Vehicle Tests > 2007 4WD of the Year

The GXL oiler, as tested here, starts at the same price as the VX petrol but still lacks KDSS (a $2500 option on the GLX turbo diesel) so it ends up being both more expensive and, at the same time, not as well equipped.

Set-piece hill climb/test track
After watching the petrol VX perform on the set-piece hill climb it comes as no surprise that the GXL turbo diesel completes the same task without unduly extending itself. Again, like the VX, it drags its rear diff on the track's centre hump but the combination of long wheel travel, torsion centre diff and electronic traction control see it up the slope without fuss or fanfare.

Unlike the VX, which has Crawl Control, the GXL oiler has a conventional hill descent function to ease it down the other side. Without the hill descent engaged the GXL will run away down the slope but not to the same extent as the petrol 200. Without the VX's height-adjustable driver's seat, the vision from the GXL is only just acceptable, especially so for shorter drivers. Conversely, the taller amongst us complain that the GXL driver's seat needs to be lower as they look straight at the sunvisor.

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Trail Drive
Everything the VX petrol does on the trails, the GXL diesel does at least as well if not better. It's certainly more economical (by 40 percent) and - not that the V8 petrol lacks off-idle torque - the diesel is more flexible again and rarely asks the gearbox for a lower cog when hill climbing, and has more engine braking for those steep descents.

Like the petrol 200, the diesel 200 has more than enough ability for tough trails although you do need to be mindful of the sidesteps (we bent the steps on both 200s), the rear mudflaps and the front bumper, as the 200 is not a knock-around offroader like the Jeep, the Defender or even the 76.

Touring
It's not too often that a diesel outperforms its petrol counterpart on the road, but that's the case with the 200 Series. The diesel matches the petrol for power, beats it handsomely for torque (which translates to more power across the rev range), and has one extra gear. The only downside is the diesel's extra weight (around 75kg heavier at the same spec level), but when you're looking at kerb weights in the 2600 to 2700kg region, 75kg isn't a significant difference.

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