NZ4WD Annual 2022

Welcome to the end of 2021, and to NZ4WD’s special edition Annual and Buyer’s Guide. Your reference to all that is good and exciting in the 4WD world. What a year. What a time to be alive. Twelve months ago we were all having a big sigh of relief because Covid was ‘over’. I know I was very happy to dropkick 2020 into touch. Whoops. Wrong. How wrong we were. Turns out the nasty wee bug hadn’t finished with us. We have all had to learn lessons about resilience this year. A very wise Chinese fella once advised his pupils to be like a blade of grass in the wind – bend this way, bend that way and return to your purpose. I’m sure our beef, sheep and dairy farmers…

New Zealand’s passion for – and fascination with – the 4WD and SUV market segment continues unchecked. Demand is once more white hot, and in one of the world’s most diverse markets we are seeing shortages across both the 4WD truck and SUV offerings. This year as never before, factors outside the categories have applied even greater pressure to the year’s sales statistics. The difficulties imposed by shortages of silicone, magnesium, titanium and more have been compounded by global supply-chain problems created by the Covid pandemic. That’s all a bit depressing, certainly. Piling the Government’s ‘ute tax’ on top of all that was a further blow for 4WD owners, enthusiasts and families. Waiting lists stretching into months beset the major manufacturers. Some ‘pre-loved’ 4WDs have actually gone up in price…

“The battle between Ranger and the Toyota Hilux has been long drawn out and spectacular, but now there’s a new contender for the crown.” “I am the Greatest” – Muhammed Ali coined one of the most famous quotes in sporting history when he went up against Sonny Liston in 1964. Ali – referred to by some as the Louisville Lip - had a way with words that few sports personalities have come close to rivalling. More to the point, his pre-match sledging was backed up by devastating form in the ring. The same might be said of Ford’s Ranger. Champion of the New Zealand ute world, multi-awarded, its trophy cabinet groaning with cups and plaques and accolades. A heavy-hitter in the driveway and on the land. The Ranger is New…

It’s a split decision, really. Before anyone starts making frustrated pffft noises, we can explain. Sean likes the Ranger better, I like the D-Max. He acknowledges the years of work that have kept the champion at the top of its game and the immense NVH and refinement knowledge available to Ford’s engineers to do so. I narrowly handed top points to the D-Max on the basis of a newer package, newer tech and engineering and the distinct individuality on offer. That contributes to the Isuzu’s driving dynamics and ease of use on tarmac. Each of these utes will do its job very well, the common points in spec and pricing mean it’s down to the buyer to decide, which is why the D-Max gets the nod (editor’s casting vote, sorry…

Ford Ranger Wildtrak X Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Max power: 157kW at 3750rpm Max torque: 500Nm at 1600 rpm Transmission: 10-speed automatic, part time four wheel drive, low range, electronic rear diff lock Economy: 8.2/100km* Emissions: 195g/km/Euro5 compliant Suspension: Coil-sprung A-arm independent front/leaf sprung ‘live axle’ rear Wheelbase: 3220mm Turning circle: 12.7m Wading depth: 800mm Payload: 954kg Towing: 750kg unbraked/3500kg braked Brakes: ABS-equipped; 302mm discs front, 295mm drums rear Wheels/Tyres: Aluminium alloy 18 X 7.5-inch w/ 265/60 tyres Ground clearance: 237mm front and rear Approach/Departure angles: 29.0/21.0 degrees Safety: Euro NCAP/ANCAP 2015, five stars Kerb weight: 2246kg Price from: $75,490 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, Euro-5 compliant Max power: 140kW at 3750rpm Max torque: 450Nm at 1600-2600rpm Transmission: Six-speed automatic, part time four wheel drive, low range, electronic rear diff…

It’s time to get out there and enjoy New Zealand. Real New Zealand. Time to plan summer adventures. Time to prepare, time to refurbish, time to shout yourself some gear for the 4WD. Maybe it’s also time to get underneath and make sure everything’s good to go. How often do we do that? Probably not often enough. And remember, it’s always better to do these things when still at home with lighting and tools – and a fridge stocked with cold refreshments for afterward. NZ4WD presents the annual great big guide to all the gear required to make a 4WD into a machine – and keep it that way. Steering and suspension parts? Yes. Mounts for engine, suspension, transmission and more? Check. Need to add some lift to the truck?…