Which are the best 4WD cars in Australia?

If you're looking for the best 4X4 cars in Australia, you can do research by reading reviews of various car models online. Websites like Drive, an independent review site, and CarsGuide, which offer both information and car sales, regularly test, review and rate the different cars in the market.

Each year you’ll find Drive Car of the Year, which is a review of all cars released into the Australian market that year and offer you the best of all the vehicles in different categories. In 2022 they picked the following models as the top large off-road SUVs in Australia: 

•  Ford Everest
•  Isuzu MU-X
•  Toyota Fortuner
•  Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 

If you're looking to buy an off-road ute, Drive Car of the Year selected Ford Ranger Raptor as the best off-road dual-cab ute. Followed by Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon.

CarsGuide also publishes a list of the best 4x4 and off-roading vehicles each year based on features like price, size, fuel efficiency, and performance. You can review this list to find a model that fits your budget and ticks all your requirements. Some of the 4WD car models they chose for 2022 include: 

•  Ford Everest
•  Ineos Grenadier
•  Jeep Grand Cherokee
•  Lexus LX
•  Nissan Pathfinder

Apart from checking lists like this, reviews and price comparisons, you should also look at the ANCAP Safety ratings of different 4WD car models. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program, or ANCAP, is a car safety assessment programme that crash-tests cars and rates them based on a range of safety and reliability factors. 

You can find the ANCAP Safety ratings for any of the 4x4 cars you shortlist on ANCAP's official site. While checking ANCAP Safety ratings, remember that the safest car is the one with not only the highest ANCAP rating but was also tested the most recently. ANCAP doesn’t test every car yearly so be sure to check when the vehicles you’re reviewing were last tested. ANCAP Safety rating criteria are also updated yearly even though the ratings remain valid for up to six years.

If you’re not sure what a four-wheel drive car is, they have a mechanical configuration called drivetrain, which distributes the engine's power to all four wheels. A standard car will also have a drivetrain; however, it will only send power from the engine to two wheels, either the front or back.

The four-wheel configuration of the drivetrain in a 4WD car increases the traction and control and makes the car suitable for driving in harsh conditions or on steep roads. However, unlike an all-wheel drive (AWD) that powers all four wheels at all times, a 4WD car generally includes a lever or a button you can push to engage all tyres when needed. It also has high and low traction settings to give you better control over different tracks.

The right car for you depends on multiple factors to do with where you live, how you plan to use the vehicle, your budget and more. If you're simply looking for a city ride, you may not even need a 4WD car. 

A standard two-wheel drive (2WD) is adequate to use to drive on the sealed roads of city driving. An all-wheel drive vehicle, which is often easier to drive than a 4WD, could also be a good choice for those that regularly drive on standard roads and under typical driving conditions. If you’re planning to make use of the off-road abilities of a 4WD, then doing the research to find the best 4WD car for your needs is the best option, even if you also live in the city or will typically drive on everyday roads.

If you’re not sure which type of car best suits your needs, you should also consider who will be using the car. For instance, you may consider a large SUV if you want a spacious family car that can be used easily to drop the kids at school, run errands, take kids to after-school activities and pack the family up for a holiday. They have plenty of space for passengers and storage in the boot for everything most modern families need. Or, if you’re a tradie looking for a rugged workhorse, you might want to consider some of the 4x4 utes in the market.

Irrespective of the type of car you select, the safety of a vehicle is a non-negotiable aspect that you want to check before purchasing. Checking the ANCAP safety ratings can help you narrow your search for a reliable and safe 4WD.

The final and sometimes most relevant factor is the price of the car. You need to consider multiple parts of the cost of the car. Besides the car's purchase price, you'll need to consider ongoing expenses, such as car insurance, fuel costs and maintenance. If you use your car for off-road adventures, it's likely to experience more wear and tear, adding to your maintenance costs. You'll also take into account if you’ll be using a loan to purchase the car and, therefore, will have a monthly repayment. 

Before you choose your car or even begin your search for the best 4WD cars in Australia, you might want to get an idea of your budget. You can check your monthly repayments and determine how much you can afford to spend before even starting the research.