Ford Courier & Mazda Bravo are the same vehicle with different badges. As are the new Mazda BT50 & the Ford Ranger.
I have had a couple of Ford Couriers now and have driven a fair few other models, I don't like the Hilux full stop. The Navara is nice & the common rail diesel is more economical than most comparable models.
Given the choice of any I'd go for the Nissan Patrol diesel though

The Utes in Oz are, from my limited experience.

Nissan Navara. Dual Cab ute, the model to go for, and the 2.5 td ( manual ! ) lol
Mitsubishi Triton. Dual Cab Ute, 2.8l TDi style side.
Hilux, SR5 ! is the sexiest, but its a chunk of money, and doya wanna load, tools and shit in the back of a circumsized Prado !!!

Fords, well.. Im not a ford man, never liked fords fullstop.
Mazda, drove a BT-Whatever cpl weeks ago, was pleasantly surprised, at how refined it was, and the solid ( similar build quality of toyota ) albeit handbrake was a shock, lol.

Lastly, the RODEO, being made extinct this year, to be replaced in 2009, by a new beefy model.

If you need to carry anything over 1.2m wide, regularly, or tie down very very awkward loads, opt for a trayback. Not a style side.

Worse Ute for tie down, in styleside is my farkin Triton. Albeit, I keep it cos I absolutely love driving it with a passion.

Best styleside for tiedown, is undoubtedly the d40 navara. With its slidey tie down ratchet system.

For serious tradies, with a heap of gear to get on and orf ! Then get a trayback, and if size aint important over function, then my option would deffo be the Mitsubishis.

For serious hefty load carrying, and grunt, the L200 Land cruisers.

However if your after a Tool Box, for your ute, then dont go near Mitsubishi Dual Cabs ( 2005 on ) as they dont make them for these models.

Regarding Rextons, Ssangyong, etc etc etc... why would anyone wanna drive the most depreciating ARSEIT ( oops asset ) and ugliest 4'by known to man.

Lets face it, they have no cred. Albeit, im not sure if SSangyongs, still have the ported merc engines innem.

Ste

Toyota Kluger, Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero

We love our Mitsubishi Pajero. Would never have considered anything like this in the UK but got upgraded at Sydney airport to one and knew this is what we had to have. The 4x4's do hold their price over here. We wanted a mid-size 4x4 and the Pajero is perfect for us. Hubby is 6'1 and has no trouble with space. We get 3 setters in the boot with no problem and if we have extra people to ferry around there is an extra set of seats (ideal for children) which are folded away in the floor of the boot (not like some 4x4 where the seats fold onto the sides and reduce luggage space). Spoke to a lot of people and there were never any bad comments about the Pajero.

The Nissan Patrol was just that much too big for what we wanted and the CRV/x-trail just did not have the boot space.

Aaahhh yes the great Aussie drive..

Switch your lights off for Earth Hour, but no way they're giving up the V8 4 x 4!

Totally agree. 4x4 Ute of the year for 2006 and 2007. They put it up against all the opposition and it destroyed them. Loads of power and torque. Great fuel economy as well. Over easter we went camping in Margaret River. Did the whole trip on an 80 litre tank - 750kms and it still had 9 litres left. Off-road it's done everything I've asked it to do. The only problem with it I have is that there are some quality issues in the cabin.

Superb 4x4.

I've got a Di-D Paj and absolutely love it. Great family vehicle and great off road too.

Here's a picture of my Paj at Mount Augustus

They need to make up for their short falls somehow.

The one I am having is a 3.0 diesel....I drove it a fair bit last year but not offroad yet.

It will mainly be used for fishing trips

G

SHIT !!!

Are they waterproof too

No.....but they can tow a boat and travel on beaches.

I certainly don't need one for work

G

Pleas note the likes of Honda CRV and Kluger and not "proper" 4X4 i the purest sense of the word. I dont think they have low diff gearboxes etc so serious offroading will be out.

http://autospeed.com/cms/A_2502/article.html

http://carsguide.news.com.au/site/st..._saves_the_day

for a 4x4 hatchback i would definitely recommend:

BMW X5 - good space, decent milage, reliable name
Volvo XC90 - family friendly car, good mileage, pretty reliable
Jeep Cherokee - Jeep specialize in 4x4's so you know your getting a good one
Lexus RX - Good size, good price, good mileage for a 4x4

But to drive family and friends around i would recommend a good sized saloon, these are what i would recommend:

mercedes C class - good mileage, reliable name, used can be at an affordable price
Honda accord - Reliable, affordable, good mileage
Ford mondeo - affordable, decent mileage, family friendly
Lexus IS - excellent size, prestigious car for a non-prestigious price

If you want to stick with VW then go for the VW Passat

Hope this helps
Vik

Isnt that roughly what I said although far more qualified and informative?