Land Rover Defender 110

CAPACITY: *****
Rooms up to 7 passengers and a lot of luggage both inside the vehicle and on the roof rack. A phenomenal payload of 1010 kg!

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:*****
Land Rover reliability has suffered during the last years, but spare part availability is probably the best among all vehicles in the test, although the most wide-spread modern Defender is the ’98 model. Very little electronic equipment that could fail.  

DURABILITY:*****
The Defender is built to be a platform for rough expeditions. Many Landies built in the 60’s and 70’s are still running in Africa. Although quality suffered during the last couple of years, the Defender is built to endure rough conditions over a long period.

CAPABILITY:****
Quite capable, although we are missing a factory rear differential locker (not even an option!). A lockable centre differential comes standard, and so does (of course) a low-range gear. The approach/departure angles are among the best in the comparison (50°/35°), however the long wheel base and a wading depth of “only” 500mm are little drawbacks.

EFFICIENCY:*****
With a 2,4l 4-cylindre diesel engine developing 122hp and 360 Nm torque, the Defender is ideal for long expeditions in regions where petrol stations are scarcely scattered. But don’t expect any excitement behind the wheel when driving it on ordinary streets. The engine delivers 80Nm of torque at GVWR, which is more than sufficient.  A service is due only every 20.000km, the 75l gas tank could be a bit bigger though.
AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:*****
Very high, especially here in Europe.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:***
Everyone who can live without airbags and stands to drive a small diesel engine in a big car, welcome on board! Oh yea, and if you wish to have the luxury of an AC, you better have another 1700 Euros to spare.

PRICE:*****
35.000 Euros (without AC) are quite competitive...

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: *****
If you can renounce on some ”luxury” items like fun-to-drive engines, airbags and possibly an AC, this is the vehicle to go for!

Land Rover Discovery III

CAPACITY: ****
700kg payload, optional roof rack and up to 7 seats as well as an air suspension (SE and HSE) that ensures a stable ride height even when heavily loaded forms a good basis for an expedition vehicle.   

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:**
The new Discovery is not that wide spread (also due to its price) and it is packed with electronics. Costumers complain about failing electrical systems even in urban areas, so you better pray that nothing goes wrong in the middle of nowhere……

DURABILITY:***
The Discovery is a solid vehicle which definitely has potential as an expedition truck – at least if it wasn’t for the electrical systems, which even controls the shocks…only time will tell how long these systems will be able to operate properly under rough conditions without much service.

CAPABILITY:****
The Discovery is equipped with Land Rovers latest “Terrain Response” system (standard on SE and HSE), which gives the Discovery phenomenal traction on lose terrain. Good approach and departure angles (37,2°/29,6°), 700mm wading depth and 310 mm running ground clearance are impressive. However, there are no mechanical differential locks available.

EFFICIENCY:****
The 2,7 V6 diesel developing 190hp and 440Nm is a powerful engine both on and off-road. Fuel consumption  is acceptable for an engine of this size, however 2590kg curb weight is a lot and causes increased fuel consumption in various situations on and off-road.  The weight is partly compensated by 77 Nm torque at GVWR. The service interval of 24.000km is among the best in this comparison. The tank holds 82l.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:****
Not as much as the Defender, but there is a solid basis of after-market suppliers and products even for the latest Discovery.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Perhaps the engine could be a bit more fun to drive, but all in all the Discovery is a great family SUV.

PRICE:***
The Discovery is marketed as a luxury SUV, which means that the price is set accordingly. The SE version (featuring the Terrain Response system and air suspension) starts at around 46.000 Euros.

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ***
The new Discovery is quite capable, but it relies far too much on electronic aids. Those who want to take the risk find an excellent vehicle with good on- and off-road handling and luxury features, but they also pay the price for it.   

Range Rover

CAPACITY: **
Roomy interior, but no stock roof rack and a ridiculous payload of only 342-485kg (depending on the version)!

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:***
Again, the electronic TerrainResponse system, air suspension and other luxurious features are difficult to repair in the wilderness. Not widely spread among less developed countries, however local Land Rover dealers who might be able to order parts. 

DURABILITY:****
Despite being a luxury SUV, the Range Rover has a heritage to defend and is built to last - it should handle heavy off-road use quite well. The low payload is a drawback however.

CAPABILITY:****
700 mm wading depth, 34°/26,6° approach/departure angle, 30 degree break over angle and 283 mm running ground clearance (all in off-road mode) make it a decent off-roader. A 1:2,93 low-range gear and Land Rover’s famous TerrainResponse system round off the good impression when it come to off-road capability.

