Best SUVs / 4WDs
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross YA (2017-2026)
- Starting Price $29,990 to $45,540
- TransmissionContinuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol
- See all
Love it!! – Love it, best car I have had in appearance and drive.
Mitsubishi Pajero
- Starting Price $49,990 to $63,990
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFour Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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Excellent build quality and firm ride, impressive off road capability and handling. I have purchased Pajero in 2015 brand new, used it for few years and overall it proved to be a good choice. Engine pickup was slow however, but I enjoyed every ride. Show details
Toyota LandCruiser (1967-2026)
- Starting Price $70,375 to $156,272
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFour Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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I have owned more than 10 different types of landcruisers in 63yrs. From bj40, hj47, fj55, 60s, 70s, 80series and 1hzj75 troopies. All great vehicles… Read more
for their purpose but all bricks on the hwy and rough as guts. My current 2008 Lc200 4.7l v8 2uzfe vvti petrol beats them all hands down for cruising comfort, power and space overall. Bought this vehicle with 320k from a wheat farmer in WA. I was a tour operator doing safaris tours thru Kakadu, Arnhemland, Bungles, Kimberley and Cape York. Its Got to be the best all round 4by4 by far. New radiator and regular preventative maintenance and regular 7k fluid changes, air filter cleans, plugs, brake n pwr steer flushes, automatic trans, regular greasing and such.Upgraded ims 2"lift suspension, New Timing Belt n wpump. Now done 420k and its still running and looks like New I have not had a single issue on the road, no dash lights, no breakdowns, nothing broken or doesn't work. No paint fade, no cracks. Quiet Powerful, 8 seater comfortable, smooth and absolutely Reliable. Same factory rims, same exhaust n mufflers, same moulded bbar. I couldn't want for a better vehicle for overland travel (Land Cruiser) as the name implies in the true sense. As in any vehicles longevity & reliability you gotta do the maintenance regularly and doing it yourself you know its done and done with love. A little extra Fuel is a small price to pay for reliability, comfort & power. It's now 18 years old. Show me any other car since 2008 with 420k that looks, drives and performs like New. I know I will do over 1 million ks+ no worries at all. Just love this car.
Toyota RAV4
- Starting Price $29,450 to $55,203
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual, Continuously Variable (CVT) and Semi-Automatic
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)
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Picked up from the dealer in mid 2023 after almost a 2 year wait. Great vehicle, love driving it, the hybrid system works very well. Quick response,… Read more
good acceleration, and fuel consumption averages 5.8l/100km probably due to us living in a hilly area and it being an AWD. With a petrol only engine it would probably be about 9-10l/100km around town so I'm very happy with it. Have now done 59,000km. Finally got the wireless Android Auto update a few months ago. One thing that annoyed me was that when listening to the Radio on FM the radio text details (name of song and artist) are truncated. It is possible to show the full radio text but you must stop the vehicle to change that option, otherwise that option is greyed out. Really? I put in feedback about this, and the official response was that it was deliberately done this way for driver safety!! I doubt they really believe that - its just that they don't want to change anything. Another downside is the road noise and wind noise when highway driving is not up to the standard of what the car cost, so it will be interesting to see if this is improved on the new model coming out in 2026.
Nissan X-Trail
- Starting Price $27,990 to $63,308
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)
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So been looking for a new car as a 6"5' person, low kms, good economy, 40k-ish, sat in a lot of cars, chery, reno, gwm, toyota, was set on a Rav4 but center console pushes my leg over, very upset. need the room to sit comfortably. Show details
Mitsubishi ASX (2010-2026)
- Starting Price $23,990 to $39,180
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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Done 135,000 kilometres. No oil leaks or oil use. One rattle in dash. Phone buttons on the steering wheel have stopped working. Audio system is still working well. All other functions are working well. Still my keeper car. Show details
Toyota Prado
- Starting Price $49,170 to $108,181
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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Great car... have done multiple interstate trips with 3 kids and works fine. We have long fuel range which is great for remote travel after hours. No issues in 3 years and good value services. Actually has a real spare tyre. Show details
Kia Sportage
- Starting Price $30,990 to $60,370
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)
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After recently spending over $42K to purchase a Kia Sportage I was very bitterly disappointed to discover that a hardcopy version of the owners… Read more
manual was not supplied! How ridiculous to expect customers to use their electronic devices to access important information needed when familiarising yourself with a new car! For instance waiting at traffic lights and a warning light illuminates on the dash. You can't pick up your phone to determine what it means can you? I have incurred extra expense in having a hardcopy printed and bound for my own reference and had I known this fact prior to deciding between 2 differing cars I would have chosen the other vehicle and will probably not consider Kia for my next new car purchase.
