2018 was another blue chip year for the 4WD sector and with it NZ4WD magazine. Ford’s Ranger ute remained the top selling model despite pressure from all sides! YTD sales of Compact SUVs are up from 11 to 13 % of the total market.
Compact 4WD SUV of the Year 2018: Suzuki Vitara Turbo
With its dynamic, grippy chassis and eager, responsive engine Suzuki’s Vitara Turbo will appeal to anyone who still enjoys driving. Roomy, practical interior helps justify dynamic appeal and next thing you know you are telling anyone who will listen why these days you often leave ‘the big car’ at home and take the little ‘un.’
Contenders
- Holden Trax
- Suzuki Vitara Turbo
- Toyota C-HR AWD
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Medium 4WD SUV of the Year 2018: Subaru Forester 2.5 Premium
New Forester comes out punching, daring anyone to doubt its SUV intentions. Suite of hi-tech electronics is more than capable of saving your bacon on or off the road yet assistance and intervention is never at the expense of driver feel. Roomy, comfortable and boasting impressive value for money the Forester is a tour de force!
Contenders
- Subaru Forester 2.5 Premium
- Toyota RAV4
- Honda CR-V
- Mitsubishi PHEV Outlander
Large 4WD SUV of the Year 2018 : Toyota Prado VX Ltd
As much a ‘lifetime achievement award’ for all those satisfied owners of earlier models as acknowledgement of the sheer capability and competency of the latest top-of-the-line VX Ltd version, Prado is, as Toyota NZ proved with a cross-country launch drive, as much at home ‘on the range’ as it is on the school run.
Contenders
- Toyota Prado
- Isuzu Mu-X
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
4WD Ute of the Year 2018: Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Ford’s Ranger remains the top dog in the booming TD DC ute sector. It also remains New Zealand’s’ single best-selling new ‘car’ is a phenomenon. Each year more contenders arrive to take it on but though some come close Ranger remains the best all-rounder and the marker responds in kind
Contenders:
- Ford Ranger Wildtrak
- Holden Colorado Extreme
- HSV Colorado SportsCat Plus
- LDV T-60
- Mazda BT-50 SE
- Mercedes-Benz X-Class Power
- Mitsubishi Triton VRX
- Nissan Navara NP300 ST-X
- Toyota Hilux SR5 Cruiser
Overall 4WD of the Year 2018: Toyota Prado VX Ltd
Kiwi SUV buyers love Toyota’s Prado, though few who buy the new ever put their’s to a test more arduous than a family summer holiday. All that capability, all that room, all those features make for one impressive 4x4 though, meaning should you so choose, you can take the high or low road absolutely confident you have the ware withal to get to and from your destination whether that be the other side of town or the other side of a country or even a continent.
To read the full story in the NZ4WD Annual go to Zinio.com (December 11) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
