Motoring

Victoria’s cheapest off-road, 4WD vehicles to own for 2022

White Mitsubishi Pajero driving through desert

Tianna Nadalin

Posted November 07, 2022

If you’re looking for an off-roader that’s as affordable as it is tough, these are the cheapest 4WD vehicles to own, according to RACV’s latest Car Running Costs Survey.

When buying a new car, it’s never more important to consider the features and functions than when buying an off-roading four-wheel drive (4WD). 

While the focus may be on the functionality of the 4WD, the vehicle you choose could be quite costly when compared to its competitors. 

Aside the from the initial purchase price – and its associated loan repayments, which account for just over two thirds of a car’s total running cost – people often assume fuel is the next biggest expense when it comes to owning a 4WD. But, when averaged out over the year, it’s actually a car’s on-road costs that carve the biggest slice of the monthly budget, according to RACV’s latest Car Running Costs survey.

In general, fuel is the biggest singular expense accounting for about 11 per cent of a 4WD’s monthly running costs. This is followed by on road costs – including registration, insurance and auto-club membership – at a combined total of 13 per cent, and servicing and maintenance costs at around four per cent. Purchase price takes the biggest chunk at 71 per cent.  

RACV’s latest Car Running Costs survey found 4WD owners spend as much as $2,700 per month to own and run some of the top-selling 4WD models.

To find the most affordable off-roaders, RACV has compared six of the most popular models - Ford Everest Ambiente 4WD, Isuzu MU-X LS-M, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX, Nissan Y62 Patrol Ti, Toyota Landcruiser 300 series GX 3 and the Toyota Prado GX - to see how they stack up in terms of purchase price and ongoing costs, including fuel consumption, servicing and on-roads, averaged out over a five-year ownership period.

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Australia's Cheapest Cars Survey 2022 | RACV

Cheapest 4WD to buy

According to RACV’s latest Car Running Costs Survey, the most affordable 4WD for 2022 is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The turbo diesel-powered, eight-speed automatic SUV will set you back $1,563.51 per month, on average, making it the cheapest all-terrain vehicle to own and run in 2022.

With an estimated purchase price of $54,421.80, of the cars surveyed, the athletic SUV is also the cheapest to buy. It costs nearly half as much as the popular and powerful Toyota Landcruiser 300 series GX 3.3, which will set you back a little under $97,500. This is just slightly more than the Nissan Y62 Patrol Ti at $92,333.

Rounding out the mid-range 4WDs are the Isuzu MU-X LS-M ($61,108.60), Ford Everest Ambiente ($62,240.60) and the Toyota Prado GX ($66,165.60), which have average monthly running costs between $1,700 and $1,860.

Based on the survey, be prepared to pay a little over $72,000 to join the off-road owners club, or to fork out an average of $2,048 to keep it on the road.

 

White Mitsubishi Pajero parked at campsite with tend in background

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is the cheapest 4X4 in the survey to own and run in 2022.

Cheapest 4WD for fuel, servicing, and on-road costs

Purchase price is one thing, running costs are another, and when it comes to 4WDs, the cost of keeping them on the road can quickly add up. 

As well as being the most affordable 4WD overall, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX also has the cheapest on-road costs, with insurance, registration and auto club membership tallying just under $200 per month ($194.01). This is nearly $200 less than the premium Toyota Landcruiser, which racks up an average monthly on-road cost of $389.52.

Purchase price aside, the survey revealed the Ford Everest Ambiente is the most fuel efficient. The 2.0-litre turbo has the lowest monthly fuel consumption, drinking $188.46 worth of diesel on average. Of the cars surveyed, it is also the cheapest to service at $34.80.  

Despite costing about $5,000 less to buy than the Toyota Landcruiser 300, the Nissan Y62 Patrol Ti is the least affordable of the 4WDs surveyed. The Patrol will cost owners an average of $2,746.03 per month, about $80 more than the Toyota Landcruiser..

 

Click here to view the full 2022 Car Running Cost Survey.

 

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.