SUV

The GWM Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid is big news for Australia: this is a body-on-ladder-frame chassis large 4WD with five seats, high- and low-range gearing, and a front, centre and rear diff lock. It has combined power and torque outputs of 300kW/750Nm, offers about 120km electric-only driving range, and it can be used as a 6.0kW mobile power station (V2L) - all for under $80 grand. 

Amidst all the excitement of new car brands arriving in Australia (seemingly by the day), it's easy to forget that not every member of the class of 2025 will be joining us in the new year.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are widely considered ‘real’ off-road vehicles, but all-wheel drive vehicles are also capable of tackling off-road adventures in their own right.However, for the purpose of this yarn, we’ll focus on 4WDs.So, what are the top five off-roaders of all time? This is a purely subjective yarn, so feel free to pitch in with your opinion and your own top five off-roaders of all time.Read on. (Note: all prices in this yarn were correct at time of writing.)All versions of this legendary 4WD have for a long time found favour with off-road adventurers because of their drivability (ease of use and comfort); its capability (in general driving terms, as an off-roader, and for hauling heavy loads); its reputation for reliability (which, some say, has lapsed in recent years); and its fixability if something goes wrong. Rest assured, if you suffer experience vehicle-based strife, even out past the black stump, you’ll likely be able to find Toyota parts somewhere near-ish without too much hassle.Many Cruisers are used as off-road vehicles (for work and play), but which Cruiser variant should be your preferred choice if you’re after a reliable, capable and comfortable long-distance tourer to haul camping gear or tow your camper-trailer or caravan? Take your pick: 40 Series, 60 Series, 70 Series, 80 Series, 100 Series, 200 Series. The 105 (more widely known here as the Prado) is the Cruiser’s less macho little brother, but it is still very popular because of its reputation as a capable, comfortable touring platform.Our mate Alf Johnston's 80 – pictured throughout this yarn – is a 1996 GXL 80 Series with a 24-valve 6-cylinder 1HD-FT turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission. It has a touring friendly 270-litre fuel tank – a long range fuel tank set-up – and 30-litre water tank. A standard version had a 90-litre fuel tank and a 45-litre fuel tank.For me, the 4.5-litre V8 twin turbo-diesel engine (200kW and 650Nm) is the stand-out.There is a massive trade-off when buying most Cruisers though: new or used, it may be on the wrong side of expensive. Just ask anyone trying to buy a second-hand Cruiser about ‘Toyota tax’, i.e. the persistently high re-sale value of any Toyota that’s for sale, especially a Cruiser.Towing capacity is listed as 750kg (unbraked) and 3000kg (braked).Price: Expect to pay from $9999 for a 1999 Toyota Landcruiser 100 Series GXL 4X4 (with almost 391,000km on the odo) through to $242,000 for a 2022 Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series GXL (dual-cab chassis, loaded up with aftermarket gear and with 38,294km on the odo).Pros:RobustReliableNigh-on unbreakableCons:Hard to find oneEven harder to find one that hasn’t been thrashedWhen you do find a good one, it’ll be expensiveAnother Cruiser bonus: you can build up and customise your ultimate tourer with the help of Australia’s fantastic aftermarket industry – think ARB, Ironman 4x4, TJM, and the like.The Y63 is on its way but until then take your pick from new and used Patrols: GQ, GU, whatever.This well-respected 4WD wagon is another of Australia’s favourite touring vehicles and can be seen everywhere on the nation’s roads, and parked in caravan parks, or set up for camping.Any Patrol can be built up and customised as an ultimate tourer, but for me the mission-ready current-generation V8 Patrol Warrior wins out over the rest.Let me explain: a few years back Nissan Australia enlisted the expertise of Melbourne-based automotive engineering company Premcar to transform the Navara into the hard-core Pro-4X Warrior, which was a great success – and then Premcar did the same to the Patrol.At time of launch Premcar had baked into the Patrol more than $15,000 worth of top-notch conversion work, engineering upgrades and fitment of accessories to turn the 4WD wagon into the Warrior.It is bigger, wider and taller than the Ti spec Patrol on which it’s based and it has upgraded Aussie-tuned suspension, a Warrior-specific wheel-and-tyre package, a bi-modal exhaust system, substantial underbody protection, a 48kg increase in payload over the Ti to 736kg, as well as a whole lot of other stuff intended to turn the legendary 4WD wagon into an even more appealing vehicle, on- and off-road.The Warrior has the same 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine as the regular Patrol line-up but that’s fine because that engine – producing 298kW at 5800rpm and 560Nm at 4000rpm and matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission – is a bloody cracker.It also has a re-engineered version of Nissan’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, a 50mm total suspension lift with new springs front and rear (increasing vehicle height to 1990mm, 50mm more than the Ti), and increased ground clearance (323mm, 50mm more than the Ti) and wheel track (1735mm front and rear, 40mm more than the Ti).As with the Cruiser, the Patrol can be built up and customised as an ultimate tourer with the help of Australia’s great aftermarket industry (ARB, Ironman 4x4, et al).Price: Expect to pay anywhere from $115,990 for a 2025 Nissan Patrol Warrior (4X4) Y62 MY25 (with 546km on the odo) through to $122,990 for a 2025 Nissan Patrol Warrior (4X4) Y62 MY25 (with 5698km on the odo).Pros:GutsyIt’ll go anywherePlenty of sparesCons:ThirstyHard to find a good one for the right priceHard to find a good one that hasn’t been driven hardWhile older versions of the Ranger are well worth considering, let’s focus on the newer post-2022 versions