Your questions answered: I’ve never owned a 4x4 but we’re ready for the Big Lap

It’s a tough time to go buying a four-wheel drive. New 4x4 off-roaders and all-wheel drive SUVs can be hard to find due to supply chain challenges and used ones are in hot demand due to the number of people happy to holiday at home.

This week we’re also looking into which is best for a mid-size SUV: petrol or diesel.

Plus, there’s room for some motoring excitement as well as a look at the best way to carry eight people.

Question:

Answer: Wow, where to start? We’ve got an extensive library of advice articles at carsales, but in broad terms, 4x4s can be put through a world of punishment in the Aussie bush, so it pays to have a more detailed check to ascertain how it’s been used. Does it have a heavy-duty tow kit (look for electric trailer brakes)? If so, it may have done lots of heavy hauling. Is there red dirt lurking beneath the bonnet or behind the rubber door seals? There’s a good chance it’s done lots of gravel touring, which can be tough on suspension. Are there battle scars underneath? It’s probably taken a battering over some challenging tracks.

Also be aware of modifications that may look rugged and adventurous. You may not need them on your Big Lap and they could be one more thing to fall off or have an issue with. And don’t be instantly lured by a car that’s had a whole bunch of accessories fitted. Any additional weight that’s been added in bull bars, roof racks and spot lights needs to be subtracted from how much you can carry in the cabin (the payload).

The ideal used 4WD would be one that until now has been relegated to kid duties in the suburbs with minimal modifications. There’s no shortage of them. But also be aware that now is not a great time to be looking at used 4WDs, mainly because demand is sky high, in part because people are struggling to get hold of new ones. Those high used car prices will be a relatively short-term problem, so if you can hold off six or 12 months you may find prices a lot more palatable. Enjoy the trip!

Question:

Answer: There’s a big difference between a rear-drive sports car and a front-drive hot hatch. Both will keep the smiles coming, but in different ways. First things first: there’s a clear practicality win to the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s got back doors as a start and will be far friendlier on the knee caps of the (grown-up) kids should they wish to experience your new toy from the back seat. The GTI will also win on outright grunt courtesy of its turbocharged four-cylinder engine that provides a far broader torque band and more power at the peak of its rev range.

But the 86 fights back from there. It’s got more engaging steering and that classic rear-drive layout that makes every corner that little more enjoyable. Feed the power on and the tail plays a much bigger role in the core handling equation. Sure, the 86 doesn’t have as much go, but it’s zippy enough and is loaded with character. While we’d be happy in either, for pure fun factor the Toyota inches ahead.

Oh, and make sure you’ve got the Subaru BRZ on your shopping list too. It’s identical to the 86 other than some minor design details and suspension tuning.

Question:

Answer: There are two issues with the type of petrol you put in your car. The first is its octane rating, which determines how much power the engine can make. A higher octane rating typically allows the car to pump a tiny bit more air in, in turn making for a slightly bigger bang. The car’s computer will monitor the fuel and subtly adjust the timing of the engine to accommodate whatever fuel is in the tank. Even everyday cars designed to run on regular unleaded will automatically make such changes, in turn incrementally improving efficiency if you’re running the more expensive brew.

In most instances, even high-performance cars designed to run on premium unleaded will easily adjust for a lesser brew, albeit with a tad less power.

But there’s another issue at play here: sulphur. In Australia, premium unleaded has a lower sulphur content. It’s not allowed to have more than 50 parts per million of sulphur in fuel. Regular unleaded, on the other hand, can have up to 150ppm. Sulphur won’t damage the engine, but too much of it can potentially damage emissions hardware, especially the petrol particulate filters (PPF) now being used on some new vehicles (mainly from Europe).

So, short story is if the car calls for PULP we’d be fuelling it with PULP to potentially alleviate longer term damage – and make for cleaner air for humans to breathe.

Question: In need of an eight-seater and have been looking at an earlier 200-Series Toyota LandCruiser or a Kia Carnival. Wondering which is best? – Graeme W

Answer: It really depends how you want to use it. If you’re planning on towing heavier things or going off-road then it’s a clear win to the Toyota LandCruiser. The Kia Carnival simply isn’t available with all-wheel drive, so won’t even help with getting you down a muddy track. The LandCruiser is also a tough machine that will allow you to explore some very challenging tracks along the way. Again, no dice in the Carnival. But…

If your goal is to carry people in comfort then the Carnival is streets ahead. It’s easier to get in and out of, especially for those accessing the third-row seats. The sliding side doors mean less chance of banging a wall or another car when over-excited kids want to exit swiftly. And the Carnival’s cavernous boot means you can carry eight people and a fair bit of luggage as well.

We’ll throw another one into the mix, too: the Hyundai Staria. Sure, it looks a bit spaceship futuristic, but it’s also pretty spacey inside. And while it’s more of a traditional van-based people-mover than the Carnival, it also comes with the option of all-wheel drive. So if you’re planning on going to the ski fields it could provide additional reassurance.

There are compromises elsewhere – the Hyundai is not as good to drive as the Kia, for example, as our recent comparison test shows – but is at least worth considering. The challenge could be finding a decent one on the used car market, because they only went on sale in 2021.

Oh, and if you’re keen on an eight-seat LandCruiser keep in mind it was only the GXL – with a basic level of equipment – that maintained the eight-seat capacity throughout the run of the 200 Series. Earlier versions of the VX and Sahara also had eight seats, but that stopped with an update in 2012. Also check out our used car buying guide on the LC200 here.

Question:

Answer: Diesel went through a big popularity boom in the 2010s, and while it’s still the powertrain of choice in the large SUV and ute categories, it’s a lot less popular in many other parts of the market. As for what will best suit you, it depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re predominantly driving around town or on shorter trips then a petrol almost always makes more sense. You don’t have to worry about diesel particulate filters (DPFs) clogging up and the price premium often attached to diesel-powered vehicles will keep more money in your pocket.

If you’re regularly on country roads or freeways or travelling big distances each year (more than, say, 25,000km annually) then a diesel can start to make more sense. It’ll use less fuel, so your refilling costs will be less. The effortless torquey nature of a turbo-diesel also makes for a terrific companion on the open road. Be aware, though, that some of the diesel fuel savings can also be cancelled when it comes time to service it. Replacing diesel injectors can be expensive, for example, albeit only required at major services.

For most people, then, a petrol will make more sense, but for those applications where drivers will leverage the diesel’s advantages it could be a better option. All of which will depend on how you plan to use it.

Question: BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC? I’ve looked at both and am confused as to which is best. I just want a nice SUV to occasionally take the grandkids in and I want maximum safety and comfort. – Sophia K

Answer: You’re not going to go splitting them on safety. Each has an assortment of the latest active and passive safety systems to ensure you’ll hopefully avoid that crash in the first place or at least emerge from it with minimal (or no) injuries.

Each also does a good job at keeping you comfort, although to varying degrees. Remember that both the X3 and GLC are designed to blast along an autobahn at up to 250km/h, so the suspension needs to be able to deal with that, which often means it’s slightly firmer than some may expect. Throw in the large low-profile tyres Aussies love the look of and it can be less than ideal on the second-rate roads Australia does so well (hey, there’s no shortage of potholes these days!).

Forced to choose, the X3 would edge ahead for its sweeter engines and better ride/handling blend. We’ll throw a left-fielder into the equation: the Volvo XC60. It’s a surprisingly good luxury five-seater with plenty of gear and some Scandinavian flair.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

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