Real 4x4
Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota Prado, Nissan Terrano
You must realise that the Land Cruiser and Patrol is in a total different league than the others. They are much bigger than other SUVs.

Toyota offers the best second hand value in the range although they might be totally over priced. If you want to go anywhere in a very reliable vehicle, get yourself a Land Cruiser 100VX. If you do not need such a big vehicle, get a Land Cruiser 70 or Prado. The 70 might not be as comfortable as the Prado but it is more robust and capable.

The Patrol is also a very good option since the Land Cruisers are so over priced.

Unfortunately Nissan screwed up big time with the new Pathfinder with its low ground clearance. One of the old Nissan products, the Nissan Terrano is a very good option if you want to go for a cheap second hand SUV. The Terrano offers the best off-road ability vs price.

I personally dislike Landies. I might get shot for this but from my experience with friends and relatives, Land Rovers are not very reliable, they are noisy, leaks oil and are uncomfortable. Some people like this because it gives you the "real Africa experience". The new landies now even have heated rear windows so that you can heat your hands while pushing it. Some people might prefer them but not for me. They are very capable off-road. But that is about it. Common sense tells me that the last Defenders that was built by Ford befre Tata took over must be a Landy worth looking at. It has a Ford engine and is tied to a reliable Getrag-Ford gearbox. If somebody hold me at gun point and force me to buy a Landy, this would be the one.This must be the late 2007 models.

I do not have enough experience about the Pajeros. They seems to be rather robust and reliable especially the older models.

The KIA? I know of people who had tremendous problems with the first Sorentos and then again I know about people who just love their Sorentos. It is very much personal taste but if you are into serious off-roading the Sorento will not last you as long as one of the others.

Tata ma chance. No second hand value on Tata, low power, still have to prove itself. Same goes to all the chinese makes available in South Africa. Rather buy yourself a second hand Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Mazda or Mitshibishi before you buy a chinese brand.

Mahindra. I kind of liked the Scorpio when they came onto the market. It seems like a proper vehicle but it lacks the refinement of the bigger brands. On the forums I do not see too many complaints. But again I would rather go for the big brands.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong 4x4. It totally depend on what you want to do with it and what your budget will allow. If you do not know what to get, start with a Hilux, you might end up nether buying something else again.

Always have a look at the second hand value. Go to a second hand car dealer and ask him to take out his little book. Look at the various models, about 4 years old. The little book lists its price new, current trade value and current resale value. You will get a good idea how much value did it loose over 4 years. Then go to the Auto Trader and see what the vehicles actually sells for. Old Land Cruisers and Hiluxes sells for about 10% to 20% more than what the little book say they supposed to sell for. That is because they are popular and reliable. On the other hand the little book might say you can resell a Sorento for R240,000, but if you shop around you realise that you can pick it up for R180,000, big problem somewhere. Another good way to test is to make a phony phone call to a dealer. Tell him you have a 2005 Sorento and you would like to sell it, see what his reaction is or what he wants to offer you.

Look at the availability and price of spares. Visit the forums, you learn a lot on forums. You see what people complain about.

If you still need help, you can buy this book "Ultimate Guide to SUVs and Off Road Vehicles" , click here for details