Mazda CX-5
- Starting Price $37,990 to $55,636
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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I bought a Mazda CX-5B 10 months ago. For the most part I really love it. But there's one feature that's a deal killer. Knowing what I know now, I… Read more
wouldn't buy it again. The remote key is a piece of junk. I've had to press the buttons up to 15 times to get it to work. Lock and unlock. And if you don't lock it, someone can hop in, start it, and drive it away. I've tried new batteries. I've tried both keys it came with. It's downright dangerous. I also own a Mazda 6. Never had a problem. Until Mazda fixes this, stay away.
Subaru Forester
- Starting Price $28,990 to $51,441
- TransmissionManual and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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I have the 2023 Forester so I've had almost 3 years with it and done about 60,000 k.m.of uninterrupted motoring. The tyres are still pretty good with… Read more
another potential 10,000km.. Having good clearance and all wheel drive handles well on dirt roads and a bit of mud. I do drive a few kilometres on dirt weekly and the car does well. I love the unobstructed vision all round making this car very easy to stay safe. Brakes are great. A full size spare is with this car and I wouldn't want to be without it. The spare has no tyre pressure sensor and it might be nice if it did. I like the size and space for luggage. Aircon is great, seat heating something I never thought about but it's great. Auto lights, wipers and keyless ignition are very nice. Keyless open and locking is great and so is the ability to remove the key from the electronic part so you can take the key for a swim. Space is fairly comfortable for 5 adults. The car runs well on. 91 unleaded and is quite economical returning around 7.8 l per 100km on highway driving. I have no complaints about CVT transmissions. It is smooth and always in the right gear. The insurance for it has been very reasonable. My record is very good.
I have it serviced at a dealer's workshop who is much more fair priced than the new car dealership. Happy to avoid big dealership prices. Service intervals are reasonable. I don't have deep concerns or complaints but there are annoying things. 1. Eyesight fails to work when it rains and if you're driving at highway speed and a downpour happens it shuts off cruise control and it isn't smooth to rapidly be decelerating. I'd rather not have it at all. The windscreen has cameras in it I believe so a smashed screen would need careful attention. I've never lost a screen in my lifetime of driving so I don't worry much about it. Heads up display would have been far more useful and keeps driver focus where it should be - on the road. I really think that is much smarter than all the other junk. The car has an excellent turning circle. 2. Stop start technology is awful and it is shuddering on restart. A rubbish idea. 3. Cabin noise is a bit high. 4. I dislike adaptive cruise control, hate beeping out of lane warnings, telling me to watch the road when I am looking at all aspects not just straight ahead. 5. Auto breaking is not anywhere near smooth as my human touch. If it thinks you are not braking soon enough or getting too close to an object it will auto brake with a horrible shudder. Modern tech is just not great and if there was a one button way to turn most of it off I would. 6. The sound system is pretty terrible. I had an XV prior to this car and it had a much better sound. 7. It is not a soft roader. I think they could have done better, maybe via seating. You'll get a much better ride out of a Mazda CX5 but it won't do what the Forester does .
Mitsubishi Outlander
- Starting Price $33,290 to $74,490
- TransmissionAutomatic and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Plugin Hybrid (PHEV)
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Mitsubishi sold me a car with a faulty fuel gauge. Luckily found out only a few kms after turning off the M4 after midnight. since then have… Read more
repeatedly washed their hands of doing anything to rectify the situation by blaming the now 3 diabolical service centres who have either refused point blank to address the issue (Camden Valley) or blatantly lied straight to my face about doing the diagnostic work that is required (Castle Hill). Third Mitsubishi Ive bought. NEVER AGAIN. If you want any defects fixed understand Mitsubishi will take ZERO responsibility for them. STEER CLEAR!
