WHAT CAPABILITY COSTS
$46,990
The cheapest way into a genuine low-range transfer case and a 3,500 kg braked tow rating. Everything under it gives up one or the other, on the published specs.
REXTON ELX 2.2L TURBO DIESEL 4WD DRIVE-AWAY
OFF-ROAD 4WD SUVS · 2026
Best off-road 4WD SUVs in Australia 2026: The serious four-wheel drives.
We compared every one on the same matched facts, then walked the segment from the top down.
21
MODELS
240
MATCHED FACTS
1
OUR PICK
By the numbers
Three facts that reframe the segment.
01
OUR PICK OF THE SEGMENT
Ford Everest Sport V6
The strongest on-paper case at sensible money: a V6 diesel, coil-sprung rear, proper low range and the full 3,500 kg tow rating, priced under the four-cylinder Prado.
FROM
$60,000
5-YR SERVICE
$1,596
TOWING
3,500 kg
02
THE SAFE MONEY
Toyota Prado GXL
Down a pair of cylinders on the Ford and dearer with it. The case is the ownership side: the biggest dealer network in the country and the resale reputation the badge trades on.
FROM
$79,390
FUEL TANK
110 L
TOWING
3,500 kg
State of the segment
14 of the 21 models here tow an identical 3,500 kg braked. At the top of this segment, nothing out-tows anything else. The real spread is in servicing costs, fuel use and off-road geometry.
03
THE VALUE CASE
Isuzu MU-X LS-T
Tens of thousands under the Prado with the same 3,500 kg tow rating and deeper published wading. The saving shows in the badge, not the hardware.
FROM
$76,490
5-YR SERVICE
$2,345
WARRANTY
6 yr
Stages 04 to 06
The rest of the top half.
Land Rover
Defender
From $112,617
04
The premium play of the six: monocoque body and air springs where the field runs ladder frames, priced accordingly. Budget for the servicing as well as the sticker.
Toyota
LandCruiser 300
From $107,394
05
Still the one you take across the Simpson. Overkill for a suburban tow ball, and priced accordingly.
GWM
Tank 300
From $47,990
06
Front and rear lockers at half the money. The tow rating is where the compromise sits.
THE PRICE LADDER
UPDATED AUGUST 2026Cheapest to dearest, all 21.
Drive-away, national average, base grade of each model, compared side by side. The bar is the price; the tint marks the models we walked through above.
Suzuki Jimny$36,490
LDV D90$39,174
Mahindra Scorpio$43,990
KGM Rexton$46,990
GWM Tank 300$47,990
Ford Everest$60,000
GWM Tank 500$75,990
Isuzu MU-X$76,490
Toyota Prado$79,390
Toyota LandCruiser 70$81,959
Denza B5$82,138
Jeep Wrangler$87,638
Denza B8$99,586
Nissan Patrol$105,408
Toyota LandCruiser 300$107,394
Land Rover Defender$112,617
Lexus GX$130,715
Land Rover Discovery$132,147
Lexus LX$177,319
Land Rover Range Rover Sport$183,751
Drive-away from-price, base grade of each modelOpen the full ledger →
Prices are NSW drive-away, private buyer. See methodology →
THE MARKET, MAPPED · LIVE DATA
What does your money actually buy?
Pick what matters, set your ceiling. We’ll rank the segment at your money, and price exactly what the next few thousand would change.
WHAT MATTERS MOST
POWERTRAIN
YOUR CEILING · DRIVE-AWAY
$80,000
1000 mm ↑550 mmYOUR CEILINGTank 300EverestTank 500$36,4909 OF 21 MODELS WITHIN REACH · 6 NOT PUBLISHED, NOT PLOTTED$183,751
BEST OFF-ROAD AT YOUR MONEY · WADING DEPTH
800 mmTank 300 →from $47,990 · 224 mm clearance
WORTH STRETCHING FOR?
+$19,586unlocks the B8, which wades 890 mm (your money's best: 800 mm).
