Thread: 2020 4wd ute test

True... interested to hear them say the D-Max is proving v reliable out at 200k - that is what's important.

As a longtime 4x4 clubber I'm not overly impressed with a test of tradie utes in offroad conditions just once when new. I would like to see how chassis/drivetrains etc stand up to the tough offroading in a 4x4 club over several years before praising performance too much. Not many of these new utes in 4x4 clubs as yet... and would certainly not be my choice to do tough offroad tracks eg 'stamper' in its heyday, or coast-to-coasters like 'slab hut creek'.

Originally Posted by cambo

Bit early for these new Hilux's to be proven worthy.
There are some issues which are happening to some but thankfully not a lot.
Need a bit more tweaking yet.

I was always told to never touch a new model of anything. Wait till they've produced a few "face lift" models with all the niggles tweaked out

Yep which is where the Mitsi is at now,5 years in its current engine which was proved ten years previous in smaller displacements.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

True... interested to hear them say the D-Max is proving v reliable out at 200k - that is what's important.

As a longtime 4x4 clubber I'm not overly impressed with a test of tradie utes in offroad conditions just once when new. I would like to see how chassis/drivetrains etc stand up to the tough offroading in a 4x4 club over several years before praising performance too much. Not many of these new utes in 4x4 clubs as yet... and would certainly not be my choice to do tough offroad tracks eg 'stamper' in its heyday, or coast-to-coasters like 'slab hut creek'.

Yep its not everyone who will put a 40-80k ute into any serious 4wding, but with engine,gearbox,suspension experts on test with years of experience with all of the brands youd struggle to find a better test surely?

In ten years time a test of the same again may or may not show some differences but that wont help a new buyer then.

I, like alot of other clubbers question whether these utes have the durability to sustain ongoing harder offroading. They are big, wide, long, quite heavy and often have poor angles. The single test can be somewhat misleading re reliable 4wd use.

In this test, (if I remember correctly) the winning Triton suffered chassis bending in its first real trial??? What?? Replacing a wheel bearing to be expected, but straightening the chassis after each challenging trip???