Nissan Patrol
- Starting Price $86,198 to $112,827
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeFour Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol
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Car gets used almost everyday for the last 5 years, doing the schools runs, to the shops and all that. Clocked over 100,000kms and it hasnt skipped a… Read more
beat. Not a single issue with it at all. Most offroading done is on sand but honsytly it behaves as if its on the road still, impressive considering its weight. Then there's the beating heart of the beast, with an aftermarket exhaust it sounds incredible, not to mention the insane power it creates.
Honda HR-V
- Starting Price $31,990 to $47,000
- TransmissionContinuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Hybrid (HEV)
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Bought a new Honda HRV in late 2016. In 2021 during 50k service a transmission oil leak was confirmed by Honda dealer. Vehicle still in warranty at… Read more
this time.Action was to monitor. At next service the leak was again confirmed and leak was supposedly remedied by replacing transmission housing seal (2023) at a cost to me of $960 as the vehicle was now out of warranty. 16 months later (2025) there is still an oil leak this time the Honda dealer says that the leak is due to porosity of the transmission housing casting. From a literature search, it appears that the cracking evident in the photos is due to a defective casting process, a phenomenum know as "rats tails", this is not something which develops in time, it is a manufacturing defect caused by incorrect temperature control during the casting process. QAQC processes should prevent defective components like this one being used. Honda Australia have been contacted about supplying a replacement transmission and they have refused. A case has now been raised with consumer protection so we shall see how this progresses. Update - After Honda Australia was contacted by Consumer Protection they agreed that the fault was not due to wear and tear and agreed to pay for the repairs. I should not have needed to refer this case to Consumer Protection as logic and common sense should have prevailed!!
Honda CR-V (2017-2026)
- Starting Price $30,990 to $59,900
- TransmissionContinuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Hybrid (HEV)
- See all
Reliable mid size SUV, have bought it second hand and sold after 150K KM, didn't face any major issues, despite I missed few services, there was oil seepage but not sure if it was common issue with others, overall its a safer SUV to ride with family Show details
Kia Sorento
- Starting Price $43,990 to $87,300
- TransmissionAutomatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid (HEV) and Plugin Hybrid (PHEV)
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Just purchased 2026 sorento S. My main grip is NO USB ports in 2nd or 3rd row, there is a 12 volt station there. How out dated is this. I will have… Read more
my grsndkids in the car at times and will have to purchase something so they can charge phones. To people with kids this could be a Deal breaker. Kia get your act together and port these ports in. For $60,000 i would expect them. Hope the car goes ok.
Nissan Dualis / Qashqai
- Starting Price $37,261 to $60,048
- TransmissionAutomatic and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Hybrid (HEV)
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What causes fan on for around 5mins after the engine is off? – What causes fan on for at less 5mins after the engine is off especially reverse park my Nissan qashqai? Coolant replace every second year and the water temperature always stay below half on the cold side. Is that possible CVT is overheating? Show details
Isuzu MU-X
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Diesel
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Cheap shoddy piece of rubbish. Purchased my LST July 2024. Since then has been in the dealership 10 times for a engine light issue, finally requiring… Read more
a new engine wiring loom. When receiving recall for tow in issues took it to dealer and was assured it was OK. This week the inside of my tyres looked like racing slicks, took vehicle in a seems there are tow in issues but have to wait on Isuzu Australia for the go ahead for repair. Plastic seat adjuster has fallen off. Generally poor workmanship and quality control, would not recommend. To be fair local dealer has been great but the manufacturer wants to get a grip. Vehicle has only 17000 highway kms on the clock.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Starting Price $47,950 to $146,282
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel, Electric (BEV) and Hybrid (HEV)

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Delayed warranty repair without reason. Still waiting to act it for 12 months. Claimed warranty after 3 months of purchase Show details
Lexus RX
- Starting Price $82,753 to $123,500
- TransmissionAutomatic and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Hybrid (HEV) and Plugin Hybrid (PHEV)
Greater than the sum of its parts. My wife's car so I don't drive it often. However, each time I do it impresses me as to how competent it is in… Read more
every respect. It feels safely planted on the road, the on-demand AWD comes in quickly in slippery conditions, the seats are comfortable - 600 kms in a day no problems. Normally a very relaxed drive, but in hilly country "sport" mode is really useful - tightens the whole show up. Considering its size and weight, fuel economy is pretty good - 9l/100 km in town and 7 on country cruising. Likes - a really nice competent car that builds confidence in all driving conditions. Lexus quality service experience. Not so much - Radio and DAB reception well below standard - otherwise nothing to dislike.
