Tradie

The MG U9 Explore Pro is the top-shelf variant in MG’s ute line-up. It has plenty of onboard features, as well as a variety of drive modes and – most importantly if you’re a keen off-roader – it has front and rear diff locks as standard. But, how does this MG ute perform off-road? 

The true successor to the Ford Falcon is finally coming, with a new name, fresh body styles and the right powertrain for our times, and it should be huge. This isn’t speculation or hyperbole either, but the facts behind an upcoming entire family of electric vehicles (EVs) recently announced by Ford’s global CEO, Jim Farley. With the first model badged Fathom, they represent a return to brand values at a most critical time in the company’s 123-year history. While not yet announced for Australia, the Fathom name has already been trademarked in this country, while its architecture has been engineered for right-hand-drive, auguring well for an eventual local launch. Starting from around $A40,000 in the US when orders commence early next year, the Fathom will initially launch as a four-door, five-seater mid-sized dual-cab EV of monocoque construction. Despite what the styling implies, this is not a ladder-frame pick-up, but an integrated ute around the size of the existing and highly successful Maverick, which is sadly unavailable in Australia. The Fathom is expected to eventually be part of a wider family of EVs that will likely include an SUV spin-off. In other words, Ford is devising a range of models that sit at the heart of the global new-vehicle market. Van and possibly passenger-car and crossover versions are also set to arrive in time. These are all possible due to some smart thinking behind what Ford calls the Universal EV Platform (UEP). New from the ground up, this is a modular architecture designed and engineered to be as flexible as possible. A key component of the UEP’s flat, skateboard framework is an integrated lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery module to provide extra strength and packaging efficiency. Other details, including range and specifications, will be released at a later date. Created to keep costs down, UEP is a direct response to the dramatically increased competition from China, as well as from South Korea, Japan and Europe. China in particular has rewritten the rules on hybrid and EV affordability, so Fathom is part of Ford’s wider fightback strategy. And not for the first time since 1903, either. Have no doubts. Philosophically, Fathom is a modern Falcon in all but name. The Fathom is a textbook return to everything the Falcon was and represented when Ford unveiled it in America in September, 1959. Back then, the company was struggling amid recession and the financial fallout of the multi-billion-dollar Edsel premium brand disaster. These were happening against the backdrop of booming sales for smaller and cheaper European (and later Japanese) models, like the Volkswagen Beetle and Renault Dauphine – something that none of the major American carmakers foresaw nor had adequate responses for. Described as a “compact”, it’s mad to think the Falcon was Ford’s direct answer to the Beetle, but until then, the Blue Oval’s smallest US offerings were still massive, like the 1959 ‘Tank’ Fairlane. With demand far outstripping forecasts, in one fell swoop, the original Falcon turned Ford around, outselling all before it. And let’s not forget – the Falcon also spawned the phenomenon that was the original Mustang. After all these years, Ford is hoping that magic Falcon lightning will strike again with Fathom. And, in the latter 2020s, it makes sense for that to be dual-cab ute. Going where the buyers are. The first Falcon was released in Australia in September, 1960, starting a 56-year battle against Holden, finally toppling it from number one for the first time in 1982. Before utes and SUVs ruled, sedans and wagons were on top, something the also-modular Falcon provided, along with ute and panel van alternatives. Fast forward to today, and Ford is profitable in North America but struggling in Europe, China and elsewhere, including in Australia. The least expensive new Ford passenger vehicle is the Everest Active 4WD from $58,990 before on-road costs. That’s why the Falcon handbook has been dusted off and modernised to better-suit consumer tastes, as the 2027 Fathom. Ford is returning to its roots by going back to basics. Here’s why the Fathom would be relevant for Ford Australia. We might be a ute and SUV-loving nation, but our appetite for EVs is now amongst the strongest in the world per-capita, so the timing couldn’t be more crucial. Especially as Ford is facing massive fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) because its carbon pollution-heavy internal combustion engine-powered T6 II Ranger ute and its Everest diesel SUV spin-off account for around 90 per cent of total brand sales volumes. Plus, it will be increasingly difficult for Ranger and Everest sales to sustain the same cadence as before, coming under pressure from newer and mainly hybridised competition pouring into Australia. Of course, Ford will continue to evolve the T6 II models, and it’s believed that body-on-frame replacements – likely from China – are in the pipeline as the end of the decade nears.

