Six of the best: Off-road utes

Ford Ranger Tremor

A limited-edition version of the Blue Oval’s market-leading Ranger 4x4 dual cab, the Tremor is based on a Ranger Sport but adds a raft of off-road-oriented modifications designed to ensure it can head out of the showroom and onto hardcore trails.

The Ranger 4x4 is already a handy piece of kit but the Tremor adds specially developed Bilstein position-sensitive dampers with external reservoirs, heavy-duty EPAS (Electronic Power Assisted Steering) with shielding, and new springs.

The uprated springs, in conjunction with chunky 265/70R17 General Grabber AT3 All-Terrain Tyres deliver 26mm of extra ground clearance which comes in handy in tough going.

The Tremor also gets extended wheelarch mouldings to house a 30mm track increase and a full-time 4WD system instead of the part-time ‘shift-on-the-fly’ system that’s standard on the Sport.

Other off-road oriented additions include Trail Turn Assist; the addition of a Rock Crawl drive mode in the terrain mode system; and Trail Control which allows off-road vehicle speed to be controlled using the steering-wheel mounted cruise control switches.

Tremor specific exterior styling enhancements include a honeycomb grille with auxiliary LED lamps and an enthusiast-rated front steel bash plate.

Key facts

PRICE: $69,690 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 2.0-litre biturbo four-cylinder turbodiesel, (150kW/500Nm), 10-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Five stars (2022)

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 7.6L/100km (201gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Five years/unlimited kilometres

Toyota HiLux GR Sport

Once derieded as a maker of bland but reliable ‘cardigan cars’, Toyota flipped the script in late 2020 when it introduced the first of its performance-oriented GR Sport (Gazoo Racing) enhanced vehicles.
These days the sporting badge extends from the diminutive GR Yaris to the hulking 300 Series LandCruiser and includes the brand’s work-play oriented HiLux ute.

Introduced in late 2023, the rangetopping GR HiLux features extensive suspension, powertrain and underbody modifications.

The upgrades start with a 10% bump in power and torque for the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel (165kW/550Nm), and a recalibration of the six-speed automatic.

Track width is increased by 135mm at the front and 155mm at the rear, and there is a modest 15mm increase in ride height.

Perhaps most significantly, the GR Sport’s suspension features special KYB monotube shock absorbers, and the rear stabiliser bar is removed for increased suspension travel.

Chunky 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres provide the extra purchase required in tough terrain, with extended over-fender flares to house the increased wheel track.

Elsewhere, a reinforced front skid plate, steel rock rails and a pair of red-painted rear recovery points complete the external changes.

Key stats

PRICE: $74,310 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, (165kW/550Nm), 6-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Five stars (2019)

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 8.1L/100km (215gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Five years/unlimited kilometres

Isuzu D-Max Blade

IN A DUAL cab ute market dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, Isuzu is never far behind the leaders with its versatile D-Max.

Last year followed the market leaders into the enhanced off-road space with its D-Max Blade.

Released in late 2024, the Blade was developed in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive, best known for converting full-size US pickups including the RAM, Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra.

The Blade starts life as a D-Max LS-U+ meaning it’s already equipped with a rear diff lock and effective Rough Terrain Mode system, to which the Blade adds enhancements including a 29mm suspension lift, new MTV twin-tube shock absorbers, a 32mm track increase, and larger 275/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT all-terrain tyres.

Underneath is a 3mm steel bash plate that’s double the thickness of the standard unit, and a load-rated dual hook, single-piece recovery point system.

Other Blade-specific modifications include a revised grille design with integrated 112-Watt lightbar, new wheel-arch flares, chassis-mounted tubular side-steps and a one-piece extended sports bar.

Inside, the Blade gets embossed scuff plates, embroidered headrests and floor mats, and build plates on the transmission selector and in the engine bay.

Key stats

PRICE: $76,990 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, (140kW/450Nm), six-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 8.0L/100km (212gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Six years/unlimited kilometres

Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior

Nissan also looking to the Aussie aftermarket to create its most off-road capable ute, the Navara PRO-4X Warrior.

