Here are my top three reasons why im such a big fan of the D-Max X-Terrain

First, it looks good. Especially in the Sunstone Orange colour I had. That contrasting with black grill, side steps, sports bar and tub roller cover really stands out. The matte grey 18 inch alloys also add to the appeal.

Second is the practical performance capability. The 3.0L turbo diesel engine is reliable, robust and will last for hundreds of thousands of kilometres. With 140 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque, it’s under stressed. This torque comes in from a low 1600 rpm.

This is combined with the 6sp Automatic transmission, 3500 kg tow rating and select on the go 4WD system.

There are more powerful Utes available, but the Isuzu 3.0L allows for easy driving no matter what the situation.

Third is the standard safety features. The D-Max was the first with a comprehensive suite of safety features across the range. They are still class leading.

Over the years I driven the D-Max X-Terrain in almost every situation you could think of. And every time the overall impression was that it’s so easy to live with and does everything without fuss.

Yes, the Isuzu D-Max is a favourite Ute of mine, especially in the X-Terrain specification.

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Im Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the D-Max X-Terrain – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE D-Max X-Terrain – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

D-Max X-Terrain – Buyers could also look at:

Competition in 4WD Recreational Ute segment is tight .

Buyers  could look at :   Kia Tasman,  Ford Ranger Tremor, Toyota HiLux Rogue, Nissan Navara Pro 4-X Warrior, Mazda BT-50 SP, Mitsubishi Triton GSR.

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This is the top model in the range and comes with a host of external styling features as well as internal comfort upgrades.

Apart from some bling the main exterior difference from the Limited is the 20 inch alloy wheels and tyres. These look great, if not that practical for off road work.

Inside its like sitting in your loungeroom. Front seats are incredibly comfortable with

• highlight stitching, heating and ventilation,
• massage function,
• multiple electronic adjustments
• as well as 4 way lumbar support.

With electronic steering wheel adjustment finding the perfect driving position is easy.

Rear seats are designed for someone like me – larger than the average bear to sit in space and comfort. In fact, you can easily fit three of me across.

Powered by a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6  petrol  Hybrid engine that provides a handy combined output of 326kW of power and 790Nm of torque. This drive through a 10-speed sports automatic transmission and part time 4WD. It’s rated to tow 4500kg and does with ease.

Driving the Tundra around town is simple, but it does feel big in tight carparks. On the motorway it cruises effortlessly. On dirt roads and the beach, it performs without fuss.

Pricing for the Tundra Platinum is from around $173,000 plus the usual costs and that’s expensive.

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Im Rob Fraser

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The full Tundra Platinum review can be found HERE 

Readers can find more details about the Tundra Platinum – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Tundra Platinum – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Toyota Tundra Platinum  – buyers could look at:

There is of course the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500.

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The entry level work Ute is the GLX. Its available in single, club cab and dual cab versions, as well as tray back and pickup models. I drove the dual cab chassis pickup 4WD version recently.

The GLX is a workhorse yet well equipped with practical features.

I am a fan of the new front grill design and interior fit out. Recent models have also reduced some of the intrusive safety features allowing for simpler selection to turn them off.

Having wireless smart phone connectivity is handy as is the long list of standard safety features. Rubber floor mats and hard wearing fabric seats are appropriate.

Powered by a 2.4L bi-turbo diesel engine that provides 150 kW of power and 470Nm of torque from 1500 rpm.

This drives through a six speed AT and Mitsubishi’s simple yet effective Easy Select 4WD system.

Towing is rated at 3500kg and payload for the dual cab tray back is a handy 1200kg. To manage this the Triton GLX retains the ‘heavy-duty’ 4-leaf rear suspension arrangement.

With this suspension, the Triton GLX can be a touch rough riding when empty but handles a heavy load with ease. It’s ideal for towing, heavy duty work and off road recreation.

Pricing for the GLX models ranges from $37,090 through to $51,640 plus the usual costs.

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Im Rob Fraser

Readers can see the full specifications HERE. 

Readers can find more details about the Mitsubishi Triton GLX  – HERE.

TO LISTEN TO THE Mitsubishi Triton GLX – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Mitsubishi Triton GLX – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the  Mitsubishi Triton GLX are in good company. There is a LOT to choose from.

