Road Runner 4WD Guide
Finding the right 4WD to do the job is a must if you are thinking of a long road trip. There are plenty of options on the market but which one is the best? Here are some reviews that may help you.
Written By Bruce McMahon of carsguide.com.au
Dual-Cab Ute Comparison
By Stuart Martin. The Advertiser - 03 November 2011
This trio boast the rough 'n tumble skills to get away from the black-top but customers are now demanding something akin to soft-roader tarmac manners - or better - from these utilitarian machines. Photo Gallery
Can Toyota's HiLux fend off the all-new twin challenge of Ford's Ranger and Mazda's BT-50?
Multi-tasking is allegedly a female's domain and perhaps this is why cars are oft monikered with nametags from the fairer sex.
But the 21st century new car market in Australia has a growing number of multi-taskers - once-masculine machines that were previously tasked with towing the tools and weekend duties were limited to a dump run. Not any more.
The light-commercial brigade are now asked to carts the kids and tows the toys on the weekend, without depriving the family of passenger-car features and some small measure of comfort.
Toyota is - surprise, surprise - the market leader and HiLux has just had some rhinoplasty accompanied by a re-fit of features.
A host of newcomers have taken a swipe at the market leader but have failed to significantly erode its sales volumes - particularly its bread-and-butter fleet sales - but the Ranger/BT-50 cousins from Ford and
Mazda are the latest ute releases most likely to attract significant sales.
This trio boast the rough 'n tumble skills to get away from the black-top but customers are now demanding something akin to soft-roader tarmac manners - or better - from these utilitarian machines.
TEST DRIVERS
We've gone a little off-beat when it comes to guest test drivers.
Cara Jenkin is National CareerOne editor but has also moonlighted as a car-tester for Carsguide.
A V8 Supercar fan with one Red Eye, she's sampled a broad cross section of passenger and light-commercial vehicles in the course of writing Girl Torque stories foraif The Advertiser Carsguideaifin Adelaide.
When it comes to verdicts, our second test driver has delivered plenty - former prosecutor and judge (as well as the author's father) Brian Martin has driven and owned more cars than he cares to recall.
Everything from an old Simca (you'll have to Google it like I did) to early Range Rovers, big square Volvos, Subaru 4WDs to Lexus SUVs and Mercedes-Benz sedans has passed through the Martin garage.
VALUE
This trio are the near-top-spec models currently available - Ford will bring a Wildtrak model in above the XLT - and all dwell in the $50,000 bracket.
The XLT Ranger in auto form is $55,390, the Mazda BT-50 XTR is priced from $50,810 and the HiLux SR5 dual-cab sits at $53,490 - the Ford and the Mazda have both gone up (but with an expanded features list) and Toyota has come down $2200.
Standard fare within all three includes climate control (Toyota is single-zone, the others are dual), MP3 audio with USB (the Ranger's is the most conveniently placed, in the centre console) and Bluetooth for phone and music, wheel-mounted controls for cruise, phone and audio, 17in alloys and trip computers are on all three, HiLux and Ranger both get automatic headlights but none of them have reach-adjustable steering - something less forgivable on the Ford and Mazda given the more recent clean-sheet design .
The Ford misses out on satnav that appears in the other two, with the HiLux's a larger touchscreen set-up.
TECHNOLOGY
The Ford and Mazda both run the 3.2-litre in-line 147kW/470Nm common-rail direct-injection five-cylinder and six-speed auto combination, while the HiLux has held onto the four-cylinder three-litre turbodiesel producing 126kW and 343Nm, teamed with a four-speed automatic.
It misses out on grunt but the HiLux driveline has been honed over time and doesn't feel as lacking as the numbers suggest.
The HiLux also retains the transfer case lever while the kissing-cousins have a rotary knob for selecting 4WD, as well as a push-button rear diff lock.
The front suspension across the triplets here are equipped with double-wishbone front ends, which are all well planted and don't jump around much - the Mazda's nose approaches enthusiastic on turn-in.
