Dex said, “The Ranger was by far a better platform to drive over just about every terrain than the Hilux. It rode better, it braked better, it had better gearing, the seats were comfier – it’s number one in sales for a reason, folks.”
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2022 4x4 of the year：winnersBest 4x4 Ute: Ford Ranger XLTThe mid-size four-door, 4x4 ute market is one of the biggest in Australia these days, so it deserves a class of its own at 4X4OTY. There was a time in the past where 4X4 Australia used to do separate events and awards for utes and wagons, but that was because the utes lacked the tractive and safety technologies of the 4x4 wagons and it was almost impossible for them to compete on the same tracks. As utes became more popular with recreational users and family buyers, auto manufacturers started equipping them with all the same tech the other vehicles got – and now they are on par with each other. They have become so popular they dominate the 4x4 sales landscape and warrant a class of their own. They say the cream rises to the top and it was no surprise that the two biggest-selling 4x4 utes – by a long shot – also led the charge when our drivers selected the two finalists in the category. What was surprising was that the ‘tuned’ utes – the Ranger Raptor, Navara Warrior and Amarok W580 – were looked over in favour of the more affordable offerings from the middle of the range. As such, it was last year’s overall 4X4OTY winner the Hilux SR5 up against the Ranger XLT, and of them the Ford proved the winner. In fact, the Ranger XLT was the highest scoring finalist vehicle overall and the Hilux was the lowest, so it was pretty much a unanimous decision; all our drivers scored the Ranger higher than the Hilux. From the moment the drivers hit the tracks at the AARC, it was obvious the Ranger was impressive. Comments referring to how well it handled the corrugated Second Class Road and how well it rode for an unladen ute over such a road were common, as was the feeling that the cars were engineered and set-up for Australian road conditions. Ron echoed those comments, saying, “The Ford Ranger is superior to all others in this category, climbing to the top of the ute pile for 2022.” While Evan said, “The Ranger is more comfortable on- and off-road than the Hilux, used similar amounts of fuel, and was capable off-road.” I really felt the Australian engineering and input that went in to the T6 platform under both the Ranger and Everest as I drove them around the tracks at the AARC, and it’s no wonder the Raptor drives so well when this is the platform it is based on. The Ranger backed up those impressions as we left the coast and headed up in to the desert country and it tackled the sand hills with relative ease, the bumpy tracks in comfort and was simple and easy to drive on open roads. As it displayed on the rutted hill climb at AARC, the importance of keeping the ETC active across the front axle when the rear diff lock is engaged, again showed its worth on the sand dunes and the rocky mountain climbs in the Barrier Ranges. The Hilux’s ETC calibration might be close to the best, but with the diff lock in and once it lifts a front wheel, you’re basically relying on the rear axle alone for drive. The Ford system is how it should work. It’s interesting to think that the Ranger is one of the oldest platforms in the ute segment, having first appeared under the PX Ranger in 2011. It has evolved over the ensuing years to what it is now, and the exciting thing for ute buyers (and scary for Ford’s competitors) is that there’s an almost all-new Ranger just around the corner, arriving mid year on the next-generation of T6 and with a V6 engine in its arsenal. It promises to be hard to beat! FINAL SCORES Ford Ranger XLT: 223 Toyota Hilux SR5: 210 Best 4x4 Wagon: Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series VXThe range of 4x4 wagons we had on test was so large and diverse we had to split them in to groups either side of the $100,000 price point before testing. Then after test drives at the AARC, we whittled them down to four vehicles as finalists, again trying to include both sides of the $100K divide. We ended up with the Toyota Prado VX, Nissan Patrol Ti-L, Land Rover Defender D300 and the Toyota LandCruiser VX. The fact the Prado was the lowest scoring vehicle of this quartet speaks volumes for the quality of the group, as it impressed us all with its performance as the week went on. The Prado’s way of getting on with whatever you throw at it without fuss or fanfare, with ease and a can-do confidence, drew surprising remarks from those who didn’t think it could be so good. But the competition was newer and better. The Defender 110 D300 was a favourite for a few of the drivers from the outset – and in the final scoring. It covered any and all obstacles easier than any of the 18 cars we started with, and it does so with an air of luxury and grace that no other could match. However, it was let down by its lack of available touring equipment, 20-inch wheels and tyres, and perceived complexity, which concerned some as to how well it would stand up to extended touring. Thus, it didn’t score well in bushability and fell behind. If there was a fun-factor element to the judging criteria, then Nissan’s Patrol would have scored on top. The V8 engine is a hoot to drive, the suspension does a mind-blowing job of mastering both on- and off-road conditions, and its space and comfort both received positive comments. However, its fuel use relative to the diesel vehicles was a concern for our experienced long-haul drivers, and the way the electronics appeared to derate the engine to protect the powertrain under some tricky situations was also worrying. That left us with the LandCruiser VX which, in typical Toyota fashion, didn’t do anything outstandingly, but never put a foot wrong, never hesitated to get on with the job and didn’t give us anything to be concerned about. “It’s very comfortable on outback dirt roads and capable on the sand dunes,” said Evan of the Cruiser. “It’s built for Aussie conditions.” Ron had a similar opinion, saying, “The all-new Cruiser exhibits great NVH, a responsive engine, a slick gearbox and a suspension that gives a fabulous ride over all sorts of terrain.” And from Dex, “It’s just so suited to touring the Aussie bush, which is probably the big reason it beat the Defender. It’s got plenty of power and torque for whatever you want to do with it, and surprisingly good fuel economy.” While our drivers all liked the 300 and the way it tackled the conditions, we were split evenly with three of us scoring the Defender higher than the Cruiser when looking at the over $100,000 vehicles. The tally of its scores put it atop the wagon offering, just two points ahead of the Patrol but one shy of the Ranger ute. The 300 Series LandCruiser might be all-new, but it is an evolution of the 200 and all the generations before it. Seventy years of experience and development have chiselled and shaped the Cruiser to what it is now, and that heritage shows in the way the 300 handles whatever you point it at. Toyota knows the recipe for success here and it didn’t stray too far from what has worked before, simply refining and improving it just enough to create an industry leader for another generation of off-roaders. There were a few criticisms of the LandCruiser, with most thinking it is very expensive but justified that against its ability on all terrains. Some noted the way the lightweight aluminium bonnet vibrates as you drive along; visible from the driver’s seat but not hear or feel it, so it’s only a visual thing and doesn’t detract from the car’s refinement to driving experience. It’s nitpicking and if that’s the worst we could throw at the Toyota, then it’s obviously a good thing and a deserving winner of the 4X4 Wagon of 2022. FINAL SCORES Toyota LandCruiser 300 VX: 222 Land Rover Defender D300: 216 Nissan Patrol Ti-L: 214 Toyota LandCruiser Prado: 214 Source from:https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/4x4oty/2022-4x4-of-the-year-winners |