Potential choices could be Mazda BT-50 ,  KGM Musso, FOTON Tunland, GWM Cannon, Mitsubishi Triton GLX, Nissan Navara SL,

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I recently drove the dual cab HiLux Workmate version. This comes in a single cab tray back as well as dual cab trayback and pickup style. I drove the pickup model.

The main difference is the redesigned grill and bonnet. It has divided opinions, but I like it.

Inside the new model benefits from:

• a 12.3-inch touchscreen,
• wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability,
• DAB+ digital radio.
• embedded satellite navigation and voice commands.

Further technology upgrades for WorkMate include:

• a new 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster,
• two USB-C ports,
• a 12V accessory port and two-speaker audio system

Toyota has also improved the standard safety features across the range. So, the WorkMate gets a boost there as well.

Powered by a 2.8L turbo diesel engine and 6 Sp AT. This provides a healthy 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque from 1600 rpm.

This is a substantial improvement over the previous model and is class leading for work Utes.

One feature that is appreciated is the tailgate dampers to assist with opening and closing.

There is still the issue of having no lower tie points in the tub like many brands.

Pricing for the HiLux WorkMate Pickup is from $53,990 plus the usual costs, which for a work Ute is a little expensive.

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Readers can find more details about the Hilux WorkMate  – HERE.

TO LISTEN TO THE Hilux WorkMate – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Toyota Hilux WorkMate – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the  Hilux WorkMate  are in good company. There is a LOT to choose from.

Potential choices could be Mazda BT-50 ,  KGM Musso, FOTON Tunland, GWM Cannon, Mitsubishi Triton GLX, Nissan Navara SL,

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Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

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Inside it has a practical layout but it seems a touch dated these days.

Surprisingly it also has wired smart phone mirroring.

The GT model comes with a few luxuries like

• Black leather seats,
• Front seats are heated
• Front parking sensor
• 8 way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with additional lumbar support
• Heated external mirrors for those cold or icy days and
• Remote engine start

Performance comes from a 3.0L turbo diesel engine with 140 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque available from 1600 rpm. This drives through a selectable 4WD system and a 6 Sp AT.

Towing capacity is 3500 kg and it’s a popular choice for that.

With prodigious 4WD capability, the BT-50 GT is equally at home around the suburbs, forest trails, on the beach and outback touring.

The Mazda BT-50 GT is one of those Utes you jump I  and immediately feel at home in. Its comfortable capable and easy to live with

With pricing deals from $66,990 driveaway it’s not bad value as well.

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You can download the full brochure HERE 

Readers can find more details about the Mazda BT-50 GT – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Mazda BT-50 GT – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Mazda BT-50 GT – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers could look at : Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger,  KGM Musso 

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There are four models. These include the work style V7 in both 2wd and 4WD versions. The V9 comes in two different 4WD spec versions.

All comes with the same 2.0L 48V mild hybrid turbo diesel engine. This provides 120kW of power and 450Nm of torque from a low 1500rpm.

This is combined with a specially calibrated 8 speed ZF Automatic Transmission.

Some would say that 120kW isn’t enough power. And im amongst them, But for all but very few situations its adequate. Interestingly with the draconian NVES legislation, many Ute manufacturers are now offering a 120kW version.

Over the last four weeks I’ve driven each version.

For testing I’ve towed a smaller camper trailer, driven them on forest trails and the beach. Taken a longer motorway based trip. Used them for everyday transport and moved heavy loads in the Ute tub.

I’ve used the tailgate as a picnic table to watch sunsets over the beach and even put the grandsons baby seat in the back.

With a SUV like interior and abundant space for five occupants the FOTON Tunland is definitely different.

The big surprise if the stunning pricing. From $39,990 through to $49,990 plus the usual costs its outstanding value.

Overall, the FOTON Tunland may just be the perfect lifestyle Ute.

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Im Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the FOTON Tunland  – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE FOTON Tunland – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Foton Tunland Buyers could also look at:

While the Ute segment is growing in terms of participants, there is a definite development of subsections.

