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The most frustrating thing about buying a brand-new car is that you often need to wait a long time for it to arrive.
The new Prado is still a few months away from launch, and even longer for customer deliveries. So close, yet so far. If you can’t wait for the Prado, here are the best alternatives 👇
JUMP AHEAD
- Ford Everest
- Isuzu MU-X
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
- Toyota Fortuner
- Ssangyong Rexton
- GWM Tank 500
- Mahindra Scorpio Z8L
- Lexus GX
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Ford Everest
The Ford Everest was fresh on the market in late 2022 and, of the large five-door, three-row SUVs available, it is one of the best.
It offers a spacious and comfortable interior for up to seven, and the choice of two (2.0 4cyl or V6 diesels) smooth and refined powertrains. No wonder it won Wheels Car of the Year for 2023. Even though it shares much with the Ford Ranger ute, you'd almost never know – unlike the shared-platform models of other brands.
It is without a doubt the best ute-based SUV to drive, and you’re not sold short on safety (it has a five star ANCAP safety rating) or towing capability (3500kg braked capacity). Nothing really replaces Australian development for a vehicle, and here the Everest shines with much of its core engineering done here.
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Isuzu MU-X
When the second-generation Isuzu MU-X arrived in 2021, it was a big step up in safety, refinement, performance and features.
Like Everest, the MU-X is based on a ute, but this is an SUV that you’ll grow to like for its driver engagement and high degree of active and passive safety features. The bonus here is that the MU-X makes for a solid towing platform, with 3500kg (braked) capacity.
The MU-X’s powertrain, a 140kW/450Nm 3.0 diesel and six-speed auto, in 4x2 or 4x4 versions, provides a good spread of torque and acceptable power with good fuel economy.
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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
With the new Pajero Sport expected in 2025, you don’t have long to get in with this venerable current-gen Pajero Sport, which has been around in one form or another since 2015.
The Pajero Sport is big on value with its smooth 133kW/430Nm turbo-diesel running through an eight-speed auto and sophisticated 4WD system that gives you the benefit of a 4WD setting that can be used on dry, paved roads. If towing is important, note that Pajero Sport is one of few in this class that cannot tow 3500kg; its maximum capacity is 3100kg.
Despite its ANCAP safety rating expiring, the Pajero Sport is filled with most of the safety equipment you expect. While low on price compared to some, the Pajero Sport doesn't feel cheap – particularly the upper-tier Exceed and GSR models with their digital dash and leather seating.
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Toyota Fortuner
Like the Pajero Sport, the Toyota Fortuner is a bit of an older model, but it has been revised a few times since its 2015 arrival.
The Fortuner will continue on for a while longer, with an all-new model expected here in 2026. For now though, this is a seven-seater off-road SUV that’ll do the job with the ample Toyota network and resale values to underpin it. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, and the controls simple and easy to navigate.
The 3100kg/310kg (braked) towing limit is 400kg less than the best in class, but its 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre diesel makes light work of most driving duties and this is a comfortable highway cruiser and capable off-roader.
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SsangYong Rexton
An SUV that for years has sat in the shadow of more popular models, the Rexton now looks like very good buying compared with those established seven-seater SUVs, with a price starting at about $47K drive-away.
The model received a light makeover for MY24, with a new high resolution, 12.3-inch touch screen with improved functionality and clarity, new exterior colours and a new Adventure model.
A well-presented, feature-filled interior and up-to-date tech are the good points, as is the 3500kg towing capacity and the reasonably healthy (if a touch laggy) 148kW/441Nm 2.2-litre diesel tied to an excellent eight-speed auto. However, the SsangYong is a little harsh-riding and doesn’t quite offer the rewarding handling of the best in the class.
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GWM Tank 500
Competing with the LandCruiser 300 Series in terms of dimensions but at a significantly lower price, the GWM Tank 500 offers 100mm more length than the smaller Tank 300.
The three-row, seven-seater is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine hybrid powertrain that produces a combined 255kW and 642Nm with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km. The budget-friendly SUV is designed with a luxurious interior, boasting four sculpted bucket seats, leather upholstery, and stylish brushed-aluminium and woodgrain-look trims.
The Tank 500 is available in two grades: the Tank 500 Lux, which is $66,490 drive-away; and the Tank 500 Ultra, which is $73,990 drive-away.
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Mahindra Scorpio Z8L
At $44,990 drive-away, the Z8L six-seater gets a 12-speaker Sony sound system, a front camera, front parking sensors, a seven-inch driver’s display, a wireless phone charger, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Its 2.2-litre diesel engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, but with only 129kW and 400Nm it's not particularly powerful. In terms of size and rugged construction, the Scorpio is smaller than the Isuzu MU-X and Ford and is more comparable to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
However, it lacks essential safety features such as AEB, lane-keeping assist, and radar cruise control. It flunked its ANCAP safety test as a result, receiving zero stars.
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Lexus GX
The upscale Prado twin has already debuted in the Australia!
The GX550 comes equipped with a 260kW/650Nm 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 2.4-litre turbo-petrol hybrid option is slated to join the line-up at some stage in the future.
Like the Prado, the GX is built on Toyota’s latest TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. All GX variants feature full-time all-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case, and a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential.
The GX550 starts at $116,000 for the Luxury (seven-seater); and then bumps up to $122,250 for the Overtrail (five-seater) and $128,200 for the Sports Luxury (seven-seater).
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