4x4 of the year award goes too.......

[Mad_Pom]

http://www.4x4australia.com.au/drive...types=og.likes

The 4x4OTY criteria

VALUE FOR MONEY is judged according to a vehicle’s equipment level, safety features and price relative to its direct competitors. Just because a vehicle has a high price doesn’t mean it’s not good value – in the same way a cheap car isn’t always good value.

BREAKING NEW GROUND refers to advancements in technology and design –how a vehicle has raised the bar in its class to take 4x4s to a higher level is judged. If a vehicle has the latest safety features, worthy engine technology or an advanced driveline, it will score well here.

BUILT TOUGH refers to how strong a vehicle is and how well it will cope with the rigours of tough off-road driving environments. Will it be up to the task or fall apart at the first hurdle?

BUSHABILITY is how well a vehicle is equipped for off-road travel. Suitability of the standard tyres for rough roads, touring range, available accessories and underbody protection are just some of the factors considered here. Is this a vehicle you would chose to drive around Australia the rough way, or is it best left to the suburbs?

DOING THE JOB is judged according to a vehicle’s design brief. Does a luxury vehicle have all the latest in comfort and convenience features and do they work in the real world? How well a ute carries a load, or a seven seater accommodates a family will all come in to play here.

Our judges’ final scores
Everest -- 259
Fortuna -- 227
Hilux -- 244
Navara -- 212
Prado --250
Triton -- 227

[mik]

Not a surprising result really with the kit in the ford, prado and everest are pretty close with the hilux not far behind , and on that note id say it comes back to personal preference given the scores,
i had a bit of a gig at a prado last week , it looks a nice place to be , no doubt the henry is good too, or all of them for that matter .
the one thing im not really confident with some of these electronic wizz bang scrubbers is the electronic traction systems ,
having had an old school kidney smasher (nissan patrol G60h ) with a proper low range gear box,
i wonder how long these modern ones would tolerate extended trail work , i understand they are family scrubbers and probably even more capable in the traction department than the old school scrubbers , but still i do wonder how about their endurance .

[comagutsa]

wheres the ranger?

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by comagutsa

wheres the ranger?

To be in contention for the 4X4OTY title a vehicle must be all-new or have major upgrades such as a new powertrain and/or improved technology.

The field was split 50:50 between utes and wagons this year. Toyota’s Hilux, Mitsubishi’s Triton and Nissan’s Navara were all-new models, while others in the 4x4 ute class, such as Mazda’s BT-50 and Ford’s Ranger, have had only minor updates and didn’t qualify for contention.

Would have been a one/two finish had it qualified.

[robster]

Justice has been served !!

[robster]

Appears the common denominator is the 4x4 aspect !! Everest is a Ranger in a dinner suit and kills the rest anyway !!

[cheap]

Since its introduction I have seen one Everest on the road and countless Prado's. In a magazine test Everest may as well have won by a thousand points, but in the real world sales test it seems to be a flop.

[russellw]

Originally Posted by cheap

Since its introduction I have seen one Everest on the road and countless Prado's. In a magazine test Everest may as well have won by a thousand points, but in the real world sales test it seems to be a flop.

Such a little ray of sunshine aren't you. Didn't your mother ever tell you that if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing.

Russ

[Stefan]

It wasn't hostile but a valid point, I've heard nothing but praise for the Everest but can say I've not seen one on the street. Ford have hell of a time in front of them to get the public on side again.

[Blueford260]

The Everest hasn't been on sales that long where as the Pardo has been since the 90's. Not a real accurate assessment or comparison.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by cheap

Since its introduction I have seen one Everest on the road and countless Prado's. In a magazine test Everest may as well have won by a thousand points, but in the real world sales test it seems to be a flop.

Whats your point? Rolla outsells Focus, Hilux outsells Ranger, Camry Outsells Falcon. Obviously these cars are better because its sells the most.

[madmatty]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Whats your point? Rolla outsells Focus, Hilux outsells Ranger, Camry Outsells Falcon. Obviously these cars are better because its sells the most.

no good making a better car if bugger all people buy it

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by madmatty

no good making a better car if bugger all people buy it

Ranger & Focus sell well around the world. Ranger factory running at full capacity. So it is what it is. Everest is apparently doing well.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by cheap

Since its introduction I have seen one Everest on the road and countless Prado's. In a magazine test Everest may as well have won by a thousand points, but in the real world sales test it seems to be a flop.

Without sniping like some here, I think the sales will pick up over a period of time. You need to understand that compared to Prado, Everest has been on sale since yesterday. It'll take time for people to adjust and change their preferences.
By all accounts Everest is a good product and once people experience it and word of mouth gets around then sales will pick up. Only up to Ford after sales service to lift their game now.

[simon varley]

Everests are selling 300+ every month now. While that is still lots less than Prado it likely reflects the volumes that are being imported rather than customer requests

[Bossxr8]

I'm starting to see more and more of them on the road everyday.

