Indholdsfortegnelse for Annual 2025 i NZ4WD

It’s the very definition of a cult 4WD. Suzuki’s mighty Jimny is a firm favourite among all who own it. The launch of the five-door version at the start of 2024 basically doubled the Jimny’s market appeal and its buyer audience. Five doors, decent cargo space and no dilution of the Jimny’s rugged charm – a winner all the way. Driving the Jimny is an experience like nothing offered by any other 4WD on the New Zealand market. Its superb approach and departure angles and its light weight enable ‘the five’ to tackle and defeat gnarly bog holes uphills and descents far beyond what others might manage, and it retains the three-door’s ‘wheel at each corner’ format that makes driving – and parking -in town a breeze. It’s not an…

The Ranger story, of course, starts in America. The Ford Ranger was first introduced in 1983, with a straightforward design with impressive performance. Ford provided two types of cabs, regular and extended, and two drive options, rear and four. All models came with a 2-litre four-cylinder, a 2.3-litre four-cylinder, or a 2.8-litre V6 engine. Slightly larger than the Courier, the first-generation Ranger was approximately 460mm shorter and 1279mm narrower than an equivalently configured F-100/F-150. Those first Rangers had a starting price of USD$6,200. Before that, there was the Courier, based on Mazda’s B1800 and a pretty basic offering. The Courier launched way back in 1972. For the next decade, the Ford Courier was manufactured alongside the Mazda B-Series in Hiroshima, Japan. To avoid America’s 25 percent ‘Chicken Tax’ on imported…

When we first drove the new Triton, it impressed for its tech, spec and engineering, particularly for the latest versions of the 2.4-litre biturbo diesel engine and 4WD system. The stock wheels and tyres were surprisingly capable, though not aggressive. In the dual test against an XLT Ranger, there were questions about the Triton’s ability to do everything the Ranger could, simply due to the tyres’ lack of grip in muddy going. So the accessorised Triton’s whopping great Nexens, mounted on DTM alloys, were of immediate interest. Did they do the job out around Whaanga Coast and on the tarmac roads to and from? Absolutely. For me, this was the single most effective upgrade in all the gear Fully Equipped added to the vehicle. Road noise, treadblock thrum? Not especially.…

For vehicle users who demand versatility, Fully Equipped is an aftermarket accessory supplier offering a diverse range of worldclass accessories and a professional service. Founded and still based in New Zealand, Fully Equipped has become one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket accessories to suit 4WD fleets, trade operators, off-road enthusiasts and the around town driver. The company has established itself as a leading supplier of aftermarket automotive accessories for utes and 4WDs in New Zealand and around the world. With more than 30 years of experience, the company has earned a reputation for its flagship products, including the renowned Crown canopies and Tuf Dek liner. These products are meticulously designed to withstand New Zealand’s diverse and often harsh conditions. This longstanding presence in the industry underscores the…

Fifty-five years is a long time to have been facing the challenge of designing, manufacturing, exporting, and improving on automotive spare parts, but Terrain Tamer has been doing just that since the company’s beginnings in 1969. In the company’s early years, Managing Director Frank Hutchinson recognised the need for strong, durable parts when he met tour operator Bill King, who pioneered tour groups through the outback in the 1970s with Bill King’s Northern Safaris, and eventually formed what is today known as AAT Kings. If King ever experienced breakages and needed a service or replacement parts – and he did with most trips through Australia’s harsh and unforgiving outback – he would come straight to Terrain Tamer. From there, Terrain Tamer’s journey began – not only supplying standard replacement parts,…

Owners of Toyota’s popular N80 (2015 – onwards) Hilux 4WD can now enjoy significantly improved braking performance, thanks to Bendix’s new Ultimate 4WD electric park brake (EPB) with drum-to-disc conversion kit. A key feature of the upgrade is the ‘auto-on’ capability of the EPB, which allows the park brake to be configured to actuate under certain operating situations including when any cabin door is open (with speed below 10 km/h), when the vehicle is placed in ‘park’ or when the engine is turned off. This functionality adds an extra layer of safety and convenience for the driver. The EPB can of course also be manually engaged by using the neat OE-style cabin switch. Additionally, the unit features a ‘service mode’ to wind back the EPB to allow for brake pad…

