Australian 4WD & SUV Buyer's Guide

Most ute makers are now claiming up to 3500kg towing capacity. Don’t believe it. Sure, a ute may be able to pull that weight, but when you also load it up with accessories, passengers and gear, chances are you will exceed the legal maximum Gross Comb

Joshua Dowling is the National Motoring Editor at caradvice.com.au and a World Car of the Year judge. Joshua is renowned for his consumer-first approach and you can also read his regular rants on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling. In this issue, he tests the H

★ 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 h

It’s not the Second Coming. No, this is an event of much greater significance than that… Toyota’s new LC300 Landcruiser has now arrived, and given its vastly superior specification, especially performance and economy, over the 200 Series it replaces,

BMW was among the first carmakers to dive into electric vehicles way back in 2013, when it introduced the i3 hatchback. Its latest EV is the iX3, which, as the name implies, is an electrified variant of the midsized X3 SUV. Priced from $114,900, iX3

Mercedes recently announced that it is “getting ready to go all electric by the end of the decade…” Big call, but there’s a catch: “…where conditions allow.” Still, like every other major car company, Mercedes has bet the bank on electric vehicles, a

Over the past few years, the obvious answer to the question posed in that memorable Jeep ad “You bought a Jeep?” would have been “Why?” After all, Jeep had a well-earned reputation for not only making unreliable vehicles, but also for shafting its cu

Suzuki’s Ignis, tested on page 125, is Australia’s cheapest SUV and the only one left on the market with a sub-$20,000 pricetag: $19,490. Mazda’s CX3, from $22,890 (tested on p73) and Mitsubishi’s ASX, priced from $23,990 and tested on p92, are other

Volkswagen’s 2021 Caddy van range includes this very cool California camper, priced at $54,990. It’s a long wheelbase, fifth generation Caddy, powered by a 90kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, matched with a seven speed dual clutch automatic and

In the Australian 4WD & SUV Buyer’s Guide, we include trade-in values for every model in our Showroom section. These are provided to us by Redbook, Australia’s leading authority on used-car, 4WD and SUV values. Each model we test includes three- and

The Audi Q2 is one size smaller than Audi’s already-popular Q3, being engineered on the VW Polo/Audi A1 small car platform. The Audi SUV isn’t cheap, with a starting price of $42,900 for the base Q2 35 TFSI. This model has a 110kW 1.5-litre turbochar

The third generation Audi Q3 might be labelled an SUV but as with many of its peers it could easily be described as a high-riding hatchback. It delivers the usual SUV attributes: taller driving position, better vision around the car, and a higher “hi

Alfa Romeo’s first-ever SUV can be had with a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 147kW and 330Nm, or a performance chipped version with 206kW/400Nm, both with an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. The range kicks off at $64,950; the S

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. Audi’s engineers found ways to shed ar

Audi’s five seater Q8 is based on the seven-seater Q7, but with a sleeker, sharper profile, a coupe roofline, a few dimensional adjustments and whopper 21 inch alloy wheels to give it a sportier stance. The Q8 55TFSi quattro, priced at $130,077, runs

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. Prices kick off from $68,900 for the 150kW/400Nm 2.0-litre 40 TDI diesel quattro and $69,477 for the 183kW/370Nm

If you need proof the world has gone mad for SUVs, look no further. Bentley's Bentayga is one of the most extreme and expensive of the breed. The Bentayga is based on the Audi Q7/Q8, with Bentley acquired by Germany’s Volkswagen-Audi Group in 1998. T

With the arrival of the third-generation X3/X4, BMW once again has a competitive player in the premium medium-SUV class. The 2022 X3/X4 is a styling update, with the addition of a new plug-in hybrid variant. The X3 range opens at $73,900 with the sDr

More compact yet more costly than the X1, on which it’s based, BMW X2 prices start at $49,900 for the sDrive 18i. This front-wheel-drive X2 runs a 103kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol triple matched with a seven-speed double-clutch automatic. M Sport specifci

