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If you’re easily offended or closely related to a Karen then I’m going to need you to look away now. Sometimes in a four-wheel driver’s life you just need to vent, and that’s what I’m doing today. 4X4s have been around for decades, and some are better than others. In saying that however, some are a lot worse than others too. So bad in fact that I need to talk about them.
These are my top 5 WORST four-wheel drives ever made (not in any particular order), and you can’t change my mind. Now, let’s begin!
#1 – Holden Jackaroo
The early Holden Jackaroos really left a lot to be desired. A mid-sized SUV inspired four-wheel drive that was meant to appeal to just about everyone wanting an adventure capable vehicle sadly missed the mark heavily.
With subjectively terrible external styling. An insurmountable lack of power. Below average suspension setup. And an interior packed full of cheap plastic trim, the Jackaroo wasn’t ever going to stand the test of time. Especially when pushed to its limits off-road.
“The Jackaroo wasn’t ever going to stand the test of time”
#2 – Toyota FJ Cruiser
Introduced in 2006/07, the FJ Cruiser, in my opinion, was one of the biggest disappointments to hit a Toyota showroom. We were promised big things and expected even bigger things with Toyota promising a retro-styled four-wheel drive designed to pay homage to the original FJ40 Landcruiser.
What we were left with was a petrol powered, automatic gearbox, independent front suspension vehicle that lacked off-road ability and on-road prowess. I guess there’s a reason Toyota discontinued the manufacturing after just a few short years.
#3 – Suzuki Sierra / Samurai
Cute is the best way to describe these impractical road registered matchbox cars. Although a fun 4X4 to cruise around the beach in, these have made my list for two big reasons. The first is rust. And I only say this because I’m yet to see an old Sierra that isn’t full of rust on all surfaces.
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The other reason, and arguably most important is their strange habit of rolling over on small off-road obstacles. The narrow and short wheelbase of the car along with stuff leaf-sprung suspension meant these were a high rollover risk vehicle on off-road tracks but also on the black-top too.
#4 – Land Rover Discovery
Now whilst I mention the Land Rover Discovery as the vehicle of choice, I’m honestly just beating around the bush. I lowkey would love to just say “all Land Rovers in general.” The early models had a unique toughness about them which quickly disappeared as the more modern predecessors took their place.
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With soft styling, overloaded technology and problems with reliability, it wasn’t uncommon for a Land Rover owner to be left stranded on the side of a track with some sort of undiagnosable electronics gremlin.
“It wasn’t uncommon for a Land Rover owner to be left stranded on the side of a track”
#5 – Mercedes Benz G-Wagon
Now before you jump into the comments section and hit me with a “this guys on drugs”… let me explain. I’m not talking about the new generation G-Wagons whether it be the turbo diesel model or the twin-turbo V8 G63’s, I absolutely love those models. I’m talking about the original G-Wagon. Yep, the ugly 1980’s model.
Designed pretty much exclusively for military use, it meant for a rather lack-lustre breadbox type situation. Plenty of torque off-road but zero ‘go’ on-road meant a slow and noisy ride wherever you were heading. The interior was basic and noisy which meant if you wanted to hit the open road and smash out a 10-hour Sydney to Brisbane drive, you’d be left wanting a plethora of stops to stretch your legs and escape the monotony.
With all this being said, please remember these are just my opinions, and I would still happily own any of the above 4X4s. Any four-wheel drive is better than no four-wheel drive in my eyes. With the market as ballistic as it is currently, you’d be silly not to work with what you have.
Stay safe, and I’ll see you on the tracks.
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one mans trash is another’s treasure.
I wouldn’t waste my time trying to change your mind, Sam, but for the open-minded, I will mention my personal experiences with 2 of those in your list …
I had a 1998 manual 3.0TD Jackaroo for 17 years, selling it with 360 000+ kms on her. Yep, it had its issues (alternators & turbos), as do all vehicles, but It’s still going with another owner. Admittedly I had kitted it out, but it took me everywhere I wanted to go, including the Simpson, Gibb and the Cape. Way more capable than what most people think – especially those who have never driven one in a serious 4WD situation … It pulled Nissans & Toyotas out many more times than the 2 times it needed to be rescued – and both of those were driver error rather than the vehicle’s capabilities. Maybe needing to pull the Nissan & Toyotas out was their drivers’ errors, too. Who knows?
