Out now: April 2023 issue of 4X4 Australia

The April 2023 issue of 4X4 Australia is officially out now.

The custom-built Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series gracing the cover has been fastidiously assembled for family adventures. A chassis extension, GVM upgrade and suspension package by JMACX gave the Cruiser a new lease on life, and that oh-so-special custom-built AMVE canopy houses everything from an Enerdrive 12-volt power system to an Evacool fridge on an MSA 4x4 drop slide.

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Not to be outdone, we’ve also featured a purpose-built Volkswagen Amarok V6 made to explore any and all remote tracks in Australia. It’s dressed head to toe in quality aftermarket accessories, and Swanny’s Fabrications in Brisbane takes all the credit for that schmick custom half-canopy build.

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We then lined the all-new 2.0-litre-powered Ford Everest Trend against the ever-popular Isuzu MU-X LS-T, to see which seven-seater serves best at family duties. Can the ageing MU-X keep up with its next-gen rival?

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Work on our Ford Ranger keeps ticking over, with lighting specialists Narva installing a set of all-new EX2 LEDs to our Venturer bumper bar. Available in both seven- and nine-inch configurations, the EX2 is a more budget-friendly version of Narva’s premium Ultima LEDs. A switch panel from Pirate Camp Co. not only keeps the Ranger’s console tidy, but it allows us to easily control the separate switches for both sets of lights.

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We ventured to Botswana in Africa to compare two Defenders from different eras: 2022 Defender 110 versus 2016 Defender 130. It’s an off-road adventure like no other, but does the tech-heavy new model still have the heart and soul of the older Defender?

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Closer to home, we explored the stunning and expansive beaches of Broome in WA; steered our 4x4s to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in New England, NSW; and traversed some lesser-known tracks on the western edge of Far North Queensland's Atherton Tablelands.

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Ron Moon connected and tested a Starlink comms system - thanks Elon; and we also reviewed a Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro storage case and a JetBoil Genesis Basecamp stove system.

What else is there?

• New 4x4 products
• News from around the world
• Updated 4x4 prices
• Travel advice and more

The April 2023 issue of 4X4 Australia is out now.