Which dual cab 4x4 ?

The D-Max is strong, simple and easy on the juice. And good value. Still has the understressed 3 l diesel. I speak as a MU-X owner which is the wagon version.

Can I suggest that if you don't need a one tonne payload there's value in checking out wagon versions?

You will get as many different answers as there are vehicles , the only way is to check em all out for yourself.
I have a new model Dmax , would l recommend one , well that depends on specific use .

I have a current Dmax with 50k km for the last 3 years
Pros: lots of space in the cabin, well priced, reliable and proven drivetrain, quite economical, and the current model has 3.5 t towing although mine is 3t. The motor is relatively under stressed being 3 litre so longevity shouldn't be an issue. It's been all through the north of Aus through all the usual bucket list destinations and we love it and would get another. We don't tow, but know others who do and love theirs.

Cons - the power / torque figures are not as high as others in the market, and the traction control isn't that flash, although that isn't a problem for us as we use it for family touring mainly.

Best advice: read the magazines to get price/ equipment levels, then throw away the magazine.
There are plenty of new Utes in the market. Best to drive all of them and prioritise what is most important. I'm not handy with the tools so reliability in remote places was important, as was pricing.
Good luck. Mind you, there will be plenty of differing opinions on here.

I have the "other" D-Max and have NO issues with power for towing..... hahahaha

Plenty of rear seat legroom too....

410 - Do a proper test drive with the vehicle you have in mind, coupled to what you want to tow.
Any dealer worth his salt will arrange this - even if it's just with a used model of the vehicle you intend to purchase.

Nothing beats a decent amount of Kw/HP and torque.
However, it also pays to study exactly where those claimed power and torque levels come in.
Most engines today are much smaller in capacity than they used to be - and as a result, they need revs to produce the power.
It's virtually impossible to find an engine today that produces substantial amounts of power and torque at modest RPM's.
They all need to reach higher RPM levels than the older engines, to produce their power and torque.

Nothing beats a big cubic capacity engine for producing low-down torque and power.
However, the only dual cab 4x4 today with substantial power and larger engine capacity is the 3.2L Ranger or BT-50.

For regular towing, you buy the most powerful and best vehicle you can afford - because if you get stingy on the outlay and select a cheaper unit with a smaller engine, you will probably regret the lack of power and comfort and ability, for as long as you own the vehicle.

If new pricing is exorbitant, and you aren't running a business where you can get a major tax deduction for the vehicle - then look for a near-new vehicle with low kms.
New vehicles depreciate substantially in value within a short space of time, and you can often get a very good vehicle with low kms, for a lot less outlay as compared to new.
Places to look for these vehicles are auctions and deceased estates, where prices are much lower than car yards and dealers, who have to get a lot extra to fund their business operations.

Cheers, Ron.

The Ranger is the way. The others listed are girly!

410, I have a 2012 Ranger that has towed a lot of K's now and has been off road a fair bit. All I know is I can't fault it for reliability, comfort and power. I had a look under a new BT50 yesterday and it doesn't have the same level of protection or strength in the chassis as my Ranger. That may not worry you if you depending what you use it for.

By the way I am not a Ford man or one eyed when it comes to vehicles.

Hope you choose wisely.

I was in your position 410 about 18 months ago when researching a 4WD. Twin cab utes were the assumed solution by many but one forum member suggested I look at whether a wagon would suit better.

These seem to me to be the downsides of a ute:

Harsher ride unless you've got a decent amount of weight in the back. Some guys are still driving around with a few bags of sand to stop the back end getting skittish.
A canopy costs around $3 grand, it's likely to leak dust and you have the hassle of a lot of leaning in when trying to get at stuff.
Worse exit angles.

In terms of your specific questions, the new Triton is supposed to be much better on the juice than the old but I'm not sure whether the power delivery is improved. As I said earlier, a 3l TD is going to be a better proposition for towing. Eg. there are plenty of +ve reports about the D-Max and the MU-X as a tug. The 3.2 in the BT50 and Ranger also has plenty of grunt.

The Isuzu and Colorado are similar except AFAIK the Colly has a 2.8 l diesel from the Fiat/Chrysler stable that puts out more power. My reading of forum posts indicated that there were quality problems with the GM offering.

The dealer I got my camper trailer from had moved from a D-Max to the older model Triton and rued the decision, comparatively thirsty and uncomfortable.

