Off road

Mitsubishi has confirmed its new flagship 4WD SUV will be called Pajero and it will hit Australian dealerships before the end of 2026.After months of hype and frequent sightings of camouflaged test cars in the wild, the new large off-road flagship will take its place atop Mitsubishi’s range as a new-generation 4WD in the fourth quarter of 2026.While the brand has not revealed details such as dimensions or powertrain and has only revealed a teaser image, it has told CarsGuide that it is a ground-up offering designed specifically to live up to the nameplate’s history, and will be a step beyond the outgoing Triton-based Pajero Sport in terms of its positioning.The Pajero will be manufactured in Thailand alongside the new-generation Triton. It is confirmed it will share its underpinnings with the brand’s best-selling ute, like the Pajero Sport that came before it.Mitsubishi Australia’s GM of Product Strategy and PR Bruce Hampel said the company was expecting to run out of stock of the outgoing Pajero Sport before the new full-fat Pajero arrives as a replacement.He also said Australia won’t be the launch market for the new-generation Pajero, with it likely to debut in the Thai market first. Previous reports said the model is intended to be as global as possible for Mitsubishi, with the brand seeking to export the 4WD to Japan and other important markets.Hampel said the Pajero will be the brand's premium flagship.Previous information from Japan suggest the new Pajero will be available in at least three trim levels, likely with familiar naming conventions to the current Triton range, as well as the opportunity for the top-spec grade to be dubbed the Exceed as a throwback to the previous-generation model, which ended production in 2021.Don’t expect a return of the previous model’s 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine (141kW/441Nm), with the most likely powertrain being the same updated 2.4-litre diesel engine that powers the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm).The new Pajero won’t be Mitsubishi’s only radical new offering in Australia in 2026, with the brand also confirming its upcoming joint-venture electric small SUV with Taiwan’s Foxconn is also set to arrive before the end of the year.Mitsubishi will no doubt be hoping the addition of these two key new models will arrest its sales slide of over 25 per cent in Australia this year, off the back of reduced stock of the Pajero Sport and the discontinuation of the previously-popular Japan-sourced ASX small SUV, which has been replaced by a more expensive Euro-sourced model based on the Renault Captur.In better news for Mitsubishi, Triton is up a healthy 18.7 per cent for 4x4 variants and 36.3 per cent for 4x2 variants, as its full range of commercial and private buyer offerings come online and recent MY26 updates continue to improve the key ute model.The just-launched Premcar-tuned Raider also now tops out the range at $79,990 as Mitsubishi experiments with a new price-point ahead of a long-rumored Ralliart revival in the future.Expect to learn more about the new-generation Pajero closer to its on-sale date later this year.

A new entry-level engine is the big news in Ford's latest upgrade of the Ranger dual-cab. Gone is the old two-litre turbo-diesel with its twin turbochargers and 154kW, and in comes a simplified, unit with one less turbo and 29 fewer kiloWatts. But the pay off should be in long-term ownership cost. But what does that mean in the meantime? And does this make the V6 diesel even more attractive?

If you believe the end of the world is nigh, then this is the car for you.Described as the “ultimate tactical off-road truck”, the Rezvani Fortress is an imposing and wicked looking ute.The US-company has used the popular Ford F-150 ute as a base, and turned the dial all the way up.It looks ready to pancake cyborgs and Terminator robots, with its jagged edges, tiny windows, pumped up ride height, huge off-road tyres and blinding LED lighting.It even has an optional armoured package, which adds military-grade ballistic armour, bullet-resistant glass armoured body panels, blast-resistant underbody, run-flat military tyres, kevlar composite protection panels, fuel tank explosion protection and reinforced suspension to handle all that extra weight.Other features such as electrified door handles, magnetic deadbolts, thermal night vision, smoke screen and strobing/blinding light systems feel more at home on a fictional Batmobile.That’s not to mention a siren and PA system, EMP protection package and reinforced ram steel front bumper.This thing means serious business.And to show you just how serious it is, you can upgrade the standard 336kW turbocharged V6 petrol engine to a monster 5.2-litre supercharged petrol V8 that pumps out a whopping 634kW and 881Nm.There is a full time all-wheel drive set-up, with front and rear electronic locking differentials and multiple drive modes that include sand, mud, snow, rock crawling and a full throttle Baja mode.Prices start at US$285,000 (400,000), with only 100 examples to be built.

