2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best 4WD

[Express]

2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best 4WD


Two newcomers take on our defending champion to find the best off-roader.



06 November 2016
Stephen Ottley



The Ford Everest made a big impact on the 2015 Drive Car of the Year awards, winning not only Best 4WD but going on to take the overall title.

So it returns in 2016 with high expectations and facing two new rivals to retain its title. And unlike 2015 where it went up against only the Jeep Cherokee, this time around the Everest is up against two of its own kind - seven-seat off-roaders based on popular utes.



Best 4WD 2016 Drive Car of the Year
Two newcomers take on our defending champion to find the best off-roader.


The Ranger-based Everest's rivals are the Holden Trailblazer LTZ (based on the Colorado, with a new name replacing Colorado7) and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (based on the Triton).

As good as the new competition is the Everest's 2015 success was clearly no fluke and in 2016 it remains the best 4WD on the market.

It has retained all the characteristics that made it a winner last year - a grunty turbo diesel engine, refined cabin, good on-road manners and strong off-road capability and SUV practicality.



The Ford Everest returns to defend its crown against the new Holden Trailblazer and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Photo: Mark Bean


"It's a comfortable car to live with as a family and doesn't make you feel like you're driving a truck," was one judge's summation.

The 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel produces a healthy 143kW of power and 470Nm of torque, which feels more than enough to get the Everest moving briskly on- and off-road. Its refinement also impressed the judges, feeling less like a working-class ute and more like a car-based SUV.

Ford Australia's role in the development of the Everest is evident when it was tested on the road - our test route is typical of the surfaces you find around Australia. The Everest rides comfortably and feels smoother and more refined than its rivals.

Inside too it looks more car-like than a workhorse ute, with a nice combination of materials to lift the ambience. It's also spacious with seating for seven and tri-zone air-conditioning is standard.

One new development since its 2015 victory is the introduction of Ford's latest infotainment system, SYNC3. It brings added functionality, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an easier to use interface.

The Everest Trend isn't a cheap car, starting at $60,990 (plus on-road costs), but it is well equipped for an off-roader incorporating active safety features including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

"It's a more expensive car but you can feel where the money has gone," said one judge.

Underlining just how impressive the Everest is was the fact it was the only category winner in this year's awards to get a unanimous vote.

The Trailblazer took second place and won praise from the judging panel for its improvements over the previous Colorado7.

While not wholly developed in Australia like the Everest Holden has done a significant amount of local optimisation, especially to the suspension, to improve the way it rides and handles. And it worked, with all the judges praising the step forward from the old model in its on-road dynamics while still retaining its off-road capability.

But the Trailblazer shows more of its ute roots than the Everest does.

The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel produces a healthy 147kW and 500Nm but makes more noise - that unmistake gruff diesel growl - than it should as a car meant for families.

It's working-class origins also show in the cabin. While an improvement over the Colorado7, it fails to match the heights of the Everest.

The lack of reach adjustment for the steering (a common trait in all three finalists) combined with an unnaturally high seating position makes for awkward ergonomics.

While there is decent space in the cabin overall, the third row of the Trailblazer was noticeably smaller than its rivals.

In third place came the Pajero Sport, which replaces the Challenger nameplate and is the cheapest model of our trio.

The Mitsubishi has some very positive traits, aside from its affordability, with the most car-like interior (which includes leather seats) and a spacious interior for seven. But in such a high-quality field its weakness were easily exposed.

The most obvious one was the way it rides and handles, feeling very similar to the Triton. That translates to a fussy, busy ride that feels unsettled without any significant weight in the back of the car to settle the rear down. Several judges complained that the steering was vibrating noticeably during our testing on road.

The engine is the least powerful of the group, 133kW and 430Nm, and it feels it too, with more lethargic performance. It's also noticeably noisier undre heavy acceleration.

However, with a $48,500 starting price the Pajero Sport is a lot of car for the money.

But Drive's Best 4WD for 2016 proves that in the automotive world, as in life, you often get what you pay for. The Ford Everest Trend isn't the cheapest off-roader you can buy - but it is the best.