EVERY MODEL, RANKED BY WADING DEPTHCLOSE THE LIST
| # | Model | WADING DEPTH | From | Tow | Wading | Boot | Fuel | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defender | 1000 mm | $112,617 | 3,500 kg | 1000 mm | 1329 L | 3.1 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 2 | Discovery | 900 mm | $132,147 | 3,500 kg | 900 mm | 1137 L | 7.8 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 3 | Range Rover Sport | 900 mm | $183,751 | 3,500 kg | 900 mm | 835 L | 1.6 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 4 | B8 | 890 mm | $99,586 | 3,500 kg | 890 mm | 147 L | 3.9 L/100km | 6 yr |
| 5 | Tank 300 | 800 mm | $47,990 | 3,000 kg | 800 mm | 500 L | 1.9 L/100km | 7 yr |
| 6 | Everest | 800 mm | $60,000 | 3,500 kg | 800 mm | 898 L | 7.1 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 7 | Tank 500 | 800 mm | $75,990 | 3,000 kg | 800 mm | 795 L | 2.1 L/100km | 7 yr |
| 8 | MU-X | 800 mm | $76,490 | 3,500 kg | 800 mm | 311 L | 6.4 L/100km | 6 yr |
| 9 | INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon | 800 mm | $113,835 | 3,500 kg | 800 mm | 1152 L | — | 5 yr |
| 10 | B5 | 790 mm | $82,138 | 3,000 kg | 790 mm | 470 L | 3.9 L/100km | 6 yr |
| 11 | Wrangler | 760 mm | $87,638 | 2,495 kg | 760 mm | — | 10.2 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 12 | Prado | 700 mm | $79,390 | 3,500 kg | 700 mm | 954 L | 7.6 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 13 | LandCruiser 70 | 700 mm | $81,959 | 3,500 kg | 700 mm | — | 9.6 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 14 | GX | 700 mm | $130,715 | 3,500 kg | 700 mm | 1063 L | 12.3 L/100km | 5 yr |
| 15 | D90 | 550 mm | $39,174 | 3,000 kg | 550 mm | 343 L | 9.1 L/100km | 7 yr |
| — | Jimny | — | $36,490 | 1,300 kg | — | 211 L | 6.4 L/100km | 5 yr |
| — | Scorpio | — | $43,990 | 2,500 kg | — | — | 7.2 L/100km | 7 yr |
| — | Rexton | — | $46,990 | 3,500 kg | — | 236 L | 8.7 L/100km | 7 yr |
| — | Patrol | — | $105,408 | 3,500 kg | — | — | 14.4 L/100km | 5 yr |
| — | LandCruiser 300 | — | $107,394 | 3,500 kg | — | 1131 L | 8.9 L/100km | 5 yr |
| — | LX | — | $177,319 | 3,500 kg | — | 1109 L | 8.9 L/100km | 5 yr |
One dot per model at its base grade’s NSW drive-away price; figures are the best published number across each model’s range. Gold dots are the podium for your chosen priority at your money. “—” means the maker publishes nothing; it is never counted as a no.
Side by side
Every model, matched fact for fact.
The same facts for every off-road SUV in the segment, compared on the same basis. Open a group to see all 21 models side by side.
