Off road

Who would have thought an Aussie farmer's plea to Ford over 80 years ago, for a vehicle to take his wife to church on Sunday and pigs to market on Monday, would result in the ute phenomenon.

The Jeep Wrangler is a real 4WD off-road vehicle that can take you to rough 'n' tough places that will break other so-called 4WDs.

We are looking to trade to a used large 4WD auto to do some travelling with, but we're on a pension and our budget only stretches to $15,000. At the moment a few Jeeps, a couple of Holden Jackaroos and Mitsubishis come into range. What would be best, as some 4WD would be involved too?

VW's Amarok has won wide acclaim but is yet to dent the sales success of Toyota and Ford in this category, so we decided to see if it was tough enough when it comes to carrying a load.

Toyota imports a large number of 4WD, SUV and crossover vehicles to Australia and dominates our market here.

Toyota has taken its LandCruiser to a higher plane, returning its high-value, limited edition Altitude to the 200 Series with a $4630 premium

We all know the Toyota HiLux 4x4 is tough, and the new generation GD follows the trend. We also know it can carry quite a load, but what's it like when it needs to drag something behind it?

Isuzu's D-Max has always been a solid middle-of-the-market ute; nothing more, nothing less. Not as slick as many of its heavily manicured and marketed rivals, but it has a real rough charm.

Moab, the annual Mecca for Jeep enthusiasts in Utah, USA is set to explode with another display of concept vehicles

Toyota's wildly successful HiLux, Australia's top-selling vehicle in 2016, now has the visual muscle to take on the Ranger Wildtrak. After the success of the previous generation's TRD (Toyota Racing Development) kit, Toyota has come back for another round with the new generation HiLux.Available to top-spec SR5 dual-cab buyers only, the TRD kit adds 15 new components to the popular workhorse. You can have any colour you like as long as it's white or black, providing you're happy to put down $58,990 (drive away) for the former and $59,540 (drive away) for the latter, plus another $2000 for automatic transmission. That works out at between $4600 and $5150 over the standard SR5's list pricing, which makes the pack a bit of a bargain considering the saving of on-road costs. "Local buyers voted with their wallets to make HiLux the best-selling vehicle in Australia last year and the majority clearly indicated their preference for upmarket features," Tony Cramb, Executive Director of Sales for Toyota Australia said.More than half of HiLux 4x4 buyers went for the SR5 with its leather trim and extensive list of comforts. The new TRD kit is intended to ramp up the visual aggro.The standard 18-inch alloys are replaced with six spoke items. And yep, they're black.Most obvious is the big red bash plate to contrast with the TRD grille, side steps, lower bumper cover and flared wheelarches, all in black. A big red TRD badge almost glows from the grille and there's more black moulding on the leading edge of the bonnet, along the body and around the tail-lights. The mudflaps at the rear sport another lairy TRD logo.A black sports bar (replacing the SR5's stainless unit) goes with a tray liner, soft tonneau cover and a towing kit.The standard 18-inch alloys are replaced with six spoke items. And yep, they're black.The cabin picks up TRD floor mats and automatic versions feature a red stitched TRD gear selector.The 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel is unchanged at 130kW/450Nm in the auto, with the manual making do with 'just' 420Nm. All the SR5's standard features remain, with highlights including leather trim, DAB+ radio, LED headlights and keyless entry and start.To coincide with the TRD kit's release (and celebrate the number one position on last year's charts), Toyota Australia commissioned its product design chief Nicolas Hogios and his team to come up with a Tonka concept. It was engineered in-house by Toyota Australia's product planning and development division."We have taken Tonka out of the sand pit. Inspired by the Tonka trucks that kids play with in their backyards, the Tonka Concept goes way beyond the already hugely capable abilities of the HiLux to traverse rocks and other rugged terrain," Mr Hogios said.Lurking somewhere under the wild body is an SR5 spec dual cab with the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel. The team jacked it up 15cm, threw in heavy duty suspension, and fitted 35-inch tyres. The new front bumper still works with the car's safety systems and the bonnet, now carbon-fibre, features a power bulge and air scoops. The bar and roof pod are festooned with high performance LED lighting.Underneath is a bash plate made from 6mm thick alloy, while tubular side rails protect the body and chassis. There's not much left of the standard SR5 behind the rear windscreen - a removable tubular frame in the tub locates fitted storage boxes housing recovery gear, a fire extinguisher, axe, shovel and high lift jack, for either getting out of sticky situations or, you know, starting a riot. The carbon-fibre tailgate has a strap pull rather than the usual handle release, which should save a few grams.it's about to go on a victory lap of the country, appearing at various shows, field days and expos.Tonka and Toyota are celebrating big birthdays this year - Tonka is turning 70 while Toyota is a still-sprightly 80.Sadly, the Tonka is definitely a concept only. All is not lost, though, because it's about to go on a victory lap of the country, appearing at various shows, field days and expos. Toyota might even let you have a ride if you don't climb over your kids to get in first.