Subaru Outback
- Starting Price $41,345 to $61,640
- TransmissionManual and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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I hope Subaru Australian pull there finger out and organize another supplier to get better front bushes as the manager from a dealership that I go to… Read more
said the trash they are using on the cars are of a very poor quality, as I had mine replaced at 60,000 klm and my car is going for it’s 74,000 service in two weeks and if they have to be replaced again the trash is going to hit the fan
Just had my 2021 Outback touring in for its 75,000 service ,at Geelong Subaru, was told by the… Read more
Volkswagen Touareg
- Starting Price $68,990 to $119,827
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)
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Mostly overlooked because of its badge – It’s the V6 twin-turbocharged luxury SUV from Volkswagen, which shares a chassis with many well known luxury SUVs from the likes of Porsche, Audi,… Read more
Bentley and even Lamborghini.
This is the cheapest way to get into the luxury SUV market, but with one major catch: you’re not wearing a luxury brand to match that $100,000 price tag.
The build quality here is next to none. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. This is a German bank vault on wheels; it is as solid as you’d imagine a luxury SUV like this should be. Heavy doors, lush leather and tight tolerances reign supreme here.
This car starts at $108,990 before on-road costs, but with the options fitted to our test car like the Sound and Comfort package priced at $6,500 and premium paint which is priced at a whopping $2,100, you’re looking at a $117,590 SUV.
The premium paint is self-explanatory, but the Sound and Comfort package adds a 360° camera, four-zone climate controls, reverse autonomous braking, parking assist plus, heated rear seats, memory front seats and the Dynaudio sound system.
You’re getting a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty with this VW. Servicing will cost you either $1,350 for 3 services or $2,500 for 5 services. Servicing occurs at either 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
You don’t need active sound cancellation in a car that’s this isolated from the road. There’s what feels like the weight of a Volkswagen Polo’s worth of sound deadening throughout this car. The only sounds that manage to peep through include a light amount of tyre noise and the faint whistle of those turbochargers under load.
Powered by a 3.0L turbocharged diesel V6, this SUV produces 210kW (285hp) and 600Nm, and sends its power to all four wheels.You can get from 0-100km/h in just 6.1 seconds, too.
The 8-speed automatic here feels just as every bit premium too. It’s buttery smooth in its operation, and actually a bit of fun to manually operate too. In Sport mode, you get a lively set of gears to really make the most of all that power.
Standard air suspension is always a plus. Offering a relaxed ride around town, the added weight and wide footprint of this SUV makes for a rich ride. With the added benefit of air bags, you can lower the ride for a more reactive Touareg, making it a lot of fun to throw through corners. If you find yourself doing SUV things, the air suspension can be raised to increase ground clearance too.
For a big SUV with a big SUV motor, VW claims a feeble 6.8L per 100km combined. I found it to consume around 8-10L per 100km in my tests. However a 90L tank capacity will see you travel far without needing to fill up often when out on a road trip.
All your key controls are available within arms reach from the driver's seat, in both physical, digital and haptic form. The latter proved to be a controversial inclusion in Volkswagen cars.
A way to hint that the Touareg is related to more expensive siblings is the 12.3-inch drivers display and 15-inch centre touch screen. I haven’t seen a screen this big outside of the Tesla Model 3!
The usability of that centre screen is fine, but it does take some getting used to, as it’s just a tad bit complicated.
Lacking a third row of seats is a great way to add boot space. You’re getting 810L of space and a total of 1800L with the 40:20:40 split seats folded. This car offers supreme comfort in all of its seats. Sure, the rear middle seat is a little tight, but it’s fairly generous for a car in this class.
For most, they’re going to want to spend the same or more on a similar brand affiliated with being a luxury brand.
Volkswagen is offering you a better value premium SUV with the same build quality and features as brands twice as expensive.
I’d highly recommend this SUV, but it's for those who don’t want to stand out from the crowd. It’ll fly under the radar and it's a perfect “quiet wealth” car.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Land Rover Discovery
- Starting Price $66,450 to $129,545
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeFour Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel

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The family hauler with serious off-road capabilities. Thoughts from a Discovery 3 owner of 10 years – Build quality is an absolute strong suit for the British manufacturer in recent years. Even though this is the Discovery S (the entry level model),… Read more
construction was at its highest throughout the cabin and on the exterior.
