4X4 Australia

The Blue Oval shifted 2497 Ranger 4x4s in February 2017 to put it on top of the monthly 4×4 sales charts.

The Ranger held a 21.9 per cent share of the overall PU/CC 4×4 market, ahead of the Toyota Hilux (20.0 per cent).

With back-to-back monthly wins, the Ford Ranger has sold 374 more 4×4 vehicles than the second-placed Toyota Hilux so far in 2017.

In the overall market, Light Commercial Vehicles held an 18.5 per cent share of total industry sales in February. When compared to February last year, the sale of LCVs dropped by 5.6 per cent, though this can be attributed to unusually strong February 2016 sales.

“February 2016 included one extra selling day and saw a lot of activity in the market. This resulted in a 6.7 per cent surge over February 2015,” said the chief executive of the FCAI, Mr Tony Weber.

February 2017 was also a milestone month for SUVs, as they (39.9 per cent) overtook passenger cars (39.0 per cent) in total monthly sales.

“The steady, demonstrable shift in consumer preference, which has been occurring in the past few years, has culminated in this February outcome,” Mr Weber said.

“Of course, this one monthly outcome doesn’t signal a landslide but clearly Australian buyers are attracted by the features and capabilities of new generation SUVs, and how these types of vehicles suit their needs and lifestyles.”

The Toyota Corolla was Australia’s best-selling vehicle in February (3392 sales). It was followed by the Toyota Hilux 4×2/4×4 (3386), Mazda3 (3143), Ford Ranger 4×2/4×4 (2931) and Hyundai i30 (2003).

ford-ranger-2
1

u00a0

4X4

FEB 17

JAN 17

YTD

1

Ford Ranger

2497

2221

4718

2

Toyota Hilux

2380

1964

4344

3

Mitsubishi Triton

1751

974

2725

4

Toyota Prado

1320

1063

2383

5

Holden Colorado

1098

1333

2431

6

Toyota LandCruiser Wagon

944

713

u00a01657

7

Nissan Navara

931

802

1733

8

Volkswagen Amarok

756

577

1333

9

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

752

431

1183

10

Mazda BT-50

747

709

1456

THROUGHOUT the past 14 months the Bridgestone Dueler Mud Terrains have provided solid service on the sandy tracks of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park in the Victorian Mallee country.

They’ve also tackled some fabulous sandy runs on Stockton Beach at Port Stephens, traversed the rocky and rutted tracks of the Avon River, hit up the Murray River’s mud at Echuca, overcome the challenges of the Dargo High Country and, of course, the commute through suburbia.

The tyres have surprised as a daily driver. Even though they are muddies, they’re quieter than expected and they grip and handle well. In the wet they’ve performed much better than the old all terrains that were on their last legs.

I have no complaints when off-road, either. On High Country tracks – as well as on the wet, grease-like tracks along the Murray River near Echuca – they performed brilliantly.

Bridgestone Dueler MTs fitted
1

Where the tyres surprised me was on sand – on a Stockton Beach run they performed excellently. Now, let’s be honest, my faithful 3.0L GU Nissan Patrol is many things, but a power-laden, sand-chewing beast it’s not. We dropped pressures to 17psi and away we went. Surprisingly I didn’t have any issues on the sand at all, and I even managed to perform a snatch recovery of a Mitsubishi Triton, as well as rescue my mate Brad’s Pajero from a particularly soft patch.

Having travelled a tick over 12,000km, I think it’s time for a tyre rotation. The depth gauge discovered there’s 4.5mm wear on the front tyres and 3.5mm wear on the rears, so I reckon they’ve got another 25,000-30,000km of life left in them.

All is going well, although I do notice an impact at the bowser when filling up. I now return about 80-100km less from a full tank of fuel.

WE were confronted by several water crossings while driving through the Victorian High Country on the recent 4X4 Of The Year test. And, while none of them were particularly deep, we approached them all with a fair degree of trepidation.

Many years ago on a 4X4OTY test I watched in horror as a bow wave went over the bonnet of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. I remember wondering how much money it would cost to replace the twin-turbo V8 if it copped a gob-full of water… and how I would explain the situation to Porsche’s PR Manager. Luckily the Porsche made it across, but the following SsangYong did not, spluttering to a halt in the middle of the creek and requiring a tow to the other side.

