Off road

For those who really want to go bush, the vehicle options are dwindling. Yet the family-friendly, seven-seat Isuzu MU-X is one of the big surprises - eminently capable in the dirt, very comfortable in the city, fuel efficient, durable and, it could be said, good looking. But it's not for pretenders.There are three models and two transmissions and, though based on the Holden Colorado 7, there are important differences. The Isuzu has fewer kilowatts and one cog less in the automatic transmission than the Colorado, but has a superior five-year warranty, is more economical, has a full-size spare wheel and in the $53,500 LS-T model, a rear DVD player.The excellent iGo satnav, eight-speaker audio (but no Bluetooth audio streaming), reverse camera, aircon in all three rows, leather upholstery and electric driver's seat are all standard. There's no capped-price service and servicing is six-monthly. The LS-T tested is expensive and $49,300 LS-U is better value.The Thai-built wagon is a good looker. The "happy face" nose and the neat side profile with blackened rear-side and rear glass cleverly shrink the MU-X's proportions. The wagon is high off the ground but side steps give good access to the third seat row via a split, fold and tumble second row.The cargo floor is high — courtesy of the bulky live-axle rear and coil suspension — and interrupted by a box containing the luggage blind. Space is 235 litres (all seats up) to 1830 litres. The third row of seats folds flat but the tumble-fold second row reduces the boot floor length.Top marks for the rooftop vents for all rear passengers, two gloveboxes and dash top-box, grab handles, cupholders, storage space and lap-sash seat belts for all seven occupants.The MU-X ("Mysterious Utility" is how SUV translates in Thai) dispenses with the Isuzu D-Max dual-cab ute's live rear axle and leaf springs, bolting in a long-travel coil spring arrangement. The 3.0-litre turbo diesel (130kW/380Nm) and the Aisin five-cog auto are not shared with Holden's products. There are disc brakes all-round and two big skid plates, it's relatively light at 2060kg yet has a 3000kg tow rating.Despite its truck origins, it gets a five-star crash rating, six airbags, rear camera, rear park sensors, hill holder, electronic stability and traction control, full-size alloy spare and brake assist. Hill descent is automatic and built into the gearbox's sensors, though isn't as effective as a switchable system.I expected a truck and happily realised this is something between a 4WD ute and a Toyota Kluger. It is a confident cruiser and sits solidly on the road and is barely affected by sidewinds or rutted bitumen. The engine is torquey and forgiving — more docile and feels more powerful than the Colorado — with surprising economy. An electric switch controls the two-speed transfer case.Gravel and sand failed to slow this wagon and the high ground clearance and long-travel rear suspension made short work of washouts. The turning circle is large — typical of the genre — which can frustrate city owners. Good ride comfort over rough terrain and quiet highway cruising makes it one of the better all-rounders.

Watch out HiLux. Ford's Ranger is coming through. The good looking, blokey-looking ute is taking the fight up to the Toyota HiLux which has traditionally ruled the roost. Sorry, did we call it a "ute" - somewhere along the line it turned into an American "pick-up" which is the way Ford refers to it now. 

Derek Odgen road tests and review the Nissan Pathfinder, with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

Bill Buys road tests and reviews the 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

