When Mercedes-Benz chose to enter the dual-cab ute market with the new X-Class, it didn’t go it alone. Working partner Nissan lent a hand – and a variety of components from the Navara – to get the job done. The two aren’t exactly the same. The X-Class is more than just a Navara with a three-pointed star on the nose (despite what you might read in our comments), but it’s not entirely different...
The all-new Honda CR-V and significantly updated Nissan X-Trail – two big nameplates in one hugely popular mid-sized SUV segment – arrived in the second half of 2017. And in November, we kicked off comparing these two revised protagonists’ ranges by pitching petrol-powered, all-wheel-driven, five-seater flagships in the form of Honda’s VTi-LX and Nissan’s TI versions against one another...
Dual-cab utes are expected to be more versatile today than ever before. Rough and tough is not enough. The flagship versions must be comfortable inside, safe, and look the part because people want show ponies as well as workhorses. Consider, for a moment, that the eight most popular dual-cab models managed 193,000 sales in Australia last year, which equals 16 per cent of the entire new vehicle market...
They’re more likely to carry dirty nappies and road bikes than a bale of hay, but all eight of the cars on our 2018 dual-cab mega test are, you know, dual-cab utes. That means they still need to be fit for hard work. Has the transition to a life of luxury undermined the inherent practicality of these one-time work vehicles? Here’s a look at how the tray on each stacks up...
In such a competitive segment, there can be a lot to take in when purchasing your next ute. As a result, Bluetooth user-friendliness and quality often gets overlooked, but generally, it is one of the most used features for drivers - especially tradies - as a lot of business calls are conducted while on the move...
People are drawn to small crossovers for various reasons. Some want extra height and practicality compared to a regular hatchback, while others are drawn to the distinctive design and point of difference. The 'funky' Hyundai Kona from Korea, and the practical UK-made Nissan Qashqai, may nominally be rivals, but they go about the business of being small SUVs quite differently...
You’re looking at two of the most recognised, popular and practical medium SUVs money can buy — the new-generation Honda CR-V, and recently upgraded Nissan X-Trail. In a market infatuated with design-led offerings such as the Mazda CX-5, this pair stand out with their unashamed focus on family-friendly characteristics...
The Commodore name may be living on but the Holden Ute passes away officially on 20 October when production of that most Australian of icons end. And uncertainty surrounding the future of Nissan’s legendary Z-series means the 370Z Nismo could be the last hurrah for a lineage that runs back nearly 50 years – to the original, 1969 Datsun 240Z...
You've got a dilemma. You need a workhorse and bells and whistles but don't want to spend mega bucks. You could opt for a poverty pack ute and deal with the missing features, or, you could stump up the cash for the latest work-oriented dual-cab utes from Nissan and Volkswagen...
The second-generation Mazda CX-9 shook up the large family crossover segment when it arrived here about a year ago, but it's not the be-all and end-all. For instance, the colossal American-made Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder may not have the Mazda's badge or chic design, but they're both noteworthy prospects...
You're looking at two of the most popular and recognisable SUVs on the market, the just-launched second-generation Mazda CX-5 and the newly updated Series II Nissan X-Trail. Both Japanese offerings have found tens of thousands of buyers in Australia over multiple generations, albeit for different reasons...