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 100 percent owned by BMW. The range opens with the sDrive 18i, at $47,900. sDrive18d is $53,900, sDr

BMW’s first X5, launched in 2000, immediately became the benchmark against which all other SUVs have since been judged. This fourth generation opens with the 170kW/450Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive xDrive

BMW’s first full size seven-seat SUV, the X7 starts from $135,900 for the 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel six 30d, tested here. The 3.0-litre triple turbodiesel M50d, with 294kW and 760Nm, is $181,900, as is the 390kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin turbopetr

Launched in 2008, BMW’s then controversially styled now has a few imitators due to its success. What it loses out to the closely related X5 in space and practicality, the divisive design icon makes up for in attitude and individuality. The cheapest X

Meet the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, brought to you by Holden Special Vehicles. With the shutdown of Holden, General Motors will now be represented in Australia by this locally re-manufactured pick-up and, down the road a little, the Chevrolet Corvette

Citroen barely troubles the sales scorers in Australia. For most people it’s just a bit too fringe as somewhere to spend serious money, and a well-deserved reputation, shared with other French brands, for questionable reliability doesn’t help its cau

What we have here is the Ram 1500 DT Series. It went on sale in the US in 2019 but turned up in an official capacity in Australia from mid-2021. This new shape Ram 1500 DT Series is sold alongside the earlier Ram 1500 DS Series (also known as the Ram

The Ford Puma is the smallest SUV in the brand’s line-up. There are three models: Puma (from $29,990), Puma ST-Line ($32,340) and Puma ST-Line V (from $35,540). All three models are powered by the same turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine (wi

Demand is so strong for the Ram 1500 that the American Special Vehicles right hand drive conversion assembly line in Melbourne has been operating 24 hours a day, five days a week since June 2019. As this article was published, there was still a three

The Ford Escape makes a serious pitch for the performance buyer, with a 183kW/387Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol standard across the range and 0-100km/h in under six seconds. No rival offers anywhere near that amount of performance; in fact most are decided

The Ford Everest is basically a reskinned 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-tonner-based wagon — a breed that includes Toyot

Double-cab 4x4 Ford Ranger pickups start at $48,690 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 $48,990 for XL. XLS is $50,290, Sport is $53,540, XLT is $57,490,

Ford’s Ranger Raptor is priced at $79,390. 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

GWM’s latest ute, the Cannon, has grown in size to match the proportions of the topselling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and it certainly looks the business in the metal. There are three models in the new GWM double cab ute range: the Cannon ($35,490

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand, created in the same way, and for the same reasons, that Lexus was spawned in the early 1990s as Toyota’s upper class moneymaker. Straight from the Lexus textbook, Genesis is aiming to get its new GV70 mid-size SUV o

After a stalled start more than a decade ago, Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors is beginning to find traction in Australia. The company is now called GWM Haval, with utility vehicles wearing GWM badges and SUVs wearing both GWM and Haval logos. Wha

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

Honda now has drive-away prices on all its models, with the same prices listed no matter which dealer you visit. Dealers will tell you the prices are firm and they’re not allowed to haggle, but that’s rubbish. If you want to negotiate, go right ahead

Honda’s CR-V, the world’s top-selling SUV, lost its way for a while but is now back in serious contention with the fifth generation since 1997. Priced from $35,300 driveaway for the Vi front-drive auto, the latest version has expanded its repertoire

Hyundai’s Venue, a small SUV, starts at $20,940 (plus on road costs) for the six-speed manual; a six-speed automatic adds $2020. Powered by a 90kW 1.6-litre petrol four, driving the front wheels, Venue’s standard equipment list includes 15-inch alloy

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson range starts from $34,500 and tops out at $50,000. There are three model grades. The base model is simply called Tucson, and then there is the Tucson Elite and Tucson Highlander. An optional N-Line pack – which adds larger all

There are seven Kona models, starting with the base Kona, priced from $26,600. Active is priced from $28,200, Elite from $31,600 and Highlander from $38,000. These are powered by a 110kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a CVT auto an

