Adventure

Watch out Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux: 2026 Volkswagen Amarok picks up new cab-chassis tray option, off-road 10 Deserts Edition 4WD special and price cut for flagship Aventura turbo-petrol
By Jack Quick · 30 Jun 2025
Volkswagen Australia has detailed its model year 2025 (MY25) update for the Amarok dual-cab ute ahead of first arrivals during the second half of 2025.The Amarok line-up continues to open with the Core TDI405 at $55,490, before on-road costs, or $55,990 drive-away. The latter price is $2000 more than the MY24 version.The line-up still extends all the way to the Aventura TDI600 at $82,990, drive-away. This is $3000 more than the MY24 version.Almost every Amarok variant picked up a drive-away pricing increase for MY25 except the Aventura TSI452 which continues to be the only variant offered with the 2.3-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine.It now starts at $79,990, drive-away, which technically remains unchanged from MY24. A full pricing table is at the bottom of this story.Headlining the MY25 Amarok update is the introduction of the off-road-oriented 10 Deserts Edition TDI500 which was made to commemorate the company achieving a Guinness World Record last year.Only 300 examples of this limited-edition dual cab ute are being made and they’re priced from $68,490, before on-road costs, or $69,990, drive-away. This is $8000 more expensive than the Amarok Life TDI500 which it’s based on.The 10 Desert Edition TDI500 features a 40mm suspension lift, 17-inch satin black wheels wrapped in Continental ATR tyres, underbody protection, a black sports bar, soft tonneau cover, all-weather floor mats and ‘10 Deserts’ decals.Additionally, MY25 versions of the Amarok Style, Panamericana and Aventura trims get 230V power sockets with an Australian plug pattern, backed by an integrated 400W inverter. They also pick up a ‘Trailer Assist’ mode which makes hitching and reversing trailers easier.It’s worth noting the related Ford Ranger also recently picked up these features as part of an update.Another change for MY25 is the ‘Mid Blue Metallic’ exterior paint option has been replaced by the new ‘Reed Green Metallic’ finish.Lastly, Amarok Core, Life and Style variants now get the option of a cab chassis tray body style.Opting for this is an additional $4000 over the standard asking price of the dual cab pick-up variant.Included is a standardised alloy tray that weighs 132kg and measures 1650mm long by 1900mm wide. There’s also a steel tray that weighs 243kg and measures similarly to the alloy tray, but pricing for this hasn’t been disclosed.Both of these trays are available as dealer-fit accessories, meaning they are covered by the same five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the Amarok itself.It also means any existing current-generation Amarok can have a tray retrofitted as a dealer-fit accessory. 
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It's happening! Mini 2026 Toyota LandCruiser FJ 4WD to launch next year as rival to tiny Mitsubishi Pajero and Suzuki Jimny rival, but it might not be on the cards for Australia: reports
By Dom Tripolone · 30 Jun 2025
The mini Toyota LandCruiser FJ, will it or won’t it become a reality? We will never truly know until it is revealed but the facts are stacking up in it showing up real soon.
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More V8 grunt for popular Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Nissan Patrol rival: 2026 Land Rover Defender ups the ante with powertrain, design and tech upgrades
By Samuel Irvine · 25 Jun 2025
The Land Rover Defender will gain more V8 options for the 2026 model year (MY26) as the British firm moves to rejuvenate the much-loved off-roader with design and tech updates.
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Look out Kia Tasman, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger! 2026 Mahindra Pik-Up ute shapes up as value ute champion to beat Chinese rivals such as MG U9, LDV Terron 9 and GWM Cannon
By Byron Mathioudakis · 23 Jun 2025
Mahindra has announced that the next-generation Pik-Up is being prepared for an all-out assault on the lucrative Australian ute market. Dubbed Project Z121 and based on the Global Pik Up concept revealed in 2023, the all-new dual-cab one-tonne utility is pencilled in for an Australian launch sometime later next year, following a production debut in its native India later on this year.
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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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Like a modern-day Toyota FJ Cruiser: Why the iconic 2025 Mahindra Thar has been barred from Australia to take on the BYD Denza B5, Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol and Jeep Wrangler
By Byron Mathioudakis · 15 Jun 2025
Mahindra has confirmed that the long-awaited Thar will not be sold in Australia in its current form. The rugged, body-on-frame wagon was expected to arrive sometime this year in traditional three-door and extended-body five-door wagon guises.
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Denza B5 2026 review: International first drive
By Tim Nicholson · 14 Jun 2025
BYD's premium Denza brand is about to hit Australia, and this is likely to be the first model to wear the Denza badge. The Fangchengbao 5, or Denza B5, is a plug-in hybrid off-road five-seat SUV and it's coming to take on the Toyota Prado, Land Rover Defender and more.
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BYD's latest off-road weapon revealed: New family friendly off-road capable SUV to join the 2026 Denza B5 in China as an alternative to GWM Tank 300 or Chery's Jetour range
By Dom Tripolone · 13 Jun 2025
BYD is on an absolute tear, revealing new models at break-neck speed. The latest vehicle is from its FangChengBao (FCB) range, which will be branded Denza in Australia.
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