Ford Ranger vs Nissan Navara vs Isuzu D-Max vs Mitsubishi Triton

[NTF6]

Hi All,

I'm planning on getting a 4x4 in a double cab ute configuration and in automatic as it will be the wife's daily driver. I've been doing a far bit of research and unfortunately being in a small town I don't have access to all of the above in the auto variant to test drive but in a few weeks I may get the opportunity to do so but in the mean time:

I'm after some feed back form anyone that has some of the above and who also may have recently tried a few of them out and what made them arrive at their decision to buy what they did?

As I'm looking for an auto I'm after something that pulls fairly hard from the get go and isn't a slug, I probably won't be doing any towing but still want something in the 140kw+ range.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks

EDIT: Mods I meant to put this in the pub if you could kindly move it please.

[Tonto81]

I suppose it depends on what you want to spend. Isuzu are selling the max auto for 42140 at the moment which is good with 5 year warranty and capped servicing for 3 years. I think you also get 5 years roadside assist as well. I have been in a auto one and they drive awesome with plenty of poke.

[Ben73]

Ranger is the only one that exceeds the 140kws and has a 6 speed auto.

Triton looks so Chinese, especially the front.
Dmax looks good, hear the are reliable.
I know nothing about the new Navara, just found out it makes 140kws, probably will be a good unit all over by the looks of it.


I didn't look at those utes when buying my Ranger. I did have a look at Amarok, BT50 and Colorado, but I was pretty much set on the Ranger. Goes hard, looks good, plus its a Ford.

[mik]

i haven't been in a ranger, but i was stopped at lights next to one a while ago, and he gave it the sausage at the green lights up to the 80 kph limit, the bloody thing had some go, it would have embarrassed some some cars.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

i haven't been in a ranger, but i was stopped at lights next to one a while ago, and he gave it the sausage at the green lights up to the 80 kph limit, the bloody thing had some go, it would have embarrassed some some cars.

Ranger does 0-100 in a little over 12 seconds, which is ok for a diesel ute. But a Corolla would thrash it.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Ranger does 0-100 in a little over 12 seconds, which is ok for a diesel ute. But a Corolla would thrash it.

that is surprising , the one i was next to was i would have thought a bit quicker, perhaps it was tuned ? the dude was driving it like a sports car?

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by mik

that is surprising , the one i was next to was i would have thought a bit quicker, perhaps it was tuned ? the dude was driving it like a sports car?

Most dual-cab owners drive like that. I was nearly rear ended by an Amarok this morning as I slowed down for an amber traffic light and he swung around me an floored it through the intersection.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

that is surprising , the one i was next to was i would have thought a bit quicker, perhaps it was tuned ? the dude was driving it like a sports car?

A base 1987 66kw carburettor Camry has similar performance of around 11-12 seconds. So the diesels dual cabs are slow, but the way they deliver power and the noise they make, makes them feel a lot quicker and frankly you wouldn't really want to go much faster in them anyway.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Brazen

A base 1987 66kw carburettor Camry has similar performance of around 11-12 seconds. So the diesels dual cabs are slow, but the way they deliver power and the noise they make, makes them feel a lot quicker and frankly you wouldn't really want to go much faster in them anyway.

Mine is under 9 to a 100 - plenty fast for 2t dual cab . Tuned they go even better but no need for it - like you said , these are work/fun trucks . Best part is going up long hills on Hume while towing a 2.5t trailer and doing it at at 2000rpm at 110 . Even with a trailer hooked on it is quicker than a Camry :-)

[DoreSlamR]

A mate has a ST-X 550 with chip, exhaust and pedal booster.



If it wasn't for the traction control this thing would be a tyre killer, and with Coopr AT3's it could be an expensive tyre killer lol

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Ranger does 0-100 in a little over 12 seconds, which is ok for a diesel ute. But a Corolla would thrash it.

Where did you get that from? Unless you are talking 2.2L 4 cylinder. Or a manual with someone who isn't very quick at gear changes.

Tetsed my 3.2 twice and both got almost exactly 10 seconds.Youtube shows same results.

[joolz]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Ranger does 0-100 in a little over 12 seconds, which is ok for a diesel ute. But a Corolla would thrash it.

Put a 1ton trailer behind both and see who thrashes who!

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by joolz

Put a 1ton trailer behind both and see who thrashes who!

That would be interesting as a tonne isn't a lot for a modern petrol 4 cylinder car to tow and the Ranger is slow to begin with. The advantage of diesel is fuel economy at, the ones I drive average under 9 litres per 100km which is brilliant.

They need to start upping the engines in the dual cabs, Toyota should put their 4.5 V8 in the Hilux. Especially for the prices Australians pay compared to the rest of South East Asia.

If you really wanted to tow near the 3.5 tonne limit and needed grunt its probably worth stepping up to a Landrover Discover 4 with its 600nm engine or Landcruiser or American pickup. But then we start talking big money.