Weighty doors, solid ‘thunks’, high quality faux leather and cloth seats and soft touch plastics were a treat.
This is the Discovery S D300, meaning it packs the best diesel engine option Land Rover offers. Priced from $101,875 before on roads as a starting point, throw in a few options like the ‘Advanced Off-road Capability Pack’, wireless charging, and an ‘Active Rear Locking Differential’ and you’re looking at a $110,910 car.
From memory, our fully-laden Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE TDV6 was priced around this point, so a combination of inflation and price rising has occurred since 2006 - that’s for sure.
To be honest, there’s a lot of standard equipment provided on the new Discovery, even in its base form.
Air-suspension, comprehensive 3D camera system and electronically folding seats are all excellent standard features that usually would have been reserved for higher trims.
Land Rover recently upped its warranty offering from 3 years to 5 years/Unlimited kilometres with 5 years of roadside assistance. You can purchase a service plan for 5 years or up to 130,000 kilometres of driving, for $2,650.
Wind noise was non-existent - something I’d put down to the dramatically smooth design, compared to previous generations of the Discovery.
Stopping a Land Rover never felt so smooth. I distinctly remember the car I learnt to drive on (the Land Rover Discovery 3) was incredibly smooth to operate, and was more than capable at sudden braking and trail braking away from danger.
The same can be said here, but with additional ability than a car built in 2006. Braking is predictable, and requires no more effort than using a brake pedal found in a Fiat 500.
Under the bonnet of this Discovery is a 3.0L twin-turbo charged 6-cylinder diesel mild-hybrid motor, and it packs a real punch.
Traditionally, big cars and big diesel motors never result in performance on the road. However, Land Rover’s Ingenium D300 motor is a completely different story.
Producing 220kW at 4,000rpm and 650Nm at 1,500-2,500rpm, there’s plenty of power here being sent to all four wheels via an AWD system. 0-100km/h times are as brisk as 6.8 seconds, which is quicker than my 1000kg Abarth 500! This is mum’s 7-seater SUV we’re talking about, which is faster than ever.
The 8-speed transmission in the Discovery was mostly fault-free, although on occasion it did have a moment where gears clunked together, rather than being swiftly engaged.
Around 95% of my driving saw a flawless performance from the Discovery. Shifting into gear was easily operated, I especially love the dedicated park button that helps you avoid any mis-shifts.
5% of the time I experienced moments of indecisiveness from the gearbox, which momentarily distracted from an otherwise premium driving experience.
Land Rover’s air suspension system is a lot of fun, thanks to just how adjustable it is. The car can move from an access height, through to ‘Off-Road 2’, which allows it to wade through 900mm of water.
The ride height difference is amusing at times, allowing you to tower over Mercedes G Wagons, and then change the height to enter a sub-2m tall underground car park.
It’s a sublime ride, and there’s never an issue with being uncomfortable in the Discovery. It’s capable on road, through corners and on loose surfaces. Although, compared to the Defender, I could tell the Discovery did waver a little bit through sweeping bends at high speeds, thanks to its high centre of gravity and narrower footprint.
Off-road, there’s a reason why you’ll see more smiles in a Discovery at the end of a serious trip away from the tarmac, compared to cars like a Jeep Wrangler. Ruts, rocks and large dips in the road didn’t once make me feel uneasy, unlike some cheaper 4x4 SUVs. It’s clear that spending the additional money provides a far superior ride both on and off-road.
Even though this is a diesel, has turbochargers and is a mild-hybrid, don’t expect to be saving at the pump. Claimed combined fuel efficiency is 7.5L/100km, however daily driving saw me produce figures as high as 12L/100km, even after heading out on the highway.
Land Rover has stepped up the game with the new Discovery’s interior. It’s an exercise in minimalist design, while still giving you everything you need right at your fingertips.
There’s plenty of space throughout the cabin, however it starts to get a bit cramped in the third row’s foot well. I particularly love just how much foot room the driver gets, making it a lot more comfortable to drive long distances behind the wheel.
The curved infotainment display uplifts this cabin into 2022, along with a noticeable lack of physical buttons. The important ones are there, like climate controls, volume and terrain response, but that’s it. I miss the old adage that you could operate all the features in a Land Rover while wearing a pair of thick gloves.
As Land Rover becomes more reliant on screens, you’re going to need to ditch the gloves to take full advantage of that touch screen.
