Latest news with #4x4
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car hunter: Help! I need a rugged off-road 4x4 for £25,000
Dear Auto Express, I'm looking for a smart-looking, rugged 4x4 estate or SUV with room for a dog. What do you recommend for £25,000? - Richard Newman, E-mail In days gone by, few cars combined genuine off-road ability with polished on road manners. But in the current used car market there are a number of well-rounded options that perform on and off the beaten track. Advertisement - Article continues below Anything wearing a Land Rover badge is unlikely to get stuck – take the tough Land Rover Discovery Sport, for instance. However, if you're willing to sacrifice a degree of all-terrain ability for sleeker looks and tighter dynamics, Volvo, Skoda and others offer jacked-up 4x4 estate cars. The Audi A4 Allroad is sharply styled with a beautifully built cabin, and uses the firm's quattro system to find grip on slippery surfaces. Then there's the Subaru Outback, which trades the Audi's luxuries for more off-road credentials. With this in mind, here are the best versatile 4x4s and off-road cars you can buy for £25,000. Here's our expert pick of the three best used 4x4 and off-road cars available for a budget of £25,000, together with links to buy one through our Find a Car service... For: Comfortable ride, build quality, interior tech Against: Dull to drive, not unstoppable off-road Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Audi A4 Allroad retains the same sharp lines as the standard A4 estate, but adds chunky plastic wheelarch extensions and a raised ride height. It's more capable than a typical estate, but can break traction more easily than its rivals here. It's refined and cosseting, though. The entry-level A4 Allroad is powered by a 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel, which offers plenty of poke and official fuel economy of up to 57.6mpg. It's our pick of the bunch – £23,500 buys a 48,000-mile 2020 model with LED headlights, Audi's Virtual Cockpit and Exterior off road aluminium package. Advertisement - Article continues below The four-wheel-drive Audi A4 Allroad's biggest draw is its interior. The minimalist design, modern infotainment tech and exceptional quality are only matched by its Mercedes C-Class rival in this segment, but this isn't offered in an off-road body style. The optional Technology Pack adds an 8.3-inch infotainment screen, and some models feature Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display – worth shopping around for if you're a tech lover. The Allroad is the same size as the standard A4 Avant estate, with plenty of rear legroom and a generous 505-litre boot – big enough for a furry friend. Used Audi A4 Allroad deals For: Off-road prowess, seven seats, strong refinement Against: Dated infotainment, expensive to run Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below While lesser Land Rover Discovery Sports are front-driven, the bulk of the range gets four-wheel drive and Land Rover's Terrain Response system. It offers a pleasant ride and a well isolated cabin, too. Efficiency isn't the Discovery Sport's strong suit, though – the TD4 has a 178bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel motor that doesn't achieve its claimed 53.3mpg. Low-thirties are more achievable in the real world. For just over £20,000, we found a 19-plate, 47,000-mile car, equipped with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, sat-nav and a reversing camera. Advertisement - Article continues below As with the full-size Discovery, the Sport offers seven seats, although the third-row is more suited to children than adults. Fold them away and the resulting 981-litre boot (measured to the roofline, rather than the load cover) is cavernous, and there are plenty of storage areas littered around the cabin, too. Build quality is strong, and should hold up against an excitable dog. The Discovery Sport received a much-improved and optional 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen in late 2016. Unless you find a car specified with it, the standard system isn't the snappiest on the market. Used Land Rover Discovery Sport deals For: Great off-road, tough and highly practical Against: Boring design, cabin feels cheap in places Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Few rivals tackle tricky terrain as well as the Subaru Outback, thanks to its advanced four-wheel drive system. The Outback's 200mm ground clearance and extensive body cladding make it ideal for off-road tracks. However, the Subaru doesn't look particularly upmarket, and its road manners aren't stellar – the A4 Allroad is quieter and more composed on the move. The torquey 2.5-litre boxer petrol produces 175bhp and returns around 33mpg in automatic guise. We found a 2019 car with 51,000 miles on the clock for just over £16,500. Standard equipment includes cruise control, a reversing camera, heated leather seats, keyless go, sat-nav and Bluetooth. The Outback comes with Subaru's Starlink seven-inch infotainment system, too, making it a viable contender here. Some of the plastics around the interior feel rather cheap, and the design is quite dated on the whole, but the cabin is at least roomy. There's plenty of space for four adults, and the boot is bigger than the A4 Allroad's at 559 litres. Self-levelling rear suspension is a useful touch, because it gives the Outback particularly strong towing capabilities. Used Subaru Outback deals Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA It's only a matter of time before Jaguar Land Rover builds a factory in the USA Mike Rutherford thinks Jaguar's 'Reimagine' strategy will result in the company exploring further opportunities in the USA Slow death of the manual car revealed in exclusive new data Slow death of the manual car revealed in exclusive new data There are now very few manual cars available to buy, a trend that's been exacerbated by the rise of EVs Car Deal of the Day: Nissan's X-Trail is a do-it-all seven-seat hybrid SUV for only £235 a month Car Deal of the Day: Nissan's X-Trail is a do-it-all seven-seat hybrid SUV for only £235 a month If the Qashqai is too small for you, then the larger X-Trail is a fine alternative. It's our Deal of the Day for 25 May