Great scenery, great company, great yarns. South Island Tours offers this and more on its small group off-road tours. The company started 32 years ago, offering specially developed tours for 4WDers. Expanding over the decades, the company now offers a wide range of tour experiences that include opportunities to travel over private farm properties that would not otherwise be accessible for 4WDing. Using tracks on private farms, South Island Tours provides 4WDers with the unique opportunity to stay on farms and share a meal and plenty of yarns with the family. Drive tracks in country that is not available to the public and enjoy views from mountain tops where few people have been. In recent years the company has added another 4WD option to Central Otago, starting from Tekapo with…

Right after the Ineos Quartermaster launch, my Melbourne-based daughter Caitlin was able to join me in Adelaide for a two-day drive back along the coast road. We hired a Subaru Crosstrek for the trip – an SUV’s a great way to tour through rural South Australia. Cruising out of Adelaide toward the coast, we passed massive windfarm developments making power from the consistent breeze blowing in from the sea. Soon we saw and heard motorsport – in the middle of nowhere, Tailem Bend rocked to the roar of big V8 engines. Had to stop for a look. Lots of young Aussies in denim miniskirts, jeans, singlets and mullets. We continued parallel with the coast to a town called Keith, whose proud monument is a Series 1 Land Rover hoisted up…

The Simpson is one of Australia’s most pure – and challenging – outback 4WD experiences left in Australia and is a bucket list adventure for Kiwis and Aussies. Gary Cooper did it solo with his wife. They hired a Toyota Land Cruiser, bought a rooftop tent and a full set of supplies – food, water, fuel containers, emergency communications gear and more – and set off. Even an ambitious drive like this is simple – if it’s done right. “We had everything booked to take on this epic adventure just before Covid, thus our plans need to flex but we finally were able to embark on this adventure last October.” The Simpson Desert is a long way from anywhere even in Australia. It is approximately 1,200km from Adelaide and straddles…

It’s getting more and more difficult to pick winners. The standards set by manufacturers keep getting reset in technology, safety, driving dynamics and ergonomics. Every year, NZ4WD celebrates the very best in new 4WD utes and SUVs, and every year the auto industry has brought some incredible new products to market. Choosing ‘best in breed’ becomes a matter of degrees, small differences mark a category winner out from a throng of rivals. Advances made in recent years by automotive brands have transformed the ute and SUV markets and delivered sophistication unheralded in such products. Comfort, safety and fuel efficiency improvements previously only seen in the car market are now expected of every new 4WD. In many cases, these advances arrive in the throngs of new SUVs and then move across…

The 2024 version of the ‘Disco Sport’ is a revelation. We’ve driven previous versions, and driven regular Discoveries back to the first edition, but this year’s offering is a big step forward, updated with a more modern luxury interior, latest tech and added functionality. It also stays true to its 10-year heritage. The Sport was first shown to the public in 2014 and arrived in 2015 as Land Rover’s replacement for the Freelander. The SUV category was white hot: more than 30 percent of new car sales were in this category. Discovery Sport, sharing its mechanicals with the Range Rover Evoque, was the first of a new family of Land Rover SUVs. The Disco Sport had decent body underguards, decent approach and departure angles, a wading depth of 600mm and…

We have put the new Mitsubishi Triton up against the mighty Ford Ranger in our annual ute vs ute shootout. We’ve put the VW Amarok up against the Ranger. Dual drive tests are interesting, giving the chance to identify the relative strengths of two top contenders in typical ute use. This time, the Ranger stays home. Instead, the question we raise is how a ute can benefit from aftermarket accessories vs a true honest workhorse of the ute scene. When the Triton launched, it carried the massive tech and spec loading we’ve come to expect from Mitsubishi’s 4WD ute range. Admittedly, we’d lucked in to the top spec VRX, which was very much the best of everything Triton. There were however a couple of areas where we felt the Triton…

