The introduction of the motor car to Australia at the beginning of the 1900s grew the nation’s want to explore and has only grown since the popularity of four-wheel-drives.
Currently, four-wheel-drive models from Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi have become popular with not just grey nomads, but the young P-Platers keen to get away on weekends.
Rising to mainstream success during the last couple of decades as the variety of models have risen significantly through the introduction of first Japanese, then the latest Chinese offerings like them or not.
However, it was the Americans through Jeep and International came out in the early 1970s derived from similar models used in the World War II, but Subaru came in with something a bit different courtesy of the Leone in 1972 combining four-wheel-drive system with a regular wagon.
This early-1970s phase turned four-wheel-drive from a utilitarian purpose to a more user friendly option for consumers.
Toyota through its Landcruiser and Nissan’s Patrol rose the bar again to quickly take over the market in Australia, which both still do to this day through both nameplates.
Land Rover was another to take advantage and built a loyal following in Australia partnered by its more upmarket Range Rover.
By adding the Hilux to its four-wheel-drive range, Toyota started a trend that continues to this day as the ute is used as a workhorse and a family cruiser on the weekends.
Another big seller was Suzuki’s Sierra range of small two-door four-wheel-drives and utes, which proved to be extremely durable and highly tuneable to truly display its ruggedness.
Modification also grew in terms of suspension lifts, snorkels, wheels and tyres, roll bars, engines, fridges, toolboxes, awnings and much more mixing work with pressure.
Pajero was introduced by Mitsubishi in 1981 and this four-wheel-drive was smaller compared to the International, Nissan and Toyota offerings spawning a new sub-segment.
This allowed Holden to enter with the Isuzu-built Jackaroo, Toyota to launch the Prado, Nissan was next with the Pathfinder, Jeep released its Grand Cherokee and many more.
It was during the 1990s when four-wheel-drives like the many named above were not exclusively used to explore the remote areas of Australia rather the school pick up lanes instead.
Liking the increased visibility of the higher positioning, the size of the vehicles and safety advantages of both, four-wheel-drives started to become popular as family chariots, with this increasing to current day.
Hyundai and Kia are the latest to take advantage of this, while 20 years ago Ford produced the locally developed Territory, with Holden likewise producing the Adventra.
Although the staples of the segment – Landcruiser and Patrol – are still selling like hot cakes, the popularity of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) has had quite an effect on the Australian market as manufacturers are now moving towards an exclusive line-up based on these models leading to the demise of other segments.
Four-wheel-drives have added more freedom to the Australian culture and provided the population an opportunity to explore the most remote areas of this country.
Long may it remain.