My heart nearly stopped when the bloke behind the wheel then attempted to start the SsangYong’s water-flooded engine. I yelled at him to stop, which he did, and we spent the next 30 minutes pulling the spark plugs, cranking the engine and pumping the water out of it. We then put the plugs back in and crossed our fingers as the ignition key was turned, and the little Korean sparked back to life. Another awkward phone call to a PR Manager had been averted, although later that week I told him what had happened so his mechanics could check out the vehicle when we returned it.

Fast forward to this year, and of the nine vehicles in our convoy there were four we didn’t have to worry about too much: the GU Patrol tucker truck, the Tough Dog Navara, the Mercedes-Benz G-Professional and the Toyota LandCruiser 79, all of which were fitted with snorkels (in fact, the latter two come standard with snorkels). The other five vehicles (all 4X4OTY contenders) were not snorkel-equipped. They were the Haval H9, Holden Colorado, Holden Trailblazer, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Volkswagen Amarok.

These snorkel-less contenders have claimed maximum wading depths ranging from 700mm down to 500mm, which is only about knee height, so our concern was real.

While the Haval H9 has one of the better claimed maximum wading depths of 700mm, you still have to be very careful crossing any body of water in a petrol-powered 4×4. It only takes a small splash to land in the wrong place under the bonnet to make the fire go out, potentially leaving you stranded up both the literal and proverbial creeks. The Pajero Sport also has a claimed maximum wading depth of 700mm, and with a diesel donk there’s a good chance its engine will keep running with water splashing about under the bonnet.

The worry levels increase slightly when fording a river in either of the Holdens, which both have a quoted maximum wading depth of 600mm. This modest figure is somewhat surprising, as a glance under the bonnet shows the air intakes on both the Colorado and Trailblazer are up quite high through their respective inner guards and that most of the electrical components are situated high in the engine bay.

Then there’s the Amarok with a claimed wading depth of just 500mm. The engine’s air intake looks vulnerable to water ingress (it’s behind one of the headlights) and the alternator sits quite low in the engine bay. In fact, for a photo shoot at a river crossing, we left the Amarok parked on the bank while the other 4X4OTY contenders crossed back and forth for an all-important splash shot. Nevertheless, driven carefully, the Amarok didn’t have any problems with any of the other water crossings we tackled on the 4X4OTY test and it made it through the week without a problem.

It’s strange that the Amarok’s wading depth is so limited on what is otherwise a well-engineered vehicle with surprising off-road capability. Of course, the best water-crossing solution for anyone who buys an Amarok, or any other 4×4 for that matter, is to fit a snorkel. Ensure it’s a good quality snorkel that’s been properly installed, as dodgy connections or cracked plastic will let water in. Other mods that will help your vehicle survive deep-water crossings include extensions on breathers for diffs, gearbox and transfer case, but bear in mind that water can still find its way past seals, especially when hot mechanical components are plunged into cold water. After any trip that involves water crossings, you should always check all oil for a milky appearance and replace if necessary.

Finally, good door seals are a great defence against water damage. I lost a camera recently when negotiating a deep-water crossing; it was in a backpack on the floor of ARB’s Off Road Icons Land Rover Defender. I should’ve known better.

THE PATH LESS-TRAVELLED

A variety of weather made this year’s route through the Vic High Country harder and more challenging than normal.

FOLLOWING the first two days of testing on the variety of tracks, obstacles and creek crossings at the Melbourne 4×4 Training and Proving Ground, situated just outside Werribee on the seemingly flat, billiard-like plains, it was time to head for the mountains of Eastern Victoria.

This year our trip took us along the Princess Highway then north on good bitumen roads to the small mountain enclave of Dargo, which always makes a great base for exploring the hills and valleys that surround this mountain township. We didn’t linger long, (not even for a pot in the pub!) just long enough to top up with fuel and supplies before we pointed the convoy west and took Shortcut Track across to Wonnangatta River Road. We followed this road to the flat, grassy patch of ground bordering the river at Kingwell Bridge.