Tigershark, Longitude and Trailhawk are among the latest names in the ever-changing Jeep family, all associated with the totally revised new Cherokee, a model entirely different from previous wearers of that nameplate.The new medium-sized SUV is still a pretty capable off-roader, but it's now much more civilised, with a classy cabin, aerodynamic styling and some impressive technology.There are four models, starting with the Sport, a four-cylinder front wheel driver and the sole city-oriented model. Then come the Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk, all with 4WD in several configurations, and V6 power. Common to the entire range is a nine-speed automatic transmission; it's a superb self-shifter with smooth action and very effective in cutting fuel consumption.Longitude is a bit of an oddball. It's called a Latitude in its home country and in many other markets, but in Australia a Latitude is a Renault sedan. So the name lines had to be redrawn.The Sport is from $33,500, Longitude $39,000, the more luxurious Limited is $44,000 and the Trailhawk $47,500. In contrast to earlier Cherokees, the new ones are well-appointed, beautifully finished and packed with all the electronica du jour. All get keyless remote entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a good audio system with a touchscreen interface, USB/iPod integration, an auxiliary audio input and an SD card reader.Specs increase with each ascending model and a long list of options lets every buyer tailor the car to taste and needs. The V6 models get dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat, bigger touchscreens and the rest of today's essentials. US industry authority Ward's gave the new Chero a 'best in class' rating. There are lots of onboard storage nooks and bins and several power outlets. Occupants get good seating and comfort, but the trade-off is a not-so-big cargo area.Colours? Morocco, Iceland, Grand Canyon and Vesuvio. Or in non-Jeepspeak, black, black and grey, brown and brown and indigo. In cloth or Nappa leather. The exterior colour, for all models, is bright white.  Mango tango, granite crystal, true blue, cashmere, billet silver and brilliant black are all available – as options.The four-pot Sport uses a 2.4litre Fiat-derived but US-assembled Multiair single cam motor that happily spins into redline territory and produces 137kW and 232Nm. It runs on 91 octane and averages 8.2litres/100km. Why Jeep added 'Tigershark' to the engine's name is a mystery. Probably sounds good in the marketplace.What matters most is it's a whopping 33 per cent more fuel-efficient than the old Cherokee. The Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk have the class-leading 200kW/316Nm 3.2litre Pentastar V6 motor. Based on the brand's 3.6litre V6, it's also happy on 91 brew, and averages 10.0litres/100km. A 2.0litre Fiat diesel motor will later be available on the Limited.Longitude and Limited come with Active Drive I, a light-duty 4WD system sans low ratios that will cope with most conditions. It includes a Selec-Terrain traction control dial to choose between auto, snow, sport and sand/mud. The V6 Cheros also seamlessly change from four to two-wheel drive when they sense there's no need to drive all the wheels.Folk planning to tackle more serious offroad surfaces need the Trailhawk, which has 18-inch alloys with all-season tyres, raised suspension, recovery hooks and a more aggressive 4x4 system, including low gearing and a locking rear diff for crawling over rocks and suchlike. It also has a 'rock' switch on its Selec-Terrain system – and it's the only one to get hill descent control .As for safety, the new multi airbagged and electronics-equipped Cheros got a five-star safety rating.  And those stylish lines with the waterfall grille and scalloped sides have greatly improved not only the car's looks, but its wind-friendliness. That, in turn, makes it quieter, appreciably quicker and more fuel-efficient.The all-independently sprung SUVs have 45 per cent more high tensile steel in their unibody construction, making them a lot more rigid and better handling. We got to drive all four models in South Australia's spectacular Flinders Ranges, liked their quiet cabins, compliant rides and precise steering. The suspension soaks up bumps in the roads and tracks and gives a good balance between comfort and roadholding.Much as we liked the extra power of the V6 trio, we think the Sport will be the top seller. It's a smart package with a terrific drivetrain, gives the best economy and should be the choice of the nine out of 10 buyers who never go off-road.And here's a bit of official Jeep tech talk on the styling that we can't quite figure out: 'The front visually flows through the rest of the vehicle with windows that link together, with the fast front windshield speeding to the backlight.' 

A special 10th anniversary edition of Jeep's hard core, offroader – in either two or four-door form. Just 30 examples have been secured for the local market, 12 of them two-door and 18 four-door versions.Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is $49,000 for the two-door model or $53,000 for the four-door, Unlimited model.  An auto adds $2000 to the price.There's a lot of pretenders but only one real competitor for this car and that is the Land Rover Defender. Both target the same buyer, but they are very different vehicles.The 10th Anniversary Edition is available only with a petrol V6, together with a six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic. We would have preferred a diesel but the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine is surprisingly good, producing 209kW of power and 347Nm of torque. Drive is to the rear wheels or to all four wheels if four-wheel drive is engaged – it’s a part time system. Not bad. It's a big truck of a thing but has no trouble keeping up with the traffic flow. Things have certainly come a long way since the early petrol guzzling sixes that powered Jeeps – the five-speed auto helps too. Rides about 40mm higher than the standard Rubicon.The four-door is rated at 12.0 litres/100km. We were getting 12.1 after more than 600km of mixed driving. Good to see the 85-litre tank takes standard 91 unleaded too.Gets 3.5 stars from the Government’s Green Vehicle Guide, with carbon emissions of 276g/km (benchmark Prius scores 5).Wrangler is a four star vehicle. Comes with a reverse camera, four airbags, that offer protection for the driver and passenger only. Features electronic traction and stability control, as well as roll over mitigation.Talk to the back. We just couldn't get comfortable in this car. You may have a different experience.Tends to intimidate other drivers. It's large and cumbersome in terms of city driving, with a large turning circle that can making parking difficult. Off road the Wrangler has few peers, designed to bash and crash its way down the roughest fire trail. It provides one of, if not the best, out of the box four-wheel drive experience available, with 264mm of ground clearance, front and rear locking differentials and a wading depth of 762mm. It has a wash out interior and can tow a 2.3 tonne load.For a hard core off road vehicle it contains plenty of creature comforts, like heated leather sports seats, climate air conditioning and satellite navigation. The Infinity audio system features 6 speakers, 368 watt amplifier and subwoofer. Comes with dual roof system, with a three piece modular fibreglass hardtop plus a roll out soft top (that tends to get in the way). A plaque features the vehicle's technical data, such as axle and sway bar types, transfer case type and crawl ratio, tyre size and location of manufacture.  

Malcolm Flynn reviews the Honda CR-V DTi-L diesel, exploring its off-road ability.

We turn the spotlight on the 2014 Toyota HiLux SR5 4WD and ask the crucial questions, including the biggest -- would you buy one?

The Kia Sorento is one of the few large SUVs to still offer a manual alternative, and paired with all-wheel drive and the turbodiesel drivetrain

The ZX Tiger ute I bought had many problems; it was a piece of junk. It was painted twice in spots and had electronic rust protection, but continued to rust in welds on chassis and panels, and it was regularly back at the dealer's for repairs of one sort or another. In the words of the service department mechanic you only get what you pay for. Shame I didn't see him first before buying.