[duaned]

I like the look of the Everest on the outside, but damn that interior is boring!

[Outbackjack]

They should have called this the SUV of the year. Only a couple of those would I use as a real 4X4. I ask myself which of those would I drive the canning stock route in, the telegraph track Cape York. What about the Kimberly? I think that if anyone bought any of these vehicles (bar a couple) they would be very disappointed if they headed into the previously mentioned places.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

They should have called this the SUV of the year. Only a couple of those would I use as a real 4X4. I ask myself which of those would I drive the canning stock route in, the telegraph track Cape York. What about the Kimberly? I think that if anyone bought any of these vehicles (bar a couple) they would be very disappointed if they headed into the previously mentioned places.

I know a few people who have tackled those tracks with these type of vehicles, no major dramas at all.

[csv8]

Titanium for reasons known only to Ford is overpriced $16k more than Trend?? Is there $16 k in equipment ? Trend is around $64k on road Titanium $79k .

[AussieCJ7]

a everest with raptor style flares and grill would look tough

[monzie]

A few sales will come from people trading there Terry's.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by monzie

A few sales will come from people trading there Terry's.

Yes and No, they are very different vehicles, and price brackets.
for instance this is a 4X4 of the year thread.

[monzie]

Yes, fair comment. Maybe I should have started the sentence with,

"Ford will be hoping"

[uranium_death]

People go to the Prado due to its reputation. They're a great car and even for me, I'd sooner trust a Toyota for 4WD'ing over everything else.

It will take time for Ford to build true credibility with regards to 4WDs and new vehicles.

Advertising always helps - and thankfully I've seen a couple of Everest billboards about.

Like the Ranger, I think the Everest will become a well-received vehicle, but it will take time.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

People go to the Prado due to its reputation. They're a great car and even for me, I'd sooner trust a Toyota for 4WD'ing over everything else.

It will take time for Ford to build true credibility with regards to 4WDs and new vehicles.

Advertising always helps - and thankfully I've seen a couple of Everest billboards about.

Like the Ranger, I think the Everest will become a well-received vehicle, but it will take time.

Ford seem to be pushing the advertising of the Everest VERY hard.

When you look at other model launches in recent years, perhaps excluding PX Ranger, Ford seem to be going hard in many advertising forms with the Everest. MD Mondeo, Focus, Kuga, Transit, Falcon have all had quite soft launches over the years in comparison.

[madmatty]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

People go to the Prado due to its reputation. They're a great car and even for me, I'd sooner trust a Toyota for 4WD'ing over everything else.

It will take time for Ford to build true credibility with regards to 4WDs and new vehicles.

Advertising always helps - and thankfully I've seen a couple of Everest billboards about.

Like the Ranger, I think the Everest will become a well-received vehicle, but it will take time.

just avoid the d4d engine in toyotas it is rubbish

[marty351]

My work hiace has 290k, original clutch, no oil leaks, original turbo, original everything, driven it myself now for 60k and the only thing that needs looking at is the EGR. NOT rubbish, Mitsubishi diesels I've had, rubbish.

[nt0351]

Originally Posted by madmatty

just avoid the d4d engine in toyotas it is rubbish

are you expressing what you heard or have you experienced dud D4D's ?

just got rid of an 08 Prado with 295000 klms ,..wife's daily drive ,did towing , offroad trips , you name it , it copped it , 7 years never missed a beat , was a bit slow ,a steinbauer module soon fixed that
bought a 2012 Ranger new ,..good looking showpony ,..heaps of tech in it and plenty of power ,.got rid of it at 60,000klms ,..was falling apart, & let me down at least twice .build quality was rubbish
I can understand going the Everest if it were $50k drive away with all the bells & whistles ..but to buy one at $70k plus in front of a proven performer like a Prado,..you would have to be empty between the ears .

[RANGEREST]

Originally Posted by nt0351

are you expressing what you heard or have you experienced dud D4D's ?

just got rid of an 08 Prado with 295000 klms ,..wife's daily drive ,did towing , offroad trips , you name it , it copped it , 7 years never missed a beat , was a bit slow ,a steinbauer module soon fixed that
bought a 2012 Ranger new ,..good looking showpony ,..heaps of tech in it and plenty of power ,.got rid of it at 60,000klms ,..was falling apart, & let me down at least twice .build quality was rubbish
I can understand going the Everest if it were $50k drive away with all the bells & whistles ..but to buy one at $70k plus in front of a proven performer like a Prado,..you would have to be empty between the ears .

You had a****ty run out of your Ranger, fair enough, and the Prado does have a fairly good reputation, but as you said pretty gutless and IMHO a crap ride compared to the Everest.
Price wise the Everest is cheaper than any comparable spec Prado or Fortuner
http://www3.toyota.com.au/prado/prices