Off road

Jeep Australia's first all-electric model, the Avenger, will land in local showrooms toward the end of 2024, and CarsGuide understands it will be very competitively priced against rivals.

Toyota's HiLux is one of the most popular utes in the world. Remote-area workers, mining staff, farmers and tradies punish these utes every day in tough, sometimes atrocious conditions – they're even used extensively in war zones around the world – and the HiLux remains the go-to light-commercial utility for those who need a work truck capable of enduring the worst anyone can throw at it and yet s

The 2024 Avenger will be the first and only Jeep Australia model to not offer an all-wheel-drive variant in history, but that might not remain the case for long.

Toyota wil seemingly have yet another off-road weapon in its arsenal from next year, with credible reports the brand will launch a LandCruiser mini in 2024 to slot below its 300 Series and Prado SUVs.The reports first surfaced on Japanese site Best Car Web last month, with the site quoting "company sources" who said a smaller model was coming. But those reports have now been doubled-down on by fellow Japanese site Mag X, which reports that not only is the mini LandCruiser coming, but that it will launch in 2024, which is sooner than most anticipated.The site goes on to say that production slated for Thailand - which is where Australia gets its utes supply - meaning the ladder-frame SUV will likely be equipped with the 2.8-litre turbodiesel currently used in the HiLux,In HiLux GR Sport guise, that engine makes 165kW at 3000rpm and 550Nm at 2800rpm. Another option would be to fit the new SUV with the same 48-volt mild-hybrid system that will begin appearing in select HiLux models soon.While it was thought the mini LandCruiser could present as a crossover SUV, the latest reports point to the model being a proper ladder-frame off-roader, making it a competitor to models like the Suzuki Jimny.In fact, reports now point to the mini off-roader riding on Toyota’s TNGA-F chassis - the same as the one that underpins the 300 Series and Prado.The bad news? Toyota is yet to officially confirm the new model. But with the Tokyo Auto Show fast approaching, watch this space.

The all-new Y63 Nissan Patrol has taken a significant step closer to launch, with what appears to be the new model spied testing in its final production guise in the Middle East.Spotted by local site car_secrets, the new model is camouflaged, but does appear to be the final production look, suggesting the new model is edging closer to launch.The new model will almost certainly mean the end of the V8 engine - though it might live on in a limited capacity - with the powertrain of choice expected to be a twin-turbo-petrol V6.In this instance, fewer cylinders should mean more power, with 316kW on offer, up from 298kW in the V8. Reports suggest the new engine will pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission.Yes, the end of one of the last remaining V8 engines will cause heartbreak, but Nissan America Corporate Vice President, Michael Colleran, told CarsGuide that, no matter what is powering the new Patrol, "consumers are going to love it"."Do we see powerful V6s and other internal combustion engines being a part of our future? Absolutely,” he said."We're evaluating all options for the next Armada (Patrol). But we're going to have a very technology-forward powertrain...and I think consumers are going to love it.”In Australia, the Nissan Patrol Warrior - based on the Y62 Patrol - is in the process of launching to consumers, suggesting a Y63 would be at least 12 months away to give the localised model some breathing space.When it does launch, Nissan Australia will have been more involved in its development than ever before, with the success of the nameplate here earning it a bigger seat at the planning table."As the volume has increased, and we've been able to demonstrate demand for Patrol that is more than we're able to supply at this point, we're getting a bigger voice at the table,” Nissan Australia boss Adam Paterson told us last year."I would say that (the Patrol) has always been built to be a true off-road-capable vehicle, and that's even more a requirement in this country than in other markets where it is sold."Even though it's a similar product to the vehicle sold in North America, my experience is that the capability of it is utilised more here than it is overseas."So the requirements of this market, I feel, is to keep it very, very true to its off-road capable heritage, because it's utilised. As we sit at the global table as far as requirements go, ours is to make sure it remains as capable as it's always been."

BYD's first-ever ute could also be among Australia's most powerful - if not at the top of that pile - with the plug-in hybrid dual-cab to use a powertrain that produces a mammoth 500kW and 760Nm in the brand's other applications.Sure, a 1.5-litre turbo-pe

The GR HiLux is mean, but in the new world of mean utes, is it mean enough?

Lexus doesn't say 'no' to the idea of an electric luxury ute, saying its new and more diverse approach

If you’re after a new Suzuki Jimny auto this year – then you’re plum out of luck. All 500 of the current GJ-series three-door models were snapped up within five hours of going back on sale after an eight-month hiatus at midday on Monday, September 18, and there’s no word as-yet when the next batch will return – meaning the stop-sale resumes.

The 2024 GWM Cannon XSR is the carmaker's top-spec ute.This special edition, off-road-focussed vehicle has a range of visual and mechanical extras, including all-terrain tyres, front differential lock, as well as an upgraded 4WD traction system.The XSR has part-time 4WD (with 2WD high-range, 4WD high-range and 4WD low-range), rather than full-time 4WD, which is on lower-spec GWM utes.