Toyota LandCruiser and Ford Ranger buyers parking adventure dreams

Australians are buying 4x4s, SUVs and utes built for adventure, but most are using them for daily duties as cost-of-living pressures take hold. New research shows the majority of owners are cutting back on road trips, with fuel prices and rising household costs keeping their adventure machines muzzled and closer to home.

While vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-MAX are designed for long-distance touring and off-road travel, most are now spending their time in traffic, school zones and suburban streets.

Research from specialist insurer Club 4X4 found 94 per cent of 4WD, SUV and ute owners primarily use their vehicle for commuting, school runs and shopping, rather than touring or off-road driving.

The survey covered more than 1000 respondents interviewed in May 2026 and cost-of-living pressures are the clear culprit. Two-thirds of respondents said they had taken fewer trips this year, and 67 per cent pointed to fuel costs and household expenses as the key reason.

Households are already spending an average of $23,500 annually on car ownership, including close to $3000 on fuel alone. A lap of Australia can cost more than $3000 in fuel before any price increases.

“We want 4WDers to be out there adventuring. We know the desire is there to explore Australia, but for a lot of families the cost of living is what’s stopping them,” said Club 4X4 CEO Tony Mitchell.

Despite the financial constraints, demand for travel remains strong.

Nearly eight in 10 owners say they would take their dream road trip within 12 months if money was no object, and more than a quarter would do so within three months.

Bucket-list destinations remain firmly domestic, led by the Great Ocean Road, followed by East Coast drives and trips to Tasmania.

However, younger drivers are increasingly looking overseas, with under-30s more likely to travel internationally than domestically.

The impact varies across the country.

Victoria and Queensland have seen some of the sharpest pullbacks in travel, while Western Australia stands out as the most affected by fuel costs.

South Australia is the only state showing relative resilience, with a higher proportion of owners maintaining their travel plans.

The gap between aspiration and reality is widening for Australia’s 4x4 owners. Vehicles continue to grow more capable – and more brands are bringing rugged products to bear, like Subaru’s Outback Wilderness.

Aussie interest in road trips clearly remains strong, but financial pressures are limiting how often these vehicles are being used as intended.

With fuel costs likely to rise further in the short term, the trend towards shorter, local trips is expected to continue, leaving many off-roaders parked in suburbs rather than exploring beyond them.

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