here.The Ranger and its wagon stablemate, the Ranger-based Everest, are both refined, comfortable and capable, and either of them make a great platform as an on- and off-road touring vehicle.The Ranger – with either a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (147kW/470Nm) a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine (157kW/500Nm), or the new-ish 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine (184kW/600Nm) – is a solid and nice-driving unit.Obviously, if it’s your cup of tea, the Raptor is the go.Same goes for the Everest, though because it’s a wagon, it lacks the Ranger’s work-friendly versatility, but it does yield a smoother ride and handling overall.Long-distance road trips aren’t daunting if you know you’re clocking up the kays in these vehicles, which both offer refined on-road driving experiences.Ford’s all-wheel drive system is smooth in its application and helps to make these vehicles comfortably capable in most off-road scenarios.The Ranger and Everest have become increasingly prevalent on our roads in recent years and they appeal to off-road adventurers who want comfortable and capable touring vehicles.The Ranger has listed towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 3500kg (braked). The Everest has listed towing capacities of 750kg (unbraked) and 3000kg (braked) or 3100kg (braked), depending on the variant.Price: Expect to pay from $28,888 for a 2022 Ford Ranger Xl 3.2 (4X4) Px MkIII MY21.75 (with 219,805km on the odo) through to $95,990 for a 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 (4X4) MY25.25 (with 255km on the odo).Price: Expect to pay from $33,888 for a 2022 Ford Everest Trend (4WD) (with 176,099km on the odo) through to $88,999 for a 2023 Ford Everest Platinum (4WD) (with 22,212km on the odo).Pros:RefinedNice to driveWell-appointedCons:ExpensiveNew versions almost too reliant on techV6 can become thirsty off-roadThe legendary Land Rover Series I, II, III preceded the Defender, but while the older Landies have the monopoly on that ye olde Insta-friendly romantic vision of off-roading, the 75th anniversary Defender 110 of 2023 does it for me.This limited-edition 75th anniversary five-door 110 body style Landie with like-it-or-loathe-it Grasmere green exterior is based on the high-grade HSE variant. Note: three-door 90 body-style versions are also available.The Defender manages to retain the old Defender’s distinctive shape and spirit while introducing the new-generation’s style and presence into the mix.This is a P400 MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle) and has a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, supported by a small electric motor. That engine produces 294kW at 5500-6500rpm and 550Nm at 2000-5000rpm and it’s matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.The P400 MHEV has a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, aimed at reducing engine load and fuel consumption, and it has a 7kW electric supercharger aimed at minimising turbo lag.The Defender has permanent all-wheel drive and a dual-range transfer case with high- and low-range 4WD. It has a comprehensive suite of driver-assist tech – including Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system, with switchable modes such as Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. That system tweaks throttle response, engine outputs, transmission shifts and diff control to best suit the terrain.It also has centre and rear diff locks.Defender buyers can add to their vehicle from a range of accessories and Packs, which include grouped accessories to suit your specific lifestyle, i.e. Adventure, Explorer, Country or Urban.Price: Expect to pay from $112,950 for a 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 75th Edition Auto AWD MY23.5 (with 50,970km on the odo) through to $125,800 for a 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 P400 75th Edition Auto AWD MY23.5 (with 25,000km on the odo).Pros:Old-school charmNew-age styleIt’ll go anywhereCons:Price-tagHard to find a good one for the right priceThe Pajero is on its way back – hopefully in the not-too-distant future – but until then if you can find a previous-gen Pajero you’re in luck.Mitsubishi officially ceased production of its fourth-generation Pajero in March 2021, but this no-frills 4WD wagon still holds tons of appeal for seekers of adventure – and that’s why you see a lot of them everywhere: on the blacktop, out in the bush and on our beaches.It’s not the most dynamic or exciting off-roader on the market, in terms of looks or performance, but the 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel Pajero (141kW/441Nm) has a legion of fans due to its simple, no-fuss approach to life on and off the road. It’s also not the heaviest hauler around (tow capacity is 3000kg), but it’s a gutsy unit.It’s easy to drive, very capable and very functional. The 4WD Pajero also has 'Super Select II' 4WD system which offers four drive modes: 2H (two-wheel drive, rear), 4H (4WD high range but, in this, safe to use at high speed on bitumen), 4H LC (4WD/all-wheel drive with locked centre diff; suitable for off-road driving at 30km/h or so) and 4L LC (4WD with locked centre diff and low-range gearing engaged; suitable only for low-speed 4WDing (below 30km/h). Turns out 4H is a good state of play for general driving.The 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel Pajero Sport (133kW/430Nm), though light on in terms of towing capacity (3100kg, braked) still compares favourably to segment rivals and dual cab utes in terms of general standard packability and it remains an appealing proposition as an all-round touring machine.Price: Expect to pay from $43,990 for a 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed (4WD) seven-seat eat MY22 (with 72,349km on the odo) through to $60,888 for a 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed (4WD) seven-seat MY24 (with 10km on the odo).Pros:Nice to drive on-roadVery capable off-roadDecent fuel consumptionCons:Feels a bit old compared to rivalsTowing capacity (on paper) is less than rivalsSmaller inside than most rivals

