Articles by Marcus Craft

Marcus Craft

Contributing Journalist

Raised by dingoes and, later, nuns, Marcus (aka ‘Crafty’) had his first taste of adventure as a cheeky toddler on family 4WD trips to secret fishing spots near Bundaberg, Queensland. He has since worked as a journalist for more than 20 years in Australia, London and Cape Town and has been an automotive journalist for 18 years.

This bloke has driven and camped throughout much of Australia – for work and play – and has written yarns for pretty much every mag you can think of.

The former editor of 4X4 Australia magazine, Marcus is one of the country’s most respected vehicle reviewers and off-road adventure travel writers.

This bloke has driven and camped throughout much of Australia – for work and play – and has written yarns for pretty much every mag you can think of.

The former editor of 4X4 Australia magazine, Marcus is one of the country’s most respected vehicle reviewers and off-road adventure travel writers.

It's the new Holden vs Ford fight! Toyota LandCruiser vs Nissan Patrol - but which big 4x4 is best off-road and why? | Opinion

10 December 2023 by Marcus Craft

Think you're a good driver? You might not be, and here is why | Opinion

3 December 2023 by Marcus Craft

We all think we’re The World’s Greatest Driver. Of course, we do. It’s...Read more

Why EVs can't kill off diesel vehicles! Electric cars like the Kia EV6 and Polestar 2 are great, but can you drive across the outback in one? | Opinion

26 November 2023 by Marcus Craft

Electric vehicles (EV) are selling in record numbers in Australia. The...Read more

Ford Ranger and Toyota LandCruiser owners take note! Why no one should be allowed to tow without a compulsory towing licence | Opinion

25 November 2023 by Marcus Craft

The world of towing is intimidating, and the prospect of having to...Read more

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2024 review: GSR

16 November 2023 by Marcus Craft

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a solid reputation as a very capable off-road vehicle and it also functions well as a daily driver, without ever being truly exceptional. The top-spec GSR packs plenty of standard features onboard, so, with the next Pajero Sport not due to arrive here until 2025, is...Read more

Why the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series is an overhyped and overrated 4WD | Opinion

12 November 2023 by Marcus Craft

Ah, Toyota’s 70 Series LandCruiser. So beloved of real off-road...Read more

From the Ford Bronco to the Kia Telluride: These are the 4WD models that could change the off-roading game in Australia | Opinion

5 November 2023 by Marcus Craft

There's nothing wrong with competition. It's a good thing. And in...Read more

SsangYong Rexton 2024 review: Ultimate - off-road test

31 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

The 2023 SsangYong Rexton is a well-equipped, seven-seat 4WD wagon and, with a price-tag under $60 grand, it might just deserve your full attention. But the 2024 Rexton is due to arrive in Australian showrooms this month – and it’ll have a new dash layout, a bigger multimedia touchscreen as well as...Read more

Family SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger are perfectly fine for light off-roading | Opinion

29 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

Not everyone who buys an SUV wants to tackle hardcore off-road...Read more

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2024 review: Overland - off-road test

23 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

The SUV sector of the car market is an increasingly sophisticated and highly competitive arena, and it’s one in which Jeep products have struggled to gain a real presence. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has found favour with some who regard it as a decent daily driver and a solid towing platform. We’ve...Read more

Why the Suzuki Jimny is an overhyped and overrated 4WD | Opinion

15 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

The Suzuki Jimny set hearts a-flutter when it landed here in all its...Read more

Toyota LandCruiser Prado 2024 review: Kakadu - off-road test

8 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

The 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado was unveiled in early August and it's set to land in Australia in mid-2024. It's the first all-new Prado in 14 years and it has many people very excited but, with delays blowing out customer wait-times for new vehicles, is a current seven-seat Prado the better...Read more

It's time to move on from the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, these are the forgotten utes that you should consider! | Opinion

8 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Australian ute market only...Read more

Why is the Toyota HiLux so popular? Does the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max ute rival still deserve its 'unbreakable' reputation? | Opinion

1 October 2023 by Marcus Craft

Toyota's HiLux is one of the most popular utes in the world.

2025 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: Why Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Prado buyers cannot afford to ignore Japan's value seven-seater SUV | Opinion

24 September 2023 by Marcus Craft

Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport is a good honest vehicle without ever being...Read more

GWM Ute Cannon 2024 review: XSR - off-road test

19 September 2023 by Marcus Craft

The Cannon XSR is GWM’s new top-shelf ute variant. This dual-cab 4WD ute is intended as an off-road -focussed vehicle and has visual and mechanical upgrades over the rest of the Cannon stable, including part-time 4WD (not the full-time 4WD on GWM’s lower-spec Cannons), a front differential lock (in...Read more