Honda is preparing to blow the BYD Shark 6 out of the water, according to reports.The Japanese brand is rumoured to be plotting a V6 hybrid ute to launch before the end of the decade.A report in Auto News states Honda will stop producing its current Ridgeline ute this year and replace it with the new hybrid-powered model from the second half of 2028.It is expected the next-gen Ridgeline will continue to ride on a monocoque chassis, differing from its ladder-frame rivals, but still designed for moderate lifting and towing. Such a hybrid ute from Honda could be the perfect fit for Australia, building on the success of plug-in hybrid utes like the Shark 6.Its more emissions-friendly set-up could provide valuable relief from New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines for the brand. The Ridgeline has been a North America and left-hand drive-exclusive model for Honda since its introduction more than two decades ago, so it has never seen Australian shores.Prohibitive import costs from the US, and the need to be built in right-hand drive, appear to cancel it out for Oz at the moment. There were reports Honda was considering importing the ute to Japan late last year. Honda Australia has shown interest in bringing the ute Down Under. Back in 2020, then Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins told CarsGuide the Ridgeline was strongly requested by dealers and customers. He said it would require a significantly improved set-up on the 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine, producing 210Nm and 355Nm to aid towing and carrying capacity.The presumably more powerful hybrid Ridgeline could provide the necessary grunt to make it an enticing proposition in Australia. The Ridgeline’s transformation is the latest in the brand’s game-changing hybrid focus, which will see the introduction of 15 new models launched globally by 2030.

BYD shook up the ute establishment with the arrival of its ground-breaking plug-in hybrid, the Shark 6. Now it’s looking to target the heartland of the ute audience with its newest addition.The Shark 6 Dynamic is a cab-chassis variant, expanding the appeal of the Chinese-made ute to a more working-class audience, and in particular the lucrative fleet segment.Or at least that’s what the company is hoping for, as the Dynamic joins an expanded Shark 6 line-up that also includes the more powerful Performance variant, which introduces 3.5-tonne towing capacity.Priced from $55,900 plus on-road costs the Dynamic Cab Chassis is the new entry point to the Shark 6 line-up, $2000 cheaper than the existing Premium and $7000 less than the new Performance.It’s powered by the same combination of 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motors (one on each axle) as the Premium, which is good for a combined output of 321kW/650Nm. The motors are supported by BYD’s signature Blade battery, a 29.5kWh lithium iron phosphate unit that's the same as the other Shark 6. That’s enough for a claimed driving range of 800km combining the battery and 60-litre fuel tank, with a 100km electric-only range and fuel consumption rated at 2.0L/100km.Interestingly, BYD has opted to limit the new, bigger 2.0-litre engine to the Performance, so the Cab Chassis, despite being the obvious workhorse of the range, is limited to a 2500kg braked towing capacity.Instead of targeting the towing market, BYD is clearly hoping the Dynamic Cab Chassis appeals to those looking for a flexible work solution, which is exactly what fleet buyers want. By offering a Cab Chassis, BYD will be able to target organisations that need a ute but also have specific needs for the tray, such as special toolboxes and other setups.However, if you’re looking for a solution direct from the showroom, BYD has partnered with Ironman 4x4 to develop an approved tray available as an option. It features eight integrated tie-down points and two lockable storage boxes, one of which houses the charging outlet. It measures 1679mm long, 1809mm wide and 259mm in height.BYD hadn’t confirmed the price of this Ironman tray at the time of publication.BYD has also avoided publishing a direct payload figure, only publishing the gross vehicle mass and kerb weight, which suggests a 900kg payload, albeit minus the weight of the tray (which is 150kg) or any other extras. In addition to carrying over the same powertrain as the Shark 6 Premium, the Cab Chassis also has the same suspension setup, double wishbone type front and rear, instead of utilising the more capable leaf-spring rear end suspension favoured by most of its rivals.While this does limit payload, to a degree, it also helps ensure the Shark 6 Dynamic rides with a more SUV-like composure, rather than the busier, more bumpy ride that its rivals can suffer from - especially when unladen.It’s obviously a risk in this highly competitive market, but so was launching a plug-in hybrid ute in the first place, so it makes sense that BYD is sticking to the strategy that has worked so far.It translates to a ute that is quite quiet and pleasant to drive both on-road and off-road, although testing it alongside the new Performance did highlight the extra strength of the new, larger engined model.BYD did add approximately 400kg of payload to the tray for us to sample the ride and performance with some weight in the back. Given the amount of weight, it was entirely surprising that it managed to perform without any noticeable difference. Certainly, for fleet or private buyers needing to carry a few hundred kilos or add big toolboxes or similar to the back of the Shark 6, this new Dynamic variant will be up to the task.It has the same well-finished interior as the Premium, so it doesn’t look or feel like a ‘workhorse’ inside either. It has the same level of space and versatility that has made the Shark 6 a popular choice for so many ute buyers, presumably many with families, so the SUV-like cabin makes it feel family friendly.

