rodeo vs hilux vs navara

HI,

Are you looking at manual or auto?

gday steve m,

I've recently ordered two of the new hilux. One single cab and one dual cab 3.0 disel turbo.Already received the single cab and love it, Drives great, longer tray plenty of power and check out the torque,(max at 1400rpm and flatlines). Have been really impressed with the fuel eco and great with a full load on. 2550mm long tray bit harder to park than the old model.

Haven't received the d-cab. (bit of a que for them) But was impressed with the back seat which lifts up and folds neatly out of the way allowing room for fridge and the dog. (have to let the missus sit in the front).
also liked the longer weel base allowing a 1.8 metre alloy tray to be fitted, and a space under the bonnet perfect for the dual battery system.

Test drove sr d-cab and sr5 auto d-cab (both diesel) at the toyota expo on Fraser island and was very impressed with the manual through the soft sand but wouldn't s#@t on the auto.

I had a Nissan once and said that I'd never get another one, but did have a good look at the new model coming out in november. 4x4 australia, October No 261, did a bit of a comparison on them, worth having a look at. Nissan needs 4000 rpm to get max power(I think that is flogging the horse a bit much). Also has coil springs in the rear, and although hilux does not have the best rep for leaf springs, I think leafs carry the weight a lot better.

Got a mate in melb that has the rodeo. He only bought it because he couldn't afford the hilux.

hope this helps.

Note: if you are in the building industry toyota and holden have fleet purchasing deals, if you are a member of the HIA. I got d-cab sr with air, tray, t-bar and b-bar (non genuine ECB, bit dearer but much better) for just over rec retail in d-cab cab chassi, drive away.

I was recently taken on a demo drive in the new Navara. The test area was a local farm with very steep damp grass paddocks. I was scared #### but came away amazed at what it could do. One demo run was both feet on the floor and let the truck move forward on idle. We went up the steepest slope that I have ever driven (and I have driven some steep mountain tracks believe me !). The fly-by-wire throttle system / computer kept the same power output from the engine all the way and we drove about 200 meters up the hill on very green damp grass with both feet on the floor. Can't remember the numbers but the engine puts out around 75% power at 2000 revs. I spoke to my nephew who is a panel beater and he says the body panels are like tissue paper. So, if you want an open country 4x4 I reckon the new Navara would be hard to beat but off road in heavy bush I am not so sure.

I originally had the last model Rodeo and loved it although I always felt it was limited in the soft stuff. I bought the new one but have not had the opportunity to give it much of a go in soft sand, but feel that the wider wheels and extra power should help. Other than that the only criticism I would have is the seats don't agree with my back, but that could be my fault. Also there used to be some storage area behind the rear seats in the last model, but not this one. I don't know about the Hilux and the Navara.

I went around Lakefield National Park in it a couple of months ago and found it a great touring vehicle. As you say it is good on the bitumen to drive (more quiet and smoother than the last model).

Paul

Hi Steve. I have 3.0TDi Rodeo space cab. decked out much the same as you want.
I have no complaints with it. got up the dunes down the Warren river ok. Its only stock standard, but as I say I am happy with it.
cheers Brian

4WD Monthly did the ute comparison tests and although the Rodeo came second to 1st. placed Hilux I still felt that the Rodeo had performed better in some important aspects e.g: the new Landcruiser ute and the Rodeo were the only 2 utes out of many models to "walk" up a certain test hill without any carry-on (wheelspin etc.)

From their test there wasn't much between the top 3 but my guess is that Toyota have more advertising dollars to spend with the mag.

Hi Steve do yourself a favour and test a Triton, if you want the best ride for comfort then the Triton is a good one to check.
I have 5 ruptured discs in my back and the Triton is the best of the lot, it is also second only to the hilux.
The cost is less than the others as well and with the 5yr warranty is hard to beat.
Ihave a 2004 turbo dsl which I have had no trouble with at all, before that I had a 2002 dsl which I drove to Darwin and back from Seymour in Vic .
My veiw of Triton can be said in one word BRILLIANT.

Regards Bushy