Australian 4WD & SUV Buyer's Guide

The age of the electric vehicle has been a while coming, but it’s now safe to say that it has arrived. It’s early days yet, but you can now choose from a few different EVs, all of them SUVs at this stage. We’re still waiting on the first electric ute

Our piggybank indicates a vehicle that we think represents good value for money against the others in its class. It may not necessarily be the cheapest, but taking into account factors such as standard equipment, safety, the way it drives, resale val

The star rating for safety is from Australian ANCAP or European NCAP crash tests and the Green Vehicle Guide stars are as per the vehicle’s rating in the Green Vehicle Guide itself. Other star ratings, including the overall star rating, reflect how t

EDITOR Bill McKinnon DESIGNER Katharine McKinnon CONTRIBUTORS John Carey, Joshua Dowling, Phil King, Byron Mathioudakis, Brendan Batty, Andrew Chesterton ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Alex Duncan, 0498 186 994 aduncan@umco.com.au ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Martin W

• Prices are supplied by manufacturers and do not include on-road charges, which vary from state to state. Note that advertised prices must now include all on-road costs.• The best way to get a good deal on a new car is to do your research, test driv

Remember when there was no such thing as a beautiful SUV? SUVs were spacious, sure. And capable. Even occasionally sporty. But they were never, ever beautiful. But clearly something has changed, because we defy anyone to gaze upon Alfa Romeo’s new St

The Audi Q3 range opens with the 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol TFSi, with a six-speed twin-clutch S-Tronic transmission and front-wheel drive, priced at $43,400. Quattro all-wheel-drive models start with the 110kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/seven-speed S-Tr

Today’s Audi Q5 might seem barely changed since the original in 2009, but there’s exciting new stuff underneath its almost the same skin. Kicking off from $66,700 for the 2.0-litre TDI diesel quattro and $67,650 for the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol quattro,

The second-generation BMW X1 shares much of its core technology, including its basic structure, with the latest versions of the Mini (a brand that is owned by BMW) as well as BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer. The range opens with the sDrive 18i, at $44,5

BMW’s first X5, launched in 2000, immediately became the benchmark against which all other SUVs have since been judged. So the new fourth generation X5, like its predecessors, refines a proven formula rather than reinventing it. We’re testing the xDr

The Dodge Ram local righthand drive conversion is done by American Special Vehicles, the same outfit that does the Chevy Silverado. The Ram lineup opens with the 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre petrol Hemi V8/eight-speed auto/dual range 4x4 1500 Express Quad C

Audi’s second-generation Q7 is a huge improvement over the first. That model’s whalelike scale made it a daunting vehicle to drive in the city and its high weight meant it had the handling agility of a humpback. The 2019 Q7 is only slightly shorter a

Fiat’s 500X is a longwheelbase, five-door version of its cute-as, retrolook 500 small car. Prices start at $24,990 for the 103kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual front-wheel-drive Pop. A six-speed dual-clutch automated manual adds $2000; in Pop

Ford’s Ranger Raptor is priced at $75,990. Inspired by US desert racers, this is the little brother to the F-150 Raptor sold in North America. Compared with the standard top-spec Ranger Wildtrak, it gets a bold new grille, tucked front and rear bumpe

Double-cab 4x4 Ford Ranger pickups start at $47,840 for the 118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual XL. The 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder/six-speed manuals kick off at $46,740 for XL. XLS is $49,440, XLT is $56,340 and Wildtrak is $6

The Ford Everest is basically a reskinned workhorse one-tonner ute, in this case the Ford Ranger. The Ranger is a good thing in the one-tonner context, but it’s difficult to disguise the primitive chassis engineering and workhorse origins of any one-

Ford Australia would prefer we didn’t call its new five-seater Endura SUV a Territory replacement. Endura, says Ford Australia, is a much more upmarket SUV, a “premium offering” for those who want something “special and opulent”. Endura is well equip

Ford’s Escape range opens with the 110kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual/front-wheel-drive Ambiente, priced at $28,990. The six-speed auto is $30,490. All-wheel-drive models begin with the 134kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol Ambiente, with a six-speed

Haval, the biggest car company you probably know nothing about, is China’s leading SUV manufacturer. Its flagship model is the H9, a seven-seater 4WD best summed up as a cut-price Toyota Landcruiser Prado clone. Prices start at $40,990 for the LUX. T

If you own a Ford Territory and don’t know what to buy next, it could be time to consider a Holden. In the same way the Territory once wowed the locals, this bold box-shaped seven-seater is Holden’s first fair-dinkum attempt at a family freighter tha

Holden’s Trailblazer is a seven-seater wagon built on the Colorado one-tonner chassis. It also shares its frame, body and chassis with the Isuzu MU-X. The Trailblazer LT costs $47,990. The LT-Z, tested here, with the same mechanicals and more equipme

