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.

[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?

[Polyal]

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

[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?

[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/

[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.

[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!

[XT3VCruiser]

My latest company ute is a D-Max auto. I definitely prefer it over my old D22 manual but compared to a D40 auto I had for a few weeks I'd say the new navara would have be the pick of the bunch.

My D-max has an awkward footrest which gave me a sore knee until I ripped/cut it out, the seat feels less then comfortable and the steering wheel is so far away it make me feel like I have midget arms. This is NO exaggeration it is definitely NOT a pleasure to drive.

I would advise you to drive all makes before making the final decision. Don't just drive them around the block but take them for a good half hour/hour to see if you enjoy the drive. Also don't discount the Amarok as its one of THE most comfortable utes you will ever drive.

[blackf6]

We have a ranger at work. Out of the five people. I am the only one that likes it. Go figure. They recon its gutless and steers like a truck. I thought it was a good thing. I would buy one.

[SumoDog68]

For the record I drive Navara 550 and it is a great ute ( powerfull ,economical and common enough to get accesories for ) . If I didn't get that I would of gone Ranger.
Now ,new generation of utilities are being released ,Navara ,Triton on sale and Hilux coming soon.
It is a major purchase , might as well drive them all . Updated Ranger /BT50 probably the pick of all rounders , D-Max and Triton are great workhorses.
Have fun choosing :-)

[danzvtil]

My boss just bought a Colorado LTZ, his heart was set on Hilux but even in runout it was 9 THOUSAND $ more expensive, couldn't justify the diff for such a dated ute.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by DeJaVu GT

We have a ranger at work. Out of the five people. I am the only one that likes it. Go figure. They recon its gutless and steers like a truck. I thought it was a good thing. I would buy one.

Seems to be a love/hate relationship with the Ranger. I have customers that love them and customers that don't...............

[290v]

We have the Colorado's they are a Oil guzzlers we and other people i know, are on some of them we are getting 1,000 Kms to a Litre oil and we have sent some back with diff leaks & rear engine leaks with only 20,000 Kms on the clack

Originally Posted by danzvtil

My boss just bought a Colorado LTZ, his heart was set on Hilux but even in runout it was 9 THOUSAND $ more expensive, couldn't justify the diff for such a dated ute.

[Grom13]

My wife drives a manual Ranger as her every day driver and loves it , easy to drive , comfortable seats , good vision. , plenty of power ,Tows horse float occasionally . Fuel economy is insane 8.4 litres per 100km and it's got 33inch tyres , which when I worked out the fuel difference between the ranger and our old triton I will save nearly 6k on fuel over the 5 years of lease. The ranger just feels like a big solid 4wd not like a tiny twin cab. And resale is good up there with hilux. We test drove a few different brands and for us Ranger was a clear winner. 32000km now not 1 issue.

[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.

[rex351]

Tritons are a good value thing, under 30 grand is hard to look past. New navara is a genuine improvement over the old and has option of coil sprung rear end, reliability a bit unknown being so new. Dmax seems ok but gee, there's the Ranger, more grunt, more room, rear locker, looks great. Best seller of the 4 too.

[fps_grandma]

Tritons are only good being sold for cheap $$$ it's as if Mitsubishi are very desperate to get them out the door.

Originally Posted by NTF6

isn't a slug

That might be a problem because the Triton has some turbo lag.
Doesn't matter if you're just after a cheap 4x4 dual cab pickup and nothing more.

[CyberWasp]

Wait a few months for the updated Ranger / BT50.
Just comes down to price and options ect on the 2. No contest against the others.
I put bigger wheels on mine so they look in proportion to the over sized headlights and to give it a more aggressive look with the price difference.
Trip computer shows below 8L/100kms in a manual what else could you want from a vehicle of that size.
Other difference is 15K Service on the Ford and 10K on the Mazda so factor that into the equation.