If you’re looking for a 4WD car to take beach driving, there are a lot of factors to consider. But perhaps the most important factor is how much it will cost. Here are ten cheap 4WD cars that you can take beach driving and the occasional 4WD park!
1. Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is one of the smallest and cheapest 4WD cars on the market. It’s also one of the most capable off-roaders, thanks to its low-range four-wheel drive system and small size. The Jimny is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It’s not the most powerful engine, but it’s enough to get the Jimny up and down the beach.
2. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a mid-size SUV that’s based on the Outlander. It shares the Outlander’s platform and engines, but it’s been beefed up with a tougher suspension and a low-range four-wheel drive system. The Pajero Sport is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s not as capable off-road as the Jimny, but it’s more comfortable on the road.
3. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic off-roader that’s been around for decades. It’s powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, which is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler is surprisingly capable off-road, thanks to its low-range four-wheel drive system and beefy suspension. It’s not the cheapest 4WD car on this list, but it’s one of the most capable.
4. Suzuki Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara is a small SUV that’s based on the Swift hatchback. It shares the Swift’s platform and engines, but it’s been beefed up with a tougher suspension and a low-range four-wheel drive system. The Vitara is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It’s not as capable off-road as the Jimny or Wrangler, but it’s more comfortable on the road.
5. Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a mid-size SUV that’s based on the Lancer platform. It shares the Lancer’s engines and transmissions, but it’s been beefed up with a tougher suspension and a low-range four-wheel drive system. The Outlander is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s not as capable off-road as the Pajero Sport, but it’s more comfortable on the road.
6. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is an all-wheel drive car that’s also a great choice for beach driving. It has good ground clearance and is able to handle sand and other terrain well. It’s also relatively inexpensive, with a starting price of around $22,000.
7. Hilux N70
The Hilux N70 is another good option for beach driving. It’s a bit more expensive than the Forester, but it’s still a reasonably priced car. It has excellent ground clearance and can handle all sorts of terrain.
8. Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is a great choice for beach driving. It’s an all-wheel drive car that can handle all sorts of terrain. It’s also relatively inexpensive, with a starting price of around $23,000.
9. Nissan Patrol
Nissan Patrol is another good choice for beach driving. It’s a bit more expensive than the Discovery, but it’s still a reasonable priced car. It has excellent ground clearance and can handle all sorts of terrain.
10. Prado 120/90 Series
Landcruiser Prado 120/90 Series is a reasonably priced car on this list at $15,000 – $20,000, but it’s also the most capable. It’s a great choice for beach driving, as it has excellent ground clearance and can handle all sorts of terrain. If you’re looking for the best possible option for beach driving, the Prado is the way to go.
11. Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi has been in the game for a long time, and the Triton is one of its most affordable options. It’s a great choice for beach driving thanks to its strong engine and good ground clearance. Mitsubishi offers a number of different engine options for the Triton, so you can choose one that fits your needs and budget.
The Triton’s main weakness is its interior quality. The materials used are cheap and it doesn’t have many features compared to other 4WDs in this price range. But if you’re just looking for a reliable and affordable 4WD to take to the beach, the Triton is a great option.
Our Recommended Pick On The List: The Suzuki Jimny
If you’re looking for a cheap great performing 4WD car to take beach driving, our top pick is the Suzuki Jimny. It’s a small off-road vehicle that’s been around since the 1970s and still going strong today. It’s very popular in Australia and New Zealand due its go-anywhere capability.
The Jimny is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 63kW (86hp) of power and 110Nm of torque. It’s mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or an optional four-speed automatic. Fuel economy is decent for the Jimny, with an official combined cycle figure of 6.9-litres/100km.
On the road, the Jimny is slow but manageable. It’s not a comfortable car to drive long distances in but it’s perfect for getting around town or tackling a off-road track. The Jimny is surprisingly capable off-road thanks to its low-range gearbox, four-wheel drive system and high ground clearance. It can even wade through 500mm of water.
The Suzuki Jimny is one of the cheapest 4WD cars on the market, with prices start from just $17,990 plus on-road costs. For that you get a lot of car – it’s well equipped with air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of 11 cheap great performing 4WD cars to take beach driving. There are a lot of important factors to consider when choosing the right car for you, but we think that these ten options provide a great mix of affordability and capability.
What did you think of our list? Did we miss any of your favorite budget-friendly 4x4s? Let us know!