The 2023 Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 automatic is just about the pinnacle of the Japanese brand’s local ute range and serves as the basis for the homegrown PRO-4X Warrior tough-truck.
But even without Premcar’s enhancements, the top-spec Navara is very capable in its own right, loaded with gear and, for now at least, very good value given it’s on sale from $62,490 drive-away instead of the usual $61,405 plus on-road costs.
The drive-away deal marks a saving of around $6500 depending on your state or territory of purchase, and thrusts the aging D23 Navara back into the thick of the high-end dual-cab 4x4 ute action –undercutting even the Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain ($64,990 dive-away).
No matter how much you dress up a dual-cab, however, it will never be posh or sophisticated enough as a premium German large SUV, which has long been a status icon among certain communities.
The 2023 Volkswagen Touareg 170TDI 4MOTION automatic may be the entry-level variant of the big European SUV line-up, but it still comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 and is currently eligible for a $5000 discount.
Volkswagen calls the offer a ‘factory bonus’ when it’s really just a $5000 discount off the final drive-away price when all the paperwork is signed and submitted.
Five grand can buy a lot of accessories if you’re smart about it and could make all the difference in dressing that base model up – not that there’s anything lacking on the Touareg 170TDI save perhaps for some sexier wheels.
Those without the need or budget for a luxury SUV, meantime, should take a look at MG’s local product portfolio seeing as it boasts class-leading price tags across multiple segments and has one of the best aftersales backing around including a seven-year/unlimited-km warranty.
One such example is the 2023 MG5 Vibe automatic, which is Australia’s cheapest sedan (from $24,990 drive-away) and one of the most striking small cars on the market to look at.