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Vehicle Tests > 2007 4WDOTY Contenders
2007 4WDOTY Contenders
Overlander 4WD's annual 4WD Of The Year award is open to any new or significantly revised 4WD released in the 12 months encompassing November 30, 2006 to November 30, 2007. Significantly revised means it must have a new body, or a new engine or driveline, not just a styling or equipment makeover, and to be eligible, the vehicle in question must have been driven by us on Australian soil before the cut-off date.
The 12 months from November 2006 to November 2007 saw another swag of new 4wds and SUVs hit the Aussie market. 24 new models with countless variations to provide a vehicle supposedly suited to everyone.
Unfortunately they don't all stack up as Overlander 4WD of the year contenders. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with them but more like they don't bring anything new to the marketplace or they are too onroad oriented for this title. This makes it easy for us to compile our short list of 4WDOTY finalists.
Another aspect that instantly discounts a vehicle from 4WDOTY contention is its spare tyre. Offer anything less than a spare that matches in size the other four on the vehicle for unrestricted use and you're out. Space savers, run flats or temporary tyres don't cut it.
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The only way around it is if the manufacturer offers a factory fitted spare wheel carrier as an option like the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Eligible vehicles that were discounted on this fact include the second generation BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport TDV8, both excellent vehicles but hobbled by the lack of a matching spare wheel and tyre.
Vehicles that were left behind because they were considered too soft road oriented to be contenders for the Overlander title include the Nissan X-Trail, Holden Captiva diesel, Dodge Nitro, Land Rover Freelander, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Honda CRV and Toyota Kluger.
Vehicles that were new and relatively good 4WDs but not offering anything new or significant to the market were the Rodeo 3.0tdi, Mahindra Pik-up, Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler Sport diesel, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Defender 130, Mitsubishi Triton diesel auto, Land Cruiser 78 and 79 series, Nissan Patrol 3.0L cab-chassis, Ssangyong Kyron 2.7 and Ssangyong Actyon.
So what does that leave us with? Seven finalist vehicles, all with real off road ability and class leading features. In alphabetical order they are -
Hummer H3 Adventure
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The 12 months from November 2006 to November 2007 saw another swag of new 4wds and SUVs hit the Aussie market. 24 new models with countless variations to provide a vehicle supposedly suited to everyone.
Unfortunately they don't all stack up as Overlander 4WD of the year contenders. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with them but more like they don't bring anything new to the marketplace or they are too onroad oriented for this title. This makes it easy for us to compile our short list of 4WDOTY finalists.
Another aspect that instantly discounts a vehicle from 4WDOTY contention is its spare tyre. Offer anything less than a spare that matches in size the other four on the vehicle for unrestricted use and you're out. Space savers, run flats or temporary tyres don't cut it.
read on below advertisement
The only way around it is if the manufacturer offers a factory fitted spare wheel carrier as an option like the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Eligible vehicles that were discounted on this fact include the second generation BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport TDV8, both excellent vehicles but hobbled by the lack of a matching spare wheel and tyre.
Vehicles that were left behind because they were considered too soft road oriented to be contenders for the Overlander title include the Nissan X-Trail, Holden Captiva diesel, Dodge Nitro, Land Rover Freelander, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Honda CRV and Toyota Kluger.
Vehicles that were new and relatively good 4WDs but not offering anything new or significant to the market were the Rodeo 3.0tdi, Mahindra Pik-up, Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler Sport diesel, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Defender 130, Mitsubishi Triton diesel auto, Land Cruiser 78 and 79 series, Nissan Patrol 3.0L cab-chassis, Ssangyong Kyron 2.7 and Ssangyong Actyon.
So what does that leave us with? Seven finalist vehicles, all with real off road ability and class leading features. In alphabetical order they are -
Hummer H3 Adventure
next page »
