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The most frustrating thing about buying a brand-new car is that you often need to wait a long time for it to arrive.
Even worse is if nobody at all has even driven one, or knows exactly what it’ll cost, or what exactly it will come with. So that’s where we’re at right now with the new 2024 Toyota Prado.
The new Toyota is about six months away from launch, and even longer for customer deliveries. So close, yet so far. If you can’t wait for the Prado, here are our five best alternatives...
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Click to view our full Everest gallery
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest was fresh on the market in late 2022 and, of the large five-door, three-row SUVs available, it is one of the best.
It offers a spacious and comfortable interior for up to seven, and the choice of two (2.0 4cyl or V6 diesels) smooth and refined powertrains. No wonder it won Wheels Car Of The Year for 2023. Even though it shares much with the Ford Ranger ute, you'd almost never know – unlike the shared-platform models of other brands.
It is without a doubt the best ute-based SUV to drive, and you’re not sold short on safety (it has a five star ANCAP safety rating) or towing capability (3500kg braked capacity). Nothing really replaces Australian development for a vehicle, and here the Everest shines with much of its core engineering done here.
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Isuzu MU-X
When the second-generation Isuzu MU-X arrived in 2021, it was a big step up in safety, refinement, performance, and features.
Like Everest, the MU-X is based on a ute, but this is an SUV that you’ll grow to like for its driver engagement and high degree of active and passive safety features. The bonus here is that the MU-X makes for a solid towing platform, with 3500kg (braked) capacity.
The MU-X’s powertrain, a 140kW/450Nm 3.0 diesel and six-speed auto, in 4x2 or 4x4 versions, provides a good spread of torque and acceptable power with good fuel economy.
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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
With the new Pajero Sport coming by 2025, you don’t have long to get in with this venerable current-gen Pajero Sport, which has been around in one form or another since 2015.
The Pajero Sport is big on value with its smooth 133kW/430Nm turbo-diesel running through an eight-speed auto and sophisticated 4WD system that gives you the benefit of a 4WD setting that can be used on dry, paved roads. If towing is important, note that Pajero Sport is one of few in this class that cannot tow 3500kg; its maximum capacity is 3100kg.
Despite its ANCAP safety rating expiring earlier this year, the Pajero Sport is filled with most of the safety equipment you expect. While low on price compared to some, the Pajero Sport doesn't feel cheap – particularly the upper-tier Exceed and GSR models with their digital dash and leather seating.
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Toyota Fortuner
Like the Pajero Sport, the Toyota Fortuner is a bit of an older model, but it has been revised a few times since its 2015 arrival.
The Fortuner will continue on for a while longer, with an all-new model expected here in 2026. For now though, this is a seven-seater off-road SUV that’ll do the job with the ample Toyota network and resale values to underpin it. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, and the controls simple and easy to navigate.
The 3100kg/310kg (braked) towing limit is 400kg less than the best in class, but its 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre diesel makes light work of most driving duties and this is a comfortable highway cruiser and capable off-roader.
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SsangYong Rexton
An SUV that for years has sat in the shadow of more popular models, the Rexton now looks like very good buying compared with those established seven-seater SUVs, with a price starting at $40K drive-away.
The model has just received a light makeover for MY24, with a new high resolution, 12.3-inch touch screen with improved functionality and clarity, new exterior colours and a new Adventure model.
A well-presented, feature-filled interior and up-to-date tech are the good points, as is the 3500kg towing capacity and the reasonably healthy (if a touch laggy) 148kW/441Nm 2.2-litre diesel tied to an excellent eight-speed auto. The SsangYong is a little harsh-riding, however, and doesn’t quite offer the rewarding handling of the best in the class.
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