Best Off-Road Cars
Heading for adventure?
Looking for a dual-cab ute or off-road capable SUV? These four Drive Car of the Year categories showcase winners that can handle any terrain regardless of budget!
Did you know that almost 80 per cent of Australia's road network is unpaved? To this end, many Australians need a car that can manage mud, gravel, snow and sand just as well as it can on tarmac.
Sales of off-road capable utes and SUVs are growing, with many buyers looking to these vehicles as a family solution for any environment. For Drive Car of the Year 2025, there are five categories that feature off-roaders, three for utes and two for SUVs.
If you are looking for some adventure capability in your next car, these are the best you can get!
| Model | Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Chevrolet Silverado 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium W/Tech Pack 6.2L Dual Cab Ute 4X4 Best Large Dual-Cab Ute under $150k | Best Large Dual-Cab Ute under $150k | View  View details | |
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 | Ford Everest 2025 Ford Everest Sport 3.0L Diesel SUV 4XD Best Off-Road SUV under $80k | Best Off-Road SUV under $80k | View View details | |
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| Ford Ranger 2024 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.0L Diesel Dual Cab Ute 4XD Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100k | Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100k | View View details | |
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 | KGM SsangYong Musso 2024 KGM SsangYong Musso Ultimate 2.2L Diesel Dual Cab Ute LWB 4XD Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50k | Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50k | View View details | |
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 | Land Rover Defender 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 D350 X-Dynamic SE 3.0L Diesel SUV 4XD Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150k | Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150k | View View details | |
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Drive Car Of The Year
Best Off-Road SUV under $80k
In this category, judges prioritised adventurous Australian families looking for no-nonsense capability in their vehicles. Value was a key consideration, as was off-road hardware, engineering and practical packaging.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Ford Everest
1 / 3The Australian-led engineering in the Everest, conducted in concert with its Ranger ute sibling, shines through in the quality of the base offering. The two turbocharged diesel engines available are well sorted, with the larger V6 being the prime pick.
Find out why this car won
Finalist: GWM Tank 500
2 / 3The GWM Tank 500 is petrol only, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder aided by a hearty hybrid system for impressive combined outputs of 255kW and 648Nm. This runs through a proper four-wheel-drive system that offers good off-road capability, especially in the Ultra variant with twin differential locks.
Learn more about the GWM Tank 500
Finalist: Toyota Landcruiser Prado
3 / 3Few models are as important to Toyota as the LandCruiser Prado, which is normally one of the brand’s best-selling offerings in Australia. You could argue that it’s already lined up for success, but you could also say it’s going to come under greater scrutiny as it attempts to fill historically big boots.
Learn more about the Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150k
In this category, judges again prioritised adventurous Australian families looking for no-nonsense capability in their vehicles, but here, buyers are also looking for that little bit 'more'. More equipment, more refinement, more technology, and ultimately, more luxury.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Defender 110
1 / 3The combination of an aluminium-heavy monocoque platform with independent suspension and adjustable air springs still impresses, combining a supple ride quality, competent road holding abilities and great overall refinement.
Find out why this car won
Finalist: Lexus GX550
2 / 3While it’s the first time Lexus has brought the GX to Australian shores, this luxury take on the LandCruiser Prado enjoys a strong heritage and cult following in other markets. While it shares a lot with the less expensive Prado, there are some nice touches and inclusions to elevate the experience of the Lexus. Things like seating materials, touchpoints, technology and overall features are bolstered.
Learn more about the Lexus GX
Finalist: Toyota LandCruiser Prado Altitude
3 / 3Toyota is here to play in a high-spec off-road format, with the LandCruiser Prado Altitude. The Altitude variant is priced from $92,700 plus on-road costs, making it the most affordable of the three finalists, and well under the $150K price cap.
Learn more about the Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Best Dual-Cab Ute under $50k
In this category, judges looked at vehicles that balanced the dual work-and-play roles needed from a double-cab ute, with a focus on value both at purchase and through ownership.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: KGM Ssangyong Musso
1 / 3The KGM SsangYong Musso Ultimate Luxury XLV is often overlooked, but years of continual improvement have made the Musso the value ute to beat.
Its larger size, long list of standard features, seven-year warranty, and surprising build quality propelled it to the top of the list in 2024, and make it a top contender for 2025.
Find out why this car won
Finalist: LDV T60
2 / 3Powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder making 160kW and 500Nm, the T60 Max Plus is priced from $47,990 drive-away with an automatic transmission and an ABN, and offers tremendous value for money – along with slick modern styling and a seven-year warranty.
Learn more about the LDV T60
Finalist: Mitsubishi Triton
3 / 3Powered by a new 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine making 150kW and 470Nm, the Triton GLX isn't bursting with features at this price, but there's plenty to like, including a 9.0-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Easy Select 4WD, 360-degree cameras, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.
Learn more about the Mitsubishi Triton
Best Dual-Cab Ute under $100k
As a dual-role vehicle, that can support a balance of family and adventure, judges were looking for a ute that offered a blend of status and capability at both ends of the lifestyle spectrum.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Ford Ranger
1 / 3The Ford Ranger continues to set the standard for refinement, technology, ride comfort, and powertrain options. The interior is adaptable, there are plenty of variants to choose from, and the driving experience is among the most car-like of all utes in the segment.
Find out why this car won
Finalist: GWM Canon Alpha
2 / 3The GWM Cannon Alpha arrived on local shores mid-way through 2024 with an up-sized ute body and diesel or hybrid power under the bonnet. It was the first light-commercial utility to offer hybrid power, and the interior feels surprisingly upmarket.
Learn more about the GWM Cannon Alpha
Finalist: Isuzu D-Max
3 / 3Isuzu updated the D-Max with important tweaks that include dials for the volume and tuning controls, new underlying software for the infotainment system, and better cameras for the active safety systems. As before, the model continues to set itself aside from other dual-cab utes due to its alluring value, strong diesel engine, and impressive equipment lists.
Learn more about the Isuzu D-Max
Best Large Dual-Cab Ute under $150k
As a dual-role vehicle, that can support a balance of family and adventure, judges were looking for a ute that offered a blend of status and capability at both ends of the lifestyle spectrum.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Chevrolet Silverado
1 / 3The Silverado gets GM’s excellent petrol V8 engine, ten-speed automatic transmission, and capability when you hitch up a trailer of any kind.
The Silverado’s cavernous cabin provides comfort no matter how tall the occupants are, and GM’s choice of infotainment system is clear and easy to use. Occupant comfort, ride quality, and capability are highlights.
Find out why this car won
Finalist: Ford F-150
2 / 3The Ford F-150 remains America’s favourite truck and with good reason. The new kid on the block in this company brings with it decades of proven capability on the roads in the United States. An aluminium body keeps weight down, and the new twin-turbo V6 driveline has proven to be popular in its home market as well.
Learn more about the Ford F-150
Finalist: Ineos Grenadier
3 / 3The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is big, almost US truck-style big. With genuine off-road capability and load carrying to match, it steps apart from the US brigade and focuses more on those buyers looking to head off sealed roads more often. While it might not be an obvious contender in this segment, the Quartermaster has the capability to match its retro appeal.
Learn more about the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
