CarExpert Best 4WD SUV 2023

12 SUVs tested, 3 categories, 1 overall winner

At CarExpert we love our cars (both big and small). This year we are launching the CarExpert Best 4WD SUV Awards 2023 to recognise, reward, and inspire automotive excellence and innovation in a rapidly changing industry. This means you, our car enthusiasts, have only the best information at hand when it comes to choosing which large SUV is right for you.

From the 5th of June, we will reveal the winners across four key categories.

All SUVs tested

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS 4x4

Ssangyong Rexton Ultimate

Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve

Land Rover Defender D300 X-Dynamic HSE

Toyota Fortuner Crusade

Ford Everest Trend Bi-Turbo 4x4

Lexus LX600 Ultra Luxury

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Sahara

Nissan Patrol Ti-L

Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4

Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu

Ford Everest Sport V6 4x4

Best SUV Award Categories

BEST 4WD OFF ROAD SUV

In this award, the competing SUVs need to master three stages. Traction control on rollers, a chassis rigidity test, an offset mogul test and a 45% loose rock climb in 4L.

BEST 4WD TOWING SUV

This comprehensive test not only measures feel behind the wheel on our gruelling 6km hill road, we also used a state-of-the-art dynamometer load cell to measure acceleration performance and towing fuel economy.

BEST 4WD PERFORMANCE SUV

This test looks at overall performance. That's fuel economy over one lap of our 5km circular bowl, 0-100km/h, 100-0km/h, 1/4 mile and 80-120km/h - all key metrics that help you understand how an SUV performs when push comes to shove.

BEST 4WD SUV

It goes without explanation, the Best 4WD SUV is the overall top performer across all categories, taking into consideration performance and price.