The Chery Stockman dual-cab ute has the potential to truly rattle the cage of rivals such as the BYD Shark 6 and JAC Hunter PHEV and even more established players like the Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara. A diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain is straight away an obvious point of difference for the Stockman range – with a petrol PHEV due here in 2027 – and that’s a big deal because, as CarsGuide news editor Dom Tripolone has noted in previous stories, no other ute-maker has delivered a diesel-hybrid set-up to market here, not even Toyota. With the Stockman due to go on sale here at the end of this year, anticipation is rapidly building, but Chery’s ute needs to excel in a few key areas – namely capability, real-world local tuning and price – in order for it to really make a mark in the Australian market. Read on. All early signs here are positive. The Stockman will have a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine and an electric motor for total outputs of 350kW and 800Nm. Electric-only driving range will likely be between 80km and 100km. The diesel plug-in hybrid will be joined by a petrol plug-in version in 2027. This big ute – measuring 5450mm long (with a 3250mm wheelbase), 2010mm wide and 1890mm high – will have 247mm of ground clearance and be fitted with all-terrain tyres as standard. Suspension will be a double wishbone set-up at the front and leaf springs at the rear. Chery has previously stated that the Stockman would have a dual transfer case – with low- and high-range 4WD – and front, centre and rear diff locks, so, on paper, it’s well set up for off-roading and dirt-track touring. The Stockman’s tub is claimed to be 1560mm long, 1560mm wide and 500mm deep, so industry standard. Though Chery has not officially released any payload figures yet, towing capacities for this ute are claimed to be 750kg (unbraked) and 3500kg (braked), so industry standard. If the Stockman delivers on Chery’s capability promises then that’s a battle won. When it comes to an AWD or a 4WD marketed as a “purpose-built” 4WD, the proof really has to be in the off-road pudding. Car buyers are so sophisticated nowadays that carmakers are increasingly entering into collaborations with companies in order to develop vehicles that greatly benefit from substantial engineering away from the OEM. Chery has revealed it has enlisted the services of Melbourne-based vehicle engineering firm, Premcar, to manage the Stockman’s local ride and handling program in order to tweak the ute’s suspension and chassis to ultimately best suit Australian conditions. Premcar’s work on the Navara and Patrol Warriors, among many other vehicle projects, is renowned and has shown that the company can be entrusted with crucial conversion work, engineering upgrades and the fitment of adventure-ready accessories in order to add real value to a vehicle. Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris has previously told CarsGuide that Premcar staff were “doing assessment and validation across many different aspects of the vehicle and many different driving situations”. “So it's not just off-road, but it's also on-road performance, and they'll give feedback on ride and handling and how the infotainment system works, and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and how the ADAS (advanced driver assist systems) works.” True blue tuning across myriad road and track surfaces in different conditions is welcome, but a car company simply claiming that it has undertaken “local tuning” is not welcome. In Premcar we trust. The value-for-money space is one in which the Stockman can be solidly established especially if Chery manages to price the ute in such a way that holds plenty of appeal as an attractive purchase. Pricing has been tipped to be around the $57,900 mark (excluding on-road costs), which will pit it squarely against the likes of BYD Shark 6 and MGU9. If the Stockman proves value- and feature-packed, as well as comfortable and capable enough then sharp pricing will make it even more competitive in an increasingly pricey market. If Chery has created a ute that manages to avoid the flaws and niggles of some other Chinese off-roaders – such as counter-intuitive and complicated touchscreens, intrusive driver-assist tech, clunky off-road traction control systems, and an inability to truly excel in the tough stuff – then it’s on its way to getting a real foothold in the Aussie market. Add in sharp pricing, solid build quality, reliable all-round capability, and an agreeable on-road performance and the Stockman may be able to really crack the whip on its competition. Note: The Stockman is due to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, when pricing and technical details for the diesel PHEV and petrol PHEV are expected to be announced.