Storage is the other headlining feature here, with a ridiculously deep, dual level glovebox and secret compartments under the transmission tunnel and behind the climate controls. It was a lot of fun to see just how much stuff you could fit in and around the Land Rover’s interior.
With all three rows up, there's only 258L of boot space on tap. However, fold all of those seats down, you’ll reveal 2391L of boot space. You’d see why we chose this car back in 2006 to help us move to Australia after living overseas.
A most welcomed surprise was just how easy it was to operate the electronically folding second row seats. Both up and down, you can use buttons in the boot to completely fold the second row flat, making it less of an effort than ever before. Although, if you want to just fold the middle seat down, you'll still need to do that manually.
Second row space is extremely generous, although the seats sit a little too close to the floor of the car, creating a gap between your knees and the seat itself. This forces you to recline back to retain comfort on long trips. Seating for three is beyond reasonable, as three adults can place their feet comfortably on the flat floor, thanks to an absence of an obvious exhaust/transmission tunnel.
Despite its size, third row seats are a little tight for adults to comfortably rest. Additionally, the ingress and egress hasn’t been as well executed like in cars such as the Kia Sorento. However, if you frequent the third row, it’s still one of the larger sets you can sit in, this side of $150,000.
The only reason my family didn’t keep our old Discovery for longer than 10 years was the cost of servicing post-warranty. When things go wrong (and they did), it did cost a lot to keep a car as complex as that on the road.
We weren’t burnt by our experience, rather, we bought a Range Rover Evoque to ‘downsize’ from the burly Discovery 3. Additionally, I think we would step into a new Discovery if we wanted to, as it really is an excellent evolution forwards for the iconic nameplate.
The added warranty period gives a massive leap in confidence for what would usually be a normal finance period (5 years). Although, my eyebrows would become raised following the end of that warranty period, from our past experiences.
For most, the Discovery will hit the nail on the head for a car that’s easy to use deep in the inner-city, and take out into the wilderness. By comparison, the Defender can become a little too big for its boots when operating along the school drop-off route and in tight side street parking situations.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Renault Koleos
- Starting Price $30,990 to $47,990
- TransmissionContinuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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Good value for money,has excellent features and very well appointed with 19 inch alloys,side steps,tow bar,leather trim,heated seats,parking… Read more
sensors,reversing camera,blind spot monitoring,adaptive cruise control,lane departure warning,keyless entry.I paid $19000 for a 2019 Koleos with 98000ks and full service history.Never had cvt transmission before but I am pleasantly surprised at it’s performance and fuel economy.Having owned a Nissan x trail for many years and this vehicle sharing all it’s mechanicals I have no doubts of it being a reliable car that I will keep for a long time.
Nissan Pathfinder
- Starting Price $41,990 to $88,513
- TransmissionAutomatic and Continuously Variable (CVT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Hybrid (HEV)
Biggest lemon ever.. Where do I start? Purchased 2009 ST, 6 sp manual model in 2014, 90000kms on clock. By 130,000km, it had already needed shocks,… Read more
clutch, alternator, battery and EGR replaced. Cruise control stopped working at about 130000km. Electrical wiring issues with brake and headlight constantly blowing. Timing chain replaced 18 months ago at nearly $2700. I’ve only kept it due to using it to tow horse float but no Longer have any trust in this vehicle to not break down in traffic while towing so it’s pretty much useless now. My mechanic refuses to repair it now as he says I’m just wasting my money. Too much blow by in engine. It’s now occasionally going into limp mode and error code of camshaft position sensor. Plastic trim around console peeling and arm rests also. Just going through all my receipts and I’ve spent close to $22,000 in repairs (not including services) It’s done 290,000km now and can’t wait to send it to the scrap heap.
Suzuki Vitara (2015-2026)
- Starting Price $28,491 to $40,761
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), Rear Wheel Drive (RWD), All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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the thing is with Suzuki models they rearly brake down 5 year warranty on new models parts are not expensive cheap to run .they are comfortable to drive is a good car for the wife to drive or the familly to travel in. Show details
Hyundai Santa Fe
- Starting Price $50,499 to $75,500
- TransmissionAutomatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)
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If you like a car that won’t stop beeping - Buy this.
