I work for a company that runs a fleet of them for work (agriculture).
It puts me in the unfortunate position of having to use one a few times a week.
Where to start. The ride can only be described as appalling at best. It is ‘better’ (I use that word in the loosest sense) when it’s got half a ton’s worth of ballast in the back, but then it handles like an ocean liner due to it’s COG being up in the clouds. Tow’s like a turd as well.
The interior is dire. It is evident that this is where the plastic from Honda’s in the 80’s ended up.
Wind/Road noise is very high. Chose to be deafened by either that, or poor stereo.
Rear bench seats. No other word than useless.
Storage. Laughably bad considering the thing is actually bigger than my LWB T5 Transporter. I think I could actually get more in my wife’s Seat Ibiza.
Flatbed – need a lockable roller really unless you want stuff nicked every time you stop.
Engine/Fuel. We have a collection of 3.0 & 2.5(?). Stunningly slow in all capacities, have a drinking ability similar to George Best on his best form. Our accounts team have MPG checked them for the 2 years we have run them so far. Not one has averaged over 21mpg in a combined 350,000 miles.
However, that being said, as an agricultural vehicle a lot of the issues are for that reason, they are designed to be used, abused and wrecked around the farm. It’s somewhat ironic they arn’t very good offroad though (I mean proper offroad rather than farm tracks).
So, unless you’re a farmer, no.