2022 4X4 Of The Year: Introduction

In keeping with the tumultuous times of the past few years and the difficulties that it has created for the new-car industry around the world, we’ve given the awards, now in their 38th year, a shake up to reflect the times.

Whereas in the past few decades 4X4 Australia has given its highest accolade to just one model each year, for 2022 we branched out to introduce two awards, reflective of the diversity of the new 4x4 market in the 21st century. 4x4 of the Year will now be awarded to two vehicles, one for utes and one for wagons.

For those interested, the first 4X4OTY winners back in 1984 both came from the Mitsubishi showroom, with the 4x4 L300 Express taking the gong for sub $15K and the Pajero getting the plus $15K award.

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Also new in 2022 is the fact that the vehicles no longer need to have been launched or updated in the last 12 months. We’ve opened it up to all those new vehicles, plus significant other 4x4 models that are still on the market.

By significant, we mean sales leaders, previous 4X4OTY winners, winners of our comparison tests throughout the year, or just models we feel are at the pointy end of their respective categories.

Something that hasn’t changed is the criteria that we score the vehicles against.

They have been developed over the decades to create an even playing field for all the vehicles selected, and after the week of testing our assessors score the vehicle out of 10 points in each of the criteria. This gives each vehicle a score out of 50 from each assessor, and these are added up to find the two winners.

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Judging criteria

VALUE FOR MONEY
Judged according to a vehicle’s equipment level, safety features and price relative to its direct competitors. Just because a vehicle has a high price doesn’t mean it’s not good value, in the same way a cheap car doesn’t always represent good bang for your buck ...

BREAKING NEW GROUND
Refers to advancements in technology and design. How a vehicle has raised the bar in the class it fits in and taken 4x4s to a higher level. If a vehicle has the latest safety features, worthy engine technology or an advanced driveline, it will score well here.

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BUILT TOUGH
Refers to how strong a vehicle is and how well it will cope with the rigours of tough off-road driving environments.
Will it be up to the task of carrying loads and outback travel, or fall apart at the first hurdle?

BUSHABILITY
How well a vehicle is equipped for off-road travel. Suitability of the standard tyres for rough roads, touring range, available accessories and underbody protection are just some of the factors considered here. Is this a vehicle you would choose to drive around Australia the rough way, or is it best left to the suburbs?

DOING THE JOB
Judged according to a vehicle’s design brief. Does a luxury vehicle have all the latest in comfort and convenience features and do they work in the real world? How well a ute carries a load, or a seven-seater accommodates a family will all come in to play here.

Contenders

We've split the 4X4OTY award into two categories for 2022, with top honours now going to the Best Wagon and the Best Ute.

WAGONS

MERCEDES-BENZ G400D

The G400D is the most expensive four-wheel drive on this test, so it will be interesting to see if it’s actually the best performer. You just have to close the doors on the G400D to know this is a quality vehicle; they have that satisfying thud of an old Merc.

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With triple locking diffs the G400D could very well be the perfect mix of on-road comfort and off-road ability … you’d really hate to scratch it though, considering the price tag. At the end of the day, it was the price tag that eliminated the G400d from our finalists.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY P360

With 265kW of power available, this turbo petrol-powered six-cylinder Discovery looks to be a fun yet practical off-road wagon. Being a newish Land Rover product, the interior quality and design is first class, as you’d expect, making this a luxurious and capable family wagon with a bit more wow factor than some other offerings on test.

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The question is, can it outperform the new Land Rover Defender when the going gets tough? And is it worth the $130,149 price tag when the Defender comes in nearly $10,000 cheaper as tested? Our team thought it was not, and it was eliminated for its low-profile tyres and lack of off-road touring equipment.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER D300

The Defender would have to be one of the most polarising 4WD releases in recent years. It’s no longer a Defender in the traditional sense, it’s a modern and extremely technical 4WD that can no longer be fixed with a hammer and a screwdriver.

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As tested, this D300 Defender was loaded up with factory accessories, bringing the price point to over $120,000, so it’s certainly not a cheap vehicle. With a plush interior full of off-road-friendly practicalities, modern tech and safety features, can this new-found on- and off-road capability secure the D300 Defender a place on the podium? The judges liked it and voted it into the Top 6.

LANDCRUISER 300 VX

The VX 300 Series LandCruiser is bound to be one of the most popular models in the new LC range, coming in much cheaper than the Sahara, but it is still well-appointed. It’s also safe to say, the 300 Series is one of, if not the, most popular four-wheel drives available in Australia at the moment … if you can get your hands on one, that is.

