I have a Hyundai Terracan which is great offroad
we recently sold our terror