Towing & weights
1,300 to 3,500 kg braked · GVM to 3,992 kg · kerb 1,095 to 3,290 kg
Towing & weights
1,300 to 3,500 kg braked · GVM to 3,992 kg · kerb 1,095 to 3,290 kg| Model | Braked tow | GVM | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimny | 1,300 kg | 1,545 kg | 1,095 kg |
| D90 | 3,000 kg | 3,100 kg | 2,167 kg |
| Scorpio | 2,500 kg | 2,610 kg | 2,085 kg |
| Rexton | 3,500 kg | 2,960 kg | 2,136 kg |
| Tank 300 | 3,000 kg | 3,225 kg | 2,155 kg |
| Everest | 3,500 kg | 3,240 kg | 2,245 kg |
| Tank 500 | 3,000 kg | 3,430 kg | 2,605 kg |
| MU-X | 3,500 kg | 2,800 kg | 1,995 kg |
| Prado | 3,500 kg | 3,200 kg | 2,490 kg |
| LandCruiser 70 | 3,500 kg | 3,510 kg | 2,130 kg |
| B5 | 3,000 kg | 3,497 kg | 2,897 kg |
| Wrangler | 2,495 kg | 2,574 kg | 2,008 kg |
| B8 | 3,500 kg | 3,992 kg | 3,290 kg |
| Patrol | 3,500 kg | 3,620 kg | 2,786 kg |
| LandCruiser 300 | 3,500 kg | 3,280 kg | 2,480 kg |
| Defender | 3,500 kg | 3,380 kg | 2,300 kg |
| INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon | 3,500 kg | 3,550 kg | 2,643 kg |
| GX | 3,500 kg | 3,175 kg | 2,515 kg |
| Discovery | 3,500 kg | 3,245 kg | 2,442 kg |
| LX | 3,500 kg | 3,380 kg | 2,630 kg |
| Range Rover Sport | 3,500 kg | 3,450 kg | 2,390 kg |
Off-road geometry
clearance 203 to 330 mm · approach to 44° · departure to 47° · wading to 1000 mm
Off-road geometry
clearance 203 to 330 mm · approach to 44° · departure to 47° · wading to 1000 mm| Model | Clearance | Approach | Departure | Wading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimny | 210 mm | 36° | 47° | — |
| D90 | 246 mm | 29° | 24° | 550 mm |
| Scorpio | 227 mm | 27.2° | 21.3° | — |
| Rexton | 203 mm | 20.5° | 20.5° | — |
| Tank 300 | 224 mm | 29° | 25° | 800 mm |
| Everest | 255 mm | 32° | 26.8° | 800 mm |
| Tank 500 | 220 mm | 30° | 24° | 800 mm |
| MU-X | 235 mm | 29.2° | 27.6° | 800 mm |
| Prado | 221 mm | 32° | 17° | 700 mm |
| LandCruiser 70 | 330 mm | 33° | — | 700 mm |
| B5 | 310 mm | 39° | 35° | 790 mm |
| Wrangler | 257 mm | 44° | 37° | 760 mm |
| B8 | 310 mm | 34° | 35° | 890 mm |
| Patrol | 323 mm | 40° | 26.3° | — |
| LandCruiser 300 | 245 mm | 31° | 25° | — |
| Defender | 326 mm | 39.5° | 43° | 1000 mm |
| INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon | 264 mm | 36.2° | 36.1° | 800 mm |
| GX | 220 mm | 27° | 23° | 700 mm |
| Discovery | 286 mm | 33.6° | 30° | 900 mm |
| LX | 210 mm | 23° | 22° | — |
| Range Rover Sport | 283 mm | 33° | 30° | 900 mm |
Price & running costs
$36,490 to $183,751 · 1.6 to 14.4 L/100km · tank to 180 L · 5-yr service $1,596 to $6,950
Price & running costs
$36,490 to $183,751 · 1.6 to 14.4 L/100km · tank to 180 L · 5-yr service $1,596 to $6,950| Model | From | Fuel | Tank | 5-yr service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimny | $36,490 | 6.4 L/100km | 40 L | $2,265 |
| D90 | $39,174 | 9.1 L/100km | 75 L | — |
| Scorpio | $43,990 | 7.2 L/100km | 57 L | $2,358 |
| Rexton | $46,990 | 8.7 L/100km | 70 L | $2,298 |
| Tank 300 | $47,990 | 1.9 L/100km | 80 L | $2,500 |
| Everest | $60,000 | 7.1 L/100km | 80 L | $1,596 |
| Tank 500 | $75,990 | 2.1 L/100km | 80 L | $2,000 |
| MU-X | $76,490 | 6.4 L/100km | 80 L | $2,345 |
| Prado | $79,390 | 7.6 L/100km | 110 L | $3,900 |
| LandCruiser 70 | $81,959 | 9.6 L/100km | 180 L | $5,450 |
| B5 | $82,138 | 3.9 L/100km | 83 L | $3,220 |
| Wrangler | $87,638 | 10.2 L/100km | 81 L | — |
| B8 | $99,586 | 3.9 L/100km | 91 L | $3,745.5 |
| Patrol | $105,408 | 14.4 L/100km | 140 L | $3,000 |
| LandCruiser 300 | $107,394 | 8.9 L/100km | 110 L | $4,200 |
| Defender | $112,617 | 3.1 L/100km | 90 L | $3,300 |
| INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon | $113,835 | — | 90 L | — |
| GX | $130,715 | 12.3 L/100km | 80 L | $6,950 |
| Discovery | $132,147 | 7.8 L/100km | 89 L | $3,500 |
| LX | $177,319 | 8.9 L/100km | 110 L | $6,950 |
| Range Rover Sport | $183,751 | 1.6 L/100km | 90 L | — |
BEST PUBLISHED FIGURE ACROSS EACH MODEL’S RANGE · KERB WEIGHT = LIGHTEST VARIANT · FUEL & 5-YR SERVICE = LOWEST FIGURE · “—” = NOT PUBLISHED BY THE MAKER · PRICES DRIVE-AWAY FROM-PRICE
HEAD TO HEAD
The pair off-road buyers compare most.
