New and tested 4WDs

Buyers Guide 2021
Tuesday, 25 May 2021
The old saying that ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’ suits NZ’s booming utility market sector at the months.
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What price your new ute?
Tuesday, 25 May 2021
As demand for contemporary turbo-diesel, double-cab utes continues to defy gravity, what price does, er, final retail price have on the one you eventually buy?
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Subaru claims G.O.A.T status for new outback
Wednesday, 17 March 2021
Actually, you can make that the G.O.O.A.T tag, says colleague Sean Willmot after returning from the launch drive programme in the Nevis Valley.
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Earthcruiser’s 79-series Land-Cruiser-based Extreme XTR250
Earthcruiser’s 79-series Land-Cruiser-based Extreme XTR250
Wednesday, 17 February 2021
Aussie-based rugged camper specialist Earthcruiser can now sell you a Toyota Land-Cruiser 79-series-based on and off-road camper ready for that ‘trip-of-a-lifetime’.
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Subaru reveals ‘greatest Outback ever’
Subaru reveals ‘greatest Outback ever’
Wednesday, 17 February 2021
An all-new version of New Zealand’s most popular Subaru model – the Outback – is in showrooms now – and Subaru of New Zealand’s Managing Director, Wallis Dumper reckons it is just what your local d
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Mazda backs a winner with all-new BT-50
Sunday, 17 January 2021
Mazda has proved that there is definitely life after its ute sector breakup with Ford, creating an impressive all-new BT-50 based on Isuzu’s latest D-Max.
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Is latest Hilux back to its best?
Sunday, 17 January 2021
In its latest face-lifted 8th generation (MY2021) version, has Toyota finally sorted out its Hilux conundrum? NZ4WD mag Editor Ross MacKay thinks it just might have!
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Los tres amigos* (The three friends)
Monday, 14 December 2020
Together for just a day, three very different utilities – a RAM 1500, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton – became los tres amigos as they ventured from Auckland to and from Hampton Downs for a p
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A (much) better mousetrap
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Two days driving Isuzu’s new Gen-3 D-Max through the South Island’s rugged High Country convinced NZ4WD mag Editor Ross MacKay that the company knows a thing or two about building ute
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Nissan joins the party with another Navara upgrade
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Mid-model-cycle upgrades appear flavour of the month at the moment as Ford, Toyota and now Nissan are wont to prove.
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Silverado is first GMSV 4X4 ute to go on sale here
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Fans of plus-size US utility vehicles here and across the Tasman  can now access some of the biggest and best full-size trucks – beginning with the Chevrolet Silverado – through the newly establish
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Reading the tea leaves
Monday, 02 November 2020
One day, when I retire, I’m going to take this little act to Detroit and make a fortune.
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Pounce of the Puma
Monday, 02 November 2020
If you liked the idea of the Ford Ecosport 1-litre small compact SUV, but weren’t overly sold on its styling, wait till you get an up close and personal with a Ford Puma. 
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SKODA KAMIQ
Thursday, 29 October 2020
It’s pronounced like ‘Hammock’ and it’s the SUV spinoff of the much-lauded Scala wagon/hatch, which already sets up Skoda’s latest release well.
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Escape 2020 with the 2021 Escape
Thursday, 29 October 2020
As we write this, Ford dealers are holding off customers with long poles in anticipation of the arrival of the new model Escape, which was revealed in July of this year in a (what was for Ford)
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Tough ask! Is new Hilux back to its best?
Wednesday, 21 October 2020
Toyota’s latest Hilux upgrade has produced several key improvements. Whether they are enough to help the iconic model reclaim the Number one spot in the market, however, is another story.
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Toyota targets ‘returning customers’ with new, improved Hilux
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
A confident Toyota New Zealand believes its latest Hilux is good enough to entice ‘lapsed buyers’ back to the brand. NZ4WD Editor Ross MacKay explains why.
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Defender of the realm
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
The wait is over FOR Land Rover’s all-new Defender.
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Big beauty – Haval H9 has the goods
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
NZ4WD mag Editor Ross MacKay wasn’t expecting much from Haval’s H9 SUV. Yet here vhe is saying that it’d still impress him at twice the price. What gives?
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New Gladiator – One of these (Jeeps) is not like the other.
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
On one level Jeep’s new Gladiator looks, feels and goes just like the Wrangler it is based on.
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First official pictures of all-new INEOS Grenadier 4x4
Tuesday, 21 July 2020
Created to fulfil the vision of adventurer and INEOS Group Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Grenadier will be a capable, durable and reliable 4x4 designed and built to handle the world’s harshest e
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Smooth Operator
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
If you are looking for a Ute in the $100+K sector, at ‘just’ $90K VW’s top-of-the-line V6 3.0 litre TDi-powered Amarok Aventura could well be considered a bargain.
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Facelift/more power & torque for 2020 Hilux
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Toyota NZ is set to launch a major ‘midlife’ upgrade of its top-selling Hilux ute featuring a bolder, tougher-looking exterior on most variants and a beefed up 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine that of
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Welcome to the 2020 NZ4WD Ute Buyer’s Guide
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
With the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown coinciding with our usual June issue we couldn’t leave our bubbles to physically drive anything – ute, SUV or even ordinary car – anywhere meaningful so we improv
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King of the Toy-Haulers
Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Week day work warrior and weekend toy hauler? Is one of our top-selling Kiwi utes way better than the others? Or are they much of a much-ness?
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