ATN #418

SCORE: 7/10
NISSAN NAVARA ST-X
While the suspension in the Navara felt soft when towing, it was at home on our
off-road test track. Soft and flexible, which is just what you want. The available
gearing was also sensational, seeing the Navara crawling down steep slopes at a
snail’s pace.
At no stage did it bottom out either – and we tried our best to unsettle it. Heavy
steering was again a letdown, although this is something you would naturally get
used to. 4x4 activation was not smooth, requiring a few attempts to get it into
low range but when it was locked in, the Navara performed well off-road with
a competent traction control system getting power to the ground. We see the
Navara as a bit of an underdog and feel that, with a suspension upgrade, it would
be a handy off-road performer.
ISUZU D-MAX TERRAIN
The heart of any D-Max is the engine offered and we found the low-down torque
from Isuzu’s three-litre motor to be perfectly suited to the transmission. While
the traction control system found in the D-Max is not as good as the HiLux’s, you
are able to coax every last inch of grip from the tyres by using that low-down lazy
power to your advantage.
Like the Triton, the Isuzu feels tractor-like in a good way. The suspension offers
decent – if not best-in-class – wheel travel and rode firmly over undulations
when unladen. It was great to see a rear differential lock fitted to the D-Max, as it
dramatically improves off-road capability over the previous generation.
4x4 engagement was smooth and really easy via a simple rotary dial and, when
locked in low range, engine braking was slow and controlled on descents.
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 7.5/10
TOYOTA HILUX SR5
Compared to the Ford Ranger, the SR5 HiLux definitely rode firmer on rough
terrain. The steering also felt heavier, but not by much. As per the Rugged X, the
traction control system found in the HiLux is nothing short of amazing off-road.
The second you feel a tyre slip, it stops it and sends drive to the tyre with
grip. Gearing is also sensational, providing plenty of pulling power up hills and
wonderful engine braking down them.
4x4 engagement was quick and easy, with no real annoyances to mention.
This platform has been around a few years now and, with this most recent update,
Toyota has in my opinion created the most capable HiLux yet. It is a brilliantly
effective 4x4, even in stock trim.
FORD RANGER XLT BI-TURBO
First impressions when driving the Ranger XLT off-road are how planted it is. The
suspension is well-suited to undulations and is compliant when the going gets
tough. Four-wheel drive engagement was quick and easy. However, we did catch
the low factory side-steps a few times.
Steering and brakes felt excellent, and gearing options available from the
10-speed transmission made it feel like there was a ratio for any situation. The
motor felt torquey when combined with said gearbox but, from experience, we
know the older 3.2 offers more low-down grunt off-road.
Our main gripe is that the traction control is not as good off-road as the HiLux;
it is good but not HiLux good. And that is being really critical.
SCORE: 8.5/10
94 ATN July 2021 FULLYLOADED.COM.AU