Diesel very time, no competition! Longer life, better torque, better fuel economy.... Check out the new Tojo 70 series 4.5L V8 diesel, and get both.... they are claiming 11L/100km.

Unfortunately, I can't offer any towing comparisons, but the following may be of interest: A couple of years ago we did a bush trip west of the 'Rock', the east McDonalds, the Oodnadatta Track and the Flinders Ranges, several thousand km, in the company of friends. Both vehicles travelled the same roads at the same speeds. Our OKA has a 4 cylinder, 4 litre, turbo charged diesel. It happily cruises at 100kmph if required. It had covered 350,000 km on the engine at the time. It weighed a tad over 5 tonns for this trip and has the aerodynamics of a brick! Our friends were driving a petrol / gas 4.2 litre 6 cylinder 80 series Toyota Landcruiser. They weighed around 3 tonns. The Landcruiser used 24 litres per 100 km. The OKA used 16 litres per 100 km. We are currently in Kununurra. Petrol & diesel are similarly priced at around $1.57 - $1.60 per litre. Your "$10 - 15K" price difference dissapears pretty quick, especially away from the big cities.

We don't own one, but again there is only ONE choice if you want parts and service ALL over the country. Just look at what they drive in the bush, on cattle stations, in the mines, the Police..... You won't see a Land Rover, or a Patrol....or too many 100 series Landcruisers either......but you can get a new rear spring for a 75 or 78 series 'Cruiser at any hardware store. Unless you want fancy upholstery and trim there is no choice, even accepting a fair debate on the qualities of the competition.