Best Large Off-Road SUV
SUVs have become the default family wagon, so it’s easy to forget that some large four-wheel drives remain true to their heritage and are designed and engineered to be as accomplished off the road as on.
SUVs have become the go-to for families in Australia, and yet some buyers still want a large, high-riding wagon that’s equally at home in the bush or the outback as it is in the suburbs.
We know that not all large SUVs are created equal. Some are better suited to shopping centre car parks and school drop-off zones. This category is not for them.
Others remain true to the philosophy that gave rise to rugged off-roaders in the first place – a practical off-roader that is as adept at climbing a steep rock-strewn ascent or wading through a river as it is serving as the everyday family wagon.
This segment has changed over the years. Where once rugged off-roaders offered only rudimentary comfort, sacrificing interior niceties and practicality for a tough-as-nails exterior and ability off the beaten track, today they need to provide comfort and convenience around the streets of our cities.
It’s a duality that some do well, others less so. Our four finalists exemplify this duality better than most.
All four are based on their respective brands’ dual-cab ute counterparts. This should hardly come as a surprise as dual-cabs, once the sole domain of tradies, are increasingly pressed into service as capable adventure vehicles, blending high-riding four-wheel-drive capabilities with gutsy diesel drivetrains capable of swallowing up Australia’s rugged landscapes.
Our four finalists continue to sell in healthy numbers, proving there is an appetite among buyers for off-road-capable SUVs. Between them, the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner accounted for around 26 per cent of sales in the large SUV segment in 2021. That’s no mean feat in a class where buyers can choose from 23 models and even more variants from 15 manufacturers.
Separating the final four was no easy feat, and to best test their mettle, the judges did what families all over Australia do with their large SUVs – we went off-road for a week.
Winner: Ford Everest
- Gutsy 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel
- Equally at home on-road as it is off
- Interior comfort
- 10-speed auto is a little fumbly in urban environments
- Soon to be replaced by a new model
- Interior starting to date aesthetically
Ford’s evergreen Everest was the surprise over a week of testing that encompassed plenty of highway running, back road touring and off-road crawling. Despite being the oldest of the finalists, the Everest shone on the scrappy – and crappy – rural back roads that formed our test loop.
The Everest’s gutsy 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel proved more than adequate in all situations, offering a relaxed and comfortable, and importantly quiet time behind the wheel. The 10-speed conventional automatic proved its worth on the blacktop, allowing the diesel donk under the bonnet to lope effortlessly at speed.
The automatic transmission only started to feel a little scrappy in urban environments, but not enough to sway the judges from giving the nod to the Blue Oval’s player that shone against its rivals in all key areas.
Off-road, the Everest proved every bit as adept as its dual-cab ute Ranger sibling, remaining unflustered and capable no matter the challenges thrown at it. While others were arguably a smidgeon more capable off the beaten track, the Everest’s blend of decent off-road chops and excellent on-road manners tipped it in the judges’ favour.
As one judge said: “It feels like it is in another league after driving the others back-to-back. And to think it's the oldest car here. Incredible”.
Inside, the Everest does feel a little dated against newer rivals, but Ford has done enough in terms of technology to keep it contemporary and fresh. And with arguably better third-row comfort than its rivals, the Everest scores points too for its ability as an all-round family hauler.
Crucially, though, around town and highway dynamics are equally as important as off-road ability, and where other vehicles ask for compromise, the Everest provides a near-perfect blend of on- and off-road performance. That’s why it’s our Best Large Off-Road SUV for 2022.
Buying now? View new Ford Everest models in stock
Finalist: Isuzu MU-X
- Well-designed interior
- Hefty 3500kg towing capacity
- Decent off-road
- Not as accomplished on the road as it is off
- Engine not as refined as some in the class
- Jittery and fidgety ride on the blacktop
Isuzu’s wagon version of its popular (and 2021 and 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Dual-Cab Ute winner) D-Max should be near the top of the class in the off-road SUV segment. And there are plenty of things to like about Isuzu’s refreshed wagon.
It’s the most capable at hauling a caravan or trailer, its 3500kg towing capacity besting the field by 400kg. That’s a deal-maker for a lot of buyers in the segment, where towing a caravan and setting off for road trips have become ever more popular since the pandemic.
Under the bonnet, the MU-X is powered by Isuzu’s workhorse 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo diesel making 140kW and 450Nm. It’s the largest engine among the finalists, certainly in terms of displacement, but its outputs trail two of its three rivals in this category. Still, there’s enough potency down low from the big diesel to see why it’s such an accomplished tow vehicle.
Off-road proved its happy spot, the MU-X capable and willing to tackle rougher terrain with poise and purpose. Despite giving away power and torque to its rivals, the MU-X has enough grunt to overcome most obstacles. But, most of its rivals among the finalists have more on tap, and that means the MU-X has to work a little harder for its rewards.