SPECIFICATIONS 2024 Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R Price $53,990 Engine: 2.4-litre biturbo four-cylinder diesel Transmission: 6-speed automatic, on demand 4WD Power: 150kW at 3,500rpm Torque: 470Nm at 1,500-2,750rpm Fuel economy: 8.8l/100km CO2 emissions: 233gm/km Wheels/tyres: - (aftermarket) Ground clearance: Approach angle: 30.4 degrees Ramp-over angle: 22.8 degrees Departure angle: 23.4 degrees Turning circle: 12.4m Kerb weight: 2,105kg ANCAP safety rating: five star (2024) 2024 Isuzu D-Max Price $69,490 Engine: 3.0-litre turbo four-cylinder diesel Transmission: 6-speed automatic, on demand 4WD Power: 140kW at 3,600rpm Torque: 500Nm at 1,600-2,600rpm Fuel economy: 9.2l/100km CO2 emissions: 238gm/km Wheels/tyres: 18x7.5 aluminium alloy wheels, 265/60 R18 Bridgestone Dueler H/T Ground clearance: 240mm Approach angle: 30 degrees Ramp-over angle: 23.8 degrees Departure angle:19.0 degrees Turning circle: 12.5m Kerb weight: 2,110kg ANCAP safety rating: five star (2024) The aftermarket accessory…

Every 4WD owner in New Zealand should have something from Ironman 4x4, whether it’s a set of driving lights, an awning, or perhaps a full suspension upgrade to get the most out of that 4WD for work or play. Ironman offers tailored combinations of products: bullbars, suspension, lighting, underbody protection, camping gear, recovery gear, and more. Ironman4x4 reckons it is the best in the business when it comes to 4WD fit-outs. The company offers an impressive range of parts and accessories to turn any 4WD, new or old, into a much more capable, comfortable machine. Suspension If the 4WD loses its ground clearance as soon as it is loaded up, then Ironman has a solution to those payload issues. From simple bolt-on upgrades to complete replacement kits, Ironman can supply…

NZ distributor XpeditioNZ says “others lay claim to having the strongest canopies, evidently unaware they’re not even on the same playing field as Bushtech.” Bushtech’s advanced engineering capability has long been evident in its internationally proven wellside aluminium canopies. These are load tested to an unheard of 2.5 tonnes and offer NZ’s highest 300kg dynamic load rating (50 percent above the nearest rival), all while weighing less than a plastic or fibreglass canopy. “That bears repeating: multiple times the strength and security and lighter too.” Bushtech’s new X-Series tray and canopy offers even greater 500kg dynamic load capacity, while aiming to establish a new best in class benchmark for strength to weight ratio in tray canopies. “Clearly Bushtech canopies are not constructed the same as others.” Bushtech’s unique designs have…

Summer is in full swing and there is truly no place better than home for an unforgettable end of year getaway. The Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Tongariro National Park, Mount Maunganui and Queenstown will undoubtedly be hot spots among locals and international tourists. Before kickstarting a summer adventure, ensure that the vehicle is fitted with a reliable battery such as an ACDelco Deep Cycle or Marine unit. These batteries are specifically designed for recreational and marine applications. The ACDelco M Series are marine starting batteries which provide higher cranking power to reliably start recreational vehicles and marine craft. M Series batteries come with many other features: they have increased capacity for higher cranking power, lock bonded plate groups to improve vibration resistance and marine style dual terminals (stainless steel stud…

My good friend Gordon Colmore and I try to get away midweek for an overnight trip once a fortnight or so. Both being Christchurch based, our normal “go-to destination is the Avoca Valley via the Harper. It only takes us a couple of hours to get to the beginning of the trail and the drive from Christchurch towards the mountains is fantastic, feeling the stress of city life drop away as the mountains get closer. A few weeks prior to this trip, we had headed up the Wilberforce as far as Moa Hut before returning and heading up the Avoca where we came across the publicity team from Maxxis Tyres on a photo and video shoot with some good friends of ours. They included Aaron from Xpeditionz, Alfie, Fijiannz_4x4 and…

After nearly 40 years in Europe, 4x4 Explorer Adventures owner Richard Soult returned to New Zealand in 2014 and began overlanding around the South Island. He has travelled extensively through the Pyrenees, the French/Italian Alps, North Africa and says New Zealand’s South Island is the best overlanding in the world. “We keep a 4WD in Europe for our summer trips and yet are always keen to get home and explore what we have on our doorstep. The spectacular, diverse scenery and the remoteness holds a draw that is difficult to find anywhere else. It’s truly unique and worth exploring and sharing.” The company 4x4Explorer was born in 2020, in the depths of Covid when Richard Soult decided to make a lifestyle change and turn his passion into a business. Since…

