11 of the Cheapest Four-Wheel Drives in Australia 2023

With that passion in mind, we thought we’d take a look at eleven of the cheapest four-wheel drives on offer here in Australia to help beef-up your shortlist.

For the purposes of a greater look at your SUV options, we’ve mentioned just a few of the the ever-plentiful options within the 4x4 dual cab ute segment; if you’re interested in a 4x4 ute breakdown, we’d encourage you to read our guide to the cheapest utes here.

Now, then, let’s take a closer look at eleven of the cheapest four-wheel drives currently on sale in Australia.

Suzuki Jimny Lite

Starting from $30,490*

The Suzuki Jimny range takes the cake as Australia’s cheapest fully-fledged SUV.

For what it lacks in size, the Jimny makes up for when it comes to charm and eagerness, with the pint-sized off-roader proving an absolute beast when the going gets tough thanks to its lightweight platform.

Power for the Jimny range comes supplied by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder pushing out 75kW of power and 150Nm of torque to all four wheels via your choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 75kW/150Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.4 - 6.9L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 1300kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Nissan X-Trail ST 4WD

Starting from $37,250*

Nissan’s revamped X-Trail lineup sticks true to the original design brief, combining family-friendly touches with a more rugged design and the confidence of a 4WD system.

The great news for buyers is that Nissan offers the X-Trail with a four-wheel drive system across every trim level, meaning the base model all the way through to the range-topping Ti-L has the option of becoming a capable off-roader.

• Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 

• Power & Torque: 135kW/244Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.8L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2000kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Toyota HiLux Workmate

Starting from $26,475*

The iconic Toyota HiLux remains one of the most accessible 4x4s to Australian buyers, with the HiLux Workmate single cab priced very competitively.

You can get your hands on a HiLux 4x4 in everything from a Single Cab chassis through to an Extra Cab pickup and a family-friendly Dual Cab layout, a number of which pick up Toyota’s bullet-proof 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that offers huge torque figures for off-roading and towing.

• Engine: 2.4 - 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/400Nm & 150kW/500Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 6.9 - 8.1L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2800 - 3500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

SsangYong Musso

Starting from $35,000*

When it comes to value for money, there are few four-wheel drives that can match the latest SsangYong Musso range.

Better yet, the Musso comes packing a hefty punch from its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine offering 3500kg of towing power, which is paired with a part-time four-wheel drive system, low range transfer case and a locking rear differential to help push you over tough terrain.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 133kW/400Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 8.6L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Mahindra Scorpio Z8

Starting from $41,990*

If you’re looking for a capable body-on-frame SUV that doesn’t break the bank, Mahindra has you covered with the latest Scorpio range.

The Scorpio range comes powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel pushing out 129kW of power and 400Nm of torque to all four wheels via a six-speed transmission, with the added bonus of a mechanical locking rear differential and brake lock differential.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 129kW/400Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.2L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Nissan Navara SL

Starting from $33,050*

There’s a huge number of options within Nissan’s latest Navara range for those looking for a cheap four-wheel drive ute, with the entry-level Navara SL offering 4x4 systems in Single Cab, King Cab and Dual Cab variants.

The SL range picks up a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel kicking out 120kW/403Nm, while stepping higher into the lineup adds another turbo into the mix, increasing outputs up to 140kW/450Nm, with both picking up an electronically locking rear differential.

• Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 120kW/403Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.2 - 8.1L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

LDV D90 Executive 4WD

Starting from $38,937*

The LDV D90 remains one of the cheapest large, practical seven-seat four-wheel drive SUVs on the market, with the company offering a generous features list to sweeten the deal.

You’ll have to step above the two entry-level D90 variants and tick the box for the D90 Executive 4WD, which comes powered by a 2.0-litre petrol  kicking out 165kW of power and 350Nm of torque, offering towing figures of 2000kg, while the more powerful 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine is reserved for the range-topper.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 165kW/350Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 10.9L/100km 

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2000kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

GWM Tank 300 Lux

Starting from $46,990*

GWM’s all-new Tank 300 gives buyers some serious food for thought when it comes to value in the four-wheel drive segment, with attractive features lists and even the option of a hybrid flagship.

Most of the GWM Tank 300 range comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out 162kW of power and 380Nm of torque to all fours via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a locking rear differential as standard.

Step up to the Tank 300 hybrid and power jumps up to 180kW while dropping fuel economy figures down from 9.5 to 8.4L/100km on a combined cycle, with 2500kg towing figures for both.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 162kW/380Nm

• Fuel Economy Figures: 9.5L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

SsangYong Rexton ELX

Starting from $46,300*

Twin-under-the-skin to the Musso ute, SsangYong’s Rexton engine is one of the best value body-on-frame SUVs on the market, offering a healthy equipment list and some light off-road abilities in a family-friendly package.

The Rexton comes powered by the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel you’ll find in the Musso, though it’s got more impressive power and torque figures of 149kW/441Nm, combined with a four-wheel drive system with a locking rear differential and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 149kW/441Nm 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 8.7L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3500kg

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX 4WD

Starting from $44,940*

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has long been a go-to option for large Australian families looking to hit the Great Outdoors.

Thanks to its Triton underpinnings, the Pajero Sport is happy to go where many of its SUV rivals stop short, thanks to its bulletproof 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, 4x4 system, low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential.

Combined with Mitsubishi’s class-leading warranty, the Pajero Sport remains one of the leading options in the world of affordable four-wheel drives here in Australia.

Toyota Fortuner GX

Starting from $53,775*

While it might look like a mere SUV, underneath the Toyota Fortuner is actually a HiLux in family-friendly SUV clothing, making it a great and cost-effective option for adventurous families.

Its HiLux underpinnings mean the Fortuner comes packing the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, important suspension hardware and a locking rear differential that gives it some impressive off-road abilities while remaining comfortable on daily drives.

• Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 150kW/500Nm 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 7.6L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3100kg 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Honourable Mentions for Four-wheel Drive Cars in Australia

• Isuzu MU-X - Starting from $48,900*

• Ford Everest - Starting from $53,290*

• Isuzu D-Max - Starting from $32,200*

• Mitsubishi Triton - Starting from $30,740*

• Ford Ranger - Starting from $36,180*

• Mazda BT-50 - Starting from $33,950*

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If you’re tossing up your best four-wheel drive options, reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can help find you a great price.

* Prices accurate at time of writing.