[Vesper Martini]

This is what you want to have a read of:
but its an article from 2013, since then the Navara has been replaced, which happened to be the most powerful and quickest to 100
despite D-max having less power, it has good performance and economy.
I don't have the specs but I think the Ford/Mazda is quite a lot larger, hence its slightly slower, but they still go really well.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/249408/u...swagen-amarok/

[Giant Cranium]

I'd buy the dmax. Not as kitted out but are damn reliable

[mik]

interesting test between the utes, i would say they all offer something that may appeal to owners with different priorities,
it would have been nice if they could have put a 500 kg pallet in the back to see how they run with a bit of load on them, often tradies will will zip around with the large tool boxes on the back permanently.

[OzJavelin]

Bought a MY15 (the "old" model) Triton GLX-R auto for my wife last year primarily because it was the best equipped for the price at the time. The MY15 is still being sold new alongside the new model, so is still an alternative in your list of possibles.

It is "cheap and cheerful" doing most things well, but none of them outstanding. It is aged in everything (looks, interior, bells-and-whistles), but as a "worse option" it's still good.

Likely any of these you choose will be fine. Take them all for a good test run, read as much as you can and your selection be fine

Edit: Opps .. forgot you can't test drive them all!?

[NTF6]

Thanks for the feedback. To throw a spanner in the works, the missus has said she doesn't mind the manual (she used to pilot a manual Patrol around) but she has also said she doesn't mind the Holden Colorado

I hadn't given too much thought on these but managed to test one out yesterday in both manual and auto. 147kw and 440nm, heaps of modern features including reversing camera and sensors, nice look and drove really well, pulled away very strongly from 60kph in 4th gear.

Does anyone have more experience with the Colorado than my simple test drive?

[sprintman1]

One of them makes the other three look like the toys they are. The mining companies, utilities, and other big fleet buyers worked it out some time ago and buy them by the ship load. Having worked on all four it's a no brainer but will you come to the same decision?

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by NTF6

Thanks for the feedback. To throw a spanner in the works, the missus has said she doesn't mind the manual (she used to pilot a manual Patrol around) but she has also said she doesn't mind the Holden Colorado

I hadn't given too much thought on these but managed to test one out yesterday in both manual and auto. 147kw and 440nm, heaps of modern features including reversing camera and sensors, nice look and drove really well, pulled away very strongly from 60kph in 4th gear.

Does anyone have more experience with the Colorado than my simple test drive?

my bro in law has a rg my15 colorado and loves it, same interior as a dmax but different running gear, in saying that he blew the motor at 137km's and now at 35000kms he is using 4.5L of oil every 15k. has also had heaps of problems with the dealer but that can happen with any make.

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

my bro in law has a rg my15 colorado and loves it, same interior as a dmax but different running gear, in saying that he blew the motor at 137km's and now at 35000kms he is using 4.5L of oil every 15k. has also had heaps of problems with the dealer but that can happen with any make.

There's not a hell of a lot on the net about them being thirsty on oil, a few of the earlier models were using a bit but not at alarming rates. My experience with diesel engines is that they will always use more oil than a petrol and if they are using some oil don't be afraid to change spec or brand slightly as they can burn a **** load with one brand and bugger all on another.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by NTF6

There's not a hell of a lot on the net about them being thirsty on oil, a few of the earlier models were using a bit but not at alarming rates. My experience with diesel engines is that they will always use more oil than a petrol and if they are using some oil don't be afraid to change spec or brand slightly as they can burn a **** load with one brand and bugger all on another.

More to do with difference in viscosity within the stated spec and HTHS etc. An X40W etc can be formulated to be nearly a 30W or anything in between up to almost a 50W. That's why the stated viscosity on the bottle/jug means little.

[Polyal]

On principle alone its Ranger all the way. You pay for it but its a quality vehicle.

[Polyal]

?? Mining companies, we are pretty much one of the largest buyers of "utes" and unfortunately (personally) we dont by Fords. But its more of a culture/its to much pain to change than the quality of the product.

[Falcon Coupe]

Still waiting for a full test.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/355792/2...nissan-navara/

[Itsme]

I have the Ranger which I find is great but to be fair I think the Isuzu Dmax is another great option to consider, for the rest forget them.

Since you said not towing your money would be best spent on the Dmax which would be cheaper option.

[1TUFFUTE]

Check out utube if you want a variety of global reviews on the trucks. A few years ago it was hands down the ranger for me, but I'm biased aswell.
The colorada doesn't even make it in most comparos as it's rather average in comparison. No doubt it's still ok standing alone as all modern cars are tho. But if you want the best.....current ranger still trumps even the new Nissan from what I've read.

[Bossxr8]

From reviews I've seen the Navara still can't touch a Ranger, and the new 4 cylinders are a bit gutless.

[AussieCJ7]

Amarok and Mazada BT are 2 other options the Mazada and Ranger are close cousins so comes down to personal taste of interior

It seems to me while the tradionalist view still has hilux sitting top of the heap the market has shifted and Ranger Mazada BT and Amarok are the only ones to evolve to match it.

The new Merc promises to be a evolution step again but too early to say

[sprintman1]

Wouldn't touch a Neverare for free! Google Navara problems and be amazed!