Kona Electric is Hyundai’s first EV. Prices start at $54,500 for the Elite. Highlander is $58,000. These Standard Range models use a 100kW/395Nm electric motor that drives the front wheels, powered by a 39.2kWh battery. Maximum claimed range is 305 k

Hyundai’s Palisade is a monster-sized, US sourced, luxury SUV that represents great value for money if you need a seven or eight seater wagon. Prices kick off at $60,000 for the 217kW 3.8-litre petrol/eight-speed automatic/front wheel drive Palisade;

Hyundai’s Santa Fe range opens with the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic/front-wheel-drive Wagon, at $44,700. Active is $48,300, Elite is $54,300 and Highlander is $61,700. The 148kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-whee

The new 2021 Isuzu MU-X is $9000 - $15,000 more expensive than its predecessor. As before, it’s a seven seater wagon based on the D-Max ute. There are three model grades – LS-M, LS-U and LS-T – all powered by a 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre four cylinder tur

The 2021 Isuzu D-Max (and it’s Mazda BT50 twin) is arguably the safest ute on the road. It’s loaded to the hilt with tech, including lane-keeping, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition and a

It was only five years ago that Jaguar decided it needed a competitor in the premium compact SUV segment, where models including the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque were boosting their brands’ sales. Getting the E-Pace to market as quickly as

Is Jeep’s first dual-cab ute worth the hype? The JT Gladiator is proudly proclaimed a mongrel – “100 percent Jeep and 100 percent truck” is the tag line – since from the rear seat back, it’s derived from the Dodge RAM 1500. Gladiator is available in

Jaguar’s F-Pace’s mostly aluminium body draws on the basic elements of Jaguar’s XE and XF sedans. Size-wise, the F-Pace is something of an in-betweenie. It’s larger than a BMW X3, for example, but not as big as an X5. It’s certainly spacious enough t

Jaguar aimed ambitiously high with its 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 I-Pace matches the Tesla Model X for performance, driving r

This Jeep Cherokee, launched in 2020, is the first major update of the KL model, launched in 2014. Trailhawk, which we’re testing here today, costs $49,950. It’s powered by a 3.2-litre V6, matched with a nine-speed automatic. While more bitumen-focus

This new-generation Wrangler might look like the old one, but it’s new from the wheels up Importantly for Jeep fans, though, this model retains the indoor/outdoor body configurability unique to Wrangler. The doors can be removed, the roof comes off a

The Grand Cherokee Night Eagle 3.6-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic is $59,950. Limited is $63,950. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel models open with the Night Eagle at $65,950. S Limited is $72,950, Trailhawk is $75,950 and Overland is $82,950. S-L

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 compact Seltos SUV opens at $26,790 for the 110kW 2.0 litre petrol/continuously variable automatic/front-wheel drive Seltos S. Seltos Sport is $29,790 and Sport+ is $33,290. All-wheel drive models start at $36,790 drive away for the 130kW 1.6-l

Kia’s smallest SUV, the Stonic, is based on the Rio hatchback. Prices start at $21,490 for the 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre petrol/six-speed manual Stonic S; the six-speed auto is $22,990. So at base model level Stonic is one of the cheapest SUVs on the mark

Kia’s fourth generation Sorento seven-seater SUV kicks off at $46,850 for the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic/front wheel drive S model. Sport is $49,470, Sport Plus is $53,850 and GT Line is $61,070. A 148kW 2.2-litre four cylinder t

The base Discovery Sport P200 R-Dynamic, tested here, with a 147kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/nine-speed automatic/all-wheel drivetrain costs $66,810. That’s an almost $6500 hike from 2020, so the Land Rover has now lost its once considerable value for mo

The first-generation Land Rover reached the end of the line in 2016 after a 68-year run. But times – and safety regulations – change and the badge has now been revived on a heavy-duty – especially in the price department -- luxury off-roader with rug

The LDV T60 double cab ute range starts from $30,516 for the six-speed manual Pro model powered by a 110kW/360Nm 2.8-litre turbo diesel, made in China under licence from Italian firm VM Motori. The six-speed auto is $32,621. What we have here is the

