THE V6 version of Holden’s all-wheel drive crew-cab ute offers the prospect of lower fuel consumption than the existing V8 Cross 8 models without a great loss of on-road verve. Like Cross 8, Cross 6 also offers the potential to carry five passengers while toting a decent payload into areas off-limits to regular rear- drive utes. Sure, that capability may be replicated by the swag of Japanese crew-cab four-wheel drives available in Australia, but it’s questionable that any of them would do it as comfortably as the Crewman Cross 6. And the V6 engine is smooth, as well as being surprisingly effective even if it doesn’t offer the economy of a turbo-diesel. The cruise liner turning circle takes some getting used to though.