After bucket-loads (20+ hours) of research, I’d narrowed the Jack’s replacement down to either a Land Rover Discovery 4 or a Toyota Workmate. After weighing everything up – including the issues associated with the D4 and the Toyota Tax (etc.), I bought a MY15 D4. I figured that after 6 years in production, the gremlins and issues which plagued the earlier ones (and there definitely were some) would have been sorted out. Over 4 years later, I haven’t been disappointed. It’s incredibly comfortable to drive. I’ve put in a few 1100-1200 km drives without being knackered at the end of them. Yep, I’ve had to be rescued once already, but once again, that was driver error. Going from a manual to an automatic in 4WD situations takes a bit of getting used to. Just because it’s an automatic doesn’t mean you don’t have to think about a few things … as I’ve since discovered! I do love my manuals, and that’s my only (semi-)regret with the D4. Hopefully, I’ll get used to an automatic before I get stuck too many more times. For me, it’s a 20+-year vehicle. Ask me again in 2040 whether I still feel / think the same way!
Incidentally, I’m not a Karen. I’ve been out with 3 and married (and divorced) one of them. My mates have threatened me with death if I ever go out with another Karen …
Drove a Suzuki for couple of years around bush tracks in the NT and I think you’ve missed their good points – good ground clearance, good approach & departure angles, reasonably capable for still water crossings & their light weight meant they would go where most heavier 4wds would simply sink into the wet season quagmire.
Don’t forget at least earlier Hiluxs also had a high center of gravity and rolled easily. One of my work mates rolled his once too many times and sadly is a paraplegic as a result. Unfortunately, the cost of good ground clearance tends to be a higher centre of gravity.
Also had a Jackaroo for many years & while it had its limitations, took us lots of off road places and was surprisingly capable. For a one income family paying off a mortgage on very high interest rates, it was an affordable option.
Had a Jackaroo for 8+ years,towed camp trailer out on the Real dirt with family of 5.nNever had an issue ( not even a flat) only thing that was ever replaced was the battery. The ride was good air conditioner was good but a little heavy on fuel ( V6 trait) , I was a very satisfied customer just like a lot of others doing the same thing.
I have both a Landrover Discovery one and two.
Absolutely love my D2. Have owned it for 10 years and intend to be buried in it when the time comes.
Beats all this modern independent suspension garbage vehicles hands down.
You’ve obviously not driven an FJ – either on, or more definitely off road. And the prices of these are skyrocketing (especially in the USA) due to big demand. Demand means they are liked by many. No need to say more
I own a 2002 Discovery TD5 manual & it has never let me down in the bush.
Most comfortable long distance vehicle . They have their issues with electronics but can be sorted out.
Still driving it with 390000 km on the clock.
I had a Hackaroo for 14 years and apart from normal maintenance it served us well.
Yu should check out the Dakar rally records for Isuzu including numbers entered and completed against the rival Pajeros.
FJ40’s are fetching crazy prices. A rusty old Sierra will still fetch more and take you more places than many 4×4’s half its age. Reason being, they are so simple. No electronics, or fancy fuel systems.
Toyota need go back older smart
Engineering 60’s 70’s 80’s. The best vehicles in the world then.
I still have some of them , real cars.
We owned the first 1981 Jackaroo diesel in FNQ for 7 yrs kitted my own turbo) and gave it an absolute caning over these years up Cape York and out west of Chillagoe and never had a failed drive train or upgraded suspension, except shocks.
My mates were always calling it a “PANSY” front suspension as one of the first IFS 4WD’s, but when they were stuck and I was driving around them in circles they soon changed their tune.!
It run rings around other 4WD’s with its Torque proprtioning LSD.!
We then bought an 88 Jackaroo owned for 8 yrs, once again gave it a caning with no failures.!
This 88 model was a far better handling driving vehicle with its 2.8 litre factory turbo engine, synchromesh transfer case and revised IFS.
With upgraded suspension, and power mods it went like a cut snake and handles off road conditions easily.
In fact these two vehicles were far more reliable than the new DMax Ute’s with failed Turbos, rear diffs front CV joints etc.
As a young family of 5 this was all we could afford back in the 80’s on and they served us well.
Been on a number of narly 4×4 trips with Jackeroo’s, both petrol and diesel. I think you are being a bit harsh on this mid wheel based vehicle that performs admirably driven by someone with some idea of 4×4 requirements
FJs have been in production for much longer in states. And ifs have won plenty races everywhere be they sand mud rock gravel. So research beforehand would be smart. Agree dangerous cars like sierra needs to be taken off road. Pun not intended. You forgot all Nissan turbodiesels with their overheating or detonation issues along with 1kdftv pistons and 1gdftv dpfs