A trip to the west coast of Australia has been on the bucket list for Klem and Sharon Christensen and their son James. They got serious about it in 2024, aiming to see the sights, swim with whale sharks and experience the outback. “We decided on May

When it comes to outdoor adventures in New Zealand’s diverse landscapes, from Northland’s coastal tracks to Southland’s rugged terrain, having reliable and versatile camping equipment isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential. SeaSucker is known globally

It’s getting more and more difficult to pick winners. The standards set by manufacturers keep getting reset in technology, safety, driving dynamics and ergonomics. Every year, NZ4WD celebrates the very best in new 4WD utes and SUVs, and every year th

The Ranger story, of course, starts in America. The Ford Ranger was first introduced in 1983, with a straightforward design with impressive performance. Ford provided two types of cabs, regular and extended, and two drive options, rear and four. All

Creating a personalised adventure vehicle is almost as much fun as getting out and about. Whether it’s DIY or Do It For Me, it can be immensely satisfying. It can also be quite frustrating if it’s done wrong. Here are a few suggestions for ‘must do’,

Farewell 2024. It’s been a huge year, and 2025 promises so much more. This is a great time to look back on the year just gone and celebrate the health of the booming market for new 4WD utes and SUVs. Each year NZ4WD researches and compiles a buyer’s

Give in to temptation. Australian 4WD adventures are out there, and they are like nothing available in this country. From soft-roading the coast road in South Australia through dusty drives out west or through the red heart of the continent to tackli

Kiwi photographer Mike Peffers and his mate Jack Talbot drove from Alice Springs to Sydney, travelling in Talbot’s Nissan Navara and sleeping in modern ‘swag’ tents. “Turning off the A87 at Mount Willoughby Station, leaving the tar sealed roads behin

Fifty-five years is a long time to have been facing the challenge of designing, manufacturing, exporting, and improving on automotive spare parts, but Terrain Tamer has been doing just that since the company’s beginnings in 1969. In the company’s ear

This is good, very good. The Tremor is based on the mid-spec 2.0-litre Ranger Sport but has the line-up’s full-time selectable 4WD system, which is standard on V6 Rangers. It’s not the part-time system used by other four-cylinder Rangers. That alone

The first mistake an Ineos Grenadier owner makes is about time management. For every trip to Bunnings or the supermarket, add at least 30 minutes for dealing with questions from auto and 4WD enthusiasts. The questions don’t start with “what will she

The Simpson is one of Australia’s most pure – and challenging – outback 4WD experiences left in Australia and is a bucket list adventure for Kiwis and Aussies. Gary Cooper did it solo with his wife. They hired a Toyota Land Cruiser, bought a rooftop

Every 4WD owner in New Zealand should have something from Ironman 4x4, whether it’s a set of driving lights, an awning, or perhaps a full suspension upgrade to get the most out of that 4WD for work or play. Ironman offers tailored combinations of pro

It’s the very definition of a cult 4WD. Suzuki’s mighty Jimny is a firm favourite among all who own it. The launch of the five-door version at the start of 2024 basically doubled the Jimny’s market appeal and its buyer audience. Five doors, decent ca

In the land of the long white cloud, whether it’s for work or play (or everything in-between), utility vehicles or utes are seen as a regular form of transportation. Of course they’re versatile, but more often than not, they’re also well kitted out,

NZ distributor XpeditioNZ says “others lay claim to having the strongest canopies, evidently unaware they’re not even on the same playing field as Bushtech.” Bushtech’s advanced engineering capability has long been evident in its internationally prov

When we first drove the new Triton, it impressed for its tech, spec and engineering, particularly for the latest versions of the 2.4-litre biturbo diesel engine and 4WD system. The stock wheels and tyres were surprisingly capable, though not aggressi

Owners of Toyota’s popular N80 (2015 – onwards) Hilux 4WD can now enjoy significantly improved braking performance, thanks to Bendix’s new Ultimate 4WD electric park brake (EPB) with drum-to-disc conversion kit. A key feature of the upgrade is the ‘a

Summer is in full swing and there is truly no place better than home for an unforgettable end of year getaway. The Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Tongariro National Park, Mount Maunganui and Queenstown will undoubtedly be hot spots among locals and inte

We have put the new Mitsubishi Triton up against the mighty Ford Ranger in our annual ute vs ute shootout. We’ve put the VW Amarok up against the Ranger. Dual drive tests are interesting, giving the chance to identify the relative strengths of two to

Off-road/ Adventuring? Overlanding? The classic Kiwi ‘she’ll be right’ attitude won’t work. That 4WD will only work at its full potential if it is built for the job, and if it is maintained properly. It’s part of the 4WD lifestyle. We put our vehicle

My good friend Gordon Colmore and I try to get away midweek for an overnight trip once a fortnight or so. Both being Christchurch based, our normal “go-to destination is the Avoca Valley via the Harper. It only takes us a couple of hours to get to th

Great scenery, great company, great yarns. South Island Tours offers this and more on its small group off-road tours. The company started 32 years ago, offering specially developed tours for 4WDers. Expanding over the decades, the company now offers

Right after the Ineos Quartermaster launch, my Melbourne-based daughter Caitlin was able to join me in Adelaide for a two-day drive back along the coast road. We hired a Subaru Crosstrek for the trip – an SUV’s a great way to tour through rural South

Price $53,990 Engine: 2.4-litre biturbo four-cylinder diesel Transmission: 6-speed automatic, on demand 4WD Power: 150kW at 3,500rpm Torque: 470Nm at 1,500-2,750rpm Fuel economy: 8.8l/100km CO2 emissions: 233gm/km Wheels/tyres: - (aftermarket) Ground