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Matt Brogan8 Aug 2014
REVIEW

Dual duel: 4WD dual-cab ute comparison 2014

Ford Ranger v Holden Colorado v Isuzu D-MAX v Mazda BT-50 v Mitsubishi Triton v Toyota HiLux v Volkswagen Amarok

Dual-Cab utes once served only to carry the crew to the building site, and then usually with a tray full of work gear. Now, those roles – and many more – are tasked to these less-than-humble workhorses on a daily basis, whether at the hands of trade, recreational or family buyers.

The reason behind this broadening of duty is a simple one – these utes are far more capable, commodious and comfortable than their single-purpose predecessors ever were. They’ll happily tour the open highway, head off-road with the tinny in tow or meander down to the local shops, all before returning fit for work come Monday morning.

This expansion in popularity is reflected in the sales figures, too. In four-wheel drive format (as tested), the year-to-date figures show that dual-cab ute sales account for an impressive 18 per cent of all light commercial vehicle sales.

Heading the charge is the evergreen Toyota HiLux. As the strongest selling model in its class, the HiLux accounts for one-in-five new 4WD dual-cab ute sales, and year-to-date has amassed an impressive 13,743 sales [Ed: that’s only 2592 units shy of the third-best selling passenger car, the Holden Commodore].

motoring.com.au’s previous 4WD Dual-Cab Ute Comparison victor – and 2013 motoring recommends winner in the ‘Tradie’ section – the Ford Ranger, trails in second place with 10,345 sales. It leads third-place getter Mitsubishi Triton (9447), Holden Colorado (8015), and Nissan Navara (7840).

Unfortunately, Nissan could not make a Navara available for participation in this test. With an all-new model in the wings, and the current model now in run-out, the Navara was a victim of its own popularity, Nissan Australia telling us its dealers are selling “every ute they can get their hands on”.

Locally, sixth place goes to the Isuzu D-MAX with 4888 sales to the end of June (2014), which pipped both the Mazda BT-50 (4351) and Volkswagen Amarok (3679).

And that’s our line-up: Seven burly brutes each with an orientation toward on- and off-road, and trade and passenger roles. Over the coming pages we’ll test these utes not only against our regular judging criteria, but also with a 600kg payload up the back, and across a gruelling four-wheel drive course.

Join us now as we pick a winner...

Rod Chapman, Matt Brogan – with staff


motoring.com.au's 2014 4WD dual-cab ute comparison


SAFETY FIRST

As safety isn’t subjective, motoring.com.au utilises the rating information provided by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) in offering you an insight into which vehicles performed best.

Ford Ranger XLT (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Ford Ranger amassed 35.72 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published March 2014).

The Ranger also received two points (out of two) in the optional pole test, and a further two points (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front, side and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the Ranger is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The Ranger’s standard electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, roll-over mitigation and trailer sway control.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints, though only two rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points, foregoing ISOFIX preparation.

Holden Colorado LTZ (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Holden Colorado totaled 35.09 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published July 2012).

The Colorado also scored two points (out of two) for the optional pole test and two points (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the Colorado misses out on side (chest) airbags, and is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The Colorado’s standard electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist and trailer sway control. It does not, however, offer roll-over mitigation.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints. Both top-tether and ISOFIX child seat anchor points are fitted as standard.

Isuzu D-MAX LS-Terrain (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Isuzu D-MAX tallied 33.58 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published December 2013).

The D-MAX also received two points (out of two) in the optional pole test, and a further two points (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front, side and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the D-MAX is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The D-MAX’s standard electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. It does not offer hill-start assist, trailer sway control or roll-over mitigation.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints. Only two rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points, the D-MAX foregoing ISOFIX preparation in our market.

Mazda BT-50 XTR (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Mazda BT-50 scored 35.72 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published November 2011).

The BT-50 also received two points (out of two) in the optional pole test, and a further two points (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front, side and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the BT-50 is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The BT-50’s standard electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, roll-over mitigation and trailer sway control.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints, though only two rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points, foregoing ISOFIX preparation.

Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R (four-star ANCAP rating)
The Mitsubishi Triton collected 25.08 points from a possible 37 for a four-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published February 2010).

When tested, the Triton was deemed ineligible for the optional pole test and ergo missed-out on two additional points. It also missed out on a possible three points owing to its lack of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front, side and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the Triton is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The Triton’s electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution. It omits brake assist, hill-start assist, roll-over mitigation and trailer sway control.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints, though only two rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points and ISOFIX preparation.

Toyota HiLux SR5 (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Toyota HiLux accumulated 32.86 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published November 2013).

The HiLux also received two points (out of two) in the optional pole test, and a further two points (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front, side and curtain airbags up front and curtain airbags in the second row, the HiLux is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The HiLux’s electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. It misses out on hill-start assist, roll-over mitigation and trailer sway control.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints, though only two rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points, foregoing ISOFIX preparation.

Volkswagen Amarok (five-star ANCAP rating)
The Volkswagen Amarok notched-up 32.99 points from a possible 37 for a five-star ANCAP safety rating (test result published February 2011).

The Amarok also received two points (out of two) in the optional pole test, and a further point (out of three) for the fitment of seatbelt reminders.

Fitted with front and side airbags up front, the Amarok misses out on curtain airbags in both the first and second row. It is not fitted with a driver’s knee airbag.

The Amarok’s electronic driver aids include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution and hill-start assist. It does not have roll-over mitigation or trailer sway control.

All five seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts and anti-whiplash head restraints, and all three rear-seat positions are fitted with top-tether child seat anchor points and ISOFIX preparation.

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Written byMatt Brogan
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