Mazda CX-3 (2015-2026)
- Starting Price $27,329 to $44,118
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
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I recently purchased the Mazda CX-3 GT SP G20 and couldn’t be happier with my choice. It strikes an excellent balance between fun, comfort, and… Read more
practicality. The power delivery is zippy and responsive, giving it a lively character around town, yet it remains impressively fuel efficient – I average around 5–5.5L per 100km on the highway, which is fantastic for a petrol SUV of this size.
Day-to-day driving is a breeze as the CX-3 is super easy to drive, park, and manoeuvre. The seats are comfortable even on longer trips, and I really like the sporty styling touches that make it look sharp on the road. Highway driving is especially enjoyable thanks to the radar cruise control, which takes the stress out of longer journeys.
One of the things I appreciate most is that Mazda continues to use a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission rather than a CVT. It makes the car feel more engaging and connected to drive, with smooth shifts and better response when overtaking.
Overall, the CX-3 GT SP G20 is a great package – zippy, efficient, stylish, and comfortable, with just the right amount of technology to make driving easy and enjoyable
Jeep Wrangler
- Starting Price $42,950 to $90,200
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFour Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel
The Jeep Wrangler has long been a symbol of off-road freedom — rugged, capable, and built for adventure. With its military heritage and unmistakable… Read more
boxy silhouette, the Wrangler is one of the few vehicles that has remained true to its roots while gradually evolving with modern comfort and tech.
Hyundai Tucson
- Starting Price $27,990 to $61,100
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid (HEV)

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2020 Hyundai Tucson TL Series II Engine Failure – $12,000 Repair, Poor Reliability Bought: 2024 (second-hand) Location: Melbourne, VIC Model: 2020… Read more
Hyundai Tucson TL Series II (add variant if known) ❌ Hyundai Tucson Engine Failure (Major Issue)
I purchased a 2020 Hyundai Tucson TL Series II expecting a reliable SUV, but after only 17 months (and 120,000km), the vehicle developed serious issues.
The car started losing power and was assessed by Hyundai Service Centre Frankston, where it was diagnosed with: Internal engine failure Repair cost quoted: approximately $12,000
For a relatively modern vehicle, this level of engine failure and repair cost is unacceptable.
Hyundai Tucson Reliability Concerns
This vehicle had:
Full service history Regular servicing Oil changed and checked consistently (never low)
Despite proper maintenance, the engine still failed. Hyundai suggested lack of oil, despite no evidence to suggest this was the cause and additionally does not reflect how the vehicle was maintained.
This raises serious concerns about Hyundai Tucson reliability and engine durability, particularly for the 2020 model.
⚠️ Cost and Inconvenience Vehicle has been undriveable since October 2025 Still paying finance on a non-working car Ongoing transport costs and inconvenience
A $12,000 engine replacement on a vehicle like this is not something a reasonable consumer would expect.
Customer Service & Warranty Experience
My experience with Hyundai Customer Service has been extremely frustrating:
Multiple follow-ups with little to no response for 6 months No clear accountability by Hyundai No goodwill repair offered despite the Warranty ending approx 3 months prior to the issue arising. Dealer also declined responsibility I have been forced to submit a VCAT application under Australian Consumer Law to attempt to have my situation remedied.
For such a major failure, the lack of support is very disappointing.
⚖️ Known Hyundai Engine Problems
After researching, I found that Hyundai engine problems and failures have been widely reported, including complaints relating to engine reliability. I have found information that states that this model has now been discontinued.
This suggests my experience may not be an isolated case.
Final Verdict – Would I Recommend a Hyundai Tucson?
No! Based on my experience with engine failure, repair cost, and lack of support, I would not recommend the 2020 Hyundai Tucson.
A vehicle in this category should not experience catastrophic engine failure so early in its life.
Pros Comfortable SUV (before engine failure)
Cons Engine failure Expensive repair cost Poor reliability Lack of customer support
Has anyone else had Hyundai Tucson engine problems or failure? Would be interested to hear if this is common.
SsangYong Rexton
- Starting Price $49,585 to $56,585
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel Type Petrol and Diesel

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I would stay away from this car, if you have an iPhone 14 or above. There technically is not compatable so there is no car play available. We have… Read more
not had car play since we bought the car a year ago. Definitely buy another suv. Plus customer support is all via email so there is no real help with any issues.
Hi Graham, can you please send us a private message with your vehicle details and we will look into this for you.