Your Questions Answered: Which 4WD should I buy?

I am super keen to get a look at the Chery Stockman because by the time it arrives my HiLux will be due for replacement. I was very inspired by the 3.5T BYD Shark 6, however no one can confirm if this model will come with a cab-chassis version in the Performance grade.

Are you able to ask your sources at Chery if the Stockman will come directly as a cab-chassis version, as mine will be a service body fitment? – John

Answer: Hi John, the BYD Shark 6 Performance will come in cab-chassis form later this year, as we reported here.

As for the availability of a Chery Stockman dual-cab cab-chassis, it has been on the rumour mill for local release, but the Stockman hasn’t even arrived in ute-with-tray form yet. Officially, the word from Chery Australia this week is that, while the Stockman dual-cab ute is due to be released late this year or early 2027, a cab-chassis version has “not been confirmed yet”.

I was wondering if you could give an expert opinion on the best second-hand buy out of these three following 4WDs: Lexus GX 550 Overtrail, Land Rover Defender 110 D300 and Prado Altitude.

I’m interested in just-used 2023 to 2026 models (I won’t buy a brand-new one) and my budget goes up to approximately $120K–$130K tops.

Usage will be roughly 90 per cent sealed roads, five per cent gravel and five per cent beach driving. Nothing too extreme off-road. I will do a few long road trips and eventually maybe a trip from Northern NSW up the east coast to FNQ and Darwin, but again, nothing extreme.

I like the look and interior of the Defender, but I've read so much about electrical and mechanical issues that it’s a consideration. Toyota, aka Lexus, reliability is pretty good, as is dealer access for parts. I’m currently driving a 2019 LandCruiser 200 Series VX and it’s time for an upgrade, plus a few more mod cons and some extra comfort.

Thanks for your help, and keep up the great work. I love your YouTube channel and social media stuff. – Garry

Answer: Hey Garry, it’s a nice bunch of vehicle alternatives you have here, and I can see why it might be a dilemma to choose one.

Firstly, the money and availability question. With your $130K maximum budget, you could easily afford a new Prado or base-grade Defender 110 (from $100,900 plus ORCs) if you wanted to.

However, your max budget will only get you a used or demo GX 550 Overtrail, probably a 2024 or 2025 model, albeit with low kilometres. The GX 550 is nearly two years on from its release but continues to be in high demand, with a waitlist of at least six months (and I know of someone who is about to take delivery after waiting a year).

The Land Rover Defender's assets include its better on-road dynamics and ride, superior performance and better-packaged interior over the Lexus and Toyota. The Defender’s diesel six has better fuel economy with similar performance if compared to the petrol Lexus, and is a superior performer to the Toyota diesel four-cylinder. On this basis, it would seem like a shoo-in as the better choice.

Yes, there is a ‘but’ coming…

But as an ownership proposition, in terms of resale value, reliability, parts costs and availability, it would have to be the Toyota, closely followed by the Lexus. I’m assuming you live in Northern NSW, where it might not be as easy to get to a Land Rover dealer, and servicing for the Defender will be higher than for the Japanese 4WDs.

These Toyota-versus-Land Rover attributes have played out in a similar way ever since I started as a 4WD journalist 32 years ago. The Land Rover products (okay, maybe excluding the previous 1993-on Defender 110) always seemed to present a stronger argument through more advanced engineering, dynamics and packaging, but Toyota has always shone through with a generally better reliability record, better resale values and cheaper running costs.

It’s your call, but if you intend not to keep the vehicle much beyond the remaining warranty period, then the Land Rover might be worth a try for its more enjoyable driving experience (but, as you mention, it comes with more risk in terms of reliability). If it’s a longer-term ownership proposition, I think the Prado would work out to be the best choice.

Hi there! Just want to know if the Jaecoo J5 hybrid does come with a white leather interior like the EV model, please! – Rafael

Answer: Hello Rafael, as you probably know, when the Jaecoo J5 Summit EV arrived on the Australian market last December, it was available only with the white interior. Then, in subsequent months, a black interior choice was introduced for the J5 EV.

The EV still offers buyers either a white or black interior colour at no cost. However, the hybrid (and petrol) J5 models are available only with a black interior and this, according to Jaecoo, is because of market demand. In other words, most buyers want the black interior.

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