Hi Richard, there are lots of dual cabs on the market with very similar power/torque figures but what is common is that all the manufacturers are chasing lower weights and better fuel economy. Now that is a good thing if you are mainly travelling on good roads but it is a different story if you venture off-road regularly.
In my experience and opinion, there are only three vehicles with a strong enough chassis and driveline for heavy loads and rough tracks - the patrol, Land Rover defender and land cruiser 79 series.
Again it is horses for courses, I previously had a BT50 that had problems and the most disappointing thing was the complete lack of care and support from Mazda Australia.
The BT50 & Ranger have some inherent problems but each brand of vehicle usually has their own quirks. If you select the Mazda/Ranger I just hope you have better support than I got if you have any problems.
Cheers Geoff

If you are looking at towing capacities, look further that the simple advertised figures.

Remember the Advertsied towing and load are for "smooth improved surfaces".

Look into the fine print ..... ball capacity, payload reduction required to achieve rated towing capacities and such.

For quote some time, various manufacturers have been playing fast and loose with towing capacities.

Just because a vehicle has XXX advertised towing capacity, it does not mean you will be able to tow that legally or safely using the arrangement you envisage.

While you are at it check the payload ........ and check what is included in the curb weight.

By the time you fill the fuel tank/s, and fit various accessories you may not have the payload you expect.

Yeh and all thise goes for any vehicle you are considering.

cheers

410
It a shame you cant spend the extra dollars and get a Hilux.
The rest of the competition are on fairly even ground.

Cheers

There have been reports of Amaroks with Dual mass flywheels having troubles with towing

It's only one guide but the Ranger has won a few COTY awards recently - Drive, Carsales, AustraliasBestCars, Carsguide..... all rated it top in that segment.

Here's two (similar) comparos.

http://www.motoring.com.au/4WD-dual-cab-ute-2015-comparison-verdict-54508

http://www.caradvice.com.au/388419/ute-comparison-ford-ranger-v-holden-colorado-v-isuzu-d-max-v-mazda-bt-50-v-mitsubishi-triton-v-nissan-navara-v-toyota-hilux-v-volkswagen-amarok-2/

Had Mn2010 Triton Glxr from new for just over year. Drivers seat killed me and my sons backsides after an hour or so in spite of all mods and spacers etc that I tried. Few problems but all fixed by Mitsi under warranty. Good value for money and the newest model too. Seat still the same it feels.
Triton didnt handle my 2.5 t boat plus gear for 4 guys well.
Have had a PX 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak auto now from new since 2012.
It has 115000k on clock and love it . Drivers seats are what I need like the NX Pajero.
I will keep the Ranger for many years . My first Ford.
The Competition that I like too but with my personal dislikes as follow:
Dmax good second option but I want a factory rear diff lock and bit more grunt to tow.
BT50 looks put me off and I wanted the Wildtrak features and lockable tubgate of Rangers.
Colorado bit rough and noisy .Looks ok
Nissan Stx550 high on my list but tried 3 times to get dealer to test drive then gave up.The new Np300 looks good but motor too small
Hilux . No fan of the propaganda company that stung my friends badly with their Toyotas and issues under warranty and injectors etc etc. Newest Hilux is realy a dissappointment. Smaller motor . Tablet dash touch screen . No 12v socket in tub... etc etc
The car advice comparative test review Of the current 5 top utes in Oz is accurate and factual and the Ranger wins for many reasons. Hilux ranks low...
Amarok motor is smooth revving and well built inside but I test drove one on beach and it got stuck in sand and refused to engage reverse. Two liter motor and five nut wheels not for me .
Whether its the best one for you is your call like your taste for wine is different to mine.
My Ranger has done 20000km of serious off roading and bush bashing on farms and on Mondays to work in the city it drives like a car.
It is not faultless but very few cars are.
If you want a farm ute in Windorah get a Cruiser ute or if rock climbing in utes is for you a Patrol.
My son saw what my Ranger did and got him a manual Xlt Ranger which is an awesome drive as well a few moths ago.
Test drive them all and enjoy your choice . They are all good utes but one will tick all the boxes for you.

Thank you to everyone who replied. Certainly plenty to think about and as said comparing apples with apples and justifying price variations.
Happy New Year.