But don't look at the rear-end for any technological advances with suspension - leaf springs that have heritage dating back to the old west are still there, tweaked to offer better ride quality.
How to Tow
By Mark Hinchliffe, The Courier-Mail. 18 August 2011 for CarGuides.com
PULLING a caravan, trailer or boat behind your SUV is easier than you think.
It's reversing that's the hard part, but even that comes with practice. (The basic rule is to steer opposite to the direction you want the trailer to go.)
VEHICLE
Most SUVs are capable towing vehicles with a high driving position providing good visibility. Towing is easier in SUVs with all-wheel drive which provides better grip and traction on slippery surfaces such as boat ramps.
Diesel-powered SUVs have extra torque which helps with acceleration when pulling a heavy load.
Manual transmissions are usually better in compact SUVs because of the power losses, but modern automatic transmissions are very strong, reliable and can sometimes pull bigger loads than a manual gearbox in the same model. However, be aware that auto boxes are prone to overheating when towing. A transmission cooler can be fitted to solve this problem.
While compact SUVs are limited in their towing capacity, there are many lightweight caravans (about 1500kg) available now that can easily be towed by mid-sized SUVs.
PRECAUTIONS
Before towing any trailer or vehicle, drivers should check their owner's manual for allowable towing capacities, tow ball rates, gross combination vehicle mass, axle load, correct tyre inflation pressures, accessories that need to be fitted and maximum speed for the towing weight.
You should also check with your state transport department or auto club to see if there are any special legal requirements. If travelling interstate, check with authorities in that state. For example, the speed limit when towing is generally the posted speed limit, but in Western Australia the maximum speed for trailers over 750kg is 100km/h.
It's important to remember that when towing, your vehicle is heavier and will be harder to start, accelerate and stop. You should therefore allow more space for stopping and avoid trying to overtake, especially on an incline.
If your tow vehicle or trailer is not fitted with brakes, towing capacity is limited to around 500kg which is only useful for light trailers. Remember to take into consideration the weight of the load and not just the trailer weight. For example, one trail bike will add about 100kg.
So for any useful towing, you are going to need a braked trailer or vehicle, which can usually treble the towing capacity of your SUV.
ACCESSORIES
You can make the job of towing easier and safer with the right accessories. Most importantly, have the right tow bar for the job. Sometimes tow bars fitted to vehicles are not sturdy enough for the load you want to pull.
A handy accessory is wing mirror extensions will make it easier to see what is behind your tow vehicle. The Coast Towing Door Mount Mirror ($62.50) comes with a 50mm blind-spot mirror to improve vision even further.
There is also a range of clever devices which help hitch a heavy tow vehicle on to the tow ball. Some are motorised and some even come with a remote control, such as the Reich Eco Mover. It is available to suit both single-axle ($1903) and twin-axle ($3649) tow vehicles either on the front or back wheel and does not affect the suspension.
The electronic Caravan Reversing System ($515) will do the job without another person on guard duty. It has a 14.7cm LCD screen with sun shield to reduce glare, a waterproof eyeball camera with audio, video, and infra-red night vision.
The unit comes with 15m and 7.5m four-pin cables and a suction mount, and the monitor can also accept a second video input.
Towing is made safer with EAZ LIFT Weight Distribution Hitches ($577) that balance the weight between the trailer axle and the point linking the vehicle, trailer and rear axle. This helps level out the point joining the two, reducing "snaking" and "swaying" triggered by passing cars and trucks.
You can also level the join between the tow vehicle and caravan/trailer being towed with Coast 4 Bar Equaliser Kits ($175). They are easy to use and install and improve steering and handling while reducing tyre wear.
The Tekonsha P3 Digital Brake Controller ($233) is suitable for single, double, triple and quadruple axle trailers and has a digital display of diagnostics, such as output current, battery/brake and output voltage and will warn you if the brake is disabled.
There is a wide range of aftermarket parking sensors which can be fitted to trailers and caravans to avoid damager and aid in parking. If towing big loads, you might also consider beefing up the suspension of your SUV.
