Is this the ultimate family Ute delivering versatility, practicality, comfort and refinement — or just another double cab trying to steal attention in a Ranger-and-Hilux world?

To find out, I didn’t just borrow it for a polite test drive. I made it my summer vehicle.

From last-minute Christmas missions around Taupō, to trips across to Hawke’s Bay visiting friends and family, to the ultimate annual test — towing our boat and a mountain of camping gear to the Coromandel — I embedded myself in life with the Terron 9.

And I’ll be honest.

After years of Subaru ownership, my blood still bleeds blue. Moving into an LDV Ute with dual screens, bold styling and a footprint that doesn’t exactly whisper “tight supermarket carpark friendly” required a mental shift.

But intrigue quickly replaced hesitation.

Seeing the vehicle during pre-delivery inspection — including the underbody up on the hoist — gave immediate confidence. It looks over-engineered in the best possible way. Solid. Purposeful. Ready.

In a market long dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, the Terron 9 doesn’t try to quietly blend in. The American-influenced front end is bold and muscular, arguably more imposing than many competitors.

The integrated tray and cab design takes a moment to adjust to. Yes, it limits flat-deck conversions. But let’s be honest — most modern Utes in New Zealand now serve family lifestyle duties as much as tradie work. Boats. Bikes. Camping gear. Sports bags. That’s the reality.

And that’s exactly where I see the Terron 9 positioned.

On paper, it stacks up strongly for the NZ market.

The 2.5-litre single-turbo diesel produces 163.5kW and 520Nm, placing it among the most powerful four-cylinder Utes available here. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift, the combination feels refined around town and confident under load.

With a 3,500kg braked towing capacity, selectable 4WD and low range accessible from inside the cabin, it’s engineered for Kiwi demands.

Drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) aren’t gimmicks — they make a genuine difference. Sport mode sharpens throttle response and holds gears longer, which proved invaluable climbing steep terrain fully loaded.

And the paddle shift? Surprisingly one of my favourite features. Being able to quickly downshift approaching tight Coromandel corners and use engine braking gave a level of control that exceeded expectations. In Sport mode, engine and transmission work in harmony.

It doesn’t just quote strong numbers — it backs them up.

Step inside and the word that comes to mind is: space.

The cabin is genuinely large. Rear seat legroom is generous enough for growing families, and the Elite model’s cloth seats are comfortable front and rear, with six-way electric adjustment for the driver. Long trips were fatigue-free.

The dual 12.3-inch screens are the standout. Crystal clear. Arguably the sharpest infotainment and camera resolution in the segment at this price point.

Yes, controlling lighting, audio and climate through the touchscreen takes a few days of adjustment. But once familiar, it feels modern and intuitive. Going back to more traditional layouts would feel dated.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensure seamless connectivity, and the 360-degree camera system makes parking this sizeable Ute far easier than expected. LED headlights and high-beam assist are equally impressive — in fact, the auto high beam performance outperformed several more expensive vehicles I’ve driven.

For 42 years, I’ve spent summers in the Coromandel. Those steep; winding roads are unforgiving. I’ve seen vehicles sidelined more times than I can count.

We don’t travel light — around three tonnes all up. Boat packed. Bikes strapped. Fridge loaded. Every essential for a proper Kiwi camping mission.

This is my benchmark every year.

And this was the best trip yet.

The Terron 9 felt stable, planted and unstrained under load. Power delivery was smooth and consistent. The chassis remained composed over uneven surfaces, and the transmission handled climbs confidently.

We arrived refreshed rather than fatigued — which, before a four-hour campsite build, is no small thing.

Although this year it became six hours.

Because everyone wanted to know:

“What the Truck are you driving?”
“How does it go?”
“Can I have a look inside?”

It became a conversation starter. Even one grandmother told me her grandchildren would be distraught to see “What the Truck” leaving.

Boat launching and retrieval were equally uneventful — which is exactly what you want. Low range selection is simple from inside the cabin, and traction on the ramp inspired confidence.

No vehicle is perfect.

The widely discussed driver monitoring system is overly sensitive. While its safety purpose is clear, it can become intrusive on longer drives. It can be turned off, but resets with each ignition cycle — an area where future software refinement would improve the experience.

Other minor frustrations:

• The seatbelt must be fastened before disengaging the electronic park brake.
• No cruise control when towing.

For some buyers, those may matter. For me, they were minor trade-offs against the broader capability and value.

At $54,990 plus on-road costs, the Terron 9 presents serious value in New Zealand’s competitive Ute segment.

Backed by:

• 7-year / 200,000km warranty
• 7-year roadside assistance
• 7-year WOF checks

That ownership package delivers genuine peace of mind for Kiwi families balancing lifestyle and long-term costs.