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Vehicle Tests > Overlander 4WD of the Year
Overlander 4WD of the Year
From here it was another freeway run home back Sydney to total around 1800km for the week. After a very hectic week all we had to do now was determine which vehicle was going to be Overlander's 4WD of the Year for 2006.
4WDOTY Results
Prado D4D Total Score 273.5/350
Four of the seven 4WDOTY testers scored the Prado the highest in the group, two scored it second and one third to take it 10 points clear of second place. The judges liked the solid build and the simplicity of its function plus the fact that of all the finalist vehicles, it has more aftermarket kit available for it than any other, making it the vehicle best suited to Outback touring or offroading. At $58,290 the GXL Prado is one of the more affordable wagons here.
The only real criticism of the Prado was the lack of any electronic chassis controls such as ETC or ESP. If Toyota got serious about Prado and included these items as standard equipment across the range like Pajero, the Toyota would be unstoppable. Prado's refined ride and leading offroad ability are now mated to a modern engine and transmission to create an unrivalled vehicle in this class of 4WD wagon.
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Pajero Exceed DiD Total Score 263.5/350
Pajero scored two top places from our judges to get it to second place. It's extensive list of standard features impressed the judging team as did the performance of the DID engine, five-speed auto driveline package. What they didn't like were the harsh ride and NVH and the fact that the Paj was the thirstiest on fuel.
In its defence, a lower spec model Pajero rather than the $70,590 Exceed would have fared better in this test as they still have all the good MATT bits you want, without some of the luxury items you may not want, but a better price and the ride and NVH doesn't befit a $70K vehicle.
Touareg V6tdi Total Score 253/350
A better, more fuel efficient engine in what is essentially the same vehicle that won 4WDOTY just a few of years ago at a more affordable $74,990 price should be a favourite. Sure the new V6tdi Touareg is a better tourer than the petrol V8 that won in 2003 and it's not short on performance but it was let down this time by its ride and the interior rattles and squeaks that annoyed our judges.
Santa Fe CRDi Total Score 252/350
The little Hyundai was the surprise package on 4WDOTY 2006, following the bigger 4WDs up hill and down dale. One of our judges scored it equal first and for a couple of others it was their second choice. We knew the Santa Fe would score well for its standard level of equipment and fuel economy but we didn't expect it to perform this good as well. The combo of a torquey turbodiesel engine backed by a torque converter and auto with ETC managing traction saw the Santa Fe head up tracks even we didn't expect it to tackle. We only hope that this vehicle sells as well as it should so that the aftermarket will see fit to develop more accessories for it.
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4WDOTY Results
Prado D4D Total Score 273.5/350
Four of the seven 4WDOTY testers scored the Prado the highest in the group, two scored it second and one third to take it 10 points clear of second place. The judges liked the solid build and the simplicity of its function plus the fact that of all the finalist vehicles, it has more aftermarket kit available for it than any other, making it the vehicle best suited to Outback touring or offroading. At $58,290 the GXL Prado is one of the more affordable wagons here.
The only real criticism of the Prado was the lack of any electronic chassis controls such as ETC or ESP. If Toyota got serious about Prado and included these items as standard equipment across the range like Pajero, the Toyota would be unstoppable. Prado's refined ride and leading offroad ability are now mated to a modern engine and transmission to create an unrivalled vehicle in this class of 4WD wagon.
read on below advertisement
Pajero Exceed DiD Total Score 263.5/350
Pajero scored two top places from our judges to get it to second place. It's extensive list of standard features impressed the judging team as did the performance of the DID engine, five-speed auto driveline package. What they didn't like were the harsh ride and NVH and the fact that the Paj was the thirstiest on fuel.
In its defence, a lower spec model Pajero rather than the $70,590 Exceed would have fared better in this test as they still have all the good MATT bits you want, without some of the luxury items you may not want, but a better price and the ride and NVH doesn't befit a $70K vehicle.
Touareg V6tdi Total Score 253/350
A better, more fuel efficient engine in what is essentially the same vehicle that won 4WDOTY just a few of years ago at a more affordable $74,990 price should be a favourite. Sure the new V6tdi Touareg is a better tourer than the petrol V8 that won in 2003 and it's not short on performance but it was let down this time by its ride and the interior rattles and squeaks that annoyed our judges.
Santa Fe CRDi Total Score 252/350
The little Hyundai was the surprise package on 4WDOTY 2006, following the bigger 4WDs up hill and down dale. One of our judges scored it equal first and for a couple of others it was their second choice. We knew the Santa Fe would score well for its standard level of equipment and fuel economy but we didn't expect it to perform this good as well. The combo of a torquey turbodiesel engine backed by a torque converter and auto with ETC managing traction saw the Santa Fe head up tracks even we didn't expect it to tackle. We only hope that this vehicle sells as well as it should so that the aftermarket will see fit to develop more accessories for it.
next page »