Not content to merely sit down and watch the river meander past we hit the surrounding trails, taking the rocky, steep and scrambly climb up Conway Track. Luckily the weather had been dry and the track, while rough, tough and dusty, wasn’t too slippery. Surprisingly, all the vehicles in the group reached the top with hardly a worry; for most vehicles that’s a testimony to how good traction control has become in the last few years.

The next morning our route took us to Eaglevale and across the Wonnangatta River for the long climb to the top of Mt Cynthia, with the wind beating us mercilessly as the film crew and photographers worked tirelessly to get some action shots. It’s a pretty steep climb but the track is in good condition, so it’s a bit of a doddle. Once on the Wombat Spur track we cruised along effortlessly and, with the weather starting to spit rain, we headed down the very steep Herne Spur track.

I hadn’t been on this track for years and, while it is still steep, it isn’t what it used to be.

We then wandered up the valley, crossing the Wonnangatta River a few times before we got to the old historic Wonnangatta Station site and its big, old stand of trees. By now the spit of rain had turned to a steady drizzle and by the time we had lunch and headed off the rain was getting heavier. As we started the climb out of the valley on the Wonnangatta Track the rain became a deluge and very quickly the track became a running stream. Still, this is probably the easiest route into and out of the valley, linking up with East Riley Road before joining with the good but narrow dirt of the East Buffalo River Road.

Just when we thought we’d be in camp at a reasonable hour and in time to get organised, we came across nature’s roadblock, a fallen tree. Earlier we had to zig zag around a few fallen trees, but most had been cleared by work crews from 4WD Victoria and Parks Victoria before the official track opening a few weeks previously. Thanks to them for their huge and continual efforts.

That evening we pulled up at one of the pleasant little camps on the East Buffalo River, waking the next morning to a chorus of birds that were having a hard time competing with the full voice of the local kookaburras. A circuit of winding dirt roads capped off 2017’s 4X4OTY as we headed to the Hume Highway, some of us turning south while other judges turned north for places further afield. A week of testing to find the best new 4WD released in 2016 was over – well, until we do it all again next year.

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s

The criteria that allows us to determine who will be 4×4 Australia’s best 4×4 Of The Year 2017.

VALUE FOR MONEY What you get for what you pay. A particular vehicle may be expensive, but if it delivers on what it promises it can be good value. Conversely, a less expensive vehicle may not deliver at all and therefore be poor value.

BREAKING NEW GROUND Each vehicle is rated for the new technology or features it has and on the effectiveness of that technology or those features.

BUILT TOUGH Each vehicle is rated on how well it is designed and built.

BUSHABILITY Each vehicle is rated on how practical it is in the bush and in the outback, and how readily it can be made more bush and outback practical via aftermarket enhancement.

DOING THE JOB The vehicle is rated on how well it does the job it has been designed for. If it’s a ute, how good is it at being a ute? And if it’s a family wagon, how good is it at being a family wagon?

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s

Meet the industry experts that make up our 4×4 Of The Year judges panel.

DAVID COOK

DAN EVERETT

DEAN MELLOR

RON MOON

NORM NEEDHAM

MATT RAUDONIKIS

BRYAN WELLS

PENNY WELLS

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s

Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

THE RESULTS

7TH PLACE: HOLDEN TRAILBLAZER LTZ
Trailblazer is a new name for what was previously called the Colorado 7; a seven-seat wagon based on the Colorado ute, in this case the much-rev…

6TH PLACE: HOLDEN COLORADO LTZ
After several attempts at bringing the Colorado up to scratch, Holden has finally pulled the whole thing apart and started again.

5TH PLACE: MERCEDES-BENZ G-PROFESSIONAL G300 CAB CHASSIS
The G-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s longest running model and even outdates Toyota’s venerable 70 Series.

4TH PLACE: HAVAL H9 LUXURY
HAVAL is Great Wall’s SUV offshoot brand, and the H9 is the only proper 4×4 in the Haval range.

3RD PLACE: MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT GLS
The Pajero Sport is based on the Triton ute that arrived early in 2015 and was a finalist at last year’s 4X4OTY.

2ND PLACE: VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK TDI550 ULTIMATE
The first significant change to the Amarok since the eight-speed automatic four-cylinder.