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With its 3500kg tow capacity, 700Nm of torque and a 10-speed automatic gearbox, the VX 300 Series has plenty to offer as a tow rig or family off-roader. We’re particularly interested to see how it performs over our gruelling test loop, and if it is as solid in the outback as the ever-popular 200 Series it replaces.

NISSAN PATROL TI-L

It’s big, it’s wide and it has a screaming V8 petrol motor that produces great power. It’s also getting a bit long in the tooth having been with us since 2013, however recent revisions have kept the big Patrol alive, and popular thanks to keen pricing. The Y62 has also proven to be popular with off-road enthusiasts, despite the lack of a diesel powerplant and solid axles.

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Will petrol power reign supreme on this test, and will the older Y62 keep up with the newer players in the field? That’s what we’re here to find out. One thing is for sure, we’ll have plenty of fun trying to answer that question. Straight to the Top 6 for the Nissan!

MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT EXCEED

The Pajero Sport is popular with families wanting a seven-seater that won’t break the bank. Thanks to the clever Super Select II 4WD system, rear diff lock and three off-road modes, there’s plenty of potential as an off-road tourer as well. For this test we’ve selected the higher spec Exceed Pajero Sport, which has niceties like leather seats.

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However, if you’re looking for a bargain, and don’t need seven seats, park yourself in a Pajero Sport GLX from just over $48,000. Now that’s dirt cheap, considering the 10-year warranty. We’re looking to see if the nicer interior and extra seating make the Pajero Sport Exceed the 4X4 Wagon you should buy ... maybe if you’re not going off-road.

TOYOTA PRADO VX

Toyota’s Prado has always been a hit with Australian families, combining comfort, reliability and off-road ability in one package. Thanks to its recent update, the Prado now makes a decent amount of torque too, with a claimed 500Nm available which seems to be the sweet spot for off-road power figures.

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Inside this VX spec Prado, the interior is practical as well as luxurious, as you’d expect from an upper-spec model. You are definitely paying for that luxury though, with a price tag well over $80,000. The competition in this segment has never been tighter , so is the Prado still the family seven-seat 4x4 wagon to beat?

ISUZU MU-X LS-U

This is quite literally a new Isuzu MU-X, redesigned from the ground up from its predecessor. Featuring similar running gear as the current D-MAX, it goes a step further by offering a rear diff lock (as does the new D-MAX range), Rough Terrain mode for improved off-road traction control calibration, and seven seats to lug a growing family around in a more premium interior.

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Price hikes on the entire 2022 Isuzu MU-X range mean that you are paying for these upgrades though, the MU-X is no longer a simple and affordable 4WD as it once was. In saying that, these upgrades are certainly a welcome addition, bringing the Isuzu MU-X closer to the competitors in this space.

SSANGYONG REXTON ELX

With seven seats, a 3500kg towing capacity and premium-looking interior, this Rexton has plenty to offer Aussie families on paper. Just like its ute counterpart, the Musso, Ssangyong’s Rexton also has one of the best warranties in the business coming in at seven years. We’re interested to see how it copes when the going gets rough, though; limited ground clearance and suspension travel will be the biggest limitations for the Rexton off-road.

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If you are looking for a family wagon to drive daily then take camping, fishing or through dirt-road trails on the weekend, the Rexton certainly is an affordable option to consider. It was the lack of suspension travel and slow-to-react ETC that stopped the Rexton on the hill and eliminated it from 4x4OTY contention.

FORD EVEREST TITANIUM

Ford’s Everest has proven to be a vehicle with solid road handling, as well as offering family practicalities for day-to-day duties. Thanks to extensive development in Australia by Ford engineers, the Everest really has been designed and built for Australian conditions, and that shows.

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It’s also no slouch when the going gets rough on proper off-road terrain, even though this Titanium spec is rolling on 20-inch wheels. Coming in at close to $79,000 though, it needs to be brilliant to outdo the competition. It was let down by its inability to make our hill climb, which surprised and disappointed our team.

UTES

CHEVROLET SILVERADO LTZ

There aren’t many vehicles around that do what the Chevy Silverado LTZ can do. It’s not only a luxury vehicle with a premium interior, it’s a full-sized ute that can tow huge amounts of weight without even flinching. There’s a 6.2L petrol V8 matched to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which produces more than enough grunt for work or play and sounds amazing in the process.