Judge's votes

Ford - 6

Holden - 12

Mitsubishi - 18


Ford Everest Trend

Price: From $60,990 plus on-road costs

Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 143kW at 3000rpm

Torque: 470Nm at 1750-2500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 8.4L/100km


Holden Trailblazer LTZ

Price: From $52,490 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 147kW at 3600rpm

Torque: 500Nm at 2000-2200rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 8.6L/100km


Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS

Price: From $48,500 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 133kW at 3500rpm

Torque: 430Nm at 2500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 8.0L/100km


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http://www.drive.com.au/car-of-the-y...04-gshz0t.html

[Vesper Martini]

That's Great, but where are the two Toyotas in that segment?

Pajero despite its apparent ride issue is pretty good value for money and the best fuel economy

[SensationFG8]

Haven't they compared the wrong Pajero with the Everest?

[TheSneakiness]

I wouldn't call those vehicles 4WD, more like soft roader.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

I wouldn't call those vehicles 4WD, more like soft roader.

I tried to get that point across a few months ago when the Everest won another award. But according to some here the Everest is the ultimate in 4 drivability.

Brand loyalty can make some a little naive. But you are correct. At best a very capable soft reader.

[fordomatic]

Your kidding me right, those cars are not 4x4's, take them up the high country and see how many diffs and sumps are left on the rocks

[Express]

I find it offensive that some members are insinuating that a car magazine may have got the winner of an award wrong.

[mike_nofx]

Misleading title by Drive. Should be "Most vapid soft-roader".

They don't even pass as soccermum cars.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

I wouldn't call those vehicles 4WD, more like soft roader.

What does a vehicle have to have to make it a 4WD?

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Matty4

What does a vehicle have to have to make it a 4WD?

Technically? High and Low range, plus front and rear diffs.
What should it have? Ladder chassis, proper ground clearance with good approach, breakover and departure angles, oh and live axles!

But this statement is the most bogus "to find the best off-roader"

None of those are the best off-roader.

[Falcon SXR8]

Originally Posted by Matty4

What does a vehicle have to have to make it a 4WD?

GQ patrol on 35's, open diffs, home made rock sliders, straight through exhaust. Or keep those mods but swap out the gq for an 80 series cruiser

[Sabantien]

This is the best forum. Hate every car but Ford, hate Fords too. Love it.

[cheap]

Oh look! Everest wins 4x4 again and again and again, it must be time for the magazines to throw in the towel, no matter how much sugar coating they put on the Everest, it isn't translated into registrations.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

This is the best forum. Hate every car but Ford, hate Fords too. Love it.

Hate every car that isn't a Ford, hate every Ford that isn't a Falcon.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by Matty4

What does a vehicle have to have to make it a 4WD?

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Technically? High and Low range, plus front and rear diffs.
What should it have? Ladder chassis, proper ground clearance with good approach, breakover and departure angles, oh and live axles!

But this statement is the most bogus "to find the best off-roader"

None of those are the best off-roader.

Q&A sorted.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

GQ patrol on 35's, open diffs, home made rock sliders, straight through exhaust. Or keep those mods but swap out the gq for an 80 series cruiser

you forgot reduction gears and a 4.2 straight 6 trunk diesel.

these 6 things make a great 4x4

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Technically? High and Low range, plus front and rear diffs.
What should it have? Ladder chassis, proper ground clearance with good approach, breakover and departure angles, oh and live axles!

Technically those 3 cars have all of that, apart from not having a front live axle - which is a good thing.

If the cars were made to suit a handful of off roaders they wouldn't sell, they need to be suited to the tarmac where the spend most of their time & also need to pass ancap ratings

There plenty of aftermarket mods to make them all proper off roaders, and many enjoy doing all these mods to get the car they want.

even though those mods destroy economy - safety -handling etc.

[Silver Ghia]

Many owners need a 4WD to drive along the highways and be able to confidently tow their caravan or boat into muddy caravan parks and boat ramps without getting stuck. This is still driving off the road, or 'offroading'...