MAINTENANCE
At the very least you should have your vehicle checked more regularly than the normal servicing intervals as towing places strain on engines, transmissions, cooling systems, brakes, tyres and suspension.
Towing vehicles should always be kept in the best mechanical condition as should trailers, especially those carrying boats as these are prone to rust. It is best to store them out of the weather and have wheel bearings serviced once a year.
TOWING TIPS
• 1. Get a mechanical check on the towing vehicle, especially the brakes and tyres
• 2. Inspect the caravan or trailer for roadworthiness before you set out, especially the tyres and rims
• 3. Check your caravan/trailer lights, indicators, hitch and security chain before setting off each day
• 4. Check the tread and inflation of all tyres including the spare
• 5. Ensure the wheel bearings are sound, well greased and free of rust or damage
• 6. Practise reversing in a vacant carpark
• 7. Leave an extra 20m stopping distance between you and the next vehicle
• 8. Travel at a lower speed and use a low gear travelling down hills.
New Look Toyota Hilux Toyota has unveiled a new look
A cheaper and better-equipped Hilux.
Such is Australia's love affair with the ute that the Toyota Hilux has been the best selling car in Australia on five occasions.
Best selling car that is, not just utility, with sales even managing to eclipse Holden's perennial Commodore. But, when sales took an unexpected dive earlier this year, Toyota wasn't going to take it sitting down.
The Big T has unveiled a new look - and in some cases cheaper and better-equipped Hilux - in a selective response to rivals. Launched here in 1968 and now built in Thailand, the number of models has grown over the years, to a total of 35 with this the latest one.
The emphasis is clearly on cheaper diesel offerings, with the removal of four poorly performing petrol V6s and the introduction of seven new diesel variants, including a no frills Workmate - the latter no doubt a response to the Chinese threat.
New Hilux also marks a milestone of another kind, with the inclusion for the first time of speed camera warnings in GPS units - soon to be rolled out across the entire fleet. Part of Hilux's phenomenal success can be attributed to its broad appeal, with buyers falling roughly into two camps.
On the other hand there's the tradies looking for a cheap, reliable workhorse, while on the other the growth has been in sporty 4x4 dual cab models that double as family transport.
DESIGN
While engines and transmissions have not changed, the look is more car-like and contemporary, with all new sheet metal from the windscreen forward and a redesigned dash inside. There's a new grille, bumper and lights along with new wheel arch flares and mirrors that incorporate turn signals. The bonnet scoop on diesels has also been moved to the centre. Inside, there's a new dash and changes have been made to make the interior quieter too, with a tacho and Bluetooth now standard.
TECHNOLOGY
In terms of safety, for those considering Hilux as a family car, the good news is that anti-lock brakes are now standard. The not so good news is that stability control is not, standard on only four models, with side/curtain airbags available with only 14 of the 18 4x4 models - and none of the 4x2s. The rear centre seatbelt remains a two-point lap design too and air conditioning is a $2051 option on most models.
We're unlikely to see a major turnaround until the release of an all new Hilux which will probably not be for another three or four years. In the meantime, Ford and Mazda are getting ready to launch their all-new utes and the Chinese have just added a diesel to the Great Wall ute.
PRICING
Toyota says it is "rejuvenating" Hilux with substantial improvements to specification as well as aggressive new pricing. Small increases in price have it explains have been offset by the inclusion of additional equipment. The range consists of single, extra and double cab models in Workmate, SR and SR5 grades, with 2.7 four and 4.0-litre V6 petrol engines and a 3.0-litre four cylinder diesel.
There are five new WorkMates and two Extra Cab SRs. Prices kick off at $18,990 (up $500) for the four cylinder 4x2 petrol single cab Workmate cab-chassis, with a diesel version of the Workmate now available from $24,490. The 4x4 version of the single cab Workmate cab-chassis with a diesel is priced from $31,990. The top spec diesel 4x4 SR5 with all the bells and whistles is $53,490.