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
The ute war: GWM fires shot at BYD
In the battle of the beasts, GWM is positioning its new plug-in hybrid Cannon Alpha as the apex predator. During an exclusive roundtable briefing, GWM Australia marketing chief Steve Maciver laid it out clearly: It's hunting down the BYD Shark 6. 'BYD has done a great job launching that car and got some good volume out of it very, very quickly, but we feel now is our time,' he said. 'We feel hand on heart looking you in the eye, we do have a better vehicle.' The BYD Shark 6 is the first PHEV ute to launch into the Australian market and has so far been successful. It is currently the fourth-best selling 4×4 dual cab in Australia behind only the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max. So it's no surprise rivals feel threatened by the Shark. But it's not usual for companies to boldly target a competitor but GWM didn't hold back. 'We're second to the market, but we're not second best,' a GWM spokesperson said. 'We feel now is our time. We've got to absolutely take the fight to BYD Shark and the full range of [PHEV] utes.' GWM claimed the Shark 6's lower towing capacity, limited off-road capability and design compromises is the result of the company building a 'plug-in hybrid system' first. Unlike the Cannon Alpha which was engineered as a 'ute first, EV second', specifically for Australian conditions. 'They've just got a system and then built a ute around it,' a GWM spokesperson said. 'We understand our customers.' BYD's Shark is rated to tow 2.5 tonnes and the Cannon Alpha is 3.5 tonnes – a number GWM said was non-negotiable after receiving customer feedback. 'It would be remiss of us not to bring three and a half tonne, regardless of what the powertrain is,' a GWM spokesperson said. TESTED: Kia's new Tasman ute So how do the predators stack up? Well in terms of battery, the Cannon wins points as it carries a 37.1kWh pack (split into A/B cells), the largest currently available in any PHEV ute. GWM claims a class-leading 115km pure electric range and 1060 km combined. BYD lists 100km EV range and 840km combined, while the Ranger (arriving mid-year) offers approximately 49km of EV-only range, less than half of GWM's range. GWM says its ute achieved 1.7L/100km, also 'best in class' but real world figures will likely be much higher. Cannon Alpha outputs 300kW and 750Nm via a hybrid 2.0-litre turbo engine paired to a nine-speed automatic and mechanical 4WD. BYD offers 320kW combined power (1.5-litre turbo and two electric motors), 650Nm torque with a dual-motor setup. The Ranger pairs a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (138kW/411Nm) with a 75kW electric motor, offering a combined output of 213kW, less than Alpha and Shark. However, these claims are made on the ADR81/02-NEDC standard. While the BYD Shark 6 undercuts the Cannon Alpha at $57,900 for the single model, GWM is pitching the Cannon Alpha models from $59,660 Lux and $66,990 (all pricing plus on-road costs), Ford is pricing high with the entry-level XLT starting at $71,900 (before on road-costs), with the top of the range Sport and Wildtrak variants priced up to $86,990 (before on road-costs). But GWM insists the slight premium is justified by a long list of extra features – including better towing, a larger battery, superior off-road capability and a 'world class' warranty (7 years warranty, 7 years roadside assist, 7 years capped price servicing). If the Shark was the first in the water, the Cannon Alpha is now asserting itself, not just over the Shark and Ranger but as the Alpha of the PHEV ute segment.
Car and Driver
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
The Grande Panda 4x4 Looks Like a Fiat That Americans Would Love
Fiat just unveiled the Grande Panda 4x4 concept as a "direct heir" to the Panda 4x4 of the 1980s. The new concept rides on a set of steel wheels wrapped in knobby tires and rocks a fabulous maroon paint complete with fender cladding and a roof rack for extra storage. Fiat surely won't sell the new Grande Panda here in the United States—it hasn't even confirmed production—but we really think they should reconsider both positions. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to small crossovers in the United States. But that doesn't mean we don't pine for more. So, when Fiat unveiled the spectacular new Grande Panda 4x4 concept, our hearts fluttered at the thought of driving such a car in the U.S. Sure, it looks tougher and more capable than it probably is, but the adorable little Panda sports brawny styling with steel wheels and the obligatory fender cladding that advertises its 4x4 status. Fiat says the new Grande Panda concept is a "direct heir" to the original Panda 4x4 that launched in 1983. With an affordable price and a raised ride height, that model became an instant hit among off-roaders. Fiat The new concept is based on Fiat's current Grande Panda that comes in electric and hybrid formats. Fiat says the Grande Panda 4x4 concept is planned with an "electrified innovative rear axle"—whatever that means. As it's just a concept, Fiat remains mum on the finer details, so we're left to wonder about what powers the front axle as well. The brand hasn't actually confirmed production plans, but Fiat's European boss, Gaetano Thorel, indicated to Autocar that it could someday hit the road. "Surely we will have this car on the road in the future–but not tomorrow," Thorel told Autocar. Assuming Fiat does put the Grande Panda 4x4 into production, we think the Italian marque should consider bringing it to North America. The brand sold fewer than 1000 of its electric 500e in the U.S. last year, which suggests it isn't very desirable to Americans. But one thing Americans are obsessed with is a lifted crossover that looks like it could be taken off-road, and the new Grande Panda 4x4, albeit tiny, projects that image. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Cult-classic motor discontinued in the 90s set to RETURN as 4×4 with brand teasing ‘next chapter'