Ram Australia was very keen, only a couple of years ago, to show us just how good its inline six-cylinder replacement for the Hemi V8 was. But now, having established the new engine's credentials, Ram has brought the V8 out of retirement. It now measures 6.4 litres and is seen only in the, bigger, 2500 version of the Ram pick-up. But has nostalgia talked Ram into a backward step?

GWM Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its new Cannon Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute. Thanks to a limited-time offer that allows $2000 off that runs out on October 31, 2026, the 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T line-up starts at $47,990 drive-away for ABN holders or $48,990 drive-away for private buyers. This undercuts the likes of the JAC Hunter PHEV and BYD Shark 6, making it Australia's cheapest PHEV ute. The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV has differing pricing for ABN holders and private buyers. The line-up is priced as follows: All prices are drive-away In lieu of the $2000 promotional drive-away bonus, customers can instead choose to receive a $2000 fuel card. The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired with an electric motor for total system outputs of 310kW and 750Nm. The electric motor is fed by a 33.1kWh battery that allows for up to 115km of NEDC-claimed electric range. Adding the 75-litre fuel tank, the overall claimed range is 1037km. This battery pack allows for DC fast-charging at rates up to 110kW, meaning a 30 to 80 per cent charge can take as little as 18 minutes. There is a nine-speed hybrid transmission with drive sent through a torque-on-demand four-wheel drive system. There’s also an electronic rear differential lock as standard. Despite the big battery, the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV still offers a 3500kg braked towing capacity. Payload is 835kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3420kg and the gross combined mass (GCM) is 6400kg. The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV comes in two trim levels, Lux and Ultra. The Lux come standard with the following: 18-inch black alloy wheels Full-size steel spare wheel Exterior black pack LED headlights Rear privacy glass 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Six-speaker sound system Electric park brake Wireless phone charger Synthetic leather upholstery Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat Four-way manually adjustable front-passenger seat The Ultra adds the following: Electronic sunroof Interior ambient lighting Footwell lamp USB for dashcam Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Heated steering wheel Leather-accented upholstery Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat Four-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat Heated and ventilated front seats While the regular diesel-powered versions of the GWM Cannon have a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the Hi4-T PHEV versions haven’t been tested yet and remain unrated for now. The following safety equipment is standard: Seven airbags, including centre airbag Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic alert Lane-keep assist Adaptive cruise control Driver attention monitoring Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Stepping up to the Ultra brings the following: Surround-view camera Front parking sensors

Hyundai’s new electric van has landed.  The Hyundai Staria Load Electric has become the latest in a growing list of electric van choices for buyers.  It starts from $70,990, making it cheaper than the smaller Ford Transit Custom Electric ($77,890), but it will also tackle its mechanical sibling the Kia PV7 due in Australia before the end of 2027.  This equates to a more than $20,000 jump on the base diesel grade, and more than $9000 extra compared to previous range-topping hybrid.  The Staria Load Electric will make its Australian debut at the Everything Electric event in Sydney that starts from 18 September, 2026.  The brand has already confirmed a people mover variant of the Staria Electric is not under consideration at this stage.  The Staria Load Electric is powered by a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 350Nm. Diesel variants produce 130kW/430Nm, while hybrid variants produce 180 kW/304Nm The van is equipped with an 84kWh battery, offering a total driving range of 450km, according to WLTP standards.  It consumes 20.7kWh of power for every 100km driven, according to the brand.  Riding on Hyundai’s 800-volt E-GMP platform it can DC fast charge at up to 350kW, meaning a 20-80 per cent juice up takes 20 minutes.  The Staria Load Electric has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg (500kg less than diesel variants), and a 1005kg payload.  The van’s cargo capacity is 4935L, but it also has a 23.9L front storage area.  It can also use its battery via vehicle-to-load to power tools and other devices directly with a standard three-pin electrical outlet.  The Staria Load electric only comes in a two-seat configuration.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen as well as a wireless phone charger.  It has a leather steering wheel, while seats are wrapped in a black cloth material. The van boasts keyless entry and a push-button start.  Buyers can choose from either liftback or twin outward-swinging rear doors at no extra cost for added practicality.  The Staria Load Electric has a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer's warranty as well as an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high-voltage battery.  The van is available with a capped-priced servicing deal, with servicing occurring every two years or 30,000km. 

