The best pick-up in the Philippine market

**dieselNUBI** · September 7th, 2006 06:19 PM

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index....opic=57669&hl=

Bangkok Post
Friday, January 20th, 2005
4X4 DOUBLE-CABS

COMMON RIVALS

The Chevrolet Colorado, Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota Hilux now have modern packages and technologies to stay ahead of the others. So which one's the best?

Motoring

With the advent of four-door pickups, or double-cabs as they are also known as, in Thailand, buyers had new alternatives to conventional saloons and SUVs priced under one million baht.

Despite being grossly vehicles, double-cabs highlight durability, low running costs (with the exception of annual road tax) and cargo-carrying versatility. Four-wheel-drive options have also made them practical for off-roading.

Highlighted in this week's comparison are three models that come with new-generation bodies and the latest in diesel engine technologies: Chevrolet Colorado, Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota Hilux Vigo.

Isuzu, the pickup champion in Thailand for over two decades, has the credentials to match this trio. Actually, the D-Max is the donor of nearly every component of the Chevrolet Colorado.

But why isn't the D-Max here? As ever, Isuzu has declined the invitation, as the brand says it has no policy of giving vehicles to the media for comparisons. So, the Colorado could somehow be reflective of how the D-Max would perform here, despite some small alterations like a more comfort-oriented ride, specification and price.

Three other players - Nissan Frontier and the jointly-developed Ford Ranger and Mazda Fighter - are obviously not here because they are a generation behind and are all due to be replaced with all-new versions this year.

The Frontier, Ranger and Fighter don't have turbo-diesel engines with common-rail fuel injection technology yet. As well, their four-door bodies can't match the others - rear legroom is far more inferior and the seating position is too upright.

Which leaves us with the Colorado, Triton and Vigo to see which one's the best choice. The brief this time is on- and off-road driving balance, practicality and value.

The 2,000km test route was rather comprehensive including highways, back-country and winding mountain roads, as well as off-roading between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces.

Exterior appeal

You may think that vehicles in this domain of the market don't have to look good, given that pickups are more like workhorses. But the latest trends suggest that buyers do crave for some good looks, especially in 4x4 form.

That explains why Mitsubishi has given the Triton much inspiration in terms of design. The curvy C-pillars and the shapely front and rear lights effectively lifts the Triton's presence on the road. And that apparently hasn't affected the vehicle's functionality.

The Vigo, on the other hand, looks just as modern, but in a more restrained and mature fashion. Toyota has ensured that practicality can't take a back seat, explaining the cavernous cabin and largest cargo bay of the three.

The Colorado is the plainest-looking vehicle of this triplet. However, it still looks distinctive in its own right, despite some clues of the D-Max. The sharp-looking front end and the distinguished bowtie-badges on the grille and wheels bring out some life from the Colorado.

Interior appeal

Since the Colorado was developed earlier than the Triton and Vigo, it has the least comfortable cabin. While comfort isn't a problem up front, rear occupants will find the seats too upright.

The Colorado is also the least interesting vehicle to be in. The dashboard and door panel design is utterly simple, but is straight-forward to use. The hard plastics may feel dowdy, but are screwed together well. In fact, finish is the best of the three.

Like the exterior, the Triton's interior is a flashy place to be in. The dashboard and upholstery combine several colours and trimmings in a contemporary manner. Our test car, however, suffered from some quality glitches which Mitsubishi claims will be ironed out after production for export has started. The Triton has the airiest cabin of the three. The seats are large - not shapely, though - and the rear bolsters are angled the most to yield a car-like stance as much as possible.

The Vigo, meanwhile, boasts a classy ambience by using cream and beige colours to lighten up the cabin.

It's just as functional and spacious as in the Triton, but not as special to be in.

Interior design is more inspiring than in the Colorado, but not as racy as in the Triton. The Vigo's overall cabin quality is good, although you could still find some panel gaps.

Driving -appeal

The Colorado, Triton and Vigo are good examples of how modern pickups should behave on the road. Memories of compromised dynamics and sluggish performance can now be forgotten, although you can't avoid the fact that they are bigger and heavier than ever.

At least, all three come with adequate performing turbo-diesel engines to offset their grossly body weights of some two tons. Their automatic transmissions haven't blunted performance either.

