Off road

Toyota Prado 4WD received a major upgrade in 2013, and is now a significantly improved 4WD from the company that dominates this field in Australia. DESIGN / STYLING Toyota's stylists have made major changes to Prado's looks inside and out. The designers have improved seating access at the same time. Toyota

Toyota’s original Kluger was one of the founding fathers of the large crossover SUV segment, beating the local hero Ford Territory to market in late 2003.Such models have greatly contributed to the still-expanding SUV boom, with their balance of car-like dynamics, relative fuel economy and passenger carrying ability becoming a new stereotype for family buyers.Few have been concerned with their lack of outright off-road ability compared with traditional 4WD wagons, and thousands have embraced their general style advantage over traditional people-movers and station wagons.Now with the arrival of the new US-sourced third-generation model, the Kluger’s segment has grown to include representatives from more than 10 manufacturers, and in 2013 the once-dominant second-generation Kluger fell behind the Ford Territory, Holden Captiva 7 and Jeep Grand Cherokee in terms of overall sales.Toyota is banking on a new bigger body with seven-seats as standard, updated features and engineering to bump the Kluger closer to top spot.PRICING/FEATURESWith the boosted standard seat count, the Kluger’s entry price has crept up to $40,990, up $500 from the current $40,490 five-seat KX-R. The previous KX-R and KX-S model grades have been replaced by the more Toyota-traditional GX and GXL, but the Grande moniker still adorns the top spec. All grades are available in either front or all-wheel drive, with the latter’s $4000 premium now $500 less than before.The base $40,990 GX is $2,200 less than the previous seven-seat front-drive KX-R, and Toyota claims it packs at least $2000 worth of extra features. Standard equipment includes a 6.1 inch multimedia display with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, the Toyota Link connectivity interface, three 12V power sockets, auto headlights, conversation mirror, LED daytime running lights and 18-inch alloys.The 2WD GXL starts at $49,990, and gains three-zone climate control, leather trim accents, power driver’s seat, proximity keys, and unique 18-inch alloys.The top-line Grande starts at $63,990 in 2WD guise, and adds heated and ventilated front seats, active cruise control, an 8-inch multimedia display with SUNA live traffic updating satnav, DAB+ digital radio, sunroof, second row retractable sunshades, a 9-inch overhead rear seat entertainment screen with Blu-ray and three sets of wireless headphones, powered tailgate, a 4.2 inch colour instrument display, LED headlights with auto-high beam and 19-inch alloys.DESIGNThe new Kluger’s all-new sheetmetal is significantly more aggressive than the previous model, and looks very much the big brother of the current RAV4. Riding on the same 2790mm wheelbase as the second-generation model, the new Kluger adds an extra 80mm in length –most of which is behind the rear wheels – to now total 4685mm, with the extra length benefitting second and third row passengers and cargo.Also aiding accommodation and cargo space is a more compact double wishbone rear suspension design, replacing the MacPherson strut arrangement that is retained at the front.Third row occupants now have 110mm more shoulder room and 83mm more hip room, and the access gap from the side doors has been widened by 70mm. The one-motion fold mechanism also now incorporates a reclining function.With the third row in place, cargo space has grown by more than one-third to 195-litres - leaving enough room for a small esky -  which expands to 529-litres with the third row flat, and 1171-litres (to the window line) with all rear seats folded. Loading to the window line is also made easier with the Grande's glass hatch component of the tailgate.Toyota’s recent success with interior design continues with the Kluger, with an impressive variety of textures and colours used to good effect, with an excellent perception of quality and array of storage spaces punctuated by the large padded under dash tray and a