Off road

Toyotas are ubiquitous in Australia, with everything from Camrys and Corollas through to the legendary 4WD LandCruisers near-omnipresent on our roads and bush tracks.But there are some Toyotas that are sold – and popular – overseas but aren’t offered in the Australian market, and if they are offered here they haven’t achieved the sales success Toyota has hoped for. Case in point: the Tundra, while it’s much loved in the good ol’ US of A, it has achieved only middling success here.The Tundra’s sales struggle here have somewhat discouraged Toyota from bringing any other overseas models here and that’s a real shame because there are some appealing vehicles in that mix.Read on.Much respected in off-roading circles, the 4Runner – think a Surf/Fortuner mash-up on HGH (Hard-core Growth Hormone) – has been around in various iterations since 1984. Now in its sixth generation, the 4Runner comes with a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine (204kW and 430Nm), or a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (240kW and 630Nm), both matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s a Toyota off-roader – with part-time or full-time 4WD, drive modes and diff locks – so it’s handy in the dirty stuff, of course.Australia doesn’t need another 4WD, but the 4Runner wouldn’t go astray here.Prices in the US start from MSRP $42,270 (approx. AUD $58,700).Not as well known here, the Sequoia is a well established large SUV in the US market.This large SUV – top-spec versions tip the scales at 2790kg – is more open-road cruiser than hard-core 4WD but, having said that, it still has the mechanicals and tech onboard to traverse difficult terrain. The 2026 Sequoia is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 hybrid (321kW and 790Nm), matched to a 10-speed auto, and is rated to legally tow up to 4309kg.Mid-range variants and upwards have part-time 4WD (with high- and low-range 4WD) and an automatic limited-slip differential.The Sequoia may struggle to find a niche here as stablemate Cruiser has that part of the market sewn up.Feeling posh? Go for the Trailhunter package, replete with an Old Man Emu upgraded suspension, Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 tyres, bronze-finished wheels, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection.Prices in the US start from MSRP $68,725 for an SR5 4WD (approx. AUD $95,456).Like a baby 300 Series, only better – or at least that’s what Toyota wants you to believe.Launched in May this year, this diminutive five-seater FJ – with a 270mm shorter wheelbase than the 250 Series – has a 2.7-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine (producing 120kW and 246Nm), a six-speed auto, part-time 4WD and an electric rear differential lock.It’s boxy and compact – it has a turning circle of 5.5m – and looks set to take on the likes of Suzuki’s Jimny in the cute-but-capable off-road stakes.A Cruiser-based but shrunken ladder-frame structure is the platform for this tough-seeming little nugget of an off-roader.Off-road angles are up there with the 250 Series and, on paper, this FJ has plenty of off-road potential.Sure, this mini Cruiser exists in a niche within a niche but we reckon it’d sell here.Prices in Japan start from 4,500,100 yen (about $40,100).Massive in America and well suited to outdoorsy life in Australia, the Tacoma is a big ute made for rough-and-tumble work and play, so why it hasn’t landed here yet its beyond us.Now available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine (producing up to 204kW and 430Nm) or a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain (producing up to 239kW and 630Nm) that’s matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s built on the same chassis as the full-size Tundra and Sequoia, and gains bolstering from a Toyota New Global Architecture-F (TNGA-F) platform of high-strength steel, lightweight aluminium and laser welds. So, robust.And, of course, it’s all packed into a ute with Toyota’s reliable baked-in off-road effectiveness.TRD variants and upwards get Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, and an electronically controlled locking rear differential as standard.Go for a Trailhunter and you get Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube position-sensitive shocks with rear piggyback reservoirs, high-clearance front bumper, rock rails and ARB steel rear bumper with recovery hooks, and 33-inch rugged-terrain tires with 18-inch wheels.We know lots of people in Australia who jump at the chance to own one of these big utes.Prices in the US start from MSRP $32,545 (approx. AUD $45,203).A ute actually designed and engineered to do ute stuff? No way.The HiLux Champ – a Thailand-only vehicle – is an intriguing oddity that’s sure to fire the imagination of many a quirky car fan there and abroad.It’s a 2WD two-seater ute with a choice of three engine types – 2.0L petrol, 2.7L petrol, or a 2.4L four-cylinder diesel – and it has either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on your Champ’s spec level it may have a one-tonne payload and a minimum 5.4m turning circle.Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) offers eight grades of the Champ, including short- and long-wheelbase versions, and an unequipped variant with a flat deck is available. With customisation in mind, TMT has made sure the deck has bolt holes at various locations so that custom accessories can be attached.It’s built for purpose and, on paper, certainly has a lot of appeal as a work ute and a mod-friendly vehicle.The Champ would fit right in here.Prices range from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (approx. $19,354 to $24,329).