The first is on size. The mid-sized segment includes the: MGU9, GWM Cannon Alpha and LDV Terron9,

However, if you also look at pricing and engine figures there are some other alternatives such as: KGM Musso XLV Ultimate, the new Isuzu D-MAX 2.2L powered Utes and the same for 2.2L Mazda BT-50,

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Im a bit of a fan of the Triton styling. It seems to blend the smooth and masculine trends just right.

My Ute came with a stylish front bull bar that wrapped around the lights as well as a tow bar. Ready for work and recreation.

Inside the GLX comes with hard wearing cloth trim, nine inch central touch screen and wireless smart phone connectivity. It also came with an old school key start and  vinyl floor covering with rubber mats. Very practical.

One feature I appreciated was the additional electronic lumbar support, perfect for my aging back.

Powering the Triton is a 2.4L bi-turbo diesel engine. This provides 150 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque. Peak torque comes in around 1500 rpm, which allows for controlled low speed work and easy cruising.

This drives through a six speed AT and easy select 4WD system. The GLX also comes with a rear diff lock.

This combination is simple, robust, and reliable.

Being a work Ute, it has heavy duty rear leaf springs, which can be a touch bouncy unladen. Payload is a bit over 1000kg.

Currently Mitsubishi is pricing the Triton GLX dual cab Pickup from $46,490 drive away and that’s excellent value.

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I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Triton GLX – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Triton GLX – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Buyers of the Triton GLX  could also look at:

Buyers of the  Triton GLX  could also look at the following:   Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, KGM Musso, GWM Cannon

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It has a towing rating of 3500kg and a claimed EV only range of 50 km However the best we could get in real life was 35km and it took nearly 7 hours overnight to charge.

Inside it’s the same as a normal Ranger Sport, only with a gauge for EV range etc.

Driving the Ranger PHEV with available range is smooth enough and mostly quiet. It operates like a normal hybrid for the most part. However, the EV range disappears rapidly.

There are a few PHEV Utes available now and the others have a realistic EV range of 100km or so. That’s a big difference and motivates owners to charge them.

I feel that a range of 35km will move owners to the why bother thoughts.

Priced from $75,990 plus the usual costs it’s also very expensive. That’s some $9,500 more expensive that a 2.0L diesel Ranger Sport.

And I just cant justify the price difference. I feel the segment of buyers for the Ranger PHEV are fairly small and specific. It made great headlines, but my guess is that it won’t translate to sales.

I’m happy to be proven wrong. It happens a lot. But for my money I would buy the Diesel every time.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Ranger Sport PHEV – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Ranger Sport PHEV – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Ranger Sport PHEV – buyers could look at:

There is of course the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the BYD Shark 6 PHEV

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The road test included many kilometres of highway and winding hilly roads. Lots of gravel and an interesting 4WD section that included everything you could possibly want to test its capability.

With a wide stance, Australian designed suspension and dual pinion steering, the Tasman could lay claim to the best on road riding Ute in Australia. Bold words but it would be dam close.

Enter the potholed tar and dirt roads and the Tasman remained composed at all times. Even when savagely turned to avoid unseen holes.

Off road the Tasman excelled. The track included lots of rutted descents and climbs, moguls that tested the chassis and articulation and crossovers plus more.

I covered the track first time in 4L with the rear diff locked and controlling everything on my right boot. It simply went about its business with minimum fuss.

The second time I exclusively used the sophisticated X-Trek system so that all I did was steer. I have to admit its even better than I am.

Just for giggles I tried a particularly nasty section in 4H with no diff locks and again it simply did what was asked, with minimum wheel spin.

The key to the Tasman is how it does everything asked without fuss.

Definitely worth a test drive

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I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Kia Tasman    – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Kia Tasman X-PRO – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

What is good?

• On road ride and handling combined with off road articulation
• Internal layout is comfortable and clever.
• X-Pro 4WD capability

What is not so good?

• Questionable styling
• Would love 500Nm of torque.
• Plastic dash honeycomb is a bit naff

Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the Kia Tasman could also look at the following: Toyota HiLux GR Sport, Ford Ranger Tremor, Nissan Navara Pro 4X Warrior, Isuzu D-Max Blade , Mazda BT-50 SP, Mitsubishi Triton GSR

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