It’s no secret now that Audi is looking to have its own rival to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

A recall has been put out for some of GWM’s leading hybrid models as per a Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts notice. The GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid ute, Tank 300 hybrid and Tank 500 hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs have been caught up in an electrical issue which could affect performance. There are a total of 1445 vehicle affected by the issue, all from cars sold in 2025.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the shielding ring in the high voltage wiring harness may not be properly grounded,” the notice reads.“This can reduce the effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding, which may cause abnormal communication with the engine and transmission control systems.“As a result, warning lights may illuminate, vehicle torque may be reduced, and cooling performance of the hybrid system may be affected.”According to the notice, reduced vehicle performance and cooling operation could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users. GWM will contact owners of the affected vehicles to request an appointment with an authorised dealership and have the work to rectify the issue carried out for free. The rugged-branded Tank 300 and 500 have been among GWM’s best-selling vehicles in Australia, approaching 6000 sales between them for 2025.Only the Haval H6 and Jolion SUVs have sold more units for the brand this year. The Tank 300 currently comes as a petrol, diesel and hybrid in Australia, but it has been announced that GWM will bring across a plug-in hybrid version next year. The Tank 500 is now exclusively sold as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, however it's understood a new diesel engine could come in 2026.The Cannon Alpha has also been a competitive seller for the brand, with more than 2000 sales in 2025. Offered with diesel power, it also comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain which is an alternative to BYD's popular Shark 6.This isn’t the first wiring issue to be found on the Cannon Alpha, with the ute suffering from another similar issue earlier this year.  An electric power steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged. This could lead to a loss of power steering and engine shutdown. 

