Sunday 7: Capable off-road chariots

So, check out some of Drive’s favourite four-wheel-drives for getting off the beaten track.

Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

The Renegade Trailhawk is the range-topping variant of Jeep’s smallest SUV.
Available in three other variants, the Trailhawk is the machine you really want for hitting those outback trails.
Powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the Trailhawk gets raised suspension, shallower front and rear bumpers and dual-purpose tyres - perfect for daily drives as well as weekend adventures.

Ford Ranger Raptor

The Ranger Raptor has been a Drive favourite since it jumped on the scene this year.
The range-topping Raptor is Ford’s answer to both a family and performance vehicle.
Complete with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo engine and race-inspired Fox shock absorbers, this off-road predator was developed with inspiration from the Baja 1000 competition utes.
Check out the Raptor's full review here.

Subaru Forester

Moving on to the smaller, more family-oriented pick of our bunch, the Forester.
Only one powertrain option is available across all three variants in the range, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a CVT automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel-drive.
The 2018 update has seen the Forester get Subaru’s EyeSight driving assistance suite as standard, bringing a range of handy tech like AEB, forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
Of course it’ll also take you well off the beaten track thanks to the Forester’s X-mode for off-roading. See Drive's review on the new Forester here.

Toyota Landcruiser Prado

A long-time favourite for families and 4X4 fans alike, the Toyota Landcruiser Prado is a staple of the Aussie motoring landscape. The current generation has been updated both inside and out, and standard safety options such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and pre-collision warning make the Prado a safe place to be.
Four trim levels are available - GX, GXL, VX and top-of-the-range Kakadu - and all of them are capable of bush-bashing goodness.
Powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-charged diesel engine you can get the GX and GXL in either manual or automatic - or the VX and Kakadu in automatic only.

Land Rover Discovery

A little more luxurious than the others, and now in its fifth generation, is the Land Rover Discovery.
With four trim levels and four engine options, there’s one for every budget. And, a number of design options allow for customisation to suit each person.
But, the Discovery’s off-roading capability is where it’s at. Independent front and rear suspension, as well as a number driver aids, make Land Rover some of the most capable off-road vehicles built. Air suspension allows for easy change of ride height to suit the environment, and the British brand even offers courses to help you become a better off-road driver.

Jeep Wrangler Sport

For those who enjoy a bit more fun in the sun, the Jeep Wrangler is our cruiser option.
Three convertible roof options are available for the Renegade’s slightly bigger brother, and the Wrangler remains just as capable when it comes to off-road duties.
You needn’t worry about sand, mud or dirt as the Wrangler has a wash-out interior for ease of cleaning.
Equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, the Wrangler Sport also comes with Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4X4 systems which Jeep says make it “a force to be reckoned with”.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Think luxury. Then, triple it. This is the limousine you could take to the bush.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the luxury British car brand’s first SUV - and so far, is set to be the only one.
The Cullinan isn’t here yet, but when it arrives early next year, it will come roaring in, in all it’s V12-powered all-wheel-drive glory, costing around $685,000 before you dive into the options list.
Computer-controlled suspension automatically tailors itself to the environment with a simple push of the “everywhere” button. After all, you wouldn't want to be troubled with having to choose your own driving mode.