---
title: 'Are NEW 4x4s a WASTE OF MONEY?'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=n5xz-15e76E'
video_id: 'n5xz-15e76E'
date: 2026-07-21
duration_sec: 816
channel: 'carwow'
---

# Are NEW 4x4s a WASTE OF MONEY?

> Source: [Are NEW 4x4s a WASTE OF MONEY?](https://youtube.com/watch?v=n5xz-15e76E)

## Summary

In this Carwow video, Mat Watson hosts an off-road challenge between a new Toyota Land Cruiser and an older Range Rover to determine if new 4x4s are worth the money. The vehicles compete in a series of off-road tests including drag races, rock crawling, and obstacle courses, with points awarded for each win.

### Key Points

- **Introduction and First Drag Race** [00:06] — Mat Watson introduces the challenge: a new Toyota Land Cruiser (2.8L 4-cylinder diesel) vs. an older Range Rover (3.6L V8 diesel). The first drag race is won by the Land Cruiser.
- **Off-Road Obstacle Course** [01:11] — The cars race around a tree and over bumps. The Range Rover completes in 24.95 seconds, but the Land Cruiser wins with 23.99 seconds.
- **Step Climb Challenge** [02:48] — Both cars drive up steps, turn around, and descend. The Range Rover (without rear locking diff) struggles with wheel spin, while the Land Cruiser uses its rear locking diff and crawl control. The Range Rover wins this challenge.
- **Second Drag Race** [06:10] — A simple drag race ends in a dead heat, so both cars receive two points each.
- **Rock Crawl Challenge** [07:11] — Both cars navigate a rocky section. The Range Rover performs well, but the Land Cruiser touches a rock, giving the win to the Range Rover.
- **Downhill Drag (Slowest Wins)** [10:07] — The Land Cruiser uses its crawl control to descend very slowly, winning this challenge.
- **Final Rocky Slope Challenge** [11:31] — Both cars climb a rocky slope. The Range Rover does well, but the Land Cruiser's advanced tech (crawl control) impresses, winning the final challenge.
- **Final Score and Conclusion** [13:07] — The Land Cruiser wins with 12 points to the Range Rover's 11. Mat concludes that both cars are excellent off-road, but the new Land Cruiser's technology gives it an edge.

### Conclusion

The new Toyota Land Cruiser narrowly beats the older Range Rover in a series of off-road challenges, proving that new 4x4s offer advanced technology that can outperform older models. However, the Range Rover still performs admirably, showing that older 4x4s can be capable and cost-effective.