Inside, the MU-X fares well in terms of cabin design and comfort, with arguably the most modern interior of the four finalists, no surprise really as it is the newest vehicle in the class. Second-row comfort is good, and while the third row can feel a little cramped, the MU-X’s cargo capacity, even with the third row in play, is decent.
Safety, too, is a plus, the MU-X carrying a comprehensive suite of technology, although as one judge noted, “ticks all the safety boxes, but some of the advanced driver aids are too assertive and need some technical finessing”.
On the road, the MU-X lacks some of the finesse of its rivals. The turbo diesel mated to a six-speed automatic transmission offers decent enough performance on the open road, the big 3.0-litre never feeling overly stressed at highway speeds, lazily chugging away with minimal effort. The six-speed auto is responsive and intuitive too.
Under wheel, the ride out on the open road is a little on the fidgety side. That’s partially down to the MU-X’s biggest drawcard – towing capacity – with Isuzu’s engineers having to strengthen the big SUV’s rear suspension to cope with the extra kilos. Without a load out the back, the MU-X can feel a little light and floaty, most felt on the highway and around the streets of our suburbs.
The Isuzu MU-X is a worthy finalist, with plenty to offer buyers in this segment. But when it came to all-round ability and refinement, the MU-X pulled up a fraction short of the winner. Still, for buyers who value towing ability above all else, the Isuzu MU-X should be near the top of the list.
Buying now? View new Isuzu MU-X models in stock
Finalist: Toyota Fortuner
- Gutsy diesel powertrain
- Good off-road ability
- Spacious second and third rows
- Inelegant third-row seating stowage solution
- On-road manners… It feels like a ute
- Feeling its age
Like the rest of the finalists in this category, the Toyota Fortuner shares its underpinnings with a dual-cab ute, in this case Toyota’s best-selling HiLux.
That’s a good base to start with, certainly in terms of off-road ability where the Fortuner proved more than capable, swallowing up rough terrain with ease.
Certainly, the 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel provided plenty of grunt, especially with peak torque available from a very usable 1600rpm. That meant the Fortuner was rarely left wanting crawling over rocks and mud or wading through creeks and rivers, aided by its standard-fit locking rear differential.
Out on the highway, the Fortuner works hard to disguise its ute origins. The 2.8-litre turbo diesel offers plenty of grunt and the six-speed auto remains intuitive and capable. But it misses out on some of the refinement expected of vehicles in this class and evident in some of its rivals.
Inside, the Fortuner’s cabin does its best to be family-friendly with seating for seven. A generous second row that can slide fore and aft for more space is complemented by two seats in the third row that are surprisingly spacious, even for adults. Those third-row seats stow away sideways, much like in LandCruisers of old, but doing so eats into available cargo space. They can be removed entirely, but it’s a cumbersome process.
The Fortuner remains a decent off-road-capable large SUV, but in this company it feels just a little outclassed. Like the rest of the combatants in this category, the Fortuner straddles the line between family hauler and off-road adventurer with some aplomb. But, as accomplished as it is off-road, it falls just a little short out on the open road.
Buying now? View new Toyota Fortuner models in stock
Finalist: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
- Nice interior
- Good value for money
- Decent array of off-road technology
- Third row is tight
- Lack of storage when third row in use
- It’s feeling its age
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is the most affordable of our finalists, making it a popular choice for buyers looking for a family hauler that can do some off-roading on weekends. And in that respect, the Pajero Sport delivers.
Despite its 2.4-litre turbo diesel being the least powerful of our four finalists, the Pajero Sport proved surprisingly adept at handling the rougher terrain the judges threw at it over our week of testing.
To aid its capability, the Pajero Sport is equipped with some off-road niceties via Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select II’ four-wheel-drive system, which gives drivers the option of not only two-wheel drive and traditional off-road 4x4 high- and low-range, but also a 4x4 setting tailored for on-road that leaves the centre diff unlocked. It’s ideal for gravel or wet roads, and also provides some added traction for towing, rated at 3100kg.
It adds up to a decent off-road package. But, as the least powerful (it packs 133kW and 430Nm under the bonnet) of our final quartet, the Pajero Sport works a little harder than its rivals out on the highway and through rural back roads. Its ride too could use some finessing to bring it into line with the class leaders.
The Pajero Sport does a good job of hiding its Mitsubishi Triton dual-cab ute origins, with a facelifted design both inside and out that’s pretty sweet. And thanks to its $47,490 entry point into the 4x4 range (before on-road costs at the time of testing), it’s the most affordable of our final four. That’s a big selling point for many buyers right there.
As one judge stated, “I actually love the look, and the price is attractive. But this test has demonstrated that it truly is starting to show its age”.
Still, for those wanting an affordable weekday family lugger with the knowledge that a weekend off-road adventure need not be off the cards, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes a decent case for itself.
Buying now? View new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport models in stock
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