Honda has jumped onboard the serious off-road bandwagon, releasing a tougher, lifted version of its all-wheel drive Passport SUV.It has been positioned as “the most off-road-capable SUV Honda has ever built”.Designed at the Honda Design Studio in California, developed at the Honda Automotive Development Centre in Ohio and produced at its main US plant in Alabama, the fourth-generation Passport debuted for the North American market early last year.The new Passport TrailSport has been reengineered for extra off-highway ability with upgrades including:Revised suspension with 245mm of ground clearance (+35mm)Increased approach, breakover and departure clearancesExtra wheel articulationAmber hood scoop lightsMore pronounced fender flaresResculpted lower front fasciaTrailWatch camera systemGeneral Grabber A/T Sport tyresIn a launch statement Honda said, “Rather than simply adding taller springs (our) engineers comprehensively re-designed the 2027 Passport TrailSport suspension system to ensure proper geometry for desirable handling and ride characteristics, while substantially improving capability. “Nearly 70 per cent of the major suspension components were redesigned, including springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars and knuckles. “The front driveshafts and front subframe were also redesigned to help facilitate the increased ride height and wheel travel. “A total of 28 suspension and related chassis parts have been redesigned, reengineered or are otherwise new for the 2027 Passport TrailSport,” it said.And Honda was keen to point out the TrailSport’s ground clearance exceeds that of its main North American competitors, the amazingly-named Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch, Subaru Outback Wilderness and Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road.At the same time, the Passport TrailSport’s TrailWatch camera system incorporates front, rear, side and 360-degree views as well as tyre placement graphics to help drivers navigate obstacles outside their natural line of sight.The Passport’s 3.5-litre, naturally aspirated V6 engine (built in Alabama) sends 213kW/355Nm to all four wheels via a 10-speed ‘shift-by-wire’ automatic transmission and Honda’s ‘i-VTM4’ variable torque management all-wheel drive system.Interestingly, the Passport TrailSport, in top-spec Elite trim, will be exported from the USA to Japan from early 2027.But sadly for Aussie off-roaders, that doesn’t mean the export cars will be produced in right-hand drive. Rather they will arrive in Japan in left-hand drive as LHD cars are legally allowed on Japanese roads without restrictions.And much as the Passport TrailSport would fill a yawning gap in Honda Australia’s local line-up, the company is on the record saying it has no plans to launch the car Down Under.

GWM has revealed its new Land Rover Defender and Mitsubishi Pajero rival.GWM’s premium sub-brand Wey recently teased a new rugged-looking SUV called the Blue Mountain on social media.Wey is already on its way to Australia, with the V9X full-size SUV and 80 people mover expected to be the first models to launch here.A smaller V8X SUV could also be on its way, but the brand has not confirmed an arrival yet.Wey describes the Blue Mountain SUV as a “luxurious box-shaped” vehicle.It should provide competition for the Toyota Prado and the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero.It is also likely to take on key Chinese rivals the Denza B5 and B8 that went on sale in Australia in late 2025, as well as Chery's Freelander sub-brand.Wey is GWM’s answer to Europe’s high-end luxury SUVs Mercedes-Benz GLS, Lexus LX and Range Range Rover.Wey has not revealed any technical specifications about the Blue Mountain.Its boxy design emphasises a sharp roofline that sits flush to a swing-open tailgate.It also has a spare tyre mounted to the tailgate, and large racks fitted to the roof to highlight its adventuring potential. The rear light design is split up into two separate square-like clusters on each side.Its side profile is similar to the plug-in hybrid Haval H10 that could be on the cards for Australia in the future.This means the Blue Mountain will ride on the next-generation GWM One platform, and will likely feature a powerful plug-in hybrid set-up. The design differs from Wey’s V8X and V9X SUVs that appear to be more targeted towards luxury-focused buyers. This model should provide luxury adventure-focused buyers with a potentially cheaper alternative to the Land River Defender, but expect more details before the end of 2026. GWM is still planning to launch the Wey sub-brand in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the V9X SUV and 80 people mover coming first.Those modesl will be followed by further expansion to the line-up in 2027.There is potential for the Blue Mountain to launch in Australia as part of Wey's expanded Australian line-up, but we should learn more when the brand officially launches here. 

