Off road

The Suzuki Jimny set hearts a-flutter when it landed here in all its retro glory back in 2019. Understandably, the car-curious public was excited as were most automotive writers who were guilty of waxing lyrical about the little Zook. (Oh, how they waxed.) And, yes, I'll admit it: even journalists such as myself were dazzled by the hearty nostalgia-injection the Jimny represented.

If you like the idea of Toyota’s flagship RAV4 Edge grade, but would love some specialised additions to toughen it up for off-road adventure, a new edition just released in Japan could be the answer to your 4WDing prayers.

One of the more enduring mysteries surrounding the new Nissan Patrol Warrior is why it is Ti-based only, and not available on the top-of-the-line Ti-L version. The reasons, it turns out, are as practical as they are commercial. And they may surprise you.

It seems like the stream of large SUVs designed for getting out into nature isn’t slowing down in China, with GWM having launched yet another model this week with a somewhat familiar name.

One of the most popular models in Australia - of course, a ute - is likely headed for an update soon as the 2024 Isuzu D-Max has been revealed in its manufacturing home of Thailand.

The 2024 Toyota Prado is on its way but should you even bother waiting or should you just get into a current-generation Prado?Sure, the new-gen Prado will look very different and is tipped to have features not onboard the current Prado, but it'll also have a mild-hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, producing the same power and torque as the current Prado.So, does the Kakadu represent a good buy?

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Australian ute market only consists of about four models because the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton tend to get the majority of the headlines and press coverage.

Toyota’s incoming Land Hopper — the mini LandCruiser that will reportedly be on sale as soon as next year — won’t just give the brand a budget-friendly rival to models like the five-door Suzuki Jimny and Ford Bronco, but could also finally deliver the long-rumoured baby HiLux, our Stout, which would share the off-road SUV’s dimensions, platforms and powertrains.

Talk of Toyota’s mini LandCruiser is gathering steam, with the name “Land Hopper” now registered by the automotive giant, and all signs pointing to a possible reveal, at least in prototype form, at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month.But in even more exciting news, new reports point to the model being the cheapest model in the LandCruiser family, and by some margin, with media calling out a 3.8m yen(approx $40,000) price for the game-changing off-roader.That would undercut the LandCruiser 300 Series and the Prado, of course, but it would also put models like the Jeep Wrangler and even the Suzuki Jimny on notice. Those numbers come courtesy of Japan’s Best Car Web, with the site suggesting the model’s pricing could even start at 3m yen, which would be more like $31k AUD.All of which is very exciting, as are the new details beginning to emerge. It’s thought the new off-roader will ride on a ladder-frame off-road platform, but that its dimensions will largely mirror the Toyota Corolla Cross, which stretches 4460mm in length and 1825mm in width. For reference, the new Prado is 4925mm in length and 1980mm in width, making the Land Hopper very much the little brother of the LC family.That would also make it longer and wider than the three-door Suzuki Jimny (3480mm and 1645mm), and longer even than the 3985mm five-door Jimny, too.According to the site, diesel is off the table for now, with the model to launch with the Corolla Cross’s petrol-hybrid engine family, with top-spec models to possibly borrow from the RAV4 Hybrid family to unlock more power. Eventually, though, the Land Hopper will be fully electrified.Toyota is yet to officially comment on the new model, or on the trademark filings. It's also not known whether the name Land Hopper will be for its domestic market, while international markets adopt a more familiar moniker, like FJ Cruiser. All should be revealed soon enough, with the new model expected to be revealed this year ahead of an on-sale in 2024.

In contrast to the regular Nissan Y62 Patrol, the Warrior version harks back to earlier models in being much more off-road focused, thanks to vehicle engineering firm, Premcar of Melbourne. Like the popular Navara Warrior, the 4WD wagon gains upgraded suspension, wheels, body protection and clearances, along with some subtle visual and interior changes. Result? This is the best Y62 Patrol ever.