EFFICIENCY:***
The 3,6l V8 diesel develops 272hp and a massive 640Nm torque (GVWR rating: 102Nm). However, fuel consumption is rather high, but combined with a 84l tank the range is still sufficient. 

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:***
Lacking behind the Discovery and Defender.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Once more a spacious luxury SUV that satisfies your basic needs both on and off the road – and even more!

PRICE:**
With 80.000+ Euros is a lot of money…too much for most of us.

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: **
Low overall payload and the high price tag practically rule out the Range Rover as an EEV….for those who can afford: it plays in a league with the Land Cruiser V8, both regarding off- and on-road capabilities (except for the payload).

Nissan Patrol 5-door

CAPACITY: *****
More than 685kg payload (800 kg with the stripped-down manual version), up to 200 kg on the roof rack (with special crossbars) and a rather spacious interior – pretty impressive!

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:****
Positive: by far not as much electronic equipment as, for example, the current LR Discovery; moreover simple mechanical solutions and Nissan’s high reliability reputation. However, Nissan’s are not that wide-spread.

DURABILITY:*****
Nissan’s off-road vehicles were always known as being very durable, and the rather high payload and tough chassis should allow for continuous heavy off-road use.

CAPABILITY:****
Part-time 4wd, rear differential locker, two solid axles, 700mm wading depth, 22 cm running ground clearance,   37°/30° approach/departure, 25° brake over angle.

EFFICIENCY:***
For a 3,0l diesel engine developing only 160hp, fuel consumption is rather high (11l/100km). At least they put a large tank in the Patrol, the 95l tank is one of the largest in this comparison. 380 Nm torque make for 69 Nm at GVWR, which is sufficient, but not among the highest in this comparison (this is mainly due to the rather high curb weight of 2500kg). 15.000 km minor service interval.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:****
Scores best of all Nissan models when it comes to aftermarket support.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:****
A little boring to drive and 2 solid axles reduce on-road comfort, but overall a decent family vehicle. No ESP available.

PRICE:****
Offered at around 40.000 Euros in several European countries, but prices can vary (ranging from a stripped version for 36.000 in Germany to almost 50.000 in Austria)

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ****
Definitely a candidate to consider, perhaps the “underdog” of this comparison.

Nissan Pathfinder

CAPACITY: ****
Around 650kg payload (depending on the model), an additional 100kg fit on the roof rack. Big enough interior for most purposes. 

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:***
More electronic aids compared to the Patrol, and spare parts might not be that easy to obtain.

DURABILITY:***
Nissan’s reliability comes in as a factor, however, the individual suspension on all 4 wheels paired with ordinary coil springs is not the most desirably combination when it comes to heavy off-roading.

CAPABILITY:***
Approach/departure angle: 33°/25°; 23 cm running ground clearance and 24° brake over angle, 450 mm  wading depth. Traction control “ESP Plus” controls wheel slipping, but due to the lack of solid axles, you might bet in trouble in places where highly crossed axles are needed. No differential lockers.

EFFICIENCY:****
The 4-cyl. 2,5l diesel engine developing 403 Nm and 171hp helps to keep fuel consumption down on long-distance trips. A decent 81 Nm at GVWR and a 80l tank earn the Pathfinder well-earned 4 stars.  

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:**
Less than the Patrol, only basics available from big suppliers.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Decent on-road family vehicle for those who intend to use it that way, can be upgraded with luxury features in many ways.

PRICE:****
Between 35.000-40.000 Euros if you are not aiming for the luxury top-of-the-line version (which is useless for expeditions anyway).

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ***
No real weaknesses and therefore 3 stars, but the Pathfinder is just not made to be an expedition vehicle in terms of durability and off-road capability.

Hummer H3 Adventure

CAPACITY: **
420-470kg payload is among the lowest in this comparison. Sufficiently big interior, but far from being really spacious. Roof rack available as an option, but no data about the maximum load. 

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:**
It’s a GM product. Spar parts are hard to obtain, this was even the case in Europe until recently.

DURABILITY:**
With less than 500kg payload and GM quality problems, we are not too sure about how many expeditions in rough terrain an H3 can really tolerate without major problems due to part or system failures…

CAPABILITY:****
Phenomenal approach/departure angles (37,5°/35,5°), and a 4,03:1 low-range gear, however only 22 cm ground clearance and a 23,5° brake over angle. No mechanical differential locks, instead an electronically controlled rear limited slip differential. 610 mm wading depth at 8km/h, 407 mm at 32km/h. Good: standard recovery shackles in the bumpers.

