Best Upper Large SUV 2022
There aren’t many more legendary nameplates in four-wheel-drive circles than LandCruiser, Defender and Patrol. And, in 2022, these off-road legends go head-to-head once again.
Upper Large SUVs are the Swiss Army knives of four-wheel drives. They must be comfortable, spacious, capable on-road, practical and well-equipped. That list of expectations satisfies one type of buyer. But then there’s a completely different buyer who expects them to be able to tackle any off-road track, tow with competence and efficiency, and be the ultimate outback touring vehicle.
You can see, then, why this is such a tough segment. Add to those factors above the history and weight that come with names like Land Rover Defender, Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser. In the case of Land Rover’s icon, it’s a history that stretches back to the 1940s. On one hand, the manufacturers have to keep striving for more of everything and better performance. On the other, they have to meet the expectations of the purists. Our three finalists face a daunting task.
Now, perhaps more than ever, this segment is booming. As Australians look to tour around and explore our vast continent, our three finalists shape up as the perfect adventure 4x4s for those of you with the budget to accommodate such folly.
The end of Toyota’s LandCruiser 200 Series production was met with frenzied buying and LandCruiser 300 Series waitlists are already long. The Nissan Patrol delivers what Nissan fans have been waiting so long for: a 4x4 that can go toe-to-toe with Toyota. Meanwhile, Land Rover can’t currently get enough Defenders into the country to satisfy the pent-up demand.
This is a heavyweight title fight in every sense of the phrase.
Winner: Land Rover Defender
- Exceptional on-road manners
- Formidable off-road performance
- Beautiful cabin execution
- Dizzying array of models and engine variants
- Options pricing can quickly get crazy
- Big wheels and low-profile tyres aren’t ideal off-road
We’ve clocked tens of thousands of kilometres testing variations of the new Land Rover Defender on-road and off, and every time we get behind the wheel it impresses us with its consummate blend of quality, refinement and ability. For most of us, the first time we drive a Defender will be on a sealed road, and you’d scarcely believe that a four-wheel drive of this quality around town would be as capable as it is off-road.
Of course, that’s part of the Land Rover brief. It had to be capable of both roles, without compromise. Even in standard trim, a Land Rover Defender will go a very long way off-road no matter how skilled the driver.
The styling nails the brief, the cabin is exceptional in both its design and execution, and the driving experience from behind the wheel is typically Land Rover. That is, a high seating position, excellent visibility, and powerful, effortless performance. Between petrol and diesel, short and long wheelbase, there’s a Defender to suit almost any application, whether you intend to cross the continent or simply run around town.
Defender’s pricing spectrum sits it within the range of the Toyota LandCruiser, too, although neither can compete with the Nissan Patrol for outright value stakes. Still, even an entry-level Defender with steel wheels doesn’t feel like a cheap and cheerful proposition.
The ace up the Defender’s sleeve is the sense of luxury and quality it delivers for the driver. We followed the research and development journey for this new model from the beginning, and got the sense that the design and engineering teams knew exactly how serious the job was. The judges unanimously noted the way the Defender transitions from road to off-road without raising a sweat and is capable of tackling anything that you throw at it.
In every sense, the Defender is the quintessential Land Rover – stylish, beautiful to drive on-road, incredibly capable off-road, and just as comfortable in the valet parking at a hideously expensive hotel as it is crossing the Simpson.
Buying now? View new Land Rover Defender models in stock
Finalist: Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
- Big step forward in terms of safety and technology
- Cabin improvements make a real difference
- New engine and gearbox work well together
- Second-row space doesn’t match the exterior size
- No split tailgate is a let-down
- Price jump from the 200 Series is significant
Toyota fans were waiting a long time for a replacement for the LandCruiser 200 Series. Actually, that’s not entirely true, because plenty didn’t want the V8 diesel and venerable 200 Series to go anywhere. Regardless, and whichever way you cut it, Toyota’s icon was in service for more than a decade, and the four-wheel-drive world had moved on significantly in that time.
