Holden Ute

One of the sexiest auto shapes on the planet at the moment, the Holden Ute is no less practical for it.

• Comfort

  Plenty of it in the cabin for the hard-working Aussie. Roof is still high enough to fit an Akubra underneath.

  

• Performance

  The V6 is an effective tool, if a bit wheezy. The 6.0-litre V8's a good 'un, though it's thirsty. Fuel saving technology can't come soon enough

  

• Cool

  We'd have an SS V in a heartbeat. How cool does that make it, eh? Well, it's even cooler than that.

  

• Quality

  It's a Holden, and it's been known to turn out the odd Monday morning special. On the whole, though, the build standards are very high.

  

• Handling

  Just lovely. It's not tail-happy, just agile and eager and easy to drive.

  

• Practicality

  The tray is huge, and the plastic tub liner comes standard. There's also ample storage room in the cabin behind the seats.

  

• Running costs

  From mid-11s on the sixes to mid-14 litres per hundred on the V8 models, it's worth weighing up which engine will serve you better. There's a dual-fuel V6 Omega, too. Tyres will be expensive on the 19-inch-wheel-shod SS