Renault has revealed its Niagara ute as part of a massive overseas push for the French brand.The Niagara is a true ute, being based on a car-derived platform, rather than a rugged ladder frame that underpins most dual-cabs sold in Australia.In its initial target market of South America, it will do battle with the successful Ford Maverick, the BYD Mako ute, and the incoming new Volkswagen Tukan.The Niagara rides on Renault’s recently-launched RGMP platform, which is a heavily updated version of the CMF-B platform that underpins the new-generation Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Juke and Renault Arkana.Renault says this helps it maintain ‘the comfort of an SUV with the versatility of a pick-up’ although it does have some rugged capabilities, with up to 233mm of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of up to 22.1 degrees front and rear.It also scores a cargo bed with 938 litres of total available space, with a payload of 654 kilos. It also features a rolling cover as standard, and an electric tailgate. Renault says it has best-in-class towing of 710kg for this style of monocoque ute.It also features suspension specifically designed for the rough conditions of South America, as well as an ‘exclusive rear axle’ design. Unlike most utes, it features multi-link suspension in the rear, which Renault says both improves ride comfort and stability on poor road surfaces.The brand says special attention was paid to integrating the cab section to the load bed area in order to create a more harmonious design with more seamlessly connected parts.Powering the Niagara is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol (and flex-fuel) engine. It produces 115kW/270Nm in front-wheel drive variants, or 120kW/270Nm in all-wheel drive versions and can be chosen either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch automatic.All-wheel drive versions have an on-demand torque split system, which relies on the traction sensors to send drive to the appropriate axle automatically. When driving on the road, the system defaults to front-wheel drive like most on-demand AWD SUVs.The brand says the Niagara underwent 800,000km worth of testing across South America in preparation for its launch, including extreme heat, tough road conditions and long-distance journeys.At 4940mm long, it is slightly smaller than its closest rival sold in Australia, the KGM Musso EV.Feature-wise it also incorporates full LED exterior lighting, as well as a modern cabin featuring a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. It also features an electronic shifter for automatic variants to free up centre console space.The new ute is part of a push by Renault to be one of 14 new models built for markets outside of Europe by 2030 and to that end the Niagara is built in Argentina.With the notable focus on South America though, it looks as though the Niagara will join the list of cool-looking would-be replacements for cult hits like the Subaru Brumby or Proton Jumbuck, which may never see Australian shores.Like most of its rivals built for and in Latin American markets, it is likely to remain exclusively in left-hand drive, with unique flex-fuel engines not sold in our market and likely with lower levels of safety equipment needed to either comply with Australian Design Rules or secure a high ANCAP score.Renault joins a list of embattled brands in Australia’s increasingly competitive market, with its sales shrinking 7.5 per cent year on year. The French brand is faring significantly better than its nemesis Peugeot locally, but remains a niche offering with its 2959 units this year on a similar level to brands like Chevrolet, Mini and KGM.