Until the Levante, no SUV had ever worn the trident badge of Maserati. But you would never guess from the way this weighty Italian drives. Equipped as standard with air springs and variable dampers, the Levante is more agile on a curvy road than a hi

The term “hybrid” now refers to several different drivetrain technologies. Some buyers are not aware of this, and end up with a relatively thirsty car when they were expecting a fuel miser. The Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid runs a petrol engine with an upgrad

The CX-3 gives Mazda an offering in the hotly contested compact SUV segment. Powered by a 110kW/195Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the CX-3 is up against more than 20 contenders including Honda’s HRV, Nissan’s Qashqai and the Kia Ston

Evolution is the name of the game for one of Australia’s most popular SUVs. Starting from $31,190, the front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 Maxx vies with Subaru’s Forester and Toyota’s RAV4 for safety honours in this class, with autonomous emergency braking

Mazda’s CX30 shares architecture, front wheel drivetrains and dash layouts with the 3 sedan and hatch, so you could accurately describe it as a Mazda3 wagon. Prices start at $28,990 for the G20 Pure, with a 114kW 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol

Mazda’s CX-8 SUV slots between the mid-size CX-5 five-seater and family-sized CX-9 seven-seater. There are four model grades: base Sport front-wheel drive from $39,990, Touring from $47,790, GT from $59,290 and the flagship Asaki from $62,790. Standa

Mazda’s CX-9 range starts at $45,990 for the 170kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/six-speed automatic/front-wheel-drive Sport. CX9 Touring, with the same drivetrain, is $53,490, GT is $62,990 and Azami is $66,190. All-wheel-drive adds $4000 to e

Mazda’s 2021 BT50 is no longer a reskinned Ford Ranger. Instead, Mazda has turned to Isuzu and it’s new D-Max. This brings major benefits in reliability, safety and fuel efficiency, but de-Rangering the BT has its downsides, too. Given that most one

The shape of things to come from Mercedes-Benz has a familiar form. The German car maker’s first pure EV, the EQC 400 is, surprise, surprise, a family sized SUV, priced at $140,771. While SUVs are hugely popular, there are other reasons car makers fa

As with most SUVs, Mercedes’ GLA is based on a car platform, in this case the A Class, with which it also shares drivetrains and many other components as well. This model is significantly larger than its predecessor, with a much taller body and a hig

Introduced in 2015, Mercedes’ top selling SUV, the GLC, received an overhaul in 2020. A 2.0-litre turbopetrol four powers the base GLC200 wagon (tested here), priced at $75,100 plus on road costs. It produces a respectable 145kW of power and 320Nm of

America has the Jeep Wrangler, Britain has (or, rather, had) the original Land-Rover Defender and Germany has the Mercedes G-Class. Each started life as a military vehicle in war zones but half a century later they’ve been modernised, if that’s the w

Mercedes’ GLB sits in one of those in-between slots on the SUV size scale. It’s a mid-size wagon, but also one of the smaller seven seaters on the market. It goes up against Land Rover’s Discovery Sport, Mazda’s CX8, VW’s Tiguan Allspace and the Skod

Mercedes-Benz fourth generation GLE range opens with the 300d at $112,500. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel fourcylinder, with a healthy 180kW of power and 500Nm of torque. The GLE 450 at $124,900 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbopetrol in-line

With its third generation GLS, Mercedes has turned luxury up a notch – and the vehicle has grown in every dimension to behemoth proportions. It now has one of the largest cabins and cargo holds in the class. The 270kW/500Nm 3.0-litre straight six tur

The mid-size MG ZS EV is Australia’s cheapest electric car by some margin, at $43,990 drive-away. This undercuts the Hyundai Ioniq, priced at $48,970 plus on-road cost, and the Nissan Leaf, at $49,990 plus on-road costs. However, it’s worth noting pe