Lexus has given its performance electric SUV a serious boost. The brand has unveiled a special edition RZ600e F Sport Performance variant, with a series of changes to increase the car's sport and race potential.Lexus has not revealed local pricing for the RZ600e F Sport Performance yet, but if it does end up coming to Australia it's expected to sit far above the $121,059 (before on-road costs) price tag on the pre-update RZ450e.It has a dual-electric motor set-up, which has received some tweaking to improve performance. Its front and rear motors produce 167kW and 268kW each to offer a total system output of 313kW.This means the car can shift from 0-100km/h in a sharp 4.4 seconds.It has a 77kWh battery, with a driving range of 525km, according to WLTC testing.The car has undergone some performance-based changes elsewhere, such as its overall height being 20mm lower than the RZ550e F Sport. It has also been fitted with bigger 20-inch brake discs, along with blue aluminium six-piston callipers. To accommodate these brakes, the car rides on 21-inch matte black Enkei aluminium wheels, which is among one of many special edition features on the 600e.There is a suite of new carbon gear, such as front lower, side and rear lower spoilers, a hood bulge, headlamp bezels, roof and rear wings and turning vanes. Additionally, it gets special edition lower door mouldings and large arch mouldings. The exclusives continue on the interior with special edition branding for the shift selector, instrument panel, front cup holders and driver’s seat, among other things.The updated RZ line-up is set to come Down Under in the first half of 2026.The entry-level RZ500e replaces the current RZ450e and will be offered in Luxury and Sports Luxury trim levels. There's also the RZ550e F Sport.All 2026 Lexus RZ trims come with all-wheel drive and offer bigger batteries, more range and faster charging.Other new features include simulated gear shifts, steer-by-wire technology with a yoke steering wheel, as well as more sound-deadening materials and trims, among others.

Jaecoo has announced pricing for the electric version of its J5 small SUV, which will land in dealerships next month. The J5 EV comes as a single Summit variant and starts from $36,990, drive-away for the first 1000 customers.As part of this first offering, buyers will get a free premium paint upgrade on the car. This pricing sees Jaecoo’s latest offering come in cheaper than the similarly sized BYD Atto 3 ($39,990 before on-road costs) and slightly larger Geely EX5 ($40,990 before on-road costs) – at least for the time being. It has not been revealed what the price will be following this initial launch deal, but the brand has suggested to CarsGuide before it was targeting an early-$40k starting pricing. The car’s single electric motor produces 155kW and 288Nm, with a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.7 seconds. Its 58.9kWh battery offers a driving range of 402km (WLTP) and DC fast charging from 30-80 percent in 28 minutes. Jaecoo is the semi-premium arm of Chinese carmaker Chery, which also offers the Omoda brand in Australia.The J5 is the brand's first EV in Australia. It already offers the mid-size J7 and large J8 SUVs.With the EV joining in January, it is expected hybrid and petrol versions of the J5 will launch in March, adding greater variety to the line-up. 2026 Jaecoo J5 EV pricing Australia2026 Jaecoo J5 EV electric motor and efficiency2026 Jaecoo J5 EV Summit standard features: 18-inch alloy wheelsPower tailgateRemote start with air conditioning memoryGlass roof with power sunshadeDual-zone air conditioningSynthetic leatherHeated and ventilated front seats8.88-inch digital driver display13.2-inch central touchscreen8-speaker audio systemApple CarPlay and Android Auto2026 Jaecoo J5 EV safetyThe Jaecoo J5 EV has not been crash tested. Standard safety features: 7 airbagsAutonomous emergency brakingEmergency lane keepingAdaptive cruise controlForward collision awarding360-degree camera2026 Jaecoo J5 EV warranty and servicingThe Jaecoo J5 EV comes with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the battery. There is an eight-year capped-price servicing schedule available. Pricing has not been disclosed yet.2026 Jaecoo J5 EV dimensions

Isuzu’s 1.9-litre MU-X is no more. And a 2.2L 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – with an eight-speed automatic transmission and idle stop-start technology – is now the brand's entry-level offering in its 4WD wagon line-up. This new MU-X has the same 3.5 tonne towing capacity as its 3.0-litre stablemate and it offers better claimed fuel consumption than the 3.0L.

The LandCruiser is Toyota’s longest-running production nameplate and it has had many iterations over the years.

A Ram-badged SUV is in the works, and here is what it could look like.