Melbourne-based Premcar was previously associated with developing Ford’s FPV and XR performance models but since 2019 has developed customised versions of the Nissan Navara and Patrol under its ‘Warrior by Premcar’ remanufacturing program.

The PRO-4X Warrior is based on the fifthgeneration D23 Navara, which is due to be replaced later this year by a new ute that shares underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Triton.

The enhanced off-roader sits one tier up from the Navara PRO-4X, sharing that model’s black stainless-steel double-tube sports bar with sail plane, black wheel-arch flares, roof rails, and black-out treatment for various body parts.

The PRO-4X Warrior adds a winch-compatible body-coloured Safari-style bull bar, integrated light bar, and additional underbody protection.

Also added are Warrior-specific fender flares that house more 275/70R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres on cast alloy wheels, Monroe dampers, and revised springs that raise ride height by 40mm to 260mm.

Key stats

PRICE: $71,643 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 2.3-litre intercooled twin turbodiesel (140kW/450Nm), seven-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 8.1L/100km (215gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Five years/unlimited kilometres on base vehicle (Nissan); five years/unlimited kilometres on Warrior enhancements (Premcar)

Jeep JT Gladiator Rubicon

A STEP UP in terms of capability on its Japanese-designed rivals, the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon diverges from their use of double wishbone independent front suspension by adopting sturdy live axles at the front and rear.

That’s like what Toyota employs on its more heavy-duty 79 Series ute, but where the LandCruiser is designed primarily as a workhorse with sturdy leaf springs at the rear, the coil-sprung Gladiator Rubicon is a lifestyle vehicle aimed at off-road adventurers.

The Gladiator’s extra axle articulation gives it a handy advantage when the going gets rough and it comes loaded with serious off-road kit including extra-low 4.0:1 low-range gearing, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and Fox Racing shocks.

Add to this a front sway-bar that can be automatically disconnected for extra wheel travel, 249mm of ground clearance and aggressive 32-inch (255/75R17) mud terrain rubber and you have a machine that’s purpose-built to tackle North America’s rugged Rubicon Trail.

The Gladiator also boasts ample underbody protection including high-strength steel skid plates to protect the fuel tank and transfer case, plus full-length steel rock rails that do the same for the cab sills and cargo box.

Key stats

PRICE: $87,250 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 3.6-litre petrol V6 (209kW/347Nm), eight-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Three stars (2019)

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 12.4L/100km (288gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Five years or 100,000km (whichever comes first)

Ineos Grenader Quartermaster

DESIGNED TO A similar utilitarian off-road touring focused ethos as the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is likewise a more heavy-duty offering than the rival Japanese utes featured here.

Available as either a body-side dual cab ute or a cab-chassis, it’s the nearest alternative to Toyota’s ubiquitous 79 Series ute.

Featuring a heavy-duty box-section ladder-frame chassis and live-axle coil spring suspension front and rear, the Quartermaster also boasts a full-time four-wheel drive system, front and rear cross-axle differential locks, and versatile BF-Goodrich All-Terrain tyres.

Power comes from a choice of petrol or diesel BMW six-cylinder turbo engines mated to a slick eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

An uncompromising, no-frills 4X4, the Brit off-roader comes loaded with utilitarian features that most other brands leave to the aftermarket.

This includes pre-wired auxiliary ports and switchgear in the cabin for accessories; three-piece steel front and rear bumpers, designed to be easily replaced if individual segments are damaged; a load-rated L-track utility system fitted to the doors, roof rails and cargo bay; and an optional electric winch that’s fully homologated and hidden behind the front bumper.

Key stats

PRICE: $118,000 (MRLP)

POWERTRAIN: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel (183kW/550Nm), eight-speed automatic transmission.

ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED CYCLE): 10.5L/100km (278gCO2/km)

WARRANTY: Five years/unlimited kilometres

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