Toyota’s reputation in this country precedes it, and for countless explorers around this continent, a LandCruiser is the only 4x4 they would point to parts unknown. For plenty of others, though, a LandCruiser is a city-focused, family SUV that spends all its time on sealed roads.
The new LandCruiser can, as we expected, cover both requirements with ease. The new platform is a step forward from the 200 Series in terms of on-road ability, while also being more capable off-road. The aftermarket will offer a mind-boggling array of modification options to make it even more capable for off-road touring too. Even in standard guise, though, it can tackle off-road work with ease.
Most pre-launch discussions centred around the new engine and gearbox. A step down from the V8 to a V6, and the step up from a six-speed to a 10-speed. As expected, there’s ‘more’ just about everywhere. More power, more torque, better efficiency, and more impressive real-world performance.
The on-road ride quality, which has been tightened up and controlled more comprehensively, sharpens up the 300 Series compared to its predecessor, and the engine is punchier, more responsive, and more fuel-efficient than the outgoing V8. Wherever you look at the numbers on paper, this is a serious step forward.
Replacing an icon is never an easy undertaking, and buyers expect a lot of a LandCruiser. Toyota has done exactly what we expected with the new model, improving all the small, hard to measure areas, in addition to the more obvious things you can measure. The judging team, while wary of the love for the now legendary 200 Series, noted the improvements made in every area by Toyota, especially inside the cabin, where the LandCruiser 300 Series feels like the brand-new vehicle that it is.
Pricing has jumped over the old model, significantly in some cases, with a base LandCruiser GX now costing more than $90,000 on-road. Despite the fact that we’d like the pricing to be sharper to make the LandCruiser more accessible to more buyers, it’s hard to argue that you don’t get a lot for your money.
Buying now? View new Toyota LandCruiser models in stock
Finalist: Nissan Patrol
- Mighty V8 petrol engine excels everywhere
- Cabin space and comfort are stand-outs
- Pricing still places it top of the value tree
- Outdated infotainment now well behind the segment
- No diesel engine deters some buyers
- Rear-view camera could be better
Last year’s winner, the Nissan Patrol, still punches well above its weight in terms of value and standard equipment. Despite being the oldest here by some margin, it’s by no means outgunned in any of the crucial areas.
Initially, the lack of a diesel engine seemed to deter some buyers keen on long-distance outback touring. However, Nissan’s fantastic petrol V8 has proven to be more efficient around town than expected, and capable of taking the fight to diesel engines out on the open road and when towing.
Recent price revisions mean it isn’t quite as stark as it used to be, but there’s no doubt the Patrol remains a serious value proposition in this lofty company. The range-topping Ti-L starts in the mid-$90,000s before on-road costs, compared to a 300 Series Sahara, which starts just over $130K before on-road costs. That’s a lot of premium unleaded petrol…
With value out of the way, then, the Patrol also punches hard in other areas. It’s comfortable, quiet and refined on-road. The lack of any kind of diesel engine noise makes for a luxurious cruiser at any speed. The gearbox works well with the engine’s power and torque and is smooth at all times.
Move off-road, though, and it’s as impressive as its legendary nameplate would suggest. Like the Toyota, the Patrol is incredibly well catered to by the aftermarket, meaning you can turn it into your ideal version of a touring four-wheel drive with ease. It’s not to be trifled with in standard trim, though, with proper off-road chops and capability.
A step forward in terms of technology and infotainment would not only make the Patrol even more competitive, but also give it an even longer lifespan on the market. It’s a shame we don’t get the same system as the Middle East market. The judges lamented the ageing technology, but were glowing in their praise for the engine and driveline in general.
Despite being edged out this year by newer, more impressive competition, the Patrol remains a high-quality 4x4 in this segment and a worthy finalist. Nissan fans continue to have a vehicle they can own, or aspire to own, in a segment in which the brand has always been a frontrunner.
Buying now? View new Nissan Patrol models in stock
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