Holden’s 4x4 Colorado range opens with the 2.8-litre fourcylinder turbodiesel/six-speed manual LS single cab chassis, priced at $37,490. LS Space cab chassis is $43,190, Crew cab chassis is $43,490 and Crew cab pickup is priced at $44,990. LSX Crew c

Holden’s five-seater midsize Equinox SUV starts at $27,990 for the 127kW, 1.5-litre turbopetrol, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive LS; a six-speed auto adds $2000. The 100kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel/six-speed automatic/front-wheel drive LS+ is $35,990

Honda’s HRV, a compact five-door SUV, combines extraordinary interior flexibility with a punchy drivetrain and handsome styling inside and out. The base 1.8-litre petrol/continuously variable automatic (CVT) VTi model costs $24,990. Then it’s the sam

Holden’s Trax is a small SUV based on the now defunct Barina hatchback. It’s only available as a front-wheel drive, so think of it as an interesting take on the compact hatch with an SUV’s easy access and high, comfortable seating position. The base

Kia’s Sorento is comparable in size with Toyota’s Kluger and the Nissan Pathfinder, with vast interior space for seven. Petrol-powered models are front-wheel drive. The range opens with the 206kW 3.5-litre V6/eight-speed automatic Si at $42,990; Spor

Mazda’s BT-50 is the same truck as the Ford Ranger, but at it misses out on some of the Ford’s hightech infotainment and safety features, plus the Ford’s recent drivetrain upgrade. Big price hikes in mid 2019 have all but wiped out the value advantag

Mazda’s CX-8 SUV slots between the mid-size CX-5 five-seater and family-sized CX-9 seven-seater. There are three model grades: base Sport front-wheel drive from $43,910, Sport all-wheel drive from $47,910 and the flagship Asaki that pole vaults $15,0

The 4WD dual-cab pickup Navara range opens with the 120kW/403Nm 2.3-litre turbodiesel/seven-speed automatic RX at $43,450. The SL manual, which runs the same engine with two turbochargers and 140kW/450Nm, is $44,600; the auto is $47,100. The ST is $4

Mercedes-Benz was one of the first luxury brands to tackle the Range Rover market more than 20 years ago with the M-Class, since renamed the GLE. The new, fourth generation GLE range opens with the 300d at $99,900. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo d

Skoda’s Kodiaq SUV is named after the largest carnivorous mammal on earth, the Kodiak bear, but as far as seven seaters go it’s light, manoeuvrable and compact. More like a koala. The 132 (as in kilowatts of power) TSi 2.0-litre turbopetrol, tested h

Subaru’s 2019 Outback 2.5i petrol is $36,590 and the turbodiesel 2.0D is $39,190. Premium 2.5i, which we’re testing here, is $43,090; Premium 2.0D is $46,090. Subaru’s 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine is fitted to Outback 3.6R, priced at $49,590. Premiu

Toyota’s double-cab 4x4 HiLux pickup range opens with the 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual Workmate at $43,990, or $45,990 with a six-speed automatic, as tested here. SR grade, with the 130kW/450Nm 2.8-litre turbodiesel, is $46,560/

The first completely new Touareg in nine years, pricing opens at $79,490 for the 190TDi. Premium specification is $84,490 and the limited run Launch Edition is priced at $89,990. It might sound like a cliche to say the Touareg has risen to a new leve

The Amarok range includes single- and double-cab utes plus single- and double-cab-chassis models. The 4x4 lineup, 4MOTION in VW-speak, opens with the 2.0-litre turbodiesel six-speed manual TDi400 (as in 400Nm of torque) dual-cab chassis Core at $43,0

Kona electric is Hyundai’s first battery-powered SUV. Prices start at $58,500 for the Launch Edition. Elite is $59,990 and Highlander, which we’re testing here, is $64,490. The 2.0-litre petrol-powered Kona Elite starts at $29,500. Highlander is $35,

Released in June 2012, Isuzu’s D-Max is now one of the oldest utes in the class. D-Max 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel 4x4 pricing starts at $38,200 for the single-cab chassis SX six-speed manual. Double-cab chassis SX is $43,400 and the Space ca

The Hyundai Santa Fe features seven seats in all models. The lineup opens with the all-wheel-drive 138kW 2.4-litre petrol/six-speed automatic Active, at $43,000. The 147kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive Active is $46,000.