A CULT-classic car which was dropped in the 1990s is now set to make a comeback as a modern-day 4x4, as the manufacturer hints at the 'next chapter'. The original Fiat Panda was seen as a go-anywhere supermini and became a hit with its loyal band of fans. 4 Now, with the Italian firm's fast-growing line-up the dinky motor is being turned into the Fiat Grande Panda 4x4. The original Panda 4x4 first hit our streets in 1983 and thanks to its raised height and rugged styling elements it soon became a cult classic, seen as an affordable off-roader. The new Grande Panda forms the base of the revived concept and is being offered with both 111bhp electric and 108bhp 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol powertrains. It will be part of Stellantis's new Smart Car platform, designed to appeal to cost-conscious drivers. Fiat hasn't yet officially confirmed its production intent but has billed the Grande Panda 4x4 as 'the next chapter' and a 'potential true symbol of versatility, reliability and freedom'. Fiat Europe boss Gaetano Thorel hasn't officially confirmed the machine would reach production, but said: "Surely we will have this car on the road in the future – but not tomorrow,' reports Autocar. Mr Thorel did add that there had been demand for a 4x4 version since the Grande Panda was first unveiled and that the company wanted to meet that demand. Full details about the vehicle's powertrain haven't been revealed, Fiat has referred to it as offering an 'electrified innovative rear axle'. Fiat engineers are still working on the potential four-wheel-drive powertrain and refused to give details on whether any production 4x4 would be electric or combustion-based. Fiat insiders have hinted it would have an electric motor powering the rear axle and use the Smart Car platform, reports the motoring magazine. I test drove the discontinued Fiat 500's electric replacement - it's quick but flaw means you can only use it in a city Details of that unit's size though have yet to be confirmed. There is speculation it could be a smaller e-axle which adds supplementary power, when needed. The car's rival, the Dacia Duster 4x4, uses a similar mild-hybrid arrangement. Fiat's Grande Panda 4x4 concept also incorporates several bespoke design cues, such as dark red paint which hints at a special edition of the Panda 4x4. It also features steel wheels, special graphics on the doors which underscore the stamped Panda lettering and hint at traditional off-roader body cladding. There's also a protective underbody skidplate and a roof rack. Fiat has also hinted that any production model would 'most likely feature other accessories'. The intention is to eventually position the Grande Panda as a global car and to manufacture it in factories on three continents. In order to meet those global requirements, it can utilise a number of powertrains including a manual pure ICE, a hybrid, full electric and even LPG. The manual ICE is set to launch in Europe later this year but it is not expected to be available in the UK at first due to the extra costs of right-hand drive conversion. 4
Motor 1
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Fiat Finally Makes a Cool Car, But You Can't Buy It Yet
Not to be outdone by the Renault 4 Savane 4x4 , Fiat has a little off-roader of its own. The funky Grande Panda, launched last year, finally receives the 4x4 treatment, though this one is also still a concept. However, there's hope for a production model, as the Stellantis brand mentions there is 'potential' for a Grande Panda 4x4 as the 'next chapter.' In the meantime, the concept pays homage to one of the company's most recognizable cars: the original Panda 4x4, launched back in 1983. The Grande Panda is available as a mild-hybrid with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine or as a pure EV. Fiat hasn't specified which version underpins the 4x4 concept, but a rear electric motor is now at the back. Although the total output isn't disclosed, it's certainly higher than the EV's 113 horsepower and the 110 hp offered by the mild-hybrid 1.2-liter gas engine. Whatever the case, it's proof that the Stellantis Smart Car Platform can be adapted for all-wheel-drive use. The architecture currently supports several Citroën models and the new Opel Frontera, though all are front-wheel drive. Photo by: Fiat Like the original, the Grande Panda 4x4 keeps things simple with a utilitarian look featuring steel wheels. Fiat adds chunky plastic body cladding and a raised suspension for improved ground clearance. Off-road cues include front and rear underbody protection, a roof rack with a spare wheel, and auxiliary lights. Repeated in the front bumper, the four-point LEDs complement the pixelated headlight design. Other changes include a 4x4 badge on the tailgate and a 'Panda' cutout in the side black cladding. Small cars with all-wheel drive are a rarity in Europe, but Suzuki has that niche covered with the Swift supermini. AWD versions of the Renault 4 and Grande Panda would appeal to those who enjoy light off-roading in a small and affordable package. Although the aging Panda is still around, Fiat discontinued its 4x4 version a couple of years ago. Before retiring the more rugged variant, it did offer a special edition in 2023 to mark 40 years since the original's debut. Fiat Grande Panda 4x4 concept 8 Source: Fiat Catch Up With Fiat: The Fiat 500 Gets Its Gas Engine Back And a Nice Surprise Ferrari Employees Can Buy a Fiat Panda with Their Fat Bonus Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
