The dual-cab 4×4 market has just become more competitive with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s new X-Class, but how does it shape up in this nine-way fight?
The last time we gathered all the utes together was in late 2016 for our Max Load and Tow test. Since then, four of the nine utes have undergone significant mechanical revision, or are new. Only the HiLux, Ranger, Colorado, BT-50 and Triton are effectively unchanged mechanically although all have undergone equipment or styling changes in that time.
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is all new to this class, although, at the same time, a little familiar as it uses the Nissan Navara as a starting point in its design. Then there’s the Amarok, which sports a new and much more powerful engine in the form of a three-litre V6 diesel in place of the two-litre four-cylinder diesel.
The Isuzu D-Max has been revised twice since the last test. For the 2017 model year, the changes were led by an engine upgrade and the addition of a six-speed automatic replacing the previous five-speeder. For the 2018 model year, the D-Max has undergone a minor but not insignificant chassis revision.
The Nissan Navara has also been updated twice since the 2016 Load and Tow test with changes to the suspension – especially at the rear – on both occasions.
The HiLux variant tested here didn’t actually exist last time we gathered all the utes together as it’s an SR+ model, which adds alloy wheels and sat-nav and slots in between the work-spec steel-wheeled SR and the recreational-spec SR5. It only appeared in late 2017 as part of a shakeup of the HiLux range.
2018 MEGA UTE SHOOTOUT CONTENDERS:
FORD RANGER XLTFord’s Ranger is proof that Australia is the perfect place to design and develop a ute. Hopefully there will be more of it! |
HOLDEN COLORADO LT-ZThe Colorado first arrived in 2012 but it’s the ‘re-birth’ it underwent for the 2017 model year that really counts. |
ISUZU D-MAX LST-TIsuzu’s D-Max is more stayer than sprinter, but isn’t that what utes are made for? |
MAZDA BT-50 GTThere’s a lot of Ford Ranger in Mazda’s BT-50, which by and large is a good thing. |
MERCEDES-BENZ X250DDual-cab 4x4s are booming – not just in Australia but also across the globe – and Mercedes-Benz wants a slice of the action. |
MITSUBISHI TRITON EXCEEDWith ongoing factory discounting, the Triton is the cheapest of the mainstream 4×4 dual cabs available in Australia. |
NISSAN NAVARA ST-XNissan’s Navara D23 is less than three years old but has already been updated twice. Is it finally right? |
TOYOTA HILUX SR+Think of a dual-cab 4×4 and you probably think of HiLux. Most people certainly do. |
VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK V6 SPORTLINEVolkswagen’s long-serving Amarok has a new – and potent – lease on life thanks to V6 diesel power. |