The Coromandel Peninsula is a quintessential slice of Kiwi, from the laid-back olde-worlde charm of Coromandel town itself to the chic architect-designed excess of man-made beach ‘burbs like Pauanui and Matarangi.
At Christmas and New Year the place packs out with Aucklanders and Hamiltonians seeking sun, sea and sand. And how do they get there? More often than not these days it is in an SUV!
So it seemed like a good idea to re-visit the sector for this year’s multi-vehicle annual feature.
We’ve already sung the praises of Isuzu’s MU-X’s praises, naming it our 4WD Station Wagon of The Year last year. So that was our starting point.
Having just upgraded the Prado, Toyota was also happy to provide us with a top-of-the line VX Ltd.
Add Ford’s all-new – and very much sector re-defining – Everest and the stage was set.
Our route ran west-to-east over the Tapu-Coroglen road, north to Kuaotunu for lunch, then back down to Whitianga and a return to the western side of the range via The 309 Road.
Sharing driving and critiquing duties were former NZ4WD Editor John Oxley and group contributing writer Damien O’Carroll.
To find out which one came out on top check out a hard copy of the Annual (see details below). Suffice to say each had its pros and cons.
Of the new Everest John Oxley said; “Superb engine,” and “the only member of the test trio that felt car-like with not a lot of body roll for a 4x4.”
“Powerful and remarkably quiet,” added Damien O’Carroll.”
Like the new Everest the Isuzu’s MU-X is based on ute underpinnings.
Despite that around town, and/or on smooth motorway-style tarmac, ride is actually very good – for a ute-based 4WD.
On pot-holed city streets and corrugated backroads, however, the response from the chassis and suspension is closer to that of the ute on which it is based.
“The ride,” said Damien flatly, “lacks subtlety.”
Here Isuzu offers just the one model, the top-spec LS-T 4x4. And herein lies the key to its appeal in this company.
At $65,990 it has an RRP over $30K LESS than the top-spec Prado and $20K less even than the Titanium version of the Everest - yet it lacks for little in the way of convenience or safety kit.
Now to the Prado.
All three testers commented on how complete, how relaxing it is to drive, and how capable the Prado is. But that capability comes at a significant price premium, in the case of the VX Ltd model we tested, $99,990.
Despite that it was hard not to like the big Toyota.
“Powerful and remarkably quiet,” said Damien. “Six-speed auto is also wonderfully smooth and (that word again) relaxed.”
To read the full story in the 2016 NZ4WD Annual & SUV Buyer's Guide issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale December 14) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