Isuzu’s MU-X seven-seater wagon uses the same body-on-ladder chassis construction as the D-Max ute but the wheelbase is shortened by 250mm, the ute’s rear leaf springs are replaced by coils, and discs replace drums at the rear. It’s also a twin under

Jaguar aimed ambitiously high with its new I-Pace mid-size luxury SUV. “The target was to create the best electric vehicle on the planet,” says Jaguar technical design director, Wolfgang Ziebart. And that is exactly what’s been done. I-Pace matches t

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is the first major update of the KL model, launched in 2014. Trailhawk, which we’re testing here, sits at the top of the lineup and costs $48,450. It’s powered by a 3.2-litre V6, matched with a nine-speed automatic. While more

Performance SUVs have been with us almost as long as the SUV itself, but we’re in the midst of an unprecedented roll-out of go-fast versions. Unquestionably the bargain of the crowd is Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which runs a 522kW supercharged

Kia’s Sportage SUV, which shares architecture with Hyundai’s Tucson and, sizewise, bridges the gap between compact and medium wagons, starts at $29,990 for the Si front-wheel drive. This model is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a modest 114

Land Rover’s Discovery Sport is a premium-priced mid-size SUV that goes up against the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. It’s priced to tempt buyers away from its German rivals. The range opens with the TD4 150 (as in horsepower, or 110kW) SE at $56,

The Renegade, Jeep’s smallest SUV, is made in Italy and shares architecture and many components with the Fiat 500X. Entry point is the $26,290 Sport, powered by the 81kW/152Nm 1.6-litre ‘E-TorQ’ four used in numerous Fiat models, matched with a fives

In its sophistication, comfort, refinement, efficiency and dynamics, the fifth Discovery has moved closer to luxury German SUVs such as the X5 and Audi’s Q7. Yet it also extends the unique Land Rover off-road envelope, with optional Terrain Response

The NX is Lexus’ smallest SUV yet and like many modern SUVs it targets urban buyers. Entry models are front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive because, according to research, many buyers really don’t know or care which wheels put the power to th

The CX-3 gives Mazda an offering in the hotly contested compact SUV segment. With a choice of two fourcylinder engines — 85kW/270Nm 1.8-litre turbodiesel or 111kW/195Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol — the CX-3 is up against more than 20 conten

Mahindra Pik-Up drive away prices start at an astonishingly low $21,990 for the S6 4x2 (with rear-wheel drive) single-cab chassis, or $23,990 drive away with an aluminium tray. Single cab 4x4s start at $26,990. Dual-cab 4x4s can be had from as low as

Evolution is the name of the game for Australia’s most popular SUV. Starting from $30,880, the front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 Maxx vies with Subaru’s Forester for safety honours in this class, with autonomous emergency braking front and rear as standar

Mazda’s CX-9 range starts at $46,420 for the 170kW 2.5-litre fourcylinder turbopetrol/six-speed automatic/front-wheel-drive Sport. CX9 Touring, with the same drivetrain, is $52,960, GT is $61,120 and Azami is $62,760. All-wheel-drive adds $4000 to ea

The shape of things to come from Mercedes-Benz has a familiar form. The German car maker will launch the EQC, the first model from its new electric vehicle sub-brand, here in October. While SUVs are hugely popular, there are other reasons car makers

The Mercedes GLA SUV range starts at $44,700 for the 90kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol frontwheel-drive GLA180. The 100kW 2.1-litre turbodiesel front-wheeldrive GLA220d is $52,100. Opt for the sportier performance and all-wheel-drive grip of the 155kW 2.0-l

The Mercedes GLS Class is an often overlooked and underrated luxury 4WD. It’s a well-designed, spacious sevenseater and unlike BMW’s X5 and Audi’s Q7, the GL is also equipped to go off-road. Think of it as Germany’s answer to the Range Rover. The 190

Here comes another King Ute claimant. With its 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, plus the regal three-pointed star, the Mercedes-Benz X350d is pitched at tradies with an eye for something more exclusive than the usual one tonner. Mercedes-Benz Austral

Most cars take five years to come to life, from a design sketch to hitting the showrooms. Mercedes didn’t want to wait that long and did a deal with Nissan to use the Navara as the basis of its new X-Class pickup. The X-Class has different sheet meta

The base ASX 110kW 2.0-litre petrol/five-speed manual front-wheel-drive ES is $23,490. With a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission it’s $25,490, while in LS specification, with CVT as standard, it’s $27,990. The top spec ASX Exceed is $

The Eclipse Cross slots into Mitsubishi’s SUV portfolio between the compact ASX and midsize Outlander. A three-model range, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo/continuously variable transmission (CVT), opens with the front-wheel drive ES at $29,990. LS is $

Aggressive drive-away discounting makes Mitsubishi’s list prices on Triton meaningless, but for the record, the 2019 dual-cab 4x4 range opens at $36,240 for the base GLX cab chassis, and $37,490 for the GLX pickup. Triton GLS double cab automatic, te

Like Toyota’s Fortuner, Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport is built on a one-tonner ute chassis — in this case the Triton — topped with a stylish, bespoke body to create a family wagon that, unlike the SUVs that now dominate the market, also has considerable

The base Pathfinder ST frontwheel drive is $43,390, the ST-L is $54,890 and the Ti is $62,890. All-wheel drive variants are $46,890, $58,390 and $66,390 respectively. A 3.5-litre V6 petrol/CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) drivetrain

The base front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre petrol/five-speed manual Outlander ES fiveseater is $29,290, while a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission and two extra seats adds $2000. The all-wheel-drive 2.4-litre petrol CVT ES seven-seater is $