WAGONS – MEDIUM

Mitsubishi has confirmed the Pajero will return to Australian showrooms before the end of 2026, reviving a badge that has been absent locally since the fourth-generation model bowed out in 2021. But while the name is familiar, the vehicle underneath will be very...

Land Rover revealed the new Discovery Sport in 2015 – the first member of the new Discovery family – and billed it as ‘the world’s most versatile premium compact SUV’.

The GWM Tank 500 seven-seat hybrid wagon was released in the second quarter 2024 and came with excellent specifications and pricing. A plug-in hybrid is coming in 2025.

The Range Rover Sport was 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.

Post-2023, petrol-only Jeep Grand Cherokee models were available in three trim configurations and a plug-in hybrid powertrain was offered in late-2023. However, sales were poor and the Grand Cherokee was ditched in early 2025.

Isuzu Ute Australia released the anticipated seven-seat wagon version of its D-Max ute range in late 2013. The third-generation MU-X was launched in July 2021 and updated in late 2022, early 2024 and early 2025.

With Super Select 4WD drivetrain and stability and traction control as standard, the Pajero Sport is one of the keenly-priced medium wagons. It was upgraded in 2018, in mid-2019, early 2022, early 2023 and 2024.

The post-2010 Prado range scored upgraded diesel and petrol engines in September 2015, six-speed transmissions and additional improvements for 2018 and 2020. The next-generation was launched in mid-2024 and RRPs were way up.

The LDV D90 seven-seat 4WD made its Australian debut in November 2017, was upgraded in 2019, given a bi-turbo diesel option in 2020 and reverted to petrol-only power for 2025.

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, mid-2019, in 2023 and 2024.

Since the first Land Cruisers came to Australia in the 1970s evolution, not revolution, has been the name of the game, but in 2022 the 70 Series became much more complex and added the HiLux diesel option for 2024, to replace the V8 for 2025.

The 2019 SsangYong Rexton was been released with optimism from SsangYong Australia that it would do much better in the market than its predecessors did in the past. Then came financial dramas that were resolved in 2022 and upgrades were added for 2024.

The Scorpio wagon is built on an all-new platform, with diesel power, automatic transmission refined suspension and 4XPLOR terrain management.

The last ‘real 4WD’ Nissan Pathfinder was released in June 2010, with increased performance from its 2.5-litre diesel engine. After 2014 the Pathie became a softroader, with almost no off-road ability.

Mahindra is best known for its sturdy, great value for money Pik Up ute range, but the global-scale Indian company also makes a bargain-priced seven-seat wagon.

We knew the Chinese vehicle invasion would gain momentum and the new Haval H9 is an example of much better quality machinery.

Toyota’s seven-seat Fortuner was based on the 2016 HiLux platform. Part-time-4WD was the only driveline available. Upgrades were done in 2019 and 2020.

Holden’s successor to the Jackaroo wagon range was a Colorado ute derivative, the Colorado 7. It was replaced by the Trailblazer in late 2016, but doomed by the demise of Holden in 2020.

The M-Class, fitted with the optional off-road package that included height-adjustable air suspension, low-range gearing and a proper spare wheel, was the last ‘Benz wagon that was useful on and off road.

A new-generation Volkswagen Touareg was released in mid-2011 and was updated in 2013 and 2015. The new model received a much-needed boost in interior space.

The FJ Cruiser was described by its designers as a modern interpretation of a Toyota classic; the FJ40 two-door wagon that was produced from 1960 until 1984. Sadly, the FJ production ended in August 2016.

The Cherokee has been with us in several forms since 1994. The post-2014 model is available with and without low-range gearing, so is also listed in our soft-roader section.

The current-shape Mitsubishi Pajero carries on and this monocoque, all-independent-suspension wagon is still reasonably competitive. Mitsubishi has kept the Pajero in step with the Japanese medium wagon competition and the 3.2-litre diesel is still a reliable performer.

After an absence of five years the Defender 90 was reintroduced in 2010, with powertrain and interior improvements. It was discontinued three years later and in January 2016 all Defender models ceased production.