Not necessarily for potholey and muddy bush tracks or rocky creek beds, where those vehicles would most likely need to be significantly modified for the purpose intended, even though they may have already been a capable offroader off the showroom floor.

The definition of "offroader" is murky because of the vastly differing terrains that vehicles may be required to drive on.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Technically those 3 cars have all of that, apart from not having a front live axle - which is a good thing.

If the cars were made to suit a handful of off roaders they wouldn't sell, they need to be suited to the tarmac where the spend most of their time & also need to pass ancap ratings

There plenty of aftermarket mods to make them all proper off roaders, and many enjoy doing all these mods to get the car they want.

even though those mods destroy economy - safety -handling etc.

Exactly. There is only 5mm difference between the Everest and Landcruiser ground clearance. People have to remember they are comparing new cars not modified off roaders. Nobody takes a standard car rock crawling.

[naddis01]

An Everest, if anything like the Ranger, with a decent set of tyres will go far enough offroad for 99% of buyers. The other 1% will be modifying any vehicle to get to where they want to go.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Many owners need a 4WD to drive along the highways and be able to confidently tow their caravan or boat into muddy caravan parks and boat ramps without getting stuck. This is still driving off the road, or 'offroading'...

Not necessarily for potholey and muddy bush tracks or rocky creek beds, where those vehicles would most likely need to be significantly modified for the purpose intended, even though they may have already been a capable offroader off the showroom floor.

The definition of "offroader" is murky because of the vastly differing terrains that vehicles may be required to drive on.

Many owners need something this size, not necessarily the 4x4, to tow bigger and better caravans and boats. Unless you want a 12 foot shoebox many vans are too heavy for cars.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Exactly. There is only 5mm difference between the Everest and Landcruiser ground clearance. People have to remember they are comparing new cars not modified off roaders. Nobody takes a standard car rock crawling.

I must be the only one that has ever taken a fresh off the floor GU patrol rock crawling. Who would of thought??

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

I must be the only one that has ever taken a fresh off the floor GU patrol rock crawling. Who would of thought??

Standard Tyres?

PS what are you going to buy next since the GU was axed?

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Exactly. There is only 5mm difference between the Everest and Landcruiser ground clearance. People have to remember they are comparing new cars not modified off roaders. Nobody takes a standard car rock crawling.

We took a 4 door 2012 Jeep Wrangler through 4WD tracks and over rocks in and around Moe. Picked it up with 400km on it. Stock as a rock. No problems what so ever.

[mike_nofx]

I think what many people disagree with is that the claimed "Best 4WD" and "Best Off roader" is a competition between 3 boring soft-roaders. Where is the Patrol, the 200 or 70 series cruiser, The Jeep Wrangler?

Maybe if they called it something like "Best all-rounder 4WD" it'd be more accurate, factoring in price, on-road comfort, fuel economy, clearance at shopping centre carparks etc that would make more sense. But to say "Best off-roader" to me is just plain inaccurate.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

This is the best forum. Hate every car but Ford, hate Fords too. Love it.

Originally Posted by Wretched

Hate every car that isn't a Ford, hate every Ford that isn't a Falcon.

Well its "The Australian Ford Forum" not "The Thailand Ford Forum" haha

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by Wretched

We took a 4 door 2012 Jeep Wrangler through 4WD tracks and over rocks in and around Moe. Picked it up with 400km on it. Stock as a rock. No problems what so ever.

What I probably should have said is nobody keeps them stock if they are a regular off roader. Most 4wds are capable off road. Even the dual cabs go better than people give them credit for.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Well its "The Australian Ford Forum" not "The Thailand Ford Forum" haha

Should it have been the The Australian Falcon Forum?
Either way it is time this place was closed down based on that...there are no "australian" Fords.

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Standard Tyres?

PS what are you going to buy next since the GU was axed?

Factory tyres. We bought one of the last GU's new a little while ago. That will be a keeper for a long time to come. What next? Who knows. REAL 4x4's are getting a little hard to come by these days.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Should it have been the The Australian Falcon Forum?
Either way it is time this place was closed down based on that...there are no "australian" Fords.

There are plenty of forums dedicated to now discontinued cars!