In the pursuit of finding the best vehicles on the market, the Drive Car of the Year awards program is back for its 18th consecutive year. As Australia’s most trusted advisor for new car buyers, Drive meticulously tests over 200 new cars annually, evaluating each vehicle against its individual strengths and weaknesses. With a focus on end-users, Drive divides these cars into 19 price-banded categories, aiming to identify the cream of the crop in the automotive industry.
One of the highly anticipated categories in the Drive Car of the Year 2024 awards is the Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K. This category is specifically designed for large and extra-large prestige 4WDs that offer no-nonsense capability for adventurous Australian families. These vehicles provide the perfect balance of style, status, and off-road capabilities, making them suitable for both rugged terrains and elegant city outings.
Among the contenders in this category are some notable models. The Ineos Grenadier, with its unique take on the iconic boxy SUV design, is considered by many to be the spiritual successor to the original Land Rover. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has made its way into the luxury segment, with most models now being priced over $100K. Meanwhile, the Nissan Patrol has received a significant reboot and now sports a purpose-built off-road version known as the Warrior, engineered by Premcar. Of course, it’s hard to ignore the timeless Toyota LandCruiser 300, which is expected to be a fan favorite due to its reputation as Toyota’s best and largest SUV.
The Drive Car of the Year Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K category features vehicles that seamlessly blend luxury, advanced technology, and safety features. While some models excel in off-road capabilities, others are equally comfortable on city roads. With such high-level competition, the race for the crown in this category is bound to be intense.
All the eligible vehicles in this category meet the requirement of being all-new or significantly updated. As per Drive’s rules, eligible vehicles must be on sale by December 31, 2023, and Drive must have access to retail examples for road testing before the cut-off date.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the finalists, expected to be made in February 2024. With 11 experienced judges on board, determining the winner of the Drive Car of the Year Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K will undoubtedly be a challenging task.
FAQ
What are the eligibility requirements for the Drive Car of the Year awards?
According to Drive’s rules, eligible cars must be all-new or significantly updated, be on sale by December 31, 2023, and provide retail examples for road testing before the cut-off date.
Which vehicles are eligible for the Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K category?
The eligible vehicles for this category include the Ineos Grenadier, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus LX, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Nissan Patrol Warrior, Range Rover, Toyota LandCruiser, and Toyota Prado.
When will the winner of the Drive Car of the Year Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K be announced?
The winner will be announced in February 2024, following the announcement of the finalists.