For a long time, there has been ‘proper’ off-road SUVs and then everything else.If you were an off-road enthusiast, you’d only ever consider a ladder frame offering, like a Prado or an Everest, for example.Big, rugged, diesel and sometimes not the most comfortable thing to keep, they offer unmatched capability.Meanwhile, if you just wanted a comfortable family SUV there are no shortage of options, but almost all of them, AWD or not, are close to useless when the gravel gets loose or the mud is rutted.What if you wanted something in between, though? A comfortable family SUV with just enough ability to get you to some of the more adventurous places?That’s what Hyundai is asking with this new Palisade XRT Pro.This more capable version of the Palisade heralds a new era for Hyundai in Australia. It introduces the XRT Pro badge to our market, which Hyundai says is the off-road equivalent of its performance N division.Standard XRT cars will be option-packed to look a bit tougher, while XRT Pro versions will be distinct model grades with genuine enhancements to off-road ability.To that end, the XRT Pro sits in the middle of the Palisade line-up. Priced at $79,900, before on-road costs, it is more expensive than the base Elite hybrid, but below the luxury-spec Calligraphy grades. It is only available in the mainstream eight-seat (2+3+3) layout.It’s tough to pick rivals for the Palisade because it’s unique in the market now the Nissan Pathfinder and VW Touareg are gone. It offers more interior space than a Ford Everest (Tremor - $79,990) or Isuzu MU-X (X-Terrain - $77,100) which it competes with on price, but doesn’t quite offer that level of off-road ability despite its enhancements.This new Palisade has a raft of enhancements and changes from the Elite or Calligraphy. One of the biggest ones is that it introduces a new engine option.Gone is the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid set-up (245kW/460Nm combined) paired with a six-speed automatic. In its place is a more traditional 2.5-litre turbo-petrol non-hybrid (207kW/422Nm) and eight-speed automatic transmission.To enhance its off-road abilities, the XRT Pro also gets an automatic electronic limited slip differential on the rear axle, increased clearances (see table below), additional traction modes in the software (Mud, Sand and Snow), topped off with some excellent Continental all-terrain tyres from the factory, cladding modest 18-inch wheels.It even has real chassis-mounted recovery hooks as part of its revised bumper design.In addition, its eight-speed auto allows additional towing capacity, but only by 200 kilos to a new total of 2200kg (albeit with a 160kg tow ball download).Outside, it gets a unique bodykit to help enhance its clearances, while inside it gets synthetic leather trim with XRT graphics and seat stitching.So, do all those enhancements make a difference, and does it compromise the Palisade on-road to get there?We sampled the car on- and off-road to find out.The big SUV’s upgrades make a big difference. While it might not have the same wheel travel and lacks low-range gearing or a manually-lockable rear differential which define the ability of most diesel ladder frame options, the XRT Pro will get you in and out of some tough terrain.The enhancements to ground clearance gives it a surprising amount of ability to clamber over objects, while the tyre package offers a much better level of grip on loose surfaces than the usual SUV tyre which ships on a car like this.The limited slip rear differential is the real star of the show, though. It’s a shame it is automatic, as a manual locking mode would allow more control in hairy situations, but it was the main factor for the big SUV climbing up slippery, angled surfaces, including muddy and rocky ones we tested it on.The drive modes help alter the traction response, how quickly the diff locks, and how keen the SUV is to shift, which can all help make a difference on particular surfaces. They are no substitute for low-range gearing, though.In addition, while the bodywork has been tweaked to help offer a bit more clearance, this isn’t quite the same as offering rock sliders, underbody protection or frame rails to take big hits. Getting outside the Palisade’s ability could end in expensive damage.With knobbly all-terrains, a switch away from electrified hybrid power, and tweaked suspension, it’s easy to see how this XRT Pro could be compromised as a big luxury tourer.However, I was largely impressed to find this isn’t the case. The Continental tyres are super quiet, offer good grip on dry tarmac and don’t seem to impact the well-weighted steering, the locally-tweaked ride is excellent, and the turbo engine is very quiet at the lower end of the rev range and shifts nice and smoothly with the eight-speed auto.The 2.5 turbo is noisy and harsh at high revs, but the biggest downside is fuel consumption. At 11.5L/100km officially (and what I saw in my limited testing) it’s painful in an environment of fuel costing $2.00+ a litre. At least it takes 91 RON.The Palisade XRT Pro is covered by the brand’s seven year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with a matching service price schedule. It comes to an average of $536 a year which is neither cheap nor expensive for something in this class.

Ford Australia has confirmed the future arrival of the Bronco SUV to Australia, but not as it has historically been known.The 2027 Ford Bronco Basecamp will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2027, with the model’s platform unrelated to the T6 Ranger-based Ford Bronco and Escape-based Bronco Sport SUV both available in the US.The Bronco Basecamp is, instead, a product of Ford’s joint venture with China's Jiangling Motors (JMC) and is available in China as the Ford Bronco New Energy.While Australian details are yet to be confirmed as global market development work continues, Ford confirmed the model would retain its EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) powertrain. This means a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine will act as a range extender to charge the 49kW battery. Ford estimates a driving range of around 800-900km.While not as rugged as the full-size Ford Bronco available in the US, the Basecamp still features an all-wheel drive system thanks to electric motors driving the wheels - the engine doesn’t directly power the wheels.While the Bronco Basecamp’s local launch is around a year away, Ford Australia confirmed the ‘camping’ capability of the Bronco is expected to be a big draw.The roof of the Outer Banks grade is able to pop up to allow more space inside, and a mattress designed to fit the cabin with the seats folded flat is available.Heated and cooled compartments are included, and 6.6kW onboard power means camping gear like cooktops, lights or other equipment is able to be run from the battery.Given the arguable failure of the most recent Ford Escape in Australia, the starting price for the Bronco Basecamp will need to be competitive - and it could be, given its Chinese origins.Ford will want the starting price to sit well below the larger Everest SUV’s entry point of around $60,000.A combination of 130kW and 180kW motors at the front and rear are used in the Chinese market EREV, but Ford engineers wouldn't confirm or hint at local outputs.A full-EV variant is also available in China, though it’s not being discussed openly as a possibility for Australia given Ford’s insistence that the EREV will suit Australian buyers.Ford Australia will confirm pricing and specifications closer to its H2 2027 launch.