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It’s also a massive four-wheel drive physically, which is something you do get used to out on the open road. Is it simply too big and low for Australian off-road conditions though? The Chevy’s performance on dirt roads and low ride height cut it from the list.

JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON

If off-road capability, the ability to further customise a vehicle and the fact you need a ute are some of your new-vehicle purchase priorities, it’s hard to ignore the Gladiator Rubicon as a solid option. Front and rear diff locks, mud-terrain tyres and a removable roof from the factory make this the most unique vehicle on test.

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Now fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the 3.6L V6 petrol motor doesn’t have to work as hard, saving fuel in the process. While it is clearly focused on being a competent off-roader, the extra wheelbase makes the Gladiator handle better than any Wrangler ever made. The big Jeep’s low ride height and cost eliminated it from our final testing.

TOYOTA HILUX SR5

The Hilux took out top spot at last year’s 4X4OTY award, and for good reason. We said it then, this Hilux is the best Toyota has produced. It now makes good power, the off-road ability is right up there, and it’s a proven platform for work or play.

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Speaking of off-road capability, Toyota has a proven reputation for having a ripper traction-control system, and when combined with the rear suspension travel will get you most places you’d ever want to go. Getting your hands on one is the hard part at the moment, they’re still selling like hotcakes. So, while it’s proven to be a good thing and has been recently refined for more power in all settings, is Hilux starting to show its age?

FORD RANGER XLT

The Ford Ranger won last year’s 4x4 ute Mega Test, striking a balance between good off-road ability and excellent ride comfort on road. Despite being one of the oldest platforms on the market still for sale, the Aussie-engineered Ford Ranger still just plain works in the harsh Australian conditions.

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We tested the bi-turbo diesel powered Ranger with the 10-speed automatic gearbox this time around, which would have to be the more popular driveline package currently offered in the Ford Ranger stable. With an all-new model Ranger looming in the distant future, does this current model Aussie-engineered ute still stand towards the front of the pack, or should you hold off for the new Ranger when it arrives?

FORD RANGER RAPTOR

There's not much else like the Ranger Raptor on the Aussie car market, a fun utility loaded with premium Fox off-road suspension and BFG all-terrain off-road rubber from the factory. With its sporty interior design, it’s basically begging to be driven hard and fast over rough terrain.

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It is wider than a normal Ranger, and also has a lower 2500kg towing capacity which is a negative for off-road tourers. If that doesn’t bother you and you want an enjoyable vehicle that is still mostly practical as a ute for work or play, the Raptor is definitely worth consideration. In saying that, can this fun factor alone be enough to net the Raptor a win? Not this time around.

NISSAN NAVARA PRO-4X WARRIOR

The PRO-4X Warrior is unique in the dual-cab market, and one we were keen to take a closer look at. With 40mm of extra ground clearance, 30mm wider track compared to a stock Navara, and factory fitted 4x4 accessories thanks to the team at Premcar, the PRO-4X Warrior has off-road credentials by the truck load.

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This is basically a 4WD modified enough to take nearly anywhere in Australia safely and comfortably. The Navara is an ageing platform, but has been constantly evolving throughout its production cycle. The team thought the Warrior was a good vehicle, but the way it struggled on our hill climb discounted it from the Final 6.

VW AMAROK W580

Another platform that is showing its age. It might be getting on in years, but new life has been breathed into the Amarok 580 thanks to this collaboration with Walkinshaw Performance to bring you the W580. The performance from that V6 turbo-diesel is still leading the pack, producing up to 580Nm of torque when required.

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It’s not just the performance of the engine that shines, though; the Amarok handles corrugated roads and bitumen like a dream thanks to an excellent chassis and suspension package. As the only V6 ute the Amarok is a great performer, but the judges thought it too pricey for its age and equipment.

ISUZU D-MAX LS-U

Isuzu has built a reputation for reliability thanks largely to its 3.0L turbo-diesel engine, something that has proven popular with everyone from tradies to grey nomads. It now has the off-road credentials to keep up with the competition, thanks to a factory fitted rear diff lock, something the D-MAX was absolutely begging for.

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You also see a more modern interior as well as exterior restyling, which really brings the Isuzu into the modern age. It’s also safer than ever with a massive list of inbuilt technology, yet sadly more expensive than ever, stepping away from the more basic and cheaper model D-MAX this current unit replaces. It was this price hike and a poor showing on the hill climb that cut the D-Max from contention.