The Toyota LandCruiser Prado has loved the standing of Australia’s best-selling massive SUV for a number of years now, nevertheless it’s going through some robust competitors.
The newer Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest are getting nearer and nearer to the Toyota within the gross sales race.
The Everest presents daring styling and arguably the slickest infotainment know-how within the phase, plus a selection of four-cylinder and V6 turbo-diesel engines.
Whereas each are more energizing than the venerable Prado, itself getting into a brand new technology subsequent yr, the Everest is narrowly the most recent having launched right here in 2022.
That additionally appears to have translated to longer wait occasions.
Our knowledge reveals you possibly can be taking a look at a wait of over six months to take supply of a brand new Everest, even because the Blue Oval has chartered a devoted ship to hold each Everests and Rangers to Australia. So, what do you do if you happen to don’t need to wait?
Anthony Crawford: GWM Tank 300
It’s a rattling disgrace the Ford Everest nonetheless has some prolonged wait occasions as a result of it actually is a superb trying little bit of equipment and succesful sufficient off the overwhelmed observe to get to some out-of-the-way secret surf spots up and down the coast.
Nonetheless, I could be ready to carry on for some time longer for the boxy new Hyundai Santa Fe. I’m totally offered on the styling, in and out.
However alas, if I’m determined for a family-friendly SUV with reputable off-road expertise, then I’m going with the GWM Tank 300 Extremely Hybrid. It’s a fantastic design and correctly succesful on the filth.
MORE: Purchase a GWM Tank 300
Scott Collie: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
This can be a robust one, as a result of the Ford Everest is a extremely good four-wheel drive. It’s the one I might purchase… however that isn’t the sport we’re enjoying right here.
Slightly than the Isuzu MU-X, which goals to tackle the Everest with an opulent inside and an identical price ticket, I’m going to look to the funds finish of the spectrum and go for a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
It’s getting lengthy within the tooth, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a rock strong household off-roader with the good thing about a four-wheel drive system that may function in 4H on sealed surfaces.
MORE: Purchase a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Jade Credentino: SsangYong Rexton
There are a lot of choices inside this phase so it’s very exhausting to select.
If I needed to determine based mostly on inventory availability I might select the top-spec SsangYong Rexton. It’s able to go off-road, it’s inexpensive, and has loads of house.
Nevertheless, if I used to be adamant about an Everest, I might maybe think about a Ranger or Amarok if I didn’t want the third row.
MORE: Purchase a SsangYong Rexton
Jack Fast: Subaru Outback
Not everybody wants a high-riding, ute-based SUV and that’s why I’d argue it is best to think about the Subaru Outback if you happen to don’t need to wait over six months for a Ford Everest.
Certain the Outback doesn’t have the choice of seven seats just like the Everest, however the 5 seats the Japanese-built high-riding wagon does have are supremely snug. There’s additionally oodles of house within the second row and the boot.
The Subaru Outback is an incredible freeway cruiser, although with the naturally aspirated engine it may really feel a bit underwhelming. That’s why I’d go for the XT’s 2.4-litre turbocharged engine and its zestier 183kW and 350Nm outputs.
MORE: Purchase a Subaru Outback
William Stopford: SsangYong Rexton or Hyundai Palisade
The Everest is maybe my favorite of the body-on-frame SUVs, however there are another compelling choices.
The Isuzu MU-X impresses with its torquey engine, however I don’t take care of its absence of a full-time four-wheel drive mode. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport does have one plus a cheaper price, however in any other case isn’t notably inspiring.
If it’s important to have a body-on-frame off-roader with 3500kg braked towing capability, the oft-forgotten SsangYong Rexton is a compelling providing regardless of a latest value enhance. It might lack full-time 4WD and adaptive cruise management, nevertheless it has a luxurious inside and nonetheless undercuts the institution choices.
In the event you don’t must tow that a lot, nevertheless, and in case your concept of off-roading is the occasional lengthy gravel driveway, I might steer you in direction of a Hyundai Palisade.
With probably the most snug, neatly appointed interiors at this value level and a thrifty turbo-diesel engine, to not point out daring beauty, it’s a fascinating three-row household SUV.
MORE: Purchase a SsangYong Rexton
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Palisade
James Wong: Isuzu MU-X
Just like the ute phase, my second-best different to Ford’s benchmark product is the Isuzu equal.
Whereas not fairly nearly as good because the Everest, the MU-X places in a strong exhibiting by way of driving efficiency and refinement, along with functionality and obtainable applied sciences.
It’s additionally extra inexpensive to purchase, with a mid- or high-spec MU-X coming in for comparable cash to a low- to mid-spec Everest relying on configuration. Plus, you may have Isuzu’s status for reliability and dependability.
Do you have to not want 4×4 functionality or a towing capability of over 3.0 tonnes, particular mentions to the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, which supply comparable ranges of house and luxury however are extra plush to drive.
MORE: Purchase an Isuzu MU-X
