Best-Off Road Utes

Tynan Motors - 28th February 2023

In this part of our all-encompassing 4×4 ute investigation, we drove a dozen of Australia's most popular dual-cabs through some off-road tests. We conducted these tests at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) in rural Victoria (close to Anglesea).

It is important to point out that we concentrated on off-roading of low difficulty, which is more akin to what many owners will partake in. This is to assess the 4×4 systems and traction controls and to not push them to their breaking point. Every ute that was tested, was also running stock tyres and the suggested pressures for each.

The tests were conducted with stock tyres on stock vehicles, not so much for hardcore 4x4 enthusiasts, but to rather see how the generic vehicles go at navigating obstacles in a slight off-road experience. If you are a regular off-roader there are many additional aftermarket items in which can be purchased like chunkier tyres, more underbody protection, and even potentially some suspension upgrades to assist in your off-roading experience.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

If there's any ute during the testing that was specifically designed for off-roading, it's the Jeep Gladiaor Rubicon.

There are many features that are equipped within the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon such as, heavy duty Dana axles, locking front and rear diffs, a 4:1 low-gear ratio, all terrain-tyres, and even a disconnecting front sway bar for maximum articulation.

Although, the vehicle wasnt super impressive on the rollers in 2H, it was far better in 4-Auto, pulling up the slippery slope immediately. The vehicle passed the flex test and walked up the gravel mountain in low-range with just the rear diffs locked. 

Mitsubishi Triton GSR

Nothing can frighten the Triton, including the tests concluded.

The vehicles traction control picked up well on the rollers in both 2H and 4H modes, with ease to get the vehicle up the slippery slope. The vehicle passed the flex test, although the long rear overhang which limits the departure angle - a result of the small wheelbase and subsequent tight turning circle. The vehicle also walked up the gravel mountain in low-range with a locked rear diff.

Although the car isnt up to speed with all of the latest high tech features, it is a remarkable vehicle and deserves the recognition.

Ram 1500 Laramie

The Ram 1500 Laramie uses a limited-sleep rear diff rather than a manually-locking one. In 2H the vehicle rolled back before moving forwards on the slippery slope and just technically passed.

Due to he advanced features throughout the vehicle, there was one challenge when driving over the moguls as the auto-deploying electronic side steps appeared each time a door was opened. 

The vehicle passed the flex test although there were no signs of chassis flex and the vehicle walked up the gravel mountain with ease, which could be due to the V8 torque or perhaps due to the sheer mass reducing wheel spin.

One feature which was noticed during the testing is there is no hill-descent conrol and the vehicle had to come down the hill in first and low-range and noticed the front plastic section below the bumper scraping against the trail. 

Tynan Motors Competitors

Were you wondering how the Tynan Motors competitors stack up?

Chevrolet Silverado LTZ

The big American vehicle showed no sign of struggle during any of the tests and passed each test with flying colours due to the large and in charge nature of the vehicle. 

Ford Ranger Raptor

The Ford Ranger Raptor was the first vehicle the tests were conducted on as we thought it should be a benchmark, with high hopes as the vehicle comes with great off-road features such as BF Goodrich off-road tyres, double diff locks, and Fox racing shocks. 

The vehicle passed each test with ease, until it hit some sketchy and slippery gravel on the gravel mountain which led to the front diff needing to be locked, which was a surprise as there was only 2 vehicles in the test that had a locking front diff, and was the only vehicle which needed it. 

Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 also had no major issues in any of the tests conducted, but did struggle to make it up the gravel mountain alhough the ford comes with a wide range of terrain modes which control power delivery, shift timing, stability control and traction control systems to beter suit a given surface type. 

GWM Ute Cannon-X

The GWM Ute Cannon-X displayed that it needs some major work done throughout the duration of the tests after failing the rollers, mogul and the hill climb.

The vehicle did well on the flex-test and the hill-descent after displaying great results.

Isuzu D-Max LS-U+

Again, similar to the GWM Ute Cannon-X, it needs some work done after failing the rollers in 2H, the hill climb and the hill-descent. 

The vehicle did well on the flex-test and the mogul after displaying great results.

Mazda BT-50 SP

You can pretty much copy and paste the D-Max’s off-road performance, for obvious reasons – they’re the same car except the BT-50 had a slightly more luxurious spec grade. 

The vehicle also failed the rollers in 2H, the hill climb and the hill-descent. 

Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior

The looks of the Navara are nothing short of amazing, giving credit to the extra protection, a suspension lift, and chunky Cooper Discoverer tyres among other additions.

The Navara passed each test with flying colours, but the low-resolution camera could have been updated.

SsangYong Musso XLV Ultimate

The truth is, while we’d like the ability to control it ourselves, it works well – if a little abruptly. Note this was the only vehicle on test that did not pass the flex test, with the driver’s door catching a little.

The vehicle failed the flex test, hill climb and hill-descent.

Toyota Hilux Rogue

This Hilux Rogue is not your run-of-the-mill model, with many modifications throughout.

The vehicle passed each test extremely well, but could also do with an upgraded camera as the resolution is no good. 

Summary 

In summary, 

Overall winner: Jeep Gladiator RubiconBest value: Ford Ranger RaptorBest four-cylinder: Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior

Be sure to keep up to date with the latest news and shop the best vehicles at Tynan Motors in store at our many locations or online here: Tynan Motors

Credit to: Car Expert