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Day Trippers - A short trip to France took on new meaning as we explored the bomb-cratered hillsides behind Calais.
(4x4 March 2003) |
The Contenders:
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport
Shogun by name, Challenger by nature, the Sport is a simple and less sophisticated entry-level alternative to the true Shogun stable, and feels it. |
Nissan Terrano II
Oddball styling blends well with an excellent off-road chassis to produce a family estate that's competent on and off the road, and with seven-seater versatility. |
Vauxhall Frontera
An oldie but goodie, the smart styling has strong off-road feel, the chassis good off-road agility and the interior provides simple but comfortable accommodation. |
Different Strokes - The Ridgeway is one of Britain's oldest byways, the chosen route of hunter-gatherers, invading Germanic tribes and vikings. But which of our soft-roaders would make history?
(4x4 Feb 2003) |
The Contenders:
Ford Maverick
No gimmicks, no wacky style features, just a roomy, practical family estate with a simple four-wheel drive system, but more adventurous than it looks. |
Honda CR-V
It should be the Freelander's arch-rival, but fails to hit the spot as a credible off-roader, excelling instead with its on-road refinement. |
Toyota RAV4
Still a serious contender even though the styling is no longer leading-edge and practicality is off the pace, but it's well equipped and competitively priced. |
Lucky 13- Progress - the aim of civilised society. As the 4x4 market booms ever higher, prices drop even lower. As a result, you can get a serious amount of off-roader for 13k today.
(4x4 Jan 2003) |
The Contenders:
Kia Sportage
Not the prettiest 4x4 on the market today, but hasn't been beaten by the ugly stick either. Eight years old yet still won 4x4 Of The Year's budget class in 2002. But what about that impractical tailgate? |
Mitsubishi Pinin
The Pinin's unquestionably great looking, for the younger, funkier generation, anyway. A former budget winner of '4x4 Of The Year', will the decision to do away with low rage gearing count against it? |
Suzuki GV1600
The GV has shaken off the 'shocking pink' plastic off-road image of old, but has it acquired credibility, either on or off tarmac? Has the mature styling gone from hairdresser to blue rinse? |
Discovering the World- In its latest form the Discovery has more refinement and better off-road ability, but can it hold off the challenge from these brash rivals from east and west?
(4x4 Dec 2002) |
The Contenders:
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Refined Mercedes turbodiesel power meets swaggering American style to produce a good-value car that's economical yet good to drive, as well as being great to be seen in. |
Land Rover Discovery
Minor styling changes add new life to the classical elegance of this popular premium model, while significant mechanical improvements enhance the already impressive refinement. |
Mitsubishi Shogun
Big on the road with its bold styling and lusty big-four turbodiesel engine, big on the inside with comfortable seven-seater capacity, hard as nails in the rough. |
Budget Day - Convention says £10,000 won't buy you much 4x4, but Daihatsu's Terios and Suzuki's Jimny are low-price options. Practicality versus image - at this price you surely weren't expecting both?
(4x4 Nov 2002) |
The Contenders:
Daihatsu Terios
Odd-looking squeezed upright stance and not one to take too far off road, but makes superb use of Toyota's 1.3-litre engine, is surprisingly comfortable and ideal for the urban environment. |
Suzuki Jimny
Forget hairdressers, this Suzuki is built to lap up tricky terrain and should prove reliable, but the fun stops when you try to take the hood off, open the rear tailgate or coax power out of the engine. |
Pick-up line - Pick-ups aren't the rough 'n' ready construction site hacks they used to be. With refined turbodiesel engines, enhanced equipment and car-like comfort they rival sports utilities as outdoor funsters.
(4x4 Oct 2002) |
The Contenders:
Mitsubishi L200 Animal
In a continuing deal with extreme sports gear-maker Animal, the popular L200 generates another high-specification example of the colourful, dynamic and desirable Animal Double Cab. |
Nissan Navara
Big engine power gives Nissan's bold and brawny Navara the grunt it needs to match its looks. New frontal styling links it to Nissan's lifestyle trio, the X-Trail, Terrano and mighty Patrol GR. |
Toyota Hilux 270 VX
Efficiency is the byword for the new common-rail Hilux, with more power and better consumption from the smooth-revving 2.5-litre turbodiesel. Revised frontal styling counters basic styling blandness. |
Free Spirits - Conceived for an adventurous lifestyle, equipped to handle rough roads and muddy trails, Nissan's new sports ute poses a serious threat to the established front-runners.
(4x4 Sept 2002) |
The Contenders:
Land Rover Freelander
Compact sports utility fashion leader is more accessible with 1.8-litre entry-level petrol engine, yet still drives well and simply reeks elegant off-road style. |
Nissan X-Trail
Bred for outdoors lifestyle, the unexcitingly-styled Nissan boasts a complex four-wheel-drive system, gutsy engine and roomy interior. |
Toyota RAV4
Lively performance from advanced high-power engine makes this the hot-hatch choice. Not much cop off road but handles well at speed and is economical, too. |
Simply the Best - Many have tried to emulate the Range Rover's blend of limousine luxury and mud-plugging mastery. Some got close but, thanks to its recent overhaul, the Solihull supercar has taken the contest to a far higher plane.
(4x4 Aug 2002) |
The Contenders:
Mercedes-Benz ML500
Traditional Mercedes values are brought to the off-road scene in a spacious and well-appointed, but somewhat characterless car that clings strongly to its on-road roots. |
Range Rover Vogue
The all-new Range Rover seeks to set the standard for luxury four-wheel drives, blending ultra-modern styling with traditional values in the interior, superb on-road ride and incredible off-road prowess. |
Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon
Roomy, luxurious and well-equipped, the refined Amazon has subtler styling and more conventional mechanics, but bids to rival the Range Rover with its muscular on-road presence and competent off-road ability. |
Common Cause - Modern turbodiesel power adds fuel economy to the luxurious specification of these executive cruisers, but which one you'll buy could owe more to your fashion sense than any practical values.
(4x4 June 2002) |
The Contenders:
BMW X5
A high performance road car seeking off-road appeal through muscular styling and permanent four-wheel drive, powered by possibly the most refined turbodiesel engine available. |
Jeep Grand Cherokee
A gutsy off-roader seeking on-road appeal through modern styling and a luxurious equipment specification, powered by a strong five-cylinder Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel./td> |
Power Play - Gutsy V6 engines give these range-topping roustabouts the power to please. But just how good are they on and off road? We gave the feisty trio the chance to prove their worth.
(4x4 July 2002) |
The Contenders:
Jeep Cherokee
Though you'd think it's of a size and competence to rival the Discovery, the Cherokee pits its American brawn against the popular Freelander range. |
Mazda Tribute
Mechanically identical to the Ford Maverick, this modern design offers excellent roadholding as well as roomy practicality for the family. |
Land Rover Freelander
Stylish inside and out, the British favourite is a real flyer with V6 power and modern five-speed automatic transmission, backed by advanced electronic traction control. |
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