What 4WD wagon should I buy?

The dilemma

Terry is in the market for a 4WD wagon with strong off-road and towing credentials. It'll be his daily driver, so he's keen to avoid unnecessary comfort, driving and fuel-economy sacrifices. He'd buy a used Toyota LandCruiser Prado but its 2500kg maximum towing capacity is a bit close to the bone, so he's tossing up between a Holden Colorado 7 and Isuzu MU-X. Or is there something else he's missing?

The budget

About $35,000

The shortlist

There are many good reasons for the Prado's pre-eminent role in the large heavy-duty 4WD wagon segment but, as Terry has found, it's not quite all things to all buyers.

The Colorado and MU-X are two obvious alternatives. They have more than a little in common but there are also differences that justify a deeper exploration here.

We certainly wouldn't count out canvassing other possibilities, either. Some are dream city in this budget range (Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner), others are a bit long in the tooth (previous-gen Nissan Pathfinder). One, though, has some serious chin-scratching credentials in this context.

2012-16 Holden Colorado 7, from $22,300*

This Holden ticks off Terry's key criteria with its 3000kg maximum towing capacity and solid off-road chops.

Its 2.8-litre turbodiesel drivetrain is gutsy and its cabin has loads of occupant and luggage space.

All models have a reversing camera in their standard safety artillery and it falls under Holden's lifetime fixed-price servicing regime.

But some of the polish you get with a Prado is missing. Especially inside, where a lack of steering-reach adjustment, flat seats and sturdy-but-cheap-looking plastics dim the love.

Its diesel drivetrain isn't especially refined or thrifty (9.5L/100km) and its cumbersome handling and choppy ride mean it's not that nice to drive. The odd reliability niggle isn't unheard of.

Read Drive's Holden Colorado 7 reviews:

• First drive: Holden Colorado 7
• Road test: Holden Colorado 7

2013-17 Isuzu MU-X 4x4, from $24,200*

This Isuzu shares its core structure with the Colorado and is the same handy towing option (maximum capacity 3000kg) and solid off-road performer.

Its cabin has the exactly the same basic space and flexibility. Less favourably, its cabin also lacks attention to detail and its road manners are somewhat wobbly and mushy.

The MU-X, though, might be just a touch less woolly to drive than its Holden-badged cousin. Its 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, while not offering the same kind of outright punch, is more flexible in its nature and drinks less (8.4L/100km).

It has the longer factory warranty (five years, versus three) and a reputation for robustness right up there with the Prado.

On the other hand, you need to target a topline LS-T for a reversing camera and it asks for more frequent servicing (six-monthly/10,000km versus nine-monthly/15,000km).

Isuzu's fixed-price servicing regime has a use-by date (three years/60,000km for examples in this price bracket).

Read Drive's Isuzu MU-X reviews:

• First drive: Isuzu MU-X
• Road test: Isuzu MU-X LS-T 4x4

2015-on Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, from $32,800*

This Mitsubishi is a newer design than its rivals here and really looks and feels it. Its willing 2.4-litre turbodiesel drivetrain is this group's most civil and thrifty (8.0L/100km).

It has some of the classes less compromised ride/handling abilities, endowing it with this group's most car-like demeanour by some margin.

It asks for only yearly/15,000km servicing, has a mandatory reversing camera, a five-year warranty and 3100kg towing maximum. There's little to suggest it won't cut it with the Holden and Isuzu off-road.

But its rear end, in addition to looking a bit odd, isn't quite as capacious - final-row occupants get less stretching space and the boot isn't quite so big.

Its smaller capacity engine struggles more in heavy-duty towing situations and Mitsubishi's fixed-price servicing deal expires after four years/60,000km.

Read Drive's Mitsubishi Pajero Sport reviews:

• First drive: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
• Road test: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed

Drive recommends

To a large extent, the choice between a Colorado 7 and MU-X is arbitrary. Both are roomy, practical and have strong off-road, towing and value credentials. Both also lack some of the polish of a Prado and other options.

If push came to shove on the used-car lot, we'd probably be siding with the Isuzu and its superior reliability and ownership credentials.

And the Mitsubishi? There are question marks, mostly applicable to buyers looking to truly maximise space and those with extended heavy-duty towing needs. For buyers with dual-purpose use on the cards, like Terry, its mix of brawn, toughness and everyday civility seems pretty bang-on, and closer to the target than the Holden and Isuzu.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.