## Transcript

between a new Toyota Land Cruiser and an old Range Rover? I'm Mat Watson, you're old Range Rover? I'm Mat Watson, you're watching Carwow. drag race. First over the top wins. We've got a 2.8 L 4-cylinder diesel
We've got a 2.8 L 4-cylinder diesel versus a 3.6 L V8 diesel. Let's go. >> 3 2 1 go. 1 go. >> Oh, oh, this has some more power.
you? >> I thought this was going to be better for no reason. >> Clear win. Shot off, didn't they? >> Shot off.
points to this. >> Two points to this, one to the Range car that wins a challenge gets two points, the one that comes second gets a challenge, it gets no points. Car with the most points at the end of the
challenges wins. Let's move on to the next one, which is quite scary. This car's ground clearance, traction, and maneuverability as we race round this tree, then over these bumps, and Graham will be timing us. The car which does it
quickest wins. Range Rover's going first. Here he goes. Just so you know, that is Sam's own car.
taking it through the bushes. Steady as he goes. Now, as he drops down, he's got to try not to bottom out. He didn't yet. He's not to bottom out. He didn't yet. He's He's not holding back.
want to bottom out. That is a real clean, smooth run. Nice work. Let's see >> Okay. >> 24.95. beat. >> Go.
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Through here. Don't hit the tree. Don't hit the tree. Oh, I need to speed up cuz Sam was very quick. here, so I can turn it in here nice and tight. That's it. Don't bottom out over
And we're through. On to the GoPro. Don't hit the camera. Oh, I didn't kill the camera. I didn't save it. First question, Graham, did I miss >> You did. >> Yes. Second question, did I beat Sam's
time of 24 whatever? Ooh. That is so close. 23.99. >> Land Cruiser wins. >> Two points to Land Cruiser, one to the Range Rover. So, it's four points to Toyota and two points to Land Rover.
this next challenge, we're going to drive up these steps, turn around, and come back down again. And Graham will mark us for how well the cars do. This chassis articulation, and traction. Sam's going first in his Range Rover.
Range Rover. He's got the SE, which means while it has a central locking diff, it doesn't have a rear locking diff. though, cuz he's got air suspension, up to 275 mm.
>> That's why a little bit more. >> Oh, spinning a bit of wheel at the back. That's the effect of not having a locking diff. Not terrible. Keep going. That's it. Steady.
That's it. Steady. That way now. Straighten up. going. Keep going. Yeah, keep going.
only paid £5,000 for that car. It's super luxurious and it can do proper super luxurious and it can do proper off-roading. Oh. Don't bother out, Sam. You don't want to have to buy a new bumper.
Oh, I think he's got it. Doing a good job.
I'm going to do is go into low range mode. I'm going to put on my rear locking diff. What I can also do is dynamic rock crawl. So, let's just do this nice and slow. I can just lift off the accelerator, and the car should just
do it all for me. Graham's getting impatient.
It's just controlling the throttle for me. I don't have to do much.
I actually find it easier to control it myself. Oh dear, I've just lost that. Maybe I shouldn't have controlled it myself. wheel spin. I'm going to turn it off. Don't think it helped me.
Here we go. This is just walking this so easy. >> You're not going to like this. >> I know. What are you going to say? >> Yeah! >> You've got a locking rear diff on this,
>> Do you know what happened? I was using the electronics to crawl it up there itself, and then I got bored of them and accelerated. error, but still the points are the points. Two to the Range Rover, one to
the Land Cruiser, which means five points to this, four points to that. Let's move on. Now we have a simple drag race. He's got more power, but more weight. First past the cone wins. >> 3 2
>> 3 2 1 go! not really fine. You just >> Ooh, Sam got a good start.
Oh, he's Oh, he's so close. Oh my goodness. >> I think the camera man's going to be sad cuz the camera came flying off my car.
>> So, we had a look at the camera, and it was a dead heat. >> A dead heat. Right, so what we'll do then is give two points to each car. So, that means that the Land Cruiser is on seven, and the Range Rover is on six.
Next challenge. Now it's time for a rock crawl. This will really test the car's traction and chassis articulation. Range Rover's going first. Rover's going first. >> Ready as you go.
in his own car there. He's got to drive it home tonight. Hopefully, Graham won't lead him astray and end up smashing out his sump. suspension. Love his central locker diffed. I mean,
his central diff locked. And he'll be in low range mode. Graham's And he'll be in low range mode. Graham's doing his 1990s rave dancing again.
>> Walked it. >> Right. Here we go.
Graham's not really doing much to help me. He's just holding his hands up.
Control the drop. Creepy creepy creepy. Creepy creepy creepy. >> Right now.
>> I was at the Yes. >> No, you just touched it. >> He always says it's never bad, but it >> He always says it's never bad, but it clearly is. Oh, yes.
>> that point, it was level. >> Okay. anything. >> Oh, the definitely did. Sound of metal. Right, so that's two points to the Range Rover, one point to the Land Cruiser.
>> Which means it's all square, eight points each. Everything to play for. points each. Everything to play for. Next challenge.
somewhat. >> I know. >> I wasn't even doing the challenge. Okay, this next challenge is a downhill drag slowest past the post. I've got some really cool tech on my car which allows
it to crawl very slowly, so I'm going to just engage that right now. Graham's >> Go. >> Foot off the brake and let the car do >> Foot off the brake and let the car do it.
Oh, Graham. >> Let's see that in an instant replay. that. It's pointless. >> Ah, that's it.
It's quite nice here. Yes, yes, yes. We get the point. This is such a good feature. I can just let my car drive around while I take in the >> Looks like a pipe. >> I still haven't passed the finish line
>> No, it's all right. >> I think you've got plenty of time to get out of the way cuz this is really, really steady and slow. I'm not even >> No, about half a car length. >> I think that's a victory to this, then.
So, two points to the Land Cruiser, one to the Range Rover, which means that to the Range Rover, which means that it's 10 to the Land Cruiser, nine to the Range Rover as we go into our final challenge. Let's do it. That way. What
rocky slope. The idea is to do it smoothly and majestically without any best will get the most points and win. The Range Rover's going first.
That's so nicely done. Come on. Walked it. Here we go. Going to go into the off-road rock crawl. Put it into medium setting. Let the car do the into medium setting. Let the car do the work.
literally doing nothing. Look. It's just hauling itself up here beautifully. Oh my goodness.
>> You would hope and expect a brand new spanking new car would do that better >> The one that went up the slope the best was this one. And that's all we need to >> Margin Do you know what? It was marginal. And I've got to say that car
did really, really well. But ultimately, you're right. It's got all the tech on didn't press any I well, I pressed some buttons and I didn't press any controls once it was going. So, it's impressive. So, yes, it should win with two points.
But special mention to that Range Rover. It's so very, very good. Do you know points for this, two points for the Range Rover again then. And that means this just nudges it at the end. 12 points to 11 points.
>> That was impressive. Both cars really good off-road. You can get yourself a buy yourself something that's going to be fully dependable with the Land Cruiser. >> Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the video. If
give it a like. Probably give it a dislike if you're a other the click on the video windows. And if you haven't done so already, make coming.
Anyway, thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.