Australian 4WD & SUV Buyer's Guide September Issue #36 2020

As part of its economic response to Covid19, the federal government has extended its instant asset write-off scheme to the 2020-2021 financial year for businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million. An upper price limit of $59,136 applies to vehicles with a maximum payload below one tonne. Vehicles with a greater maximum payload now carry an upper price limit of $150,000. So if your business needs a new SUV, 4WD or ute, now is the time. Go to ato.gov.au for full details of the scheme. I hope you enjoy the magazine and that it helps you choose the 4WD, SUV or ute that works best for you. Feel free to get in touch at bill.mck10@gmail.com Editor…

JOSHUA DOWLING Joshua Dowling is the National Motoring Editor at caradvice.com.au and a World Car of the Year judge. Joshua is renowned for his consumer-first approach and you can also read his regular rants on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling. In this issue, he tests the LDV T60, Dodge RAM 1500 and Chevy Sliverado 1500. JOHN CAREY John is a former editor of Overlander, a contributor to Wheels magazine where he is a Car of the Year judge, and publications in the USA and UK. He lives in Bergamo, Italy, and covers new model launches for us from Europe. BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS Byron is a car tragic. He claims that a dream as a toddler of driving an Austin A35 sealed his fate. Byron writes for goauto.com.au and Wheels, where he is a judge…

In our tests on the following pages we have used symbols to give you a quick indication of the strengths of each vehicle and star ratings to indicate in more detail how each stacks up in its class. Here’s what the symbols and stars mean: Our piggybank indicates a vehicle that we think represents good value for money against the others in its class. It may not necessarily be the cheapest, but taking into account factors such as standard equipment, safety, the way it drives, resale values and quality, it shapes up as a good deal. A capital S indicates a vehicle that scores five stars out of five for occupant protection in ANCAP crash tests. Go to www.ancap.com.au. for more information If you’re after a safe, practical vehicle to…

As we went to press, Toyota’s updated Hilux and Fortuner were arriving in showrooms, with extensive improvements to the drivetrain, chassis and infotainment. The 2.8-litre turbodiesel used in both vehicles now produces 150kW of power (up 20kW) and 500Nm of torque (up 50Nm). Maximum towing weight for Hilux 2.8 automatic 4x4 is now 3500kg, matching Ranger. Fortuner’s maximum towing capacity also increases, by 300kg to 3100kg. Revised dampers and rear leaf spring rates for Hilux improves ride comfort on rough roads Inside, Hilux infotainment gets an eight-inch touchscreen, improved voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. SR grade and up add navigation and digital radio. The instruments now include a digital speedo readout. Fortuner gets LED headlights and the same infotainment upgrades as Hilux, with navigation and digital…

The Kia Sorento is one of the best seven seater SUVs on the market, so the new, third generation model, arriving in showrooms now, should be a good thing. It sits on an all-new platform with a 35mm longer wheelbase that yields more passenger room, plus what Kia claims is best in class cargo space. It will initially be available in Australia with carryover engines: a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four cylinder turbodiesel, matched with an eight-speed automatic and allwheel drive. The 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre V6/front-wheel drive train in the base model. Prices start at $45,850 for the 3.5V6 S, with the top of the range petrol GT-Line at $60,070. The base turbodiesel S is $48,850 and the GT-Line is $63,070. Digital instruments and 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment are fitted to a cabin…

Ford has released details of its new Bronco 4x4, which will go up against the Jeep Wrangler in its home US market. Unfortunately, it’s not slated for launch in Australia, but hopefully that will change. Ford says Bronco combines “the toughness of an F-Series truck and the performance of Mustang.” It’s certainly not short of go, with a 231kW/542Nm 2.7-litre V6 turbopetrol, hooked up to a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic and dual range 4x4, with extremely low crawler gear ratios. Ford offers 35-inch off road tyres for the serious off roader, while Bilstein suspension, decoupled stabiliser bars and locking diffs at both ends are also fitted. Available in two and four door variants, the Bronco features removable roof panels and doors. Prices start at around A$42,600. The smaller Bronco…