New and tested 4WDs

Mainstream SUV shows how it should be done
Monday, 11 May 2026
Nissan’s X-Trail is one of the company’s global success stories, and in the medium SUV class there are few better.
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Top spec for Nissan’s strong performer
Wednesday, 06 May 2026
Having tested Nissan’s Navara in the popular ST-X spec, it made sense to also try the top-of-the-line Pro4-X.
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Smart choice
Friday, 01 May 2026
In late 2025, the MG brand entered the ute market with its U9 ‘midsize-plus’ offering. 
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Something completely different
Friday, 24 April 2026
This is definitely not usual fare for NZ4WD. Urban SUVs are, however, the most popular cars on the market. Toyota’s RAV4 leads the way in sales, but the breadth of choice is simply staggering.
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Storm chaser - Defender 130
Thursday, 16 April 2026
We sure picked the right time to go cruising in Land Rover’s Defender 130.
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New dawn for Nissan’s strong performer
Wednesday, 01 April 2026
Nissan’s Navara has been part of the New Zealand landscape and lifestyle for four generations and 40 years.
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Suzuki launches first electric SUV
Thursday, 26 March 2026
The timing was accidentally exquisite.
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2026 Subaru Outback & Outback Wilderness Review – The Most Capable Outback Yet
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Subaru’s Outback has long been the unofficial adventure wagon of New Zealand, a vehicle as likely to be seen outside a Four Square as it is halfway up a muddy forestry track.
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Outback 2026 - Subaru updates its best-seller
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
It's a firm Kiwi favourite, slotting in seamlessly to the lifestyle we all enjoy so much. Outdoors, out there, enjoying wild places.
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MG’s U9 is a bold move into the 4WD ute market
Wednesday, 04 February 2026
The U9 enters a very hot market segment, but has a strong proposition for buyers looking for a good big 4WD ute suitable for weekday work and weekend family fun
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On Patrol
Saturday, 27 December 2025
It’s come a long way, and done a lot of work. The Nissan Patrol has been on the road (and off the road) since 1951.
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Pathfinding at Port Waikato
Sunday, 21 December 2025
The first-generation Pathfinder was unveiled in May 1985 and was introduced in July 1986 as a ‘three-door’ body-on-frame SUV.
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Super Duty on the descent of Mount Terrible. Image by Mark Baker.
Things to look forward to - Ford launches the toughest Ranger of all
Sunday, 14 December 2025
The 4WD landscape is changing fast.
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An SUV in true modern style
Hitting the trail
Saturday, 13 December 2025
A week in a modern SUV is quite revelatory after spending a lot of time  in 4WD utes. 
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Hilux development engineers get to grips with New Zealand conditions
Friday, 12 December 2025
Two of Toyota Motor Corporation’s leading engineers behind the new-gen
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The Ranger range gets reset for 2026
Ford resets its best seller
Friday, 05 December 2025
There's big change for Ford's Ranger family.
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Aimed at urban and family users, the U9 remains happy out in the mud
A leap forward: MGU9 launched in New Zealand
Friday, 14 November 2025
The MG brand has revealed its U9 midsize-plus ute for New Zealand in three models.
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Suzuki e VITARA set to arrive in New Zealand
Thursday, 13 November 2025
From the second quarter 2026, the fan-favourite Vitara is turning electric with the arrival of the Suzuki e VITARA.
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Ford farewells the Bi-Turbo Ranger engine
Thursday, 13 November 2025
 Ford has announced significant updates to its powertrain offerings for the award-winning Ranger and Everest, enhancing the proven 2.0L turbo-diesel engine and expanding the availability of the pow
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Ninth generation Hilux revealed
Toyota reveals ninth generation Hilux
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Next year is looking like a big one for Toyota as it launches the ninth generation of its Hilux.
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Return to Prado-land
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
This month, we’ve been back in a new Prado for a second look at Toyota’s most capable 4WD SUV.
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Kia kicks off with strong contender
Thursday, 09 October 2025
It’s been a long time coming. But Kia's Tasman ute is finally here.
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A leap forward: MGU9 is here
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
MG has launched its first ute. Now there’s a sentence nobody thought they’d ever read.
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Forester 2025: another way to take the long way home
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
It’s been a favourite with outdoorsy Kiwi drivers for decades, and with good reason.
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Ford’s storm bringer
Saturday, 20 September 2025
This is the first New Zealand media drive of Ford’s new Stormtrak PHEV Ranger. Other scribes drove it overseas, but NZ4WD scored the first local test.
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