gigantic 24.5-litre centre console cavity.Despite its increase in size and standard features, the new Kluger’s weight is little changed at 1935-2065kg thanks to greater use of high-tensile steel in its construction. All traditional US-origin foibles are absent from the Kluger, with a right-hand indicator stalk, left-side oriented third-row access, right-side oriented gear selector display and a right-hand bonnet release – despite Australia and New Zealand being the Kluger’s only right-hand drive markets.Payload ratings range between 675-735kg for both drivetrains, and the previous model’s 2000kg braked tow rating and full-size alloy spare underneath the rear overhang are retained.ENGINE/TRANSMISSIONThose hoping for a hybrid or diesel version of the new Kluger will have to keep wishing upon stars, with no current plans for either to join the Australian lineup. Following a similar formula to its Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Tribeca rivals, the new model continues with the 201kW/337Nm (at 4700rpm) 3.5-litre petrol V6 of the previous generation, but the automatic transmission is now a six-speed unit, up from the previous five-speeder.All-wheel drive versions upgrade from the previous full-time system to a new torque vectoring part-time system, which along with flexible lockup of the new transmission has helped to achieve marginally improved fuel consumption of between 10.2-10.4L/100km for 2WD models, and 10.6L/100km for AWD versions – down from the 11-11.6L/100km for  previous versions. The Kluger continues to do its best on regular 91RON fuel, and an open-road range of at least 680km can be expected from the 72L tank.SAFETYThe new Kluger is expected to continue with the existing model’s five star safety rating, but is yet to be locally accredited. All models come with seven airbags – with curtains extending to the third row - reversing camera and rear sensors, traction and stability control, hill-assist, and all-wheel drive models add hill-descent control. Grande models also come with active cruise control, lane departure alert, pre collision safety alert, brake assist, and blind-spot monitoring.DRIVINGWe sampled both 2WD and 4WD versions at the Kluger’s Australian launch, and were able to assess its abilities over wet and dry bitumen and gravel roads. On dry bitumen, you’d be hard pressed to pick the 2WD model aside from a gentle tug at the wheel under heavy acceleration from rest. In the wet or on loose gravel though, easily available wheelspin from rest reminds you of the 201kW being fed through the front wheels.  This is quickly reined in by the traction control, but could be a little antisocial in unexperienced hands.This issue is absent in all-wheel drive versions though, with the new torque vectoring system quickly arresting slippage, and capable of sending up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels to do so. When embarking on properly slippery terrain like mud or sand, a centre diff clock can maintain a 50/50 split at speeds up to 40km/h.Despite being US sourced, Australian Klugers benefit from increased rear spring rates and revised damper tuning developed by local Toyota engineers to suit Australian roads and tastes. The result is impressively tight body control for this segment, with bodyroll and pitch contained beyond expectations.The steering has also been sharpened, with a tighter 14.8:1 ratio (down from 17:1) reducing twirl to 2.74 turns lock to lock, and there’s good feel from the electric assistance.The ample performance from the 3.5-litre V6 will come as no surprise to anyone who’s driven a second-generation Kluger, and Toyota claims 0-100km/h acceleration of 8.3 seconds for 2WD versions, and 8.7 seconds for AWD models. Toyota’s attention to noise reduction is also clear, with 30 percent more sound-insulating material applied throughout the cabin. Make no mistake, the new Kluger would make an excellent environment for long family journeys.VERDICTWhile it’s not revolutionary, the new Toyota Kluger represents a significant step forward from its predecessor in terms of packaging, features and drive experience, and it’s once again firmly at the pointy end of the large crossover SUV segment. 

