Adventure Reviews

Ram 1500 2026 review: Rebel - Australian first drive

By Byron Mathioudakis · 04 Sep 2025

Australia's big-ute best-seller, the Ram 1500, evolves with the Rebel, as a Ford Ranger Wildtrak-style sporty off-road value proposition. Based on the Laramie Sport and aimed directly at the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, the Rebel gains a suspension lift and other 4x4-focused gear, yet retains the sophistication that's made today's 1500 a segment favourite. And its twin-turbo six is a gem.

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Ineos Grenadier 2026 review: Quartermaster Trialmaster - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 24 Aug 2025

The Ineos Grenadier wagon arrived a few years ago to much fanfare. Now the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster, the dual-cab ute version of the Grenadier wagon, is here to take on the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series. The purpose-built Quartermaster is a body-on-frame / ladder-frame 4WD with live axles, a dual-range transfer case, and front, centre and rear diff locks.

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Land Rover Defender 90 D250 S 2026 vs Land Rover Defender 90 2016 review: Off-road test

By Tom White · 17 Aug 2025

We pit the old Land Rover Defender 90 against the new one in an off-road battle! Has Land Rover 'ruined it' by going monocoque, or is the old 4x4 looked at with rose-tinted glasses?

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Lexus LX 2026 review: 500d Overtrail - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 08 Aug 2025

An off-road-focused Lexus, the Overtrail, has been introduced to the Aussie market as part of significant updates to the LX line-up. The LX500d Overtrail is seemingly well-suited to hardcore four-wheel driving as it has been kitted out with front and rear diff locks, Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres and a comprehensive suite of off-road driving modes.

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GWM Cannon Alpha 2026 review: Ultra PHEV - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 05 Aug 2025

The GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid EV is part of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle revolution in Australia. This feature-packed Chinese-made ute has plenty going for it – it’s well-priced and, on paper at least, it's frugal on fuel and cheap to run – but the Alpha faces tough competition in the form of plug-in hybrids like the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger.

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BYD Shark 6 2026 review: off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 27 Jul 2025

The BYD Shark 6, the first plug-in hybrid electric ute to hit Australia's shores, is leading the charge of plug-in hybrid electric utes, followed closely by PHEV versions of the Ford Ranger and GWM Cannon Alpha.It's an innovative approach and has generated plenty of excitement, but is the Shark 6 - with no 4WD, no low-range gearing and no diff-locks - a novelty or a sign of things to come?

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Toyota LandCruiser 2026 review: 300 Sahara - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 06 Jul 2025

Most of the 2025 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series line-up has undergone a recent comprehensive update - along with price increases to match - but while the third-from-top Sahara gets a $1119 price rise, it has received no updates this time around.Can the 300 Series stay viable in an increasingly competitive 4WD market? More importantly, is this Toyota 4WD wagon still an off-road champ?

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Nissan Patrol 2025 review: Warrior - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 17 Jun 2025

The Premcar-boosted Nissan Patrol Warrior was an impressive 4WD wagon from its first appearance a few years back.Well, now the entire 2025 Patrol range - including the Ti-based Warrior - has undergone an update.Sure, the changes don't yield any performance gains and they are cabin-based but they do include a new bigger touchscreen multimedia system, wireless charging and an off-road monitor.

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GMC Yukon 2025 review: Denali - off-road test

By Marcus Craft · 15 Jun 2025

It's big, brash and in your face but is the gargantuan GMC Yukon Denali worth your consideration? General Motors Specialty Vehicles is banking on it. Packing a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine, eight seats and a big features list, this top-shelf US 4WD has a price tag just under $175,000, making it a lot more expensive than most wannabe rivals in Australia. The Denali is here whether you like it or not.

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Nissan Patrol 2025 review: Australian first drive

By Byron Mathioudakis · 23 May 2025

Now in its 15th year since production commenced, the Y62 Patrol still has a story to tell, gaining modern multimedia tech and improved safety as part of a MY25 update. It's also likely the last change before the all-new Y63 arrives, and also the V8 petrol's last hurrah. With all that in mind, the changes improve a large, powerful, spacious and very off-road capable 4WD family wagon.

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