WINNER! TOYOTA LANDCRUISER L79 DOUBLE CAB
Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series claims top prize by the barest of margins

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER L79: WHAT THE JUDGES THOUGHT
The 4×4 Of The Year judges share their thoughts on the awarding-winning Cruiser.

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s

Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS

HAVAL H9
Can this year’s surprise contender take the crown?

HOLDEN COLORADO
Rebuild gives the Colorado a fighting chance

HOLDEN TRAILBLAZER
Could this revised wagon be Holden’s best chance at claiming 4X4OTY?

MERCEDES-BENZ G300
Can the Merc’s off-road ability justify its insane price tag?

MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT
Proven all-rounder struts its stuff against the world’s best.

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 79
Trusty and reliable 70 Series workhorse gives the title shot a red-hot crack.

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK V6
Can the addition of a V6 diesel donk give the Amarok its first 4X4OTY gong?

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

 2017HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s

The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

INTRODUCTION
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION
4X4OTY sponsor Tough Dog Suspension brought along its leaf-sprung Navara to show the benefits of a suspension upgrade.

THE CRITERIA
As always, the vehicles were not judged against each other, but against the established 4X4OTY criteria.

MEET THE JUDGES
Meet the industry experts that make up our 4×4 Of The Year judges panel.

TESTING TRACKS
A variety of weather made this year’s route through the Vic High Country harder and more challenging than normal.

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR
Finding the best 4×4 in Australia

WHICH vehicles are in contention for 4×4 Of The Year comes down to the simple expediency of being all-new – or significantly revised, mechanically – in that year.

Given this selection process leaves out even best-in-class vehicles if they aren’t new or haven’t been significantly updated in the previous 12 months, the field thrown up is often criticised and sometimes misunderstood.

For example, in this lot you’ll find no LC200, Prado, Hilux, Ranger or Everest, just to name a few of the obvious suspects. For that we make no apologies given our on-going best-in-class tests published regularly and recently.

However, what you will find is arguably the most diverse range of 4x4s we have ever assembled to battle it out over a week of take-no-prisoners 4X4OTY testing.

For the first time in 4X4OTY we have a Chinese-designed-and-built 4×4, the all-new Haval H9. Think Chinese Prado but petrol-only. It’s close to the least-expensive vehicle here – despite being the top-spec model – but arguably the best equipped. At the other end of the spectrum the most expensive vehicle here, the just introduced Mercedes-Benz G-Glass Professional cab-chassis, is the most utilitarian.

The technology on display runs from the highly sophisticated Volkswagen Amarok, sporting a new V6 engine similar to that used in the likes of the Porsche Cayenne diesel, right across the spectrum to the relative simplicity of the revised Land Cruiser 70 Series. In between these extremes of cost, features, technology and function are two Holdens – the significantly revised Colorado ute and new Trailblazer wagon – and Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport wagon.

All up there are four utes and two wagons based on utes, all of which is a sign of the times in the four-wheel drive world.

All bar one engine in the field is a diesel, again a sign of the times. Ditto an almost exclusively all-automatic field with only one manual. And, interestingly, the only non-diesel, a very modern low-pressure turbo-petrol engine, could be the way of the future given the threat posed to diesels by end-of-decade emissions regulations.

As ever, our weeklong testing involves set-piece 4×4, trail driving and touring on a wide variety of roads, and pits the seven aspirants to the 4X4OTY throne not against one another but against our five award criteria, listed opposite. Each of our judges (in blind voting) awards every vehicle points out of 10 for each of the five criteria. All the points from all the judges are then tallied and the vehicle with the most number of points wins. Simple, really.

MORE 4X4 OF THE YEAR

HOME: 4X4 OF THE YEAR 2017
The seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 get together for a week to determine the 4×4 Of The Year.

THE FINALISTS
Meet the seven most interesting 4×4 vehicles of 2016 battling it out to be crowned 4×4 Of The Year.

THE RESULTS
Only one of the seven best 4x4s from 2016 can be crowned 4×4 Of The Year 2017

4X4 OF THE YEAR HOME
Finding Australia’s Best 4x4s