slipped from fifth to seventh spot so far this year in its increasingly-crowded segment, having been overtaken (though only just) by the GWM Cannon/Cannon Alpha duo (3131) and BYD Shark 6 PHEV (3480) out of China, while still trailing the Mitsubishi Triton (5604), D-Max (6057), Toyota HiLux (10,592) and Ford Ranger (12,180).The 4x4 version of the BT-50 is the harder hit of the series, seeing a 23.6 per cent decline in 2026, though the largely-diesel-driven dual-cab ute market’s exposure to soaring fuel prices due to the Iran War seems to have affected all 4x4 players in some way. The exceptions are a surging GWM Cannon (which introduced a PHEV option last year) and, unexpectedly, the resolutely diesel-powered Triton.A Mazda ute has been part of the brand’s heritage since its first vehicle rolled out of a factory in Hiroshima in 1931. Plus, there were five generations of the BT-50’s B-Series/Bravo/Proceed predecessor from 1961 to 2006 (pre-dating HiLux), with a Ford Courier also forming part of that equation for 34 years from 1972, before switching to the American Ranger badge thereafter.So, there’s been a half-century precedent with Mazda sharing its ute, be it with Ford or Isuzu.Will Toyota be next? Watch this space!

Mitsubishi has just revealed a new, flagship version of its Triton dual-cab ute that has been tested and developed in Australia.The Japanese carmaker partnered with Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar, to develop the Triton Raider.The Triton Raider is a version of this dual-cab ute that’s claimed to bring confidence to every drive, whether that be on- or off-road. First examples are due to arrive at dealers by the end of May.Think of it as a rival to the Ford Ranger Tremor, Isuzu D-Max Blade and Volkswagen Amarok W600, among others, as it picks up tougher looks and suspension tweaks, but no extra power.Using the model year 2026 (MY26) version of the Triton GSR as a base, which gains Yamaha horizontally mounted dampers to further reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Premcar completes the second-stage manufacturing process at a facility in Epping, Victoria.There’s a unique front and rear suspension damper package with the front damper gaining an internal rebound spring to create more wheel control on a variety of surfaces.The related Nissan Navara also received a range of very similar suspension tweaks by Premcar, this Triton Raider program is unrelated.Other tweaks the Triton Raider picks up include 18-inch ROH ‘Assault’ alloy wheels finished in a unique brushed bronze finish that are wrapped in Bridgestone AT002 all-terrain tyres.As a result of the suspension and tyre package, there is a 25mm ride height increase at the front, 10mm ride height increase at the rear and 20mm wider track width.Matching the brushed bronze alloy wheels, there are a range of exterior highlights and decals finished in the same car. Additionally there are upgraded side protection bars, underbody protection and a sports bar with unique red highlights.Inside the Triton Raider receives black leather upholstery with orange stitching and Raider branding embroidered into the front headrests. There’s also a Raider badge fitted on the centre console.At this stage Mitsubishi hasn’t detailed pricing for the Triton Raider, though it is likely to be more than the current flagship GSR trim, which is priced at $65,590 before on-road costs.This means the Triton Raider could be closer to $70,000 before on-road costs and potentially the most expensive Triton ever offered locally.This crown currently goes to the Walkinshaw co-developed Triton Xtreme which was sold during 2023 and based on the previous-generation ute.As noted above, neither Mitsubishi nor Premcar made any tweaks to the Triton’s 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine with the Raider. It still produces 150kW and 470Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel type and engine set-up are becoming increasingly important factors in people's new car buying thinking, exclusive data reveals, with rising fuel prices making buyers even more vigilant.Diversity of engine set-up choices have increased substantially in the past few years. Buyers can pick from internal combustion, hybrid or electric.It appears this choice is encouraging buyers question what is best for them when they enter the showroom.The data is part of Gumtree Group's The Next Gear: Australia in Motion report and was gathered from 4,400 people who used Gumtree, CarsGuide and AutoTrader in 2025. According to exclusive data, fuel type is the primary consideration for 40 per cent of prospective buyers. This is an increase of 33 per cent year-on-year demonstrating how fuel type has become more important. Among the biggest considerations for prospective buyers is that 52 per cent of those surveyed said they would consider hybrid, while 39 per cent said they consider plug-in hybrid. This represents substantial year-on-year increases. It lines up with sales boosts to hybrid and plug-in hybrid models over the past 12 months at the expense of internal combustion alternatives.Another choice increasingly peaking the interests of buyers in Australia is fully-electric vehicles, which have seen a substantial boost in sales. According to Gumtree’s data, one-in-three prospective buyers said they would consider an electric car for their next purchase, which is an increase of 57 per cent compared to 2024.Expect these figures to increase further in the coming months as fuel prices rise further. This is despite hybrid and electric cars often incurring an initial purchase premium on internal combustion, which is paid off over time courtesy of less fuel use.Many of the top-selling brands are pivoting to hybrids in light of NVES, such as Toyota, Kia and Hyundai. As well as Chinese brands such as BYD which only offer electrified powertrains.Even utes are starting to offer hybrid options, like the popular BYD Shark 6, while the Ford Ranger has a PHEV variant. Chery will bring across a diesel PHEV showing the diversity of hybrid options. 

Last week Hyundai revealed a boxy, new SUV concept that gives us a glimpse of what to expect from its next dual-cab ute.Multiple digital artists have now taken the Hyundai Boulder concept and given it the ute treatment, giving us a better look at what this ute might look like.Imagery from Russian outlet Kolesa shows this new Hyundai ute will have the bold and upright front-end treatment of the Boulder SUV concept, but have other design elements that are reminiscent of the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute.Alternatively, imagery from Brazilian digital artist KDesign AG show this ute being a slightly upsized version of the Tasman and more of a rival to US mid-size pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.Hyundai has confirmed that it plans to launch a mid-size pick-up in the US in 2030. It will also be built in the US which indicates it’s focused at North America and makes an Australian launch unclear in the short term.While the Boulder-based ute is confirmed to be built on a ladder-frame architecture, it’s unclear whether it will be related to the South Korean-built Kia Tasman, which also has a ladder-frame chassis.A range-extender (REEV) hybrid powertrain has been floated by overseas reports.At this stage it’s unclear how much of the Boulder SUV concept’s other design features will carry over to the production ute version. It has 37-inch mud-terrain tyres and a roof-mounted light bar.Previous patent imagery has shown the Boulder-based ute could feature detachable doors, much like the Jeep Gladiator.It’s understood a different Hyundai ute is set to launch in Australia before 2030. Hyundai Australia CEO Don Romano told CarsGuide late last year the brand would have a ute ready by the end of 2028."My work permit goes for another two and a half years. I'm not leaving until it's coming,” Romano said in November 2025.“If they produce what we're talking about at this stage and what we're working on, it's gonna be mind blowing, it's gonna be great. And I really mean that, I'm not just blowing smoke.”