I think VW issue is the limited US market for this style of ute, plus the uncompetive US production costs making the Tanoak a poor export propsition with a more capable and versatile Amarok available globally.

Mike,

They come in cab chassis or a single cab with a 7.5' pickup tub or a 6'x8' flat bed.

I actually own a 3.2. A 2012 model BT50. It has minimal lag. It might be the auto as mine is a 6spd manual. Even then my friend just bought a new 2016 3.2 XLT auto and it doesn’t perform as poorly as this test XLT.

Here in Australia the Colorado is not in the same league, its a middling performer all round.

Nothing like a Tacoma, maybe in size. The Taco is less refined and less capable off road. Does the Taco have great torque down low for off roading and towing nearly 8000lbs? Or the capacity to manage over 2500lbs in the bed, let alone tow 5th wheel trailers like they do in Australia.

The Ranger along with the Amarok were the safest pickups globally in 2011. The global Ranger had a safety rating higher than most luxury and prestige cars, it also had the highest pedestrian safety rating of any vehicle.

Doubt it.

Urambo,

Sounds like the 2.2 diesel with the lag. The 3.2 diesel only has monimal lag.

There is one important aspect you didn’t mention.

Matt,

How long ago?

The 3 litre diesel in the Nissan Patrol is quite poor. It has surprised me very much that Nissan didn’t offer a better engine. To top it off the diesel is old tech to a point even though it has CRD.

Even as popular as the Hilux is here in Australia, they are very outdated.

Good article, the vehicles are more expensive here in AUD, but when converted into USD they are quite good value considering they are mostly diesel. You also must look at the difference in wages between Australia and the US. Our minimum wage is $18ph, that is for burger flippers and our average wage is around $73kAUD…

ARB is known for many things.

The Holden Colorado doesn’t use the Izuzu 3 litre diesel in Australia. It use the Duramax 2.8 diesel. Australia’s current Colorado and Izuzu was actually a joint effort, just like the global Ranger and Mazda BT50 were a joint effort.

Interesting take on off roading responsibly.

The US Colorado and Canyon have done well for themselves. I read a couple years ago when GM announced the introduction of the pickups that they anticipate around 120k will be sold a year.