Ford Everest
$60,000VS
Toyota Prado
$79,390THE PRICE GAP BETWEEN THEM
$19,390
Cheaper and it wades deeper. The Prado answers with the badge and the dealer network, and for a lot of buyers that is the whole argument.
RUNNING COSTS, YOUR NUMBERS
Purchase price is the smaller number.
Tell us your kilometres, your fuel price, and how long you keep a car. We will show the five-year difference between any two models and footnote every assumption.
$770cheaper to fuel over your holding period, Ford Everest against Toyota Prado.
FUEL ONLY, CLAIMED COMBINED FIGURES. SERVICING AND TYRES IN THE FULL CALCULATOR.
Open the full calculatorAsked, answered
What buyers ask about off-road SUVs.
What is the cheapest off-road 4WD SUV in Australia?
Suzuki Jimny opens the segment at $36,490 drive-away.
What is the cheapest off-road 4WD SUV in Australia?
Suzuki Jimny is the cheapest way into the segment at $36,490 drive-away, with LDV D90 ($39,174) and Mahindra Scorpio ($43,990) on the next rungs. The spread to the dearest model, Land Rover Range Rover Sport at $183,751, is the price ladder above. Every figure is a drive-away from-price for the base grade, compared on the same basis.
How deep can these 4WDs wade, and how much ground clearance do they have?
The segment's best wading depth is 1000 mm (Defender).
How deep can these 4WDs wade, and how much ground clearance do they have?
Published wading depths in the segment run from 550 mm up to 1000 mm. The Defender leads the field. Ground clearance spans 203 mm to 330 mm across the cohort. These are the manufacturers' own figures, matched variant-for-variant; wading depth also depends on air-intake position, so treat it as a ceiling, not an invitation.
How much does a 4WD SUV cost to run?
Claimed fuel use spans 1.6 to 14.4 L/100 km across the segment.
How much does a 4WD SUV cost to run?
Fuel is the running cost that varies most: claimed combined figures run from 1.6 L/100 km (Range Rover Sport) to 14.4 L/100 km (Patrol). At 15,000 km a year that spread is four figures annually. Treat the lowest figures with caution: they are plug-in-hybrid lab results that assume regular charging. Servicing intervals and capped-price totals vary just as widely between brands. Put your own kilometres, fuel price and holding period into the running-costs calculator above for a like-for-like five-year comparison between any two models.
What's the difference between 4WD and AWD?
AWD splits drive automatically for grip on sealed roads; a proper 4WD adds a low-range transfer case built for off-road work.
What's the difference between 4WD and AWD?
All-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels automatically and suits wet bitumen and gravel, but most AWD SUVs have no low-range gearing and less underbody clearance. A dedicated four-wheel drive, which is every model on this page, adds a low-range transfer case for steep, slow, technical work, and typically a ladder frame, recovery-rated hardware and locking differentials on some grades. That hardware is the entry ticket to this segment: if it can't be specced with low range, it isn't ranked here.
TOWING & PAYLOAD ANSWERS COMING · WAITING ON PUBLISHED TOW-BALL FIGURES FOR EVERY MODEL
THE NEXT EXHIBITIONS
One segment in build.
We open a segment only once every model in it is measured the same way. Beyond what's named here, the order isn't locked yet.
Mid-size electric SUVsNext upRange, charging and boot space, on the same matched facts as this page.