Before you get your hopes up… no, despite the name, this isn’t BYD’s answer to the Ford Ranger Raptor. But the new Shark 6 Performance might do something even better than just be quick.This is the brand’s first major update to its ute, coming after it became a sales hit despite paving the way for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes. However, while it has cemented itself as one of the top five most popular utes in Australia, it isn’t without its shortcomings.Specifically, the Shark 6 came under fire for its 2500kg towing capacity, when the industry standard is considered 3500kg, and some issues when the going gets slippery off-road. So, BYD has acted swiftly to try and address those criticisms and continue the Shark 6’s sales growth.That’s why the Performance, which sits above the existing Premium variant, has a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, replacing the 1.5-litre version. BYD has also added a more powerful front axle motor (but kept the rear axle motor the same), for a combined system output of 350kW and 700Nm. That’s a 29kW/50Nm improvement over the Shark 6 Premium.While that doesn’t mean it’s much faster, the 0-100km/h sprint now takes 5.5 seconds which is only 0.2 seconds faster than the Premium, but the added torque means the Performance can tow up to 3500kg.Then to tackle the criticisms about its off-road performance, particularly on steep inclines and slippery surfaces, BYD has introduced a new off-road setting to the car’s complex computer, ‘Crawl’ mode.This new setting was developed in Australia, as we are the lead market for the Shark 6, and it goes a long way to rectifying the problems the PHEV ute would have on high angle, slippery surfaces at low speed, where the traction control system would struggle to get you out of a jam.So Crawl mode activates between 0-12km/h and uses the petrol engine to help get over rocks, steep climbs, deep ruts and soft sand.Notably, BYD opted against adding the mechanical locking differential featured in the sister-brand Denza’s B5 and B8 SUVs, which share the same 2.0-litre PHEV powertrain. What there are though, are larger brakes, which helps if you’re towing an extra tonne, and revisions to the suspension, but otherwise changes are limited. Visually the Performance and Premium are the same externally, with the Performance getting a unique steering wheel and steering column-mounted gear selector.Driving the new Shark 6 Performance across a variety of conditions - on-road, off-road and towing - it doesn’t take long to realise why it has become so popular. BYD has had the rare fortune of meeting the market with exactly the right vehicle at exactly the right moment.With the rise of ‘lifestyle’ utes, the fuel efficiency of the Shark 6 Performance - using just 1.3L/100km and with a 80km electric range - combined with its new-found off-road improvements and ability to tow more, will only make it more appealing as diesel prices show no signs of diving anytime soon.On the road, the new engine doesn’t feel dramatically different to the existing 1.5-litre though, so if you are still thinking the badge makes it a sporty, high-performance ute, you will be disappointed. But it did manage to tow well over 2500kg during our test drive, pulling a large caravan without too much effort. Yes, you can feel the engine and motors are working harder to haul so much weight, but it doesn’t feel like it is straining.While we only did a basic towing test, BYD claimed that during local testing they pulled a 3500kg, 25ft caravan and saw a return of 18L/100km.Priced from $62,990 (plus on-road costs) the Performance is a $5000 premium on the Premium, but that will be a small price to pay for those looking for that extra 1000kg of towing capability.

