For every headline the Hilux/Triton/D-Max/Ranger dominates, there's usually a few more rivals working quietly in the background – you just have to know where to look.

Which is important because these competitors (mostly Chinese, at least for now) are either considerably good, plain Janes, or entirely forgettable. Sometimes you'll uncover little big gems like the 2022 Maxus T60, and though it's by no means a giant-killer, it's a mighty effort in itself.

Aesthetics: Hardly divisive

Good design is good for business as we always say and though the T60 won't be bringing home any Red Dot awards soon, the penned result stays neutral enough and hey, that's not a bad point.

Nothing too much in the way of comically-oversized grilles, nor expensive-to-fix little enhancements around the body. No bulging plastic arches means it's easy to place through crevices between cars (or a rock and a hard place), and consequently, less things to worry about scuffing.

Also read: Maxus charges up the new T60 with more power

And that's basically the theme of the Maxus. Kit count is thoughtful, with automatic, adaptive LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, fog lights in front and on the back, as well as basic 17-inch wheels, but you also get aluminium roof rails (the only one in this price range) and a stainless-steel sports bar.

My personal favourite inclusion is the heated side mirrors, definitely a sweetens the deal a whole lot more during cold, foggy days.

The rear takes the 'no-frills' a bit too far, and lots of that centres on the tailgate. For one, it's very heavy and lacks dampeners (just slams down open, and takes a fair effort closing) and two, the quality is questionable.

Also read: Aussie's first EV pick-up truck, the LDV Maxus eT60 coming in Nov 2022; beating Hilux and Triton?

The plastic covers surrounding it aren't smoothened, making it very easy to cut yourself if you're not the least bit careful.

Cabin: Dated, but tough in all the right places

Buyers of the T60 aren't looking for 'premium' materials. What matters more is that they wipe clean easily and don't fall apart after hauling palm oil or driven with soiled hand gloves. Maxus has understood the assignment, and has given the T60 a cabin that's long on practicality and toughness, yet short on the frills.

But you can still cope because there's still power-adjustable front seats, a multi-function, leather-wrapped steering wheel, push start to complement keyless entry, and automatic single-zone air-conditioning.

The leather seat cushioning quality is closer to an SUV's rather than a rough and tumble truck, and that's always a plus point, because it holds you well even on light off road trails.

Also read: Used pick-up trucks: Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton - how their resale value hold up after 5 years

Bringing it up to times is a digitally-backed instrument cluster, but I'm not sure how to feel about this. One hand, yeah, it's sweet with nice colours and clarity, but on the other...is it really necessary?

Perhaps a better use of the funds would be to upgrade the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. Thanks for the actual buttons, Maxus, but the execution remains middling, with average sound and screen quality.

Also read: Digital dials are crap, and here's why

Friendly features like service reminders, overall car condition, and a reverse camera shows up here, too. One caveat however is that in our time using it the headunit was relatively faultless, but for some reason Android Auto didn't work.

Reverse camera could be improved however, as it seems a little low-res, but nothing impossible to use.

Storage spaces won't leave you wanting, with 15 total storage areas, and door cards cavernous enough to fit 1.5-litre bottles. For smaller items, there's a medium space below the air-cond controls, and thoughtful cutouts for your cards by the gear lever.

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Major points awarded to Maxus for including a secret hiding spot behind the rear seats. Slip in your laptop bag or small items here and it saves you the trouble from having to lug it around.

4x4 chops: What does it have?

On the rough-and-tumble side of things, the Maxus T60 offers enough to be rather compelling. Off-road talents come from an Eaton locking rear differential, and a BorgWarner four-wheel drive system which allows for switching between 2H-4H-4L modes without stopping the car.

Ground clearance is 215 mm, allowing for a 550 mm wading depth – slightly lower than the Triton and Hiluxs' 700 mm. Maximum payload the 1,188-litre bed can carry is 815 kg.

Driving experience: Loves highways

Slightly gruffy overall compared to Japanese rivals, and a lot of that is due to how power is transmitted. Though Weststar's August update for the T60 adds extra power (155 PS at 3,000 rpm, up from 150 PS at 3,400 rpm) and 425 Nm from 1,600 to 2,300 rpm (a bump from 360 Nm previously), off-the-line acceleration still feels a little dull.

The impression is that the 2.8-litre DOHC VGT turbodiesel is happier to cruise, where it fades into a quiet background hum. Gearchanges from the Punch (yes, that Punch) 6-speed automatic transmission are quick and clean, and its taller gearing helps in giving it the legs for long hauls.

Also read: Review: Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X – Great to drive, but smaller than the Hilux

Likewise the steering, show it some highways and it'll gobble the miles like its made for that. The steering is never too vague nor too heavy, and when you're crossing state lines in this, it pulls along nicely, with a decent surefootedness that's reminiscent of European SUVs.

Driving the Maxus T60 in the city isn't bad per se, but it sure as hell doesn't like negotiating tight U-turns and bends. That's what happens when there's a 12.6-metre turning radius. Combine that with the rather spongy brakes and slow-speed city driving feels unwieldy.

Data-wise, it completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 13.3 seconds, slower than almost every other segment rivals. 45.52 metres is what it needs to stop from 100 km/h; nothing out of the ordinary here.

Also read: Quick Review: New 2020 Toyota Hilux Rogue - best RM 150k jack-of-all-trades truck?

Fuel consumption in our hands was 11.55 litres/100 km, slightly thirstier than a Triton (9.5 litres/100 km) though this is still well within average figures for cars of this size.

Ride comfort: Gentle giant

As aforementioned the Maxus T60 drives and feels rather European. The standard 17-inch wheel and tyre package is a good call, offering thick sidewalls that soak up road ruts and bumps, and this includes the small, menacing rubber bumps you see in shopping mall carparks too.

Our advice is to just stick with these and save your RM 3,000 that Weststar asks for 19-inch rolling stock.

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The leather seats are plush, and with electric adjustments for the driver it offers one more level of comfort not commonly seen in trucks in this price range. Rear seats however are typical; straight-backed with adequate head-and-legroom, and there's floor-mounted air-cond vents for those sitting here.

Verdict: It's all in the value

For the RM 115,888 asking price, Ringgit-for-Ringgit it goes up against the Triton MT Premium (RM 117k), Hilux 2.4E (RM 111k) and all-new Ranger XL (RM 112k). Yes, the T60 in itself isn't a surefire winner, but its real raison d'être is giving you as much metal as it can for the money.

Pros are the comfort features (adaptive LED headlights, power-adjustable leather seats, and a cushy drive, especially for long-distance travels), with reasonable off-road as well as towing/payload capacity. Active safety (ADAS) isn't included, but at least it's got 4 airbags, a blind spot monitor, and a reverse camera.

Also read: Review: 2021 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete is the best Hilux that you want to ride in

On the aftersales front there's a 5-year/130,000 km warranty, and you can service your T60 at 29 service centres nationwide. Obviously, this is a bit behind whatever Mitsubishi/Toyota/Ford offers in the meantime, but Maxus counters with a 4-year free service (up to 80,000 km) package.

All things considered, the Maxus T60 is a decent truck, period – it doesn't need the quantifer of a 'Chinese truck' – with a few minor niggles here and there...which can be easier overlooked with the cheaper payments you'll make.