News Editor

CarsGuide

24 Sep 2020 • 1 min read

Best 4x4 and off-road vehicles arriving in 2021

Tung Nguyen

News Editor

CarsGuide

24 Sep 2020 • 1 min read

Subaru’s next Outback is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2021, though local pricing and spec are yet to be revealed.

Australians love the great outdoors and getting off the beaten track, and with destinations like Cape York, Birdsville and Odonata scattered throughout the country, who could blame them?

But to get to some of the most picturesque and remote places in Australia, you are going to need a vehicle that is not only capable of getting you there, but also getting you back in one piece.

It’s little wonder then that the go-to vehicle of choice for exploring Australia’s vast countryside has been the comfortable and capable 4x4 SUV.

Though just a small pool in the vast automotive landscape, 4x4s and off-roaders are no less crucial to vast swathes of the population, and these are the models you should keep an eye on coming out in 2021.

Jeep Wrangler – January

Expanding on the fourth-generation Wrangler that launched in May 2019, Jeep will lower the point of entry with new base grades for the three- and five-door off-road icon from January 2021.

However, the 2021 Wrangler range will be powered exclusively by the 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre Pentasar petrol V6, as the sole diesel Rubicon gets axed.

The new Wrangler line-up also scores the brand’s Selectable Tyre Fill Alert technology that makes it easier to let air out of the tyres for sand driving, while the usual array of safety and in-cabin technology is also thrown in.

Jeep Wrangler

3.4

Jeep Wrangler

From

$51,950

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Mahindra Thar – 2021

If you squint from a distance, you might be mistake Mahindra’s latest model for the Jeep Wrangler, but don’t make the mistake of thinking the Thar isn’t a proper off-roader.

Built on a rugged ladder-frame chassis, the Thar sports credible stats for ground clearance, wading depth, departure and breakover/ramp-over angles, while a two-speed transfer case and rear differential lock should get Mahindra’s SUV through almost any terrain.

Engine wise, there is a choice of a 112kW/320Nm 2.0-litre petrol or a 97kW/320Nm 2.2-litre diesel, but pricing will be key to whether the Mahindra Thar can sell in noticeable numbers from 2021.

Mahindra Thar

From

—

Range Rover – January

Though the Range Rover might not be the first choice in transport to get down and dirty at the beach or a secluded camping spot, the model can certainly keep up with the best of them thanks to Land Rover’s renowned off-road expertise.

New from January 2021 is the roll-out of 48-volt mild-hybrid diesel engines, while petrol V6, V8 and a plug-in hybrid option carryover from before.

Costing well into the six-figures, the Range Rover is kitted out with all the tech (such as a 12.0-inch multimedia screen), safety (AEB and adaptive cruise control) and opulence (leather interior and soft-touch in-cabin materials) you’d come to expect for that price.

Range Rover

From

$228,870

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Subaru Outback – March

Having dropped the Liberty from its local line-up, the Outback now serves as Subaru Australia’s sole offering larger than a Forester.

Expected in March 2021, the Outback now rides on Subaru’s new Global Platform that already underpins the Impreza, aforementioned Forester and soon-to-arrive Levorg.

Details have not yet firmed for the local Outback, but it is likely to be offered with Subaru’s latest EyeSight active safety suite, and a choice of 2.4-litre turbo-petrol or 2.5-litre petrol engine.

Subaru Outback

3.8

Subaru Outback

From

$37,440

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – 2021

Arguably no other model is more synonymous with Australian off-roading than the Toyota LandCruiser, which is set to be overhauled in 2021.

Overseas reports indicate its launch had to be postponed due to the global pandemic, but rumour is the LandCruiser 300 Series will be powered by a 3.3-litre diesel V6 to replace the ageing V8.

A petrol-electric hybrid is also said to be in the works, but one thing is certain, Toyota’s next LandCruiser will retain the rugged off-road prowess from before, while also being able to tow a decent amount too.