Six off-roading 4x4 machines for keen explorers

October 8 is International Off-Roading Day and to celebrate we put together a list of six of the most popular 4x4 off-roaders Aussies search for on carsales and highlighted a few key things our expert team of reviewers have remarked.

"The ability of the 2023 Ford Everest Trend 4x4 to reach destinations that road-oriented SUVs and other cars might find difficult is a big drawcard with the ladder-chassis large SUV, as sampled on our Tassie tour.

"The campsites turned out to be easily accessible for the Everest, albeit with some soft sand and rutted tracks to negotiate at times, so its suspension travel and 229mm clearance (unladen) was never brought into question.

"There was no call for engaging low-range or even hill descent control, but we can see how owners heading into tougher territory would consider a suspension lift to avoid contact with the underbody or side steps, improving the angles out the factory: 30.4-degree approach, 25.3-degree departure and 22.2-degree breakover (all unladen)." Read the full Ford Everest Trend 2023 Review.

"The V6 in the new 2021 Toyota LandCruiser was a faithful ally during my own off-road exploration, conducted over two days in a sprawling state forest over a mix of climbs and technical terrain, plus faster dirt roads and fire trails. There’s plenty of performance on tap and the auto shifts beautifully – and rapidly by general four-wheel drive standards.

"But for tricky going, the feel and response at the pedal is a huge asset, delivering a fine level of control in slow low-range going. Shifting between high and low range is quick and easy, as is engaging the centre diff lock.

"Throughout it all, the Sahara just instils confidence. Serious off-roaders may look to the aftermarket for front and rear lockers, but in stock form this Sahara’s driveline is incredibly capable." Read the full Toyota LandCruiser Sahara 2021 Review.

"Compared to its predecessor, the new 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 is like a four-wheeled robo-warrior from the future, fitted with the sort of technology and safety equipment that requires one button push to activate – or in some cases is completely automatic.

"Approach and departure angles for the coil-sprung two-door Defender are 31 and 38 degrees respectively versus the air-suspended model’s 38/40 degrees at full extension, and after some trial and error (mostly the former), it dealt with some pretty hairy climbs and descents with confidence. Indeed, the Defender 90 breezed through many of the tougher tracks we regularly test 4WDs on near the Wombat State Forest in Victoria." Read the full Land Rover Defender 90 2021 Review.

"Venture off the beaten track and the 2023 Nissan Patrol is absolutely in its element, though while the standard road-spec tyres work reasonably well on unsealed surfaces they quickly run out of ideas and are an absolute liability in the mud.

"Still, with a more appropriate set of rubber the Patrol has go-anywhere capability thanks to 273mm of ground clearance, low-range gearing, hill descent control, a number of drive modes and an electronic rear diff lock.

"Approach and departure angles are also reasonable, though the Ti-L’s front spoiler limits its approach angle to 28.0 degrees rather than the Ti’s 34.4." Read the full Nissan Patrol 2023 Review.

"The hard-packed shoreline with occasional softer sandy section proved little challenge for the 4x4 Isuzu’s off-road armoury which includes 235mm ground clearance and a part-time 4WD system with low-range and locking rear differential. There’s also a Rough Terrain Mode switch for when the going gets really tough.

"The LS-T’s stylish 20-inch alloys and highway tyres are a potential weak point for heavy-duty mud-bashing or rock-hopping, but dropped down to 25psi they were perfectly fine for our ‘lifestyle’ beach adventure.

"A couple of shallow saltwater crossings were also well within the Isuzu’s 800mm wading depth, while the steel front skid plate and guards protecting the underbody provided some off-road confidence." Read the full Isuzu MU-X 2023 Review.

"The 2023 GWM Tank 300 is a very capable and forgiving off-roader, and while we were a little concerned about its 224mm of ground clearance and road-biased tyres, we worried for nought because it performed admirably.

"Approach and departure angles of 33 and 34 degrees respectively are far from class-leading, but with plenty of underbody protection (including a solid steel bash plate protecting the engine) and surprisingly predictable low-speed throttle modulation in low-range 4x4, the Tank is a confident off-roader.

"The 4x4 system in high and low ratios generates good traction, splitting torque judiciously between the axles. The front and rear suspension delivers decent wheel articulation too, ensuring you’re (mostly) in contact with the terrain." Read the full GWM Tank 300 2023 Review.

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