BYD's Denza B8 4WD and other new Chinese off-roaders bring huge power outputs to shame Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol

Any 4WD worth its salt used to need a V8.

Think the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series and the soon to be replaced Y62 Nissan Patrol.

The LandCruiser’s big beefy 4.5-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel made a hefty 200kW and 650Nm, while the Patrol’s naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine dished out a meaty 298kW and 560Nm.

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That’s some hard earned grunt for some big 4WDing, except the new breed of modern 4WDs makes those large capacity engines look breathless and weak.

Fast forward to today and the new LandCruiser 300 Series and Y63 Nissan Patrol, with the latter due at the end of the year, both swapping out V8 power plants for more highly strung twin-turbo V6 units.

The result? More power, and plenty of it.

A Y63 Patrol now delivers 317kW and 700Nm thanks to its potent 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.

Nissan Y63 Patrol

Those outputs trump the LandCruiser’s 3.3-litre diesel twin-turbo motor that pumps out 227kW and 700Nm.

That's just the start, as it’s the new breed of plug-in hybrid off-roaders out of China that are really flexing their 4WD muscle, though.

BYD’s Denza sub-brand just launched its B8 off-roader.

It uses a plug-in hybrid set-up that combines a turbo-petrol 2.0-litre engine with twin electric motors for a total 425kW and 760Nm.

Geely Battleship 700

Put that in your tailpipe and smoke it Toyota and Nissan.

Denza claims that is good enough to propel it from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

The B8 also delivers an all electric driving range of about 100km, not bad considering current fuel prices.

It is also a proper off-roader with 3500kg braked towing capacity, 890mm wading depth and front and rear diff locks on the top-shelf variant.

Land Rover Defender Octa Black

If petrol power is your thing, the Land Rover Defender Octa Black is the pièce de résistance of 4WDs.

It combines a potent 467kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and mild-hybrid assistance with muscular off-road performance and primo luxury kit.

The air suspension allows for a 323mm ground clearance and approach and departure angles of more than 40 degrees, along with a ramp angle of 29 degrees and a wading depth of 1000mm.

Its manic V8 can propel it to 100km/h from a standstill in 4.0 seconds on the way to a top speed of 250km/h.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

That’ll leave the B8 eating your dust.

Now a new type of 4WD is emerging, but its off-road capabilities may not be up to scratch.

Geely’s new Battleship 700 is a big blocky off-road monster with 1000kW on tap thanks to its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and three electric motors.

It can complete the benchmark sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in a red hot 3.1 seconds.

Chery SUV digital render. (Image: Thanos Pappas)

Details are scarce, but a report from UK publication AutoExpress said it has a wading depth of 800mm, has big ground clearance and the brand is considering expanding its off-road modes, which won't have the big boys shaking in their all-terrains.

Chery will launch a diesel hybrid ute this year in Australia and it could spawn a SUV bodied version in the future.

It will pair a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with electric motors to make mega torque numbers. It’ll also have three diff locks and be properly fit for purpose. It could rattle a few cages.