The best adventure-ready vehicles of 2023

A lot has been said about the winner of Drive Car of the Year so far in 2023. While many derided the idea of a four-wheel-drive ute taking over as reigning champion, there is no doubting the competency and popularity of Ford’s next-generation ute. 

And one thing that is crystal clear in the habits of those buying new cars in Australia is this: the scope of extracurricular and aspirational activities is very important. For better or for worse, one doesn’t simply buy a car based on the daily grind of commuting about town during the week.

Instead, it’s the promise of weekend and holiday adventures that plays on the mind and tugs at the heartstrings. Whether one actually does any of the kind of road-tripping and exploring at a meaningful frequency is academic in a way, because buyers are voting with their feet and wallets on adventure-ready utes and SUVs.

And for those of this ilk, here are some of the best adventure-ready vehicles on the market. 

Four-wheel-drive utes handle adventure like a duck taking to water. Off-road capability is an inherent part of the recipe, along with a healthy payload needed for things like gear and accessories.

Once upon a time, getting this kind of capability in a ute came with big compromises to ride comfort, refinement and ergonomics. However, this new-generation Ford Ranger has moved the game forward quite noticeably.

It’s still a quality off-roader with good levels of clearance, articulation and traction on offer. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine – available in single and twin-turbocharged formats – is an improvement over the previous generation, but the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the 3.0-litre diesel V6. It’s smooth and torquey, and has proved to be a great companion off-road as well as on the open road. 

Inside, there are decent levels of comfort and convenience. No four-wheel-drive ute (this side of a big American pick-up truck) is exactly capacious in the second row, but the Ranger is one of the better in this regard.

The payload – which hovers around that thousand-kilogram mark – is plenty for a touring vehicle, and there are other important details like a good wading depth (800mm), diff breathers and some handy additional storage. 

However, an equally important aspect of the Ranger comes from the good comfort, technology and ergonomics on a long drive. Big adventures often include long stints of blacktop behind the wheel, and the Ranger is a wonderful method of mowing down kilometres. 

If you prefer your adventure to be more adrenaline-fuelled, then this new-generation Ford Ranger Raptor is the hottest ticket in town. There have been some major changes under the bonnet over the previous generation. Gone is diesel power, and in its place a blistering and angry twin-turbocharged petrol V6 (which makes 292kW/583Nm) matched nicely to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and new permanent four-wheel-drive system. 

Its suspension – comprising of 2.5-inch Fox shock absorbers with internal bypassing and ‘Live Valve’ active compression damping – is nothing short of a revelation. Along with impressive low-speed off-road capability, the combination of race-bred suspension, traction through the all-wheel-drive system and burly petrol motor gives more smiles per gallon than anything this side of… well... anything. 

It’s devilishly good off-road, feeling confident and capable in all situations. But it’s not some kind of off-road buggy with only one dimension either. 

The many big changes for this Raptor all come together in a package that works well in unison: steering, refinement, on-road handling, technology and comfort are all at a high level. Even if you’re not sliding through banked corners and jumping tabletops, the Raptor pays great dividends. 

One will need to be conscious of the reduced payload of this Raptor – which is only 655kg – and the lower driving range available between refills. Whereas a diesel-powered Ranger could get close to 1000km (depending on load, conditions and driving style of course), you’ll need to budget on a bit less with the Raptor. If you’re using 14 litres per hundred kilometres, which is entirely feasible, less than 600km will be covered before needing a refill. 

The decidedly digital Defender – a modern remake of the British off-road legend – is an impressive machine. Using all of the engineering tricks Land Rover has at its disposal, the Defender is supremely comfortable, capable and adventure-ready in any form.

Air suspension and a highly sophisticated four-wheel-drive system lay the groundwork, with bucketloads of ground clearance and traction on offer. There’s a range of impressive petrol and diesel powertrains on offer, which runs all the way from a perky turbocharged four-cylinder engine to a barnstorming supercharged V8.

While seasoned off-roaders can't help but be impressed with the capability on offer, less experienced drivers will appreciate the range of driving modes and traction aids, and how easy the vehicle feels to pilot across tricky terrain.

Because of things like electronically controlled air suspension, a modern aluminium-heavy platform and nicely balanced electric power-assisted steering system (EPAS), the levels of ride quality, refinement and insulation are impressive on-road. It’s a luxury experience that, like many Land Rover vehicles over the years, is especially impressive considering the level of off-road ability. 

The Defender comes in three different sizes, starting with a short-wheelbase three-door 90 variant. That grows in wheelbase and overall length to a five-door 110, while a recently added 130 goes even longer again.