EFFICIENCY:***
Gas-sucking 3,7l petrol engine developing 244hp and 328 Nm, which gives a weak 67 Nm GVWR rating. The 87l gas tank is definitely needed! Not even fun to drive!

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:****
Pretty good for not being a Land Rover or Toyota (at least in the States).

EVERYDAY USABILITY:***
Fuel consumption proves that this is a real US-car we are dealing with (14l/100km mixed, up to 19l in the city). Sufficient to room a family, but definitely not among the biggest vehicles in this comparison. Equipped with leather seats and other luxury features. Leaf springs (rear axle) are not the optimal choice when it comes to everyday driving though…

PRICE:***
We consider 45.000+ Euros rather high for what is offered – there are too many weaknesses to justify such a price, consequently you are paying several thousand Euros just for having a Hummer-badge on your car.

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: **
The weak engine is a gas-sucking monster, besides the payload is simply not enough for an expedition vehicle. Too expensive for what you get.

Lada Niva (Taiga)

CAPACITY: *
Quite small on the inside, and only 400kg payload – someone has to come last in every category…

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:****
Due to simple mechanical solutions and a proven 30 year old concept, the Lada is nearly indestructible. In case something breaks, it is very easy to fix and spare parts are widely available in Asia. 

DURABILITY:*****
You can torture this car beyond your imagination without breaking it…

CAPABILITY:****
Full-time 4wd,  low-range gear (1:2,14), 22cm ground clearance, 27° brake over angle, centre differential locker, a good 650mm wading depth and phenomenal approach/departure angels (48°/42°) make the Lada a pretty decent 4x4.

EFFICIENCY:**
4-cyl. 1,7l gasoline engine developing a staggering……81hp and 128Nm. This results in a weak GVWR rating of 48 Nm, and together with a 45l gas tank, the Lada’s engine is simply not sufficient for hard-core expeditions.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:**
There is some after market support, but you will find even more in Russia, if you are willing to go there…

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*
19(!) sec. from 0-100km/h, drum brakes at the rear, no airbags or ESP, 2 doors and only 3,7m long…we hope you have no kids…and as for your girlfriend or wife, she is probably soon gone as well if you intend to use the Niva with your family.

PRICE:*****
13.000 Euros – it doesn’t get any cheaper than that, plus it’s actually good value for the money.

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: **
The Lada Niva is a great car to have some fun at local off-road places – but is has simply not enough range and payload to be a real contender for a good EEV. Not a great choice as a daily driver either…..but hey, it’s cheap, very capable and durable!

Mercedes G 320 GDI Station Wagon

CAPACITY: *****
755 kg overall payload, whereof 200kg can be transported on the roof (there is however no factory roof rack available).

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:****
The G is built on the same solid platform since the 70’s, but the latest engine technology was put in place over the years. Not more electronics than the average vehicle of its class, but spare part availability is average (good in well developed countries, but much worse in really remote areas). 

DURABILITY:*****
The G was developed by Austrian 4x4 specialist Puch and Mercedes at the end of the 60’s as a military off-road vehicle, and not much has changed since than. The G is built for hard use and rugged terrain.

CAPABILITY:****
Full-time 4wd, low-range gear, solid front and rear axle, all 3 differentials 100% lockable. So far so good, unfortunately 205 mm ground clearance, 34°/29° approach/departure angle and 500 mm wading depth – although not bad at all – cost the G the fifth star. The only available transmission is the 7G-Tronic automatic.

EFFICIENCY:****
The 3.0l V6 diesel (224 hp, 540 Nm), combined with the rectangular shape of the car, is not known for its great fuel economy.  However, a great 102 Nm in the GVWR rating and a 96l tank make up for it.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:****
Not comparable to Land Rovers or Toyotas, but there are plenty of aftermarket parts.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Luxuriously equipped, spacious and comfortable on-road handling characteristics make it an ideal everyday/ family vehicle (for those who can afford it).

PRICE:***
75.000 Euros are not that bad in comparison to the Range Rover or Land Cruiser V8 – still, it is no bargain. Additionally, the G model is no longer available in every European market, so you might have to import one on your own (which should be no problem in times of the EU and the CoC document)

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ****
If it wasn’t for the price, the G would definitely be among the top of the list in this comparison.

Mitsubishi Pajero

CAPACITY: *****
A pretty decent payload of 775 kg, whereof 100 kg on the roof rack, optional 7-seater.

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:****
Mitsubishis are known to be reliable, but the Pajero is not widely spread in areas like Africa. As with all modern SUVs, it carries electronic equipment.