The ix35 is a suburban staple, second only to Hyundai's i30 in sales for the brand.

Nissan Pathfinder has been on sale in Australia since 1987 and has established a well-earned reputation as a reasonably tough 4WD off-roader.

Peter Barnwell reviews the Foton Tunland with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia’s top-selling workhorse for more than three decades. Some months, it leads the entire new-car market. In the past two years it has finished second and third in the sales race -- and was the first of four pick-ups in the Top 10 in 2013. Scoff at the HiLux and its rivals all you

It's new Kluger time and this one is out of the USA -- which is the only place they manufacture them these days.

The US car industry has come full circle and returns to old-fashioned horsepower at this year's Detroit motor show, with large pick-ups and "America's Ferrari" set to steal the limelight from imported exotica.Centre of attention at the show, which opened overnight Australian time, is Ford's new F Series truck, which has for decades held the title as the planet's favourite vehicle and makes a watershed move to aluminium construction.The bold decision, aimed at cutting fuel consumption, takes aluminium mainstream and makes Forda pioneer in volume production using the metal.Demand for pick-ups has rebounded since the global financial crisis and Ford sold more than 760,000 of the outgoing F Series last year, up 18 per cent.It has kept details of the redesign secret and will hope it can upstage its rival from General Motors, the Chevrolet Silverado, tipped to win Truck of the Year.US buyers strongly favour full-size pick-ups but last year GM broke ranks and offered a version of the smaller Colorado, described as "mid-size" in the US. At a preview event for the show, GM unveiled the GMC Canyon, a more upmarket version of the Colorado with a bull nose and acres of chrome.It marked the first appearance for Mary Barra since she was named chief executive - the only woman to lead one of the car giants. "I'm honoured to stand here tonight and humbly lead this team," Ms Barra said. "It's a team of men and women doing unbelievably great work."It comes just weeks after GM shed its "government motors" tag, with Washington selling the last of the shares acquired during the GFC. As well as a truck award, GM is also in the running for Car of the Year with two out of the three finalists -- a Cadillac and its reborn Chevrolet Corvette. The new Corvette has earned a reputation for delivering Italian sportscar performance at a fraction of the price. A track-focused version, called the Z06, will be GM's show star.The Z06 will compete for crowd attention with the Ford Mustang, which makes its first public appearance after private unveilings last month.GM's recovery milestone has a parallel at Chrysler, after Fiat recently acquired complete control.The smallest of the US "Big Three" is now wholly foreign-owned but rebounding thanks to a focus on Americana, with its controversially redesigned Jeep Cherokee SUV winning over sceptics. It too is in the running for Truck of the Year.Unlike the F Series and Corvette, it will be shipped to Australia starting mid-year. Hometown drawcards will force foreign brands backstage despite an impressive line-up.German and Japanese carmakers are also stressing traditional petrol-driven horsepower with an exceptional crop of performance cars. BMW debuts two halo junior executives in the M3 sedan and M4 coupe, which drop V8s in favour of six cylinders but have more power and better efficiency thanks to turbocharging.Lexus has the M4 in its sights with the RC F, a V8 coupe based on its mid-size luxury sedan. Meanwhile, Mercedes rolls out its next generation C-Class and a tuned version of its small off-roader, the GLA 45 AMG; Porsche shows a retro-flavoured 911 Targa sportscar; and Mini a concept that previews the upcoming John Cooper Works go-fast edition.Audi will attract attention for a crossover concept. It is expected to preview its smallest SUV yet, likely to be called Q1. The Detroit show has yet to return to its glory days of over-the-top presentations and for-the-fun-of-it concept cars, but the industry has been bolstered by 15.6 million sales last year and newfound confidence after the economic storm of four years ago.   

With the softroader segments booming around the world, there's probably no car that's not being weighed up as too unlikely a model to get the treatment. Volkswagen's Beetle has some history in that field as the underpinnings for decades of 'dune buggies' -- with even the military building some as desert patrol and fast attack vehicle for the SAS, US Navy Seals and other troops.VW is again trumpeting that heritage in the name of the Beetle Dune concept that will be unveiled at Detroit motor show, with a 5cm higher ground clearance and a ski rack suggesting it's getting set to tackle the slopes. An earlier Dune concept appeared at the LA show in 2000, but VW admits it was "not very realistic (and) the 2014 Dune Concept is a lot more feasible ... potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle".However it's not getting the benefit of all-wheel drive, and instead is based on the limited-edition R-Line Beetle sold overseas with a 157kW turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels with the benefit of an electronic diff lock system to add traction, and a strut-type front and multilink rear suspension.

When the Toyota RAV4 arrived in Australia 20 years ago it was a funky little two-door 4WD for the young and young at heart.