Australian V8 vans rejoice, Ram has confirmed the V8 Hemi-powered 2500 Warlock for Australia. This follows the brand locking in the 6.2-litre supercharged V8-powered 1500 TRX last month. The 6.4-litre Hemi V8 petrol finds its way into the off-road focused 2500 Warlock, which will sit alongside the diesel-powered 2500 Heavy Duty. Ram said deliveries of the 2500 Warlock will commence in October. Ram Australia boss Jeff Barber said Australian customers were screaming for the V8 Hemi to come back, and it would complement the diesel-powered Heavy Duty utes perfectly. “We had also been exploring the option of an off-road inspired Ram 2500 Heavy Duty model for some time, so the Warlock was the perfect opportunity to bring the Hemi V8 back and deliver customers a broader choice. “So when we were assessing the suitability of the Warlock for our market, we decided to go all in and bring the HEMI V8 back with it,” he said. The naturally-aspirated 6.4-litre V8 makes 306kW and 582Nm, and is matched to an eight-speed auto with high and low gearing. The 2500 Warlock can tow up to 6700kg, but will need a 'goose neck' accessory and air brakes to manage the load that big. It is rated to tow 3500kg with a 50mm tow ball and 4500kg with a bigger 70mm tow ball. The 2500 Warlock has a payload of up to 1275kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4495kg. The 2500 Warlock has a 117-litre fuel tank. Ram isn’t required to provide a fuel use figure, because the vehicle’s GVM exceeds 3500kg exempting it from Australian Design Rules requiring fuel use testing. Overseas reports put it at between 15 and 20 litres per 100km, but if you are concerned about fuel use this probably isn’t the vehicle for you. The 2500 Warlock kicks off at $157,950, before on-road costs, which is about $15,000 cheaper than the diesel-powered 2500. It is also about $10,000 cheaper than the diesel-powered Chevrolet Silverado 2500. It has plenty of standard kit, including: Black front fascia and headlight surrounds Black front and rear bumpers Black fender flares Black side steps Black mirror scalps Warlock decals 20-inch alloys wheels (up from 18-inch on Laramie) All-terrain tyres (285/60/20) versus highway terrain tyres on Laramie Bilstein off-road shock absorbers Coil spring rear suspension LED headlights Spray-in bedliner 12-inch multimedia screen Six-seats (centre console when middle front seat not in use) Ram Australia only covers its vehicles with a three year/100,000km warranty, which is well below the industry average of five years./unlimited km. Service intervals are every 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first. The 2500 is a big unit and underground carparks will be a nightmare, with it measuring 6066mm long, 2220 wide (excluding mirrors), 2043mm tall and wheelbase of 3785mm. Ram said it has a turning circle of 14.6 metres and kerb weight of 3220kg. It has a healthy approach and departure angles of 22.9 and 25.8 degrees, respectively. The ramp over angle is 22 degrees.

