4x4 Action Adventure

TEST DRIVE

Although you rarely see a new SUV, Ute, or even a full blooded 4WD out on the trails, many appear in the more remote camp sites carrying families and tents, or towing the growing number of camper trailers or adventure caravans appearing on our roads.
Unlike most motoring journalists, this is our territory, and we do our very best to get the vehicles down and dirty in an environment they perform much better in than in most of their owner’s wildest dreams.
With the four door Japanese Ute having transformed the NZ caravan scene, we are more than happy to hook our 6m Aussie Back Road Regent on the back, and end up in 4WD somewhere, fronting up to report on a trial or winch challenge way off the beaten track.
A very different perspective.
And every one knows the best parts of New Zealand are at the end of the worst roads, so if we can motivate an owner to take their new CX-5 or Outlander off the tar seal, then we reckon we have done our job.
Unless it is really exceptional, you wont find us talking too much about the interior colour scheme, but more about the all wheel drive tech, and how many kids and tents you can get in the back.

TEST DRIVE | TRUCKS

Suzuki Jimny: A Far Better Vehicle Than It Has a Right to Be

ByJohn August 25, 2019June 13, 2022

Motoring journalists all around the world have been impressed by the new Suzuki Jimny since its release. And after a weekend using the Jimny as a camera car at the…

TEST DRIVE

Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross XLS the Best Crossover on the Market?

ByJohn June 18, 2019June 13, 2022

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross XLS is a compact crossover that really delivered when we took it out to explore the Orari Gorge just north of Geraldine.

TEST DRIVE

The New Ford Raptor on the Motu Safari

ByJohn February 20, 2019June 13, 2022

Our first impression of the new Ranger Raptor that Ford supplied for us to use as an arrow recovery vehicle for the 2019 Motu Safari was, well, impressed.

TEST DRIVE

Carey Hart, the Veterans Champs and the Mitsubishi Triton GLX

ByJohn October 3, 2018June 13, 2022

Carey Hart needed to get a bike to the veterans Champs in Timaru. So we took it to him on the back of the new Mitsubishi Triton GLX.

Stay In Touch