2WD Twin Cabs
The 4x2 (2WD) twin-cab one-tonne ute market is hotly contested. Relatively new to the scene are models aimed at recreational buyers, ie: those looking for a vehicle that they can use to work and play. These utes-with-the-lot vary considerably in specifications between manufacturers as each attempts to define the ultimate top-of-the-range must-have buildlist for Australian buyers.
A NEW BREED OF UTES AND UTE-BUYERS
It takes a good hard look at Holden's internal sales figures to highlight the huge changes occurring in the light truck market.
In recent years, the high series LT version of its best-selling Rodeo ute has risen from just 5 per cent of the model mix to close to 20. Also growing has been the number of buyers bypassing the 4WD option and spending their budget on 2WD models complete with mod-cons such as ABS, dual airbags, alloy wheels and velour trim then further optioning up the end product with load bed liners, bullbars, driving lights, sports bars, lockable hard tonneaus and the like.
It's a sign of the times that nearly all light truck manufacturers have now followed the Mitsubishi Triton's lead by offering 4x2 rear-drive versions that look just like their butch 4x4 counterparts, with a big saving in weight and fuel consumption while retaining a one tonne load capacity.
The normally thirsty V6 petrol versions of these twin cab utes make more sense when they are not lugging over 100kg of extra driveshafts and transfer case that never get used. It's a useful saving, and it's not that you're giving away all of their ability -- most of these premium 4x2 utes come with limited slip diffs and when loaded with some weight over the back wheels, their extra ground clearance allows them to go much further than a passenger car anyway. The loss of the front drive shafts can also reduce the turning circle and make these vehicles easier to live with in town.
And that's the rub. These premium twin cab utes have become the new second car where a small business owner can drop off or pick up the kids from school in the course of a working day.
The same twin cab is also ideal for family holidays where the load bed and roof can be loaded with camping and recreational equipment and still have enough strength and power to tow a boat or camper. For retirees or young drivers, they generate a wealth of recreational, towing and touring possibilities.
Higher expectations in workplace safety have also forced a re-alignment of safety standards to match passenger vehicles. Last but not least, most of these vehicles are built in Thailand and are therefore among the first to benefit from new free trade agreements and arrive here duty free. Compared to a passenger car they enjoy a 10 per cent tariff advantage and if you are self-employed with an ABN number, they are usually subject to generous discounts and GST tax credits.
Resale should remain strong as more Australians retire and require a getaway vehicle for towing or lugging supplies and equipment to a weekend retreat.
This review's primary focus is this dual work and recreational function as a substitute for a family car hence the emphasis on the petrol-powered versions which deliver car like performance.
While the diesels offer real fuel consumption advantages, they don't work as well in stop-start motoring -- especially short. The fuel savings diesel offer can soon disappear under these conditions as they can generate more frequent oil changes and the 'oilers' special oil and filters can cost up to triple the petrol engine items.
BUYER BEWARE
Although these vehicles all look similar, their trade-offs between looks, passenger space and load area couldn't be more diverse. For example, the average mountain bike is 1.5m long which is longer than some load areas of the vehicles tested. Consider too if load bed height drops below around 410mm, you unlikely to be able to fit a standard Esky under a solid lid.
Before finalizing a purchase on towing capacity, make sure that this capacity is not reduced by what you need to carry in the ute itself. The maximum ball weight allowed on the tow bar itself can vary according to the load already in the vehicle. These can be critical factors in the actual towing capacity, as distinct from the stated maximum.
Even if most dimensions are covered in this review, buyers must look at their own needs and check whether the vehicle can deliver the goods. Body dimensions, especially width, are not always a reliable indicator of carrying capacity or cabin width when most of these upper levels rely on fat wheel arch extensions or side steps to boost their published width. Where possible, CarPoint has included the width of the base level body in brackets to highlight the width of the add-ons.
Body height can more often reflect cabin headroom but on these models it can also be a product of their high-ride suspension. Comparative fuel consumption figures are not available when comparable 4x2 vehicles could not be sourced from manufacturer test fleets.
A SNAPSHOT
Haven't got time to read the full reports that follow? Here's our summary of each of the featured vehicles. Links to each of the twin cab reports are below:
Holden Rodeo LT 4x2 Crew Cab 3.5
Priced from: $34,490 plus a/c
Best compromise between price, safety features, cabin space, load area and style.
Toyota HiLux SR5 4x2 Double Cab 4.0
Priced from: $38,720 including a/c
Big Mac-style upsize in just about everything including style, cabin, load space and price.
Ford Courier XLT 4x2 Crew Cab 4.0
Priced from: $33,490 including a/c
Ageing design delivers biggest cabin and engine and longest load area for the money.
Mitsubishi GLX 4x2 Double Cab 3.0
Priced from: $29,990 plus a/c
Value-packed, compact and frugal with long load area.
Nissan Navara ST-R 4x4* Dual Cab 3.3
Priced from: $40,990 including a/c
Runout pricing makes sporty 4x4 version competitive...
*Nissan withdrew its 4x2 ST V6 in June 2004. The 4x4 is listed for comparison only as current runout pricing and incentives make it competitive with rival 4x2 models.
Holden VZ Crewman S 4x2 3.6
Priced from: $38,620 including a/c
Stand-alone passenger car front seat safety and refinement with competitive load capacity.