And since double-cabs aren't prone to carrying heavy cargo, engineers have managed to tweak the chassis on the plush side to improve ride comfort.

The Colorado appears to have the most nimble driving characteristics of the three. By standards of pickups, the Colorado rarely feels uncomfortable.

As well, it handles effortlessly. The steering may not be that precise or feelsome, but has been geared well to suit both on- and off-roading.

The 145hp 3.0-litre engine doesn't feel sluggish and yields sufficient punch whenever you crave for it. Refinement is okay, although the motor is noisy when pushed hard.

The Triton, on the contrary, is a mixed bag of virtues and flaws, despite being the newest entry in the Thai market and coming with the most powerful engine.

The 165hp 3.2-litre unit performs just as well as the Colorado's, but comes with added oomph in the mid-ranges. You can feel this when overtaking other vehicles on two-lane roads. But the engine is coarse at most times and gets too talkative when strained.

Handling isn't a problem in the Triton: of the three it feels the most planted to the road. But the steering is far too slow, meaning that you have to put more steering input at low speeds.

Such an unresponsive steering may give some driving comfort during off-roading. Even so, there is still too much slack. Also, all testers noted the excessive amount of steering kickback.

The front end of the Triton yields a comfy ride, unlike the rear end that appears to be firmer and tuned by another set of engineers.

It appears that the Vigo has the best road manners here. The ride quality is a tad firmer than in the Colorado, yet comfortable enough on both the tarmac and dirt.

What's better is the steering that feels the most direct here, as well as being not too heavy or light. It could get a little snappy in tough off-roading. But on-road, it's the best.

The 163hp 3.0-litre powerhouse may not beat the Triton's in the game of numbers, but it feels just as swift and spirited on the road. The Vigo seems to have the most responsive, linear and refined drivetrain here.

All three come with the usual front disc/rear drum brakes set-up and have slightly wooden pedal feel and yield sufficient, if not exceptional, stopping power. The Colorado was vividly remembered for not having enough bite here when compared to its rivals' grabbier stoppers.

Monetary -appeal

All three have prices retailing high up in the 800,000 baht range, with a 27,000 baht difference between the cheapest and most expensive ones. All have basic safety features like four three-point seatbelts, anti-lock brakes and frontal airbags

The Triton is the dearest at 898,000 baht, but comes with the best specification. Highlights include electric-powered, leather-upholstered seats, trip information and a window at the rear that opens via touch of a button.

The Vigo and Colorado don't have the aforementioned items, explaining their lower prices of 871,000 and 874,000 baht respectively.

There are some variations in the petty items offered in all three cars that allude to luxury and convenience. An example is the Vigo that has both side and rear steps. Or the shift-on-the-fly 4x4 gearchange in the Colorado.

As said in the beginning of the report, all three are subject to high annual road taxes worth at least 6,000 baht per year due to their high engine displacements and the inability to be - legally - categorised as a commercial vehicle like two-door pickups.

During the entire test which included the need to carry camping equipment and 2-3 persons on each vehicle, the three double-cabs returned average fuel economy. The Colorado was the best at 11kpl, the Vigo 10kpl and the Triton 9kpl.

**dieselNUBI** · September 7th, 2006 06:20 PM

The verdict

To us, it appears that the Colorado's fuel economy is competitive in this company and that could be of some concern to potential buyers of double-cabs. The Vigo may not be as economical, but is compensated with better performance. The Triton has the performance, but is not frugal.

The Colorado also stands out with a reasonable balance between on- and off-road ability, although the Vigo's more focused on-road behaviour and more responsive performance makes it a difficult choice to ignore when it comes to driving experience.

The Triton may have a flawed drive, but oozes with style and practicality. These two areas are certainly new benchmarks for the development of pickups. If these two attributes really matter to you more than anything else, the Triton is it.

But if they aren't, then the Colorado should be the more logical option. It's least comfortable cabin is made up with nimble driving manners and economical performance for the unfussed driver.

But if you need a little bit of this and that, the Vigo has it. It has both a practical cargo bay and spacious cabin, plus an inspiring drive to help quash its shortcomings that are petty rather than noteworthy.

The Vigo wins here, with the Colorado and Triton trailing behind depending on what you specifically need in a double-cab.

