| Four wheel drives used to be rugged, | | | | in both petrol and diesel engines. The ML270 |
| no-thrills vehicles with few creature | | | | CDI Classic turbo diesel has plenty of torque |
| comforts. Not anymore. | | | | at low revs making it a good proposition for |
| | | | going off road. However, at around $75,000 |
| There was a time when the four wheel drive | | | | brand new, you'll want to make sure that you |
| market was restricted to rugged, no-thrills | | | | don't get too many scratches from overhanging |
| vehicles with little or no creature comforts | | | | branches. At the other end of the spectrum is |
| aimed almost exclusively at outdoor | | | | the ML55 AMG 5.4 litre five door wagon, which |
| adventurers, hunters and farmers. Not | | | | will cost you a little more than $140,000. At |
| anymore. The Range Rover, Toyota Landcruiser. | | | | this price, you'll probably want to keep this |
| Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan Patrol have all | | | | one firmly on the tar. |
| brought the four wheel drive market into the | | | | |
| realms of luxury motoring. And over the past | | | | If looking for a used car, buy one from 2000 |
| few years, even more luxurious models have | | | | onwards as earlier models had some problems. |
| hit the Australian market, with Porsche, BMW, | | | | Also, go for a newer model that is still |
| Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen all introducing | | | | covered by warranty |
| their own line of prestige four wheel drive | | | | |
| vehicles. Here we look at some of these | | | | Porsche Cayenne |
| blueblood four wheel drives. | | | | |
| | | | For Porsche to jump onto the four wheel drive |
| The BMW X3 and X5 | | | | bandwagon, you know that it must be a market |
| | | | that cannot be ignored. Long regarded as a |
| BMW was one of the first of the luxury | | | | purebred German sports carmaker, Porsche has |
| marques to introduce its version of the | | | | produced what is arguably the fastest four |
| off-road vehicle into the Australian market | | | | wheel drive on Australian roads with the |
| with the X5. The BMW X5 is a stylish four | | | | Cayenne. It will comfortably cruise at more |
| wheel drive vehicle, which is exactly what | | | | than 200 km/h thanks to the 4.5 litre V8 |
| you'd expect from the German carmaker. While | | | | engine. There are two models available: the |
| it's a four wheel drive, BMW doesn't pretend | | | | Cayenne S, priced new at around $137,000 and |
| that this is for the serious off-roader. | | | | the Cayenne Turbo which will set you back |
| Instead, they point out its very impressive | | | | around $204,000. If you can't afford this |
| on-road capabilities including its quick | | | | price tag, perhaps look at the VW Touareg. |
| acceleration and smooth ride. The BMW X5 is | | | | |
| available in 3 litre petrol and diesel | | | | Volkswagen Touareg |
| versions, a 4.4 litre, and the top of the | | | | |
| line 4.9 litre model. There's also the | | | | If the Porsche Cayenne is just a little out |
| smaller and less expensive X3 with a 2.5 | | | | of your price range, then perhaps you should |
| litre or 3 litre 5 door wagon. New car prices | | | | consider this VW off-roader. In fact, the |
| for the BMW X3 start from around $65,000 | | | | Touareg was designed in conjunction with the |
| while the BMW X5 starts from around $81,000. | | | | Cayenne, so there will be more than a few |
| | | | similarities between these two prestige |
| If looking for a used car, check for any | | | | vehicles. The Touareg can also reach the 200 |
| signs of damage from off-roading. As most are | | | | km/h mark on the highway, and it's off road |
| strictly city cars, you'll be best buying one | | | | capabilities are assisted by its electronic |
| that has never left the tar. Also, look for a | | | | traction aids. With plenty of room inside, it |
| car that still has a warranty, as BMWs can | | | | can fit three adults across the back seat, |
| prove expensive to fix. | | | | the Touareg may just be the right car to |
| | | | impress your friends with in the bush. Prices |
| The M-Class Mercedes Benz | | | | for new cars range from around $67,000 to |
| | | | $138,000 for the V10 5 litre model. If |
| The Mercedes Benz M-Class has been a success | | | | looking for a good used car, go for a one |
| story in Australia thanks to its ability both | | | | owner that is still covered by warranty, and |
| on and off the road. Of course, the prestige | | | | check for any off-road damage, although like |
| of owning a Mercedes Benz also helps with | | | | most of these prestige four wheel drives, |
| this vehicle's popularity. The M-Class comes | | | | most have probably never seen the dirt. |