The Subaru Outback has a growling turbocharged engine, a five-seat SUV wagon body and lots of clever, practical equipment. For adventurous families, it will also tow, haul and drive beautifully - at a modest price. But should you buy now, or wait for the all-new version?

The BYD Shark 6 is a new dual-cab ute trying to compete with Ranger, Hilux and Triton, except with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises more affordable towing, load-carrying and family luxury. It’s also more power than a Ranger Raptor. Can the new Shark 6 really be better?

There is a flurry of dual-cab utes coming to Australia with plug-in and hybrid powertrains, including the GWM Cannon Alpha. If you’re considering one of these non-diesel models, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.

There’s never been more choice when buying a full-size, heavy-towing, luxurious pick-up truck in Australia. It’ll pull, haul and function in almost every operating environment, but spending over $100,000 on a Tundra, F-150, Ram or Silverado is not a decision you want to get wrong.

The Nissan Patrol is a proven, rugged 4X4 wagon with off-road and towing pedigree, seven luxurious seats and a grunty, reliable engine. Buying a Patrol, the last V8 4WD in Australia, you’ll save over $20K compared with a LandCruiser. There are some good reasons why you should consider a Patrol before they’re all gone…

Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling medium SUV in Australia, offering good resale value and envious fuel economy. If you need an enormous boot and a simple, functional family vehicle, RAV4 is hard to beat. But can you justify the price?

The RAM 1500 is no longer the biggest dual-cab pick-up truck/ute you can buy in Australia now that the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra are in town. But is it still the best oversized tool for the job?

The MG ZS is a small SUV that offers tight budgets the opportunity to buy new instead of used when shopping for a five-seat SUV in these difficult financial times. But given that no car is perfect, does the price distract from major flaws? Here’s what you need to know about MG ZS…

If family is forcing you to shop for an SUV because it’s fashionable, the fast family performance sedan icon, now has a big boot. Long live the wagon - to hell with the status quo. Here’s what you need to know…

There’s plenty to like about the 7-seat Ford Everest for hardcore off-roading and heavy towing thanks to its big V6 diesel. But is it wise dropping up to $80K on Ford these days?

If you’re in the market for a hardcore 4X4 wagon that can tow, climb and haul, the Isuzu MU-X is not a bad idea. But here’s why you should take a good hard think before dropping up to $80K on this seven-seat four-wheel drive…

The Kia K4 is a newer, bigger replacement for the old Cerato, but promises more. It offers value over an SUV, saving you thousands while offering extra space, features, reliability and comfort. But there is a fundamental problem with the K4…

The T9 is China’s next workhorse trying to make the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton irrelevant. With cheap utes becoming popular in Australia, it promises toughness, practicality and affordability that appeals to private and fleet buyers. But unknown brands like JAC must face tough questions…

If you’re planning on buying a new car in coming months, it’s a perfect storm with the federal election coming up, prices dropping and dealers desperate to make sales quotas. Here’s what you need to know…

The Kia Sorento is as close to a prestige SUV as you can get, only without the big price. You would pay thousands more for an equivalent Mercedes or BMW, but a new seven-seat Sorento will be far more reliable and better value.

A notionally small SUV like Eclipse Cross offers sharp pricing and good tech levels, but with the comfort and space typical of a medium SUV. If you don’t need the seven-seat Outlander, consider this better-value five-seater instead.

The Kia Cerato is a better-value proposition than most SUVs, which could save you thousands while offering greater space, similar features and reliability as good as any Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3. There’s even an affordable-performance version.

Pajero Sport is an excellent value off-roader if you need a 4WD with a reliable diesel engine, good fuel economy and enough towing power. This tough 7-seater is a wise choice for adventurous families.

The Mazda CX-80 is yet another seven-seat family SUV that flies in the face of premium-priced German luxury. It offers prestige and power, with a big helping of practicality. But can it represent good value against its rivals?

Diesel particulate filters are everywhere these days and if you own a modern diesel ute, large SUV or a light truck, you’re probably getting around with a DPF under the hood. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping DPFs healthy, avoiding high costs and ensuring you’re compliant…