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