A new exciting ute could be in the works.  Jaguar Land Rover and Stellantis are exploring the potential of introducing a Defender-branded full-size pick-up in the United States, according to The Times.  The pair announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2026 “to explore opportunities to collaborate on product development” in the US.  JLR confirmed it would pursue a range of new products under the Defender brand specifically designed for the US market.  The MoU includes product and technology development, with a Defender-badged ute potentially the first new car of this partnership.  JLR’s partnership with Stellantis shows the iconic brand wants to take the US market seriously.  Its Defender SUV is a popular seller in the US, but it’s subject to heavy import tariffs, limiting profitability for Land Rover in a key market.  JLR wants to prioritise the US market to capitalise on rising luxury car demand and the brand's growing popularity there.  “Our aspiration in the coming years is to grow our US business to the size of the entire JLR business as it exists today,” JLR CEO PB Balaji said in a June 2026 statement. Full-size pick-ups are some of the most popular cars on sale in North America, so this model could be a huge hit if it gets off the ground. Plans are still at an early stage for the JLR Stellantis ute, but they are expected to be finalised before the end of 2026.  The ute is likely to be built in the United States to avoid the high import tariffs. There is no confirmation on whether the new ute will use the Land Rover Defender’s existing D7x architecture or a specific ute platform from Stellantis’ Jeep or Ram.  The current Defender rides on a car-based monocoque chassis that is not used on any ute models, but it features a rigid structure like on traditional ladder frame 4WD set-ups.  Jeep and Ram have more ready-made ute chassis options, with the Ram 1500’s DT platform or the Jeep Wrangler’s JL platform a streamlined fit.  Any Australian prospects are a long way down the line for this ute.  It will be initially targeted at the US market, so it will only be built in left-hand drive, reducing its chances of going on sale Down Under.  Key full-size pick-up trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 are remanufactured in Australia to be right-hand drive.  The Stellantis-built Ram 1500 also undergoes this remanufacturing process, meaning this new ute model could follow a similar path. 

There will soon be a Toyota HiLux for everyone. The Japanese brand has revealed details of its new hydrogen-powered HiLux, which will join the diesel and battery electric versions already on sale. The new Toyota HiLux hydrogen fuel-cell ute will go on sale in Europe in 2028. Toyota Australia has previously confirmed to CarsGuide the hydrogen HiLux will go on sale in Australia the same year. Toyota Europe claims the new hydrogen HiLux, dubbed HiLux FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), will have a targeted driving range of 400km and be able to tow 2500kg.  Toyota will fine tune the hydrogen HiLux at next year's Dakar Rally, where the company will race a vehicle based on the gas-powered ute. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are another form of electric vehicle.  Instead of using a battery with stored energy to power electric motors, they convert hydrogen into electricity to power the motors. Hydrogen is stored in a pressurised tank and is mixed with air, and then is pumped into the fuel cell, where a chemical reaction occurs that creates electricity and water. The electricity is stored in a small battery, which powers the electric motors that drive the wheels. The water is expelled out the tailpipe. Toyota is working on a new fuel cell to fit to trucks that would deliver the same grunt as a diesel motor. Hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth and fuel-cell vehicles don’t require an enormous battery that are made up of critical minerals. In theory this makes them cheaper. Hydrogen is extremely energy intensive to isolate, which means unless you use green energy it is not very clean, despite the lack of tailpipe emissions. There is barely any infrastructure for hydrogen cars to fill up in Australia, which means an entire network needs to be created. But they can be refilled in about five minutes, which is much quicker than a battery electric vehicle can recharge. Hydrogen is often seen as the answer to heavy vehicles rather than passenger cars. An electric semi-trailer would require an enormous battery to allow it to haul its load, but FCEV tech is seen as the answer because it is lighter and can be refilled faster. It would be easier to install hydrogen refuelling infrastructure along major highways, ports and industrial areas than roll out an urban network.