Suzuki Australia is teasing a new, special edition version of the Jimny off-roader.The Japanese carmaker has opened a register your interest portal for the car on its local website, confirming it will be called the Jimny Rhino.This Australian-specific Jimny Rhino follows a number of special-edition Rhino versions in other markets, including Malaysia and South Africa, among others.They have all been versions equipped with a smattering of genuine accessories, plus some unique Rhino badging.At this stage Suzuki Australia hasn’t fully detailed what is unique about the Australian-specification Jimny Rhino.The teaser images show it features a unique decal on the side, as well as the genuine accessory wheels and mud flaps.It clearly shows it will be offered in the five-door XL body style. It’s unclear whether it will also be offered in three-door guise.This isn’t the first time that Suzuki has done a special-edition version of the current Jimny. It has previously launched Heritage Edition versions of both the Jimny three-door and Jimny XL.“The Jimny community in Australia is thriving so yes, news of any new Jimny is hugely exciting,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager – Automotive, Michael Pachota.The current-generation Suzuki Jimny first launched in Australia in 2019 in three-door guise and was joined by the Jimny XL five-door in 2023.An update for the Jimny three-door launched in Australia earlier this year, now mirroring what’s on offer in the Jimny XL.There’s now an updated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, as well as front and rear parking sensors across the line-up.Pricing for the 2026 Suzuki Jimny line-up currently starts at $31,990 before on-roads for the Lite three-door manual and extends to $37,490 before on-roads for the XL five-door automatic.

A new Mitsubishi Pajero is on the horizon and many versions will likely be offered throughout its lifecycle.The standard version is expected to feature a 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine that’s shared with the current Triton ute.Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power options are expected to join the range later in its lifecycle.Mitsubishi has a storied history with its Ralliart sub-brand, which has previously created high-performance versions of its cars and still has a presence in motorsport.The Pajero was previously offered with an Evolution homologation special in the late 1990s, so there has been a high-performance version of this car historically.This could therefore point to the new Pajero potentially receiving a high-performance Ralliart version down the track.Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide in 2025 it is looking to bring back the Ralliart brand Down Under, but didn't say what vehicle would be used.“We are working closely with MMC (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation) on opportunities to utilise the brand in the Australian market,” said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of product strategy and PR Bruce Hampel.“We want to do it right, if we are going to do it.“It is a very valuable brand for MMC, and they are very cautious around utilising the brand on the right products with the right execution.“We are in ongoing discussions with them at this point in terms of the potential opportunities in the future to create a product that would be suitable, and earn the right, to the Ralliart branding,” said Hampel at the time.A toughened-up Pajero wouldn't be alone. Nissan offers a Pro-4X version of its Patrol, there’s a GR Sport version of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, plus Ford offers a Tremor version of the Everest.Not all of the aforementioned vehicles produce more power than the standard version but most feature more off-road features and capability.Even if Mitsubishi doesn’t create a Ralliart version of the new Pajero globally, it could potentially lean on Australian engineering, like it did with the current Triton.The Japanese carmaker will soon launch the Triton Raider, which was developed in partnership with Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar.It features a revised suspension and damper package, plus a range of other standard-fit accessories to make it more confidence-inspiring to drive on- and off-road.As previously reported, Mitsubishi has confirmed it will reveal its new large, off-road SUV soon and it will launch in Australia before the end of 2026.Previously reports have indicated that it will be called the Pajero and be based on the current Triton ute, marking a major change in strategy.The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, but the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton.Mitsubishi axed the Pajero Sport in Australia in 2025 due to it not meeting the new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standard which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.It’s worth noting that Mitsubishi still has existing dealer stock of the Pajero Sport.