**WiRK** · November 8th, 2006 01:13 PM

When I started this thread in September, I was looking at DMAX and HILUX for the best 4 x 4 pick-up in the Philippine market - price, looks, and performance in consideration.

Someone suggested to wait for the New Strada and I think that was a good suggestion - the New Strada really is worth the waiting for. I am ready to go for it until I heard about the New Ford Ranger.

The Ranger is really one tough pick-up with its torque and power. They have showed it lately, whether be on paved or off-road, carrying and/or towing heavy loads, and very good acceleration/speed.

Looks - well not so bad, not as good as the New Strada, and that starts my problem - I go for Strada in terms of looks but with its tough engine, I go for the Ranger. And I heard Isuzu would be coming out with their own version of common rail diesel. Well, Isuzu is synonymous to diesel engines and I think they would not like to be relagated to another has been.

To my fellow tsikoteers, do you have any idea when will Isuzu come out with their own version of the new diesel technology?

Regards to all.

**OTEP** · November 8th, 2006 01:16 PM

The engine of the Ranger is more powerful. But it isn't necessarily 'more tough'. Diesel engines by nature of their high compression ratios are inherently built tougher than gasoline engines

**cardo** · November 8th, 2006 01:31 PM

para sa kin... The Hilux would get my vote if I was to buy a 4x4 now. Its a safe choice for me. The engine is a good combo of HP and torque, although not the most powerful(I think 343nm is 2nd right? next to the ranger), but certainly not the bottom last. On the looks, its a safe choice again. Its not boxy/edgy, yet not too curvy/flashy/futuristic. Its got the size inside and out, for both cargo and passenger. The ride height is great, the overall height is awesome(as well as ground clearance). hmmm no problems naman sa hilux d4d di ba?

Comfort and ride? well, its a truck. But it would be above expectations if you feel its got a comfortable ride. Comfort is not really expected from my point of view, not for these types of vehicles.

on 4x2 mode, it looks like the Trekker is a good choice if I were to choose one. Its got 146 and 330.

**mazdamazda** · November 8th, 2006 01:58 PM

It looks like a battle royale between the Strada & the Ranger for 2006 & 2007.

**niky** · November 8th, 2006 04:42 PM

Given the small rear seat and traditional looks, the Ranger is carrying a slight handicap into the Car-of-the-Year awards testing... but with the supposedly good handling, good ride and great power, it may give the Strada a run for its money.

**edsgail1230** · November 9th, 2006 12:53 AM

pampasaya lang....

http://www.nissan.com.au/insideNissa...ne_Article.pdf

**Rav_5** · November 9th, 2006 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by WiRK

When I started this thread in September, I was looking at DMAX and HILUX for the best 4 x 4 pick-up in the Philippine market - price, looks, and performance in consideration.

Someone suggested to wait for the New Strada and I think that was a good suggestion - the New Strada really is worth the waiting for. I am ready to go for it until I heard about the New Ford Ranger.

The Ranger is really one tough pick-up with its torque and power. They have showed it lately, whether be on paved or off-road, carrying and/or towing heavy loads, and very good acceleration/speed.

Looks - well not so bad, not as good as the New Strada, and that starts my problem - I go for Strada in terms of looks but with its tough engine, I go for the Ranger. And I heard Isuzu would be coming out with their own version of common rail diesel. Well, Isuzu is synonymous to diesel engines and I think they would not like to be relagated to another has been.

To my fellow tsikoteers, do you have any idea when will Isuzu come out with their own version of the new diesel technology?

Regards to all.

Sir Isuzu po ang una nag labas ng technology na toh. Lahat po ng Dmax and Alterra ay naka common rail diesel na po.

Para sa akin Value for Money yung Ranger. Na test drive ko na po yung apat na pick up (ranger, dmax, hi lux, strada), sa ranger lng ako na impress kahit may pag ka boxy sya.

**WiRK** · November 10th, 2006 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Rav_5

Sir Isuzu po ang una nag labas ng technology na toh. Lahat po ng Dmax and Alterra ay naka common rail diesel na po.

Para sa akin Value for Money yung Ranger. Na test drive ko na po yung apat na pick up (ranger, dmax, hi lux, strada), sa ranger lng ako na impress kahit may pag ka boxy sya.

Thanks for the correction, I agree with you. I might have mixed it up with Nissan. Anyway I also agree with you that the Ranger is the value for money choice.