Toyotas are ubiquitous in Australia, with everything from Camrys and Corollas through to the legendary 4WD LandCruisers near-omnipresent on our roads and bush tracks. But there are some Toyotas that are sold – and popular – overseas but aren’t offered in the Australian market, and if they are offered here they haven’t achieved the sales success Toyota has hoped for. Case in point: the Tundra, while it’s much loved in the good ol’ US of A, it has achieved only middling success here. The Tundra’s sales struggle here have somewhat discouraged Toyota from bringing any other overseas models here and that’s a real shame because there are some appealing vehicles in that mix. Read on. Much respected in off-roading circles, the 4Runner – think a Surf/Fortuner mash-up on HGH (Hard-core Growth Hormone) – has been around in various iterations since 1984. Now in its sixth generation, the 4Runner comes with a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine (204kW and 430Nm), or a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (240kW and 630Nm), both matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s a Toyota off-roader – with part-time or full-time 4WD, drive modes and diff locks – so it’s handy in the dirty stuff, of course. Australia doesn’t need another 4WD, but the 4Runner wouldn’t go astray here. Prices in the US start from MSRP $42,270 (approx. AUD $58,700). Not as well known here, the Sequoia is a well established large SUV in the US market. This large SUV – top-spec versions tip the scales at 2790kg – is more open-road cruiser than hard-core 4WD but, having said that, it still has the mechanicals and tech onboard to traverse difficult terrain.  The 2026 Sequoia is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 hybrid (321kW and 790Nm), matched to a 10-speed auto, and is rated to legally tow up to 4309kg. Mid-range variants and upwards have part-time 4WD (with high- and low-range 4WD) and an automatic limited-slip differential. The Sequoia may struggle to find a niche here as stablemate Cruiser has that part of the market sewn up. Feeling posh? Go for the Trailhunter package, replete with an Old Man Emu upgraded suspension, Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 tyres, bronze-finished wheels, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection. Prices in the US start from MSRP $68,725 for an SR5 4WD (approx. AUD $95,456). Like a baby 300 Series, only better – or at least that’s what Toyota wants you to believe. Launched in May this year, this diminutive five-seater FJ – with a 270mm shorter wheelbase than the 250 Series – has a 2.7-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine (producing 120kW and 246Nm), a six-speed auto, part-time 4WD and an electric rear differential lock. It’s boxy and compact – it has a turning circle of 5.5m – and looks set to take on the likes of Suzuki’s Jimny in the cute-but-capable off-road stakes. A Cruiser-based but shrunken ladder-frame structure is the platform for this tough-seeming little nugget of an off-roader. Off-road angles are up there with the 250 Series and, on paper, this FJ has plenty of off-road potential. Sure, this mini Cruiser exists in a niche within a niche but we reckon it’d sell here. Prices in Japan start from 4,500,100 yen (about $40,100). Massive in America and well suited to outdoorsy life in Australia, the Tacoma is a big ute made for rough-and-tumble work and play, so why it hasn’t landed here yet its beyond us. Now available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine (producing up to 204kW and 430Nm) or a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain (producing up to 239kW and 630Nm) that’s matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s built on the same chassis as the full-size Tundra and Sequoia, and gains bolstering from a Toyota New Global Architecture-F (TNGA-F) platform of high-strength steel, lightweight aluminium and laser welds. So, robust. And, of course, it’s all packed into a ute with Toyota’s reliable baked-in off-road effectiveness. TRD variants and upwards get Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, and an electronically controlled locking rear differential as standard. Go for a Trailhunter and you get Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube position-sensitive shocks with rear piggyback reservoirs, high-clearance front bumper, rock rails and ARB steel rear bumper with recovery hooks, and 33-inch rugged-terrain tires with 18-inch wheels. We know lots of people in Australia who jump at the chance to own one of these big utes. Prices in the US start from MSRP $32,545 (approx. AUD $45,203). A ute actually designed and engineered to do ute stuff? No way. The HiLux Champ – a Thailand-only vehicle – is an intriguing oddity that’s sure to fire the imagination of many a quirky car fan there and abroad. It’s a 2WD two-seater ute with a choice of three engine types – 2.0L petrol, 2.7L petrol, or a 2.4L four-cylinder diesel – and it has either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission.  Depending on your Champ’s spec level it may have a one-tonne payload and a minimum 5.4m turning circle. Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) offers eight grades of the Champ, including short- and long-wheelbase versions, and an unequipped variant with a flat deck is available.  With customisation in mind, TMT has made sure the deck has bolt holes at various locations so that custom accessories can be attached. It’s built for purpose and, on paper, certainly has a lot of appeal as a work ute and a mod-friendly vehicle. The Champ would fit right in here. Prices range from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (approx. $19,354 to $24,329).