Denza is a premium sub-brand of BYD and the Denza B5 is best thought of as the BYD Shark 6’s posher, tougher cousin.Where the Shark 6 is a thoroughly competent all-wheel drive ute, well suited to tackling light to moderate off-roading, the B5 is a 4WD wagon with a low-range gear-set on the rear axle and diff locks front and rear.Those stark mechanical differences, as well as a sharply-calibrated off-road traction control system, set the two apart in terms of efficacy in off-road scenarios.But that doesn’t mean the Shark 6 is woeful off-road – it’s not – it’s simply that the B5 is much better.As mentioned, the Denza B5 is a luxury 4WD wagon with 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set, and twin lockers.The B5 shares the same DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) body-on-frame platform as the Shark 6 and the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system paired with dual electric motors, but the B5 is more powerful (425kW/760Nm) compared to the Shark 6 (321kW/650Nm). Note: The updated Shark 6 will have a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and dual electric motors, claimed to deliver total outputs of 350kW and 700Nm.Those aforementioned mechanical differences – low-range gearing and diff locks (front and rear) on the B5 – make a world of difference when it comes to off-roading and that’s where the B5 has it well and truly over the Shark 6.The Shark 6 doesn’t have 4WD, high- or low-range gearing, or diff-locks. It doesn’t even have a driveshaft connecting the rear wheels.Core differences between the Denza B5 and the BYD Shark 6?The Shark is essentially an all-wheel drive SUV whose off-road performance hinges on electronic traction control. It does not have low- or high-range 4WD and it does not have any locking differentials.It has a single-speed reduction gear/dedicated hybrid transmission (which enables electric-only driving and hybrid operation, switching between modes based on throttle demand and battery level).It also has an all-wheel drive system (split between the front and rear) and Drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport) and Terrain modes include Sand, Snow, Mud and Mountain.In theory, single-speed reduction gears and off-road traction control systems should be able to somewhat replicate the efficacy of high- and low-range 4WD systems in light to moderate off-roading. In the real world that’s often not the case at all. A single-speed reduction gear approach in a 4WD is mechanically constrained in how much it can do and off-road traction control systems can be slow to act, clunky in application, and not up to the challenges asked of it.But the Shark 6 is effective off-road, as long as it’s driven within the parameters of its capabilities: light to moderate off-road conditions — that is, well-maintained dirt tracks in dry weather; do not take on any ‘4WD/high ground clearance only' tracks, prolonged sand-driving or rock-crawling.The Denza B5 Leopard has a low-range gear-set on its rear axle, and front and rear diff locks. It also has electronic torque vectoring at the front, and well-calibrated off-road traction control.This plug-in hybrid optimises a combination of driver-assist technology – including 16 drive modes with many of those designed for off-road scenarios – and with nicely dialled-in off-road traction control and mechanical diff locks on-board it is formidable in most off-road situations.In action, all of those modes adjust vehicle systems, throttle, and engine output to give the driver the best chance possible of getting safely through every off-road challenge.The Denza is better suited to challenging 4WDing than the Shark 6.Significant flaws in the first-phase Shark 6’s adventure potential include its lack of 4WD gearing and diff locks, and its below-par 2500kg towing capacity.The updated Shark 6 should be getting, at the least, a suspension upgrade and a full-blown software update — that delivers an off-road traction control system capable of replicating as closely as possible the workings of low-range gearing and diff locks.Alas, it’s not getting those things.However, it will get a gutsier 2.0-litre engine (with outputs of 350kW/700Nm, compared to the current 1.5-litre engine, with outputs of 321kW/650Nm) and a towing upgrade to 3500kg.So, that’s something.The Shark 6 was the best-selling PHEV in 2025, and it continues to sell well. Its core market is likely those who don’t want a hard-core 4WD but rather a vehicle that, as standard, is very effective in light to moderate off-roading and works as a comfortable (for a ute) daily driver.And, if that’s the case, it excels.And it can be easily improved.If you already own a BYD Shark 6 and you want to improve its off-road performance, replace the standard tyres – Continental CrossContact All Terrain (265/65R18) – with a set of more aggressive all-terrains. Hey, bloody presto! You’ve instantly made this light-duty AWD better.Ultimately, the Denza B5 is the better option if challenging off-road adventures are your goal – it’s premium-plush, sure, but it’s also capable of much more in the dirt than the BYD Shark 6.The extra cash you’ll spend buying a B5 ($74,990*, excluding on-road costs, for the base-spec variant) rather than a Shark ($57,990*, excluding on-road costs) equates to greater peace of mind if you’re heading out bush or along a (legally drivable) beach. (* Price correct at time of writing.)

America is winning the new car emissions arm wrestle.