DURABILITY:***
We are a little unsure about that. The latest Pajero, although a capable off-road vehicle, is not tailored for continuous expedition use. Every now and then should work fine however.

CAPABILITY:****
225 mm ground clearance, 500 mm wading depth (technically possible are 700 mm) , part-time 4wd incl. low-range gear, lockable centre and rear differential, 36,6°/25° approach/departure angle and a 22,5° brake over angle earn the Pajero 4 stars.

EFFICIENCY:****
160 hp/381 Nm 3,2l V6 diesel, rating at 76,2 Nm according to the GVWR index, the tank holds 88l.
AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:**
Not comparable to Land Rovers, Toyotas and some other vehicles.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Big, comfortable…a typical modern SUV in that respect – 5 stars (if you can renounce on driving pleasure, that is).

PRICE:***
Prices start at around 37.000 Euros, which is quite ok, but not really a bargain.

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ****
Actually between 3 and 4 stars. Mitsubishis are not sold in big numbers in some countries, which makes spare part availability an issue, and the Pajero is indeed not cheap, else it wood have earned a full 4 stars. It performs well both as an expedition vehicle and a daily driver, but it excels in none of them.

VW Touareg R5 TDI

CAPACITY: ***
An average 600 kg payload, 100 kg on the roof. Quite spacious on the inside though.

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:***
Especially if with air suspension, the Touareg features a lot of electronically controlled gadgets. VW reliability is good in general, but the new, fancy VWs are only common in the highly developed parts of the world. You can however find big VW dealers in large parts of South America and Asia. VW is not common in Africa however.

DURABILITY:***
The Touareg will do fine on expeditions from time to time, but its standard frame is simply not built for this purpose.

CAPABILITY:****
Pretty good for an SUV that is mainly seen in urban areas. Low-range gear, 28,4°/28,1° approach/departure angle, up to 30 cm running ground clearance (with air suspension), 580 mm wading depth, centre differential lockable (optional rear differential locker).

EFFICIENCY:*****
174 hp/400Nm 2,5l 5-cyl diesel engine with a rating of 80 Nm on the GVWR index. Together with tank that holds a staggering 100 litres (!), the Touareg R5 easily ears 5 stars. 30.000 km minor service interval.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:**
Existent, but weak compared to other cars in this comparison.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:*****
Like other SUVs above, the main focus was on on-road handling and versatility, so it scores 5 stars in this category.

PRICE:**
The R5 starts at around 43.000 Euros, add air suspension and rear locker and you are up another 3.000 Euros - however, some countries even charge 50.000+ for the base model. And you are still driving a Volkswagen…

OVERALL GO4X4.EU-RATING: ***
Great off-road performance for a “luxury” SUV, but its price tag is heavy to digest – especially when you order a rear diff locker and the air suspension as well. Would be a real EEV-option for 40.000 Euros or less…

Iveco Massif 5-door

CAPACITY: *****
910kg payload. Rather large interior.  

RELIABILITY/ REPAIRABILITY:****
 “Old school” mechanical design, should be reliable and is easy to repair if something happens, although special spare parts might be harder to get.

DURABILITY:****
The Massif is built to be mainly used in off-road conditions, and Iveco has a brilliant 4x4 heritage when it comes to light and heavy trucks - even Swiss army bought some. The drive train stems directly from the Iveco Daily and is built to withstand 6,5 tons. Leaf springs together with gas dampers and a solid rear axle as well as a solid front axle and hydraulic shocks round off the impression that this car was definitely built for off-road adventures. 

CAPABILITY:****
50°/30° approach/departure angle, part-time 4wd incl. low-range gears (1:2,3) , lockable rear differential (optional front locker from 2009) and 50 cm wading depth are pretty good for a newcomer. However, 20 cm ground clearance is among the worst in this comparison. BF Goodrich A/T’s come standard.

EFFICIENCY:****
4-cyl. 3,0l diesel engine with either 146hp (350Nm) or 176hp (400Nm). Not the most economic diesel, but paired with the 90l tank the engine provides a considerable range.  A GVWR-rating of 75 Nm for the “weaker” engine version is pretty good as well.

AFTER MARKET SUPPORT:**
Not much yet, but there are bumper and winch solutions out there (partly from Iveco themselves) – you should also be able to find a roof rack.

EVERYDAY USABILITY:***
The Massif is designed - without compromises – to be a real off-road vehicle, like the HZJ78 or the LR Defender. No air bags, hardly any electronic equipment or luxurious options, and hardly a fun-to-drive engine. But, if you want to use it as a family car, you definitely can – it has (almost) all you need and rooms 5 passengers plus luggage without any problems!