2026 CarExpert Choice Awards: Best Off-Road SUV

What separates the best off-road SUVs from the rest is how well they balance that 4WD capability with everyday practicality. They need proven four-wheel drive systems for serious terrain and robust construction to handle tough conditions, but also enough comfort and refinement to make long-distance touring — and the daily commute in between — genuinely liveable.

Our Best Off-Road SUV category recognises the models that best balance off-road capability, durability, on-road comfort and everyday practicality. Judged by CarExpert's automotive journalists and grounded in real-world testing, this award reflects CarExpert's role as a trusted source of practical, independent car advice, giving Kiwi buyers a clear guide to the vehicles most worth considering.

Winner: Land Rover Defender

Taking out the 2026 CarExpert Choice Award for Best Off-Road SUV is the Land Rover Defender.

Owing to its premium positioning, the Defender isn't the most affordable option in this category, but it justifies the outlay by combining serious off-road ability with a level of on-road polish and interior quality that its more utilitarian rivals can't match.

We chose the Defender because of how completely it covers the brief. It's genuinely capable when the going gets tough, with the ground clearance, traction systems and mechanical durability to tackle demanding terrain, yet it remains composed and comfortable on the road in a way that makes it easy to live with every day.

Its interior is a particular strength in this class. Where many off-road SUVs feel purely functional inside, the Defender pairs its rugged engineering with premium appointments and a distinctive, unmistakable design, making it as appealing in the city as it is on the trail.

It asks a premium to get in, but for buyers who want capability without giving up refinement, few vehicles strike that balance as convincingly.

Finalist: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Joining the shortlist as a finalist is the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

The Prado combines Toyota's renowned reliability with serious off-road capability, striking a well-judged balance between outback competence and refined on-road comfort that suits Kiwi families particularly well. It's a proven, dependable choice with a strong reputation for holding its value, and the latest generation brings a more modern cabin and technology without losing the rugged fundamentals that made its predecessors so trusted.

Finalist: Ford Everest

Rounding out the finalists is the Ford Everest.

The Everest delivers outstanding off-road capability through proven four-wheel drive systems and robust construction, paired with the family-friendly safety, technology and comfort that make it ideal for serious Kiwi adventures. It's one of the most complete packages in the segment, offering genuine capability alongside seven-seat practicality and strong on-road manners, which helps explain its enduring popularity with local buyers.

See the full list of winners here.