Advanced driving technology is widespread these days, and new 4WD utes and SUVs feature some of the best. Here are some of our favourite pieces of driver-assistance technology:

Off-road traction control

Some off-road traction control systems are very intrusive: they can kick in when they shouldn’t, activating in an abrupt fashion or robbing the vehicle of precious momentum by backing off or cutting out momentarily. These systems need to be better calibrated and more precise in their activation.

However, there are several examples of off-road traction control executed well, one is the 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV (pictured).

The Ranger PHEV has a ten-speed automatic transmission and can run in full-time 4WD, but it also has a nicely calibrated off-road traction control system, working through driving modes such as Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Sport.

Engine braking in this petrol hybrid is less than in the turbodiesel (of course), but Ford’s hill descent control goes a fair way to make up for that.

On a recent test, we drove up and down several steep rocky hills without the need to lock the rear diff, and the Ranger PHEV did it with ease and control. 

The bonus with this ute is that it can be driven it in 4WD high-range in ‘EV Now’ mode, which offers instant torque. There’s no delay trying to get your revs up – and that’s plenty enough to tackle hill-climbs.

The Kia Tasman may be polarising due to its exterior styling, but it’s another good example of a 4WD with off-road traction control system that is smoothly well calibrated, and, in this case, working as an adjunct to an impressive powertrain.

Hill-descent control

This system is supposed to keep an off-road vehicle to a low and controlled speed while it heads down a hill. Engine braking is good but electronic hill-descent control is an added bonus and another defensive weapon in your off-road armoury.

For example, the Ford Everest’s HDC system is smooth and effective, smoothly maintaining very low speeds. Speed can be adjusted via buttons on the steering wheel.

More examples: the latest-gen Isuzu D-Max and MU-X both have well-engineered HDC systems which they combine with reliable engine braking.

Track camera / 360-degree view camera

The idea behind the track camera (aka 360-degree view camera, or surround-view camera) is admirable. These camera systems have the potential to greatly enhance driver vision while 4WDing on tight bush tracks, cresting steep hills, or traversing chewed-out muddy trails.

Track cameras have now taken on an increasingly important role. Mirrors or an on-foot recce are still important, but the view afforded by a track camera/360-degree view camera helps the driver to maintain vision, especially if forward visibility is compromised, say for instance up and over the crest of a steep rocky hill, or edging towards a steep rocky drop into a creek bed.

Driver-assist tech with direct off-road applications – such as the 360-degree camera or vehicle-info read-out (displaying driveline/diff lock indicators, steering, pitch and roll angles etc) – is taking on more significant roles as it all improves.

Transparent bonnet / transparent chassis

This is another piece of driver-assist tech, like onboard cameras, which is designed to help the driver see the correct driving line to take through challenging terrain or over an obstacle without actually being able to see with their naked eyes what’s ahead – or in this case, under – them.

Being able to see the track immediately in front of your vehicle is a definite advantage and visibility in some off-roaders is impacted due to the forward-view-restricting design of the cabin or the size of the vehicle’s bonnet, but the transparent chassis function is designed to address that issue.

This system – think of the Land Rover Defender’s 'transparent bonnet' view – is engineered to extend the range of the around-view camera to include a view under the vehicle (represented on-screen as a ‘ghost vehicle’ outline when Transparent Chassis is selected).

So, when all is said and done, off-road-focussed driver-assist tech is a welcome addition onboard a 4WD, but it’s most handy when it’s done well by those familiar with the specific demands of off-roading.