4WD BUYERS GUIDE
Buying the right 4WD is critical and in this Buyers Guide, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of new and used wagons, utes and heavy duty off-road vehicles. Also in the Buyers Guide are motorhomes and campervans. Many of the vehicles tested have video reports to let you see how they perform on and off road; and some also include tow tests. There are also suggestions for desirable bush modifications.
LATEST ARTICLES
BUYING ADVICE
Ute payloads aren’t what they seem
Every ute maker claims at least a nominal one-tonne payload figure and more than three tonnes trailer towing capacity for several 4WD utes in its range, but you need to check spec sheets and real-world tare weights for the true position.
Hybrid 4WDs are the future in Australia
Every vehicle maker is now committed to electrification in some form on all new models. For Australian-market 4WDs it’s a certainty that we’ll see ‘real’ 4WDs – vehicles with true off-road capability – in increasing numbers in the next few years.
4X4 CAMPERVANS
VW-Jayco Kampervan
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced a collaboration with recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco to create the Crafter Kampervan lifestyle vehicle.
Trakka Akuna 4Motion
Trakka has built the Akuna campervan on VW Crafter medium and long wheelbase vans for some years, but until early 2022 didn’t make a version on VW’s 4Motion model.
HEAVY DUTY OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
The first 4WD trucks Down Under
We tend to think that the 4WD truck was a post-World War II innovation, but the history of 4WD trucks goes way back, to before World War I. An unknown number of very successful ‘Quad’ truck models were brought to Australia during and after WWI.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4
Mercedes-Benz Australia hasn’t realised the potential in the Sprinter 4×4 range. The original 4×4 system from Oberaigner is due for replacement by Magna components in September 2022, along with a new four-cylinder engine.
4X4 MOTORHOMES
AAV4x4 Global Xplorer
The Global Xplorer is a 4×4 motorhome, based on the Fuso Canter cab/chassis. It’s designed with rugged simplicity, for off-road adventures and prolonged, remote-area off-grid camping. Outback Travel Australia checked out the 2022 model.
Earthcruiser Iveco Models
Earthcruiser motorhomes are now built mainly on the Iveco Daily 4×4 platform. There are short-cab and crew-cab versions.
SOFT-ROADERS
Subaru Outback
The Outback drifted somewhat from its off-roading roots in the early 2000s, but the 2015 model had enhanced 4WD capability. Upgrades were introduced in 2016 and 2021.
Subaru Forester
The Forester is a great on-road performer, with quite good fire trail capability. The 2016 Forester had some styling changes, a quieter, more comfortable cabin and upgraded instruments. In September 2018 Subaru launched the new generation of its top-selling Forester All-Wheel Drive wagon.
UTES & CAB CHASSIS – LARGE
RAM 2500
The Ram has been Cummins-powered since 1989. It’s taken nearly 30 years to make it Down Under as RHD-converted ute, but the wait has been worth it. The latest model was released in September 2021.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series
The Toyota LandCruiser has been the Australian bush’s favourite workhorse since Leslie Thiess (later Sir Leslie) introduced the first Land Cruisers to Australia in the 1970s. Evolution, not revolution, is the name of the game, but the 70 Series has now become much more complex..
UTES & CAB CHASSIS – MEDIUM
Volkswagen Amarok
Although it had the smallest engine capacity in the crew-cab ute class the Amarok had ample grunt and was physically larger inside and in the cargo tray than HiLux and Navara crew-cab utes. A V6 option was released in October 2016 and a Walkinshaw special and long-wheelbase options in 2020. Off-road specials were released in early 2022.
Ford Ranger and Raptor
The Ranger Mk II model was released in August 2015 and updated every year since. A high performance Raptor model and a two-litre bi-turbo with 10-speed auto option were announced in early 2018, and the two-litre option was extended in 2021. The 2022 model was previewed in late 2021.
WAGONS – LARGE
Grenadier
It’s no secret that the 2020 Defender was new bodywork and interior on a Range Rover / Land Rover chassis. The INEOS Grenadier is a true Defender replacement and will be available in July 2022.
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover diehards were disappointed with the design of the post-2020 Defender that was more off-road capable Range Rover than Defender. The only carry-over signature from the original Defender was aluminium bodywork.
WAGONS – MEDIUM
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport has been significantly upgraded for 2023, with the offering of an extended-range Electric Hybrid from launch, with 375kW (510bhp) and pure-electric driving range of up to 125km.
Ford Everest
In mid-2015 Ford released the Australian designed and developed Everest SUV range that’s being manufactured in Thailand. It was updated in mid-2018 and mid-2019, and the 2023 model was previewed in March/April 2022.
WAGONS – SMALL
Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny was the replacement for the little Sierra and had more market appeal than its predecessor did. While being essentially as box-shaped as the Sierra the Jimny had much more style about it.
Ol’ Number One
This Land Cruiser FJ25 was the very first Toyota 4WD purchased by Leslie Thiess. Enthusiasts refer to this model as the great grandfather of Toyota’s 70 Series, reckons Jim Gibson.
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