It has an MG badge, so even though it’s a mid-sized SUV, it should be on the sporty side, right? Guess again. Now owned by Chinese-State giant SAIC Motor, the MG badge is just that--a badge. There’s no pukka Brit sports car DNA in the HS-not a shred-

Mini’s SUV range, powered by BMW drivetrains, opens with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol/seven-speed dual clutch automatic/front-wheel-drive Countryman Cooper, priced at $45,000. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol Cooper S is $53,400. The all-wheel d

The base ASX 110kW 2.0-litre petrol/five-speed manual front-wheel-drive ES is $23,990. With a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission it’s $26,240, while in MR specification, with CVT as standard, it’s $27,990. LS, also with CVT, is $28,49

Nissan’s Juke is a compact SUV, close in size to the class best seller, Mitsubishi’s ASX. All variants are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol engine with just 85kW of power – most rivals have 100kW or more. It’s matched to a seven-spee

Just why Nissan chose to name its small SUV after a group of nomadic tribes from Iran is anybody’s guess. The Qashqai traditionally use donkeys to get around. Presumably that’s not the connection Nissan was trying to make… All models run a naturally-

The Eclipse Cross slots into Mitsubishi’s SUV portfolio between the compact ASX and midsize Outlander. Powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder turbopetrol/continuously variable transmission (CVT), the range opens with the front-wheel drive ES at $30,290

The base Nissan X-Trail ST, at $30,665, is front-wheel drive and uses a 106kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a six-speed manual. The $32,665 ST gains the gutsy 126kW 2.5-litre unit that has served the series since its 2001 inception, with

The 4X4 dual-cab pickup Navara range opens with the 140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre turbo/six-speed manual SL at $46,600. The seven-speed auto SL is $49,100. The ST is $52,280/$54,780, ST-X is $55,770/$58,270 and the Pro-4X is $58,130/$60,630. Pro-4X Warrior,

Nissan’s seven seater Patrol starts at $81,160 for the Ti; the bells and whistles Ti-L is $94,115. Both are powered by a 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre petrol V8, with a seven speed automatic and dual range 4x4 drivetrain. When you’ve got nearly three tonnes

Peugeot claims the current 3008 “has moved itself above” mainstream SUV rivals such as VW’s Tiguan, Mazda CX5, Subaru’s Forester and Honda’s CRV, but they’re dreaming. Start money--$44,990 for the Allure--is about $10,000 too expensive, as is the $47

Most car reviewers head for the driver’s seat when a new model arrives. With the seven-seat Peugeot 5008, however, you’re best to start your test drive at the tailgate. You might be wowed by the dealer opening the rear hatch with a deft swing of thei

Porsche’s Cayenne — the third generation, launched in mid-2018 — starts at $128,200. The base model runs a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbopetrol V6, with an eight-speed auto and permanent allwheel drive, in high range only. A 340kW/700Nm plug-in E-Hybrid

If BMW’S X6 initiated the sports-luxury coupe SUV thing, then Land Rover is attempting to take the concept to new groundbreaking levels — literally — with the go-anywhere Velar. Squeezed between the compact Evoque and more family-focused Sport, this

The Range Rover lineup opens with the 221kW 3.0-litre stright six twin turbodiesel/mild hybrid D300 Vogue, at $200,876. The 258kW D350 Vogue is $211,313. The 294kW 3.0-litre straight six turbopetrol/mild hybrid P400 Vogue is $206,169 and the 297kW 2.

In the distant future, automotive historians will look back at the original Evoque as a turning point for social-climbing small SUVs. Endorsed by Victoria Beckham, the petite premium Brit has become the darling of the Goop! generation, with its hotly

Czech brand Skoda’s Karoq mid-size SUV shares its structure, and most hardware, with parent company VW’s Tiguan. Karoq is priced at $34,590 for the 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder/eight-speed automatic/front-wheel-drive 110TSI. That’s

French car maker Renault is vying for the hearts and wallets of SUV-obsessed Australia with the stylish, spacious, keenly priced second-generation Koleos. Kicking things off is the Life 4x2 (for front-wheel drive) from $32,990, with a camera, rear pa