Toyota's LandCruiser has gone electric! Not quite. But it has joined the ranks of the new wave of hybrid vehicles with a powertrain that combines a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and an electric motor. The 'i-Force Max' set-up, from the Tundra, produces substantial increases in power (up 114kW) and torque (up 90Nm), but is this Cruiser better off-road than its turbo-diesel stablemate?

BYD’s Shark 6 is about to have some company, with the brand locking in a new ute.It isn’t the little plug-in-hybrid BYD Mako, which was revealed in Brazil in August, but could be a more off-road focused version of the Shark 6.The Mako is based on the Sealion 6 SUV and uses a monocoque chassis rather than a ladder frame underpinning found on proper rugged utes such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and the BYD Shark 6.Now it appears the incoming new ute will be more like the Shark 6 than the Mako.BYD New Zealand General Manager Warren Willmot told New Zealand outlet Autotrader, the Mako was not suitable and another ute is in the works.“Not for NZ, we declined this.“Instead Aus/NZ are working on a more suitable workhorse ute for our market.”Earlier this year Group Vice President of BYD and General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division Liu Xueliang told CarsGuide a specific Aussie model was coming.“We have another special model, just for Australian customers,” Liu said via translator, but wouldn’t be drawn on further details.Chief Operating Officer of BYD Australia Stephen Collins said no more could be said yet, but the brand will “have more to say about that later in the year".It now appears this special model will be a ute and the year is fast running out so BYD might be preparing an announcement sooner rather than later.It is unclear whether this will be a totally separate model from the current Shark 6 or another variant.BYD has recently expanded its Shark 6 range with the addition of an entry-level cab-chassis variant and a more high-end Performance grade.The company could further expand the range with a proper off-road focused version of the Shark 6, with the ute’s 4WD ability one of its biggest weaknesses.A proper off-road ute makes the most sense and would fit the special model for Australia, with Aussie buyers snapping up tough 4WD utes such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota HiLux Rogue and Mitsubishi Triton Raider.It could borrow some of the learnings from the related Denza B5 to beef up the Shark 6's toughness.Other options include the tradie-focused smaller single cab variant, or going larger and match the GWM Cannon Alpha or even full-size US-style utes.

A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the production Nissan Terrano SUV has been spied ahead of its imminent reveal.The images were posted to Instagram by nissanarabian and show the white-painted production-specification prototype with varying levels of camouflage.What is clear is the Nissan badge on the front grille and the Terrano badging on the tailgate, clearly marking it as the production version of the new Nissan Terrano.Virtually all of the vehicle’s boxy SUV looks and design cues have carried over from the Terrano PHEV concept that was revealed in China earlier this year.One particular photo that shows under the bonnet indicates this Terrano features a combustion engine, indicating it’ll likely have a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up, like the concept.It’s understood the Terrano will share a lot of components and its body-on-frame platform with the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro dual-cab ute.The PHEV set-up in the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro marries together a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor with total system outputs of 300kW and 800Nm. Depending on the battery pack, it can offer up to 135km of electric range, according to the lenient CLTC test cycle.It’s unclear whether any other powertrain options will be available in the Terrano. For reference, the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro is also offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.Beyond the boxy SUV exterior of the new Nissan Terrano, a photo of the vehicle’s interior can be seen.There is a large central touchscreen multimedia system, as well as the digital instrument cluster.There also seems to be a series of physical buttons on the centre console and the steering wheel.This version of the Terrano has what looks like a high-spec brown-and-black interior colourway. Other colours are also expected.While the Terrano nameplate has a long history with Nissan, this new version has been developed and will be manufactured in China with the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture.Many of these Dongfeng Nissan vehicles, like the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro ute, NX8 SUV and N7 sedan, have been developed with the Chinese market in mind. However, Nissan is currently ramping up the export of these Chinese-made models.At this stage Nissan hasn’t confirmed which of its Dongfeng Nissan models will be coming to Australia, however vehicles like the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro and NX8 have been earmarked.Nissan has confirmed the new Terrano is “intended for selected global markets”, however it’s unclear whether Australia is on the list. If it does come to Australia it will slot under the Y63 Patrol and be a more rugged successor to the US-made Pathfinder.

I have transmission problems in my 2020 Ford Ranger Wildtrak bi-turbo. Occasionally it had rough gear changes, then, randomly, it felt like it was out of gear and was in Neutral and had no gears whatsoever. A scanner tool showed a solenoid D problem. Nobody can give me any answers apart from possibly needing a new gear box.