A trip to the west coast of Australia has been on the bucket list for Klem and Sharon Christensen and their son James. They got serious about it in 2024, aiming to see the sights, swim with whale sharks and experience the outback. “We decided on May because it was whale shark season, offered good settled weather and avoided the June/July peak season.” The trip was from Perth up the west coast to Broome, a total of 21 days. The family rented a Toyota Prado towing a Jayco Silverline OB pop-top offroad caravan: easy to set up, easy to tow. After handover the first stop was Woolworths to stock up with supplies and then on to BCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing) for a chilly bin, squid rods and a BBQ. Next…

Farewell 2024. It’s been a huge year, and 2025 promises so much more. This is a great time to look back on the year just gone and celebrate the health of the booming market for new 4WD utes and SUVs. Each year NZ4WD researches and compiles a buyer’s guide to pretty much every 4WD/AWD SUV and utility currently available in this country. Key specification info, pricing and more. The only thing we leave to the reader is that final judgement: which ute, pick-up or SUV best suits the intended role. What is most important: work duties, weekend adventure, even the soccer/rugby/netball duties. In both the ute and SUV sections, we have of course left out 2WD versions of each vehicle, because we know 4WD/ AWD is what the people want.…

This is good, very good. The Tremor is based on the mid-spec 2.0-litre Ranger Sport but has the line-up’s full-time selectable 4WD system, which is standard on V6 Rangers. It’s not the part-time system used by other four-cylinder Rangers. That alone makes the Tremor a desirable ute, because it means 4WD can be used on tarmac. The Tremor also gets heavy-duty off-road suspension and steering tune, Bilstein external-reservoir shock absorbers, more ground clearance than a standard Ranger, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, and off-road driver-assist tech including Rock Crawl mode and Trail Turn Assist, which is a button-based version of a ‘cutting brake’. Tremor has 261mm ground clearance which means, in the Ranger line-up, only the Raptor has more with a claimed 272mm. The…

The first mistake an Ineos Grenadier owner makes is about time management. For every trip to Bunnings or the supermarket, add at least 30 minutes for dealing with questions from auto and 4WD enthusiasts. The questions don’t start with “what will she do?”, rather with “what is it?” Then comes the full story of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos and the search to replace the old school classic Land Rover Defender with something modern, comfortable and absolutely bullet-proof off-road. How Sir Jim needed an old school 4WD SUV for his oil business, something that would get his people into remote, inhospitable regions and get them out again. How the basic parameters were sketched out on napkins and coasters one afternoon in a London pub called the Grenadier. How the project has…

In the land of the long white cloud, whether it’s for work or play (or everything in-between), utility vehicles or utes are seen as a regular form of transportation. Of course they’re versatile, but more often than not, they’re also well kitted out, with even the base models coming with all manner of driver’s aids and creature comforts. Anyway, deciding on a break from the norm, our latest ute face off is NOT using the benchmark Ranger, instead, (and in the spirit of Tyson vs Paul) we’re pitting two alternative ‘brawlers’ to the test. In the blue (well, blue-grey) corner we have the new-look Isuzu D-Max LS double cab, while in the grey corner, we have the new contender for 2024, the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R. Both models sit under…

Creating a personalised adventure vehicle is almost as much fun as getting out and about. Whether it’s DIY or Do It For Me, it can be immensely satisfying. It can also be quite frustrating if it’s done wrong. Here are a few suggestions for ‘must do’, ‘nice to do’ and ‘maybe one day’ modifications that turn a stock 4WD into a legend. Must do Let’s start with recovery. First Saturday morning mission is to install front and rear recovery rated hooks. They cost between $35 and $150 and are just essential. Add a recovery rated strap and only use this gear. No tow ropes or tiedowns or strops. Maintenance is essential. Brakes need to be 100 percent, check them before going out there. Got a manual gearbox? Clutches wear out.…

When it comes to outdoor adventures in New Zealand’s diverse landscapes, from Northland’s coastal tracks to Southland’s rugged terrain, having reliable and versatile camping equipment isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential. SeaSucker is known globally for revolutionary vacuum mount technology used to carry gear and cargo on 4WDs and other vehicles. The company has expanded its range to include game-changing camping solutions that are perfect for Kiwi outdoor enthusiasts. At the heart of the camping collection is the ingeniously designed Kitchen Station. Unlike traditional camping tables that are bulky and time consuming to set up, SeaSucker’s Kitchen Station employs a patented vacuum mount technology to create a stable, secure workspace in seconds. Whether mounting it to the vehicle’s side for a quick roadside meal or setting it up at…

Off-road/ Adventuring? Overlanding? The classic Kiwi ‘she’ll be right’ attitude won’t work. That 4WD will only work at its full potential if it is built for the job, and if it is maintained properly. It’s part of the 4WD lifestyle. We put our vehicles through some pretty nasty experiences, and expect them to perform. Here are some tips and suggestions to keep the 4WD running smoothly. Battery A battery is a battery, right? Actually, wrong. Specific batteries work best for specific uses these days. Watch out for excessive heat, excessive vibration, moisture, mud and dust. If the battery is close to the engine, radiator or exhaust, make or buy a heat shield to protect it. The best idea is to mount the battery in a proper battery box which is…

Improving the fuel efficiency and reducing emissions of a 4WD vehicle is a combination of regular maintenance, driving habits, and potentially upgrading certain components. The goal is to ensure your 4WD runs as efficiently as possible, saving on fuel costs and minimising its environmental impact. Air, fuel, oil and cabin air filters are more than just an accessory; they’re an essential part of a vehicle’s health and performance. A top-tier 4WD filter kit ensures that a 4WD runs smoothly by preventing contaminants in the fuel or air from reaching the interior of the engine, which can lead to significant problems and decreased efficiency. Contaminants, including dirt, dust, and rust particles, can severely impact the engine’s performance over time, leading to higher fuel consumption and increased emissions. Investing in a high-quality…

They are short, long, steep, flat. They are all epic. New Zealand has some superb off-road drives to explore, and right now is the best time to get out there. Here is a selection of great 4WD adventures. NORTH ISLAND Boulder Hill A short 8.2-km out-and-back trail near Lower Hutt, Wellington. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of three hours to complete. This is a popular shared trail for camping, hiking, and off-road driving, so share with care. The track runs from Dry Creek Campsite to the summit of Boulder Hill located in Belmont Regional Park. Pass through regenerating bush for some scenic views of Hutt Valley. At the top of Boulder Hill (442m), there are views of Porirua Harbour. Access from Hebben Crest situated between…

Give in to temptation. Australian 4WD adventures are out there, and they are like nothing available in this country. From soft-roading the coast road in South Australia through dusty drives out west or through the red heart of the continent to tackling the mighty Simpson Desert, there’s an adventure at every level. Even better, these Aussie drives are actually quite affordable. The ‘wine trail’ through South Australia doesn’t require 4WD. Of course it doesn’t. But an SUV is convenient and capable, and AWD does give adventurers the chance to divert down side trails on the coast road or into the massive forests near Portland where emu families wander and graze. Touring West Australia steps things up a bit and requires a tougher 4WD like a Toyota Prado or Ford Everest.…

Kiwi photographer Mike Peffers and his mate Jack Talbot drove from Alice Springs to Sydney, travelling in Talbot’s Nissan Navara and sleeping in modern ‘swag’ tents. “Turning off the A87 at Mount Willoughby Station, leaving the tar sealed roads behind for a few days, we drove to The Painted Desert Road en route to the remote town of Oodnadatta.” The featureless landscape gradually changed as the multi coloured Arckaringa Hills emerged in the distance. This was a technicolour moonscape which was a seabed 80 million years ago. Driving into Oodnadatta, the locally famous Pink Roadhouse was a welcome stop to refuel the Navara and have a cold beer. Oodnadatta was the northern terminus for the Central Australian Railway, more commonly known as The Ghan, until it was extended to Alice…

For 4WD enthusiasts, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025. Nowhere more than in the new vehicle market, where there’s a flood of new utes and SUVs coming. Confirmed for January launch is the all new JAC T9, a good looking 4WD ute that aims to snare a big chunk of the tradie and family 4WD market with a high standard spec and super-appealing price of $49,990. BYD showed its 312kW Shark 6 electric ute to some media in late 2024, and is taking orders now. Shark 6 is an AWD electric-drive pickup truck that carries a 1.5-litre petrol engine that charges its Blade battery on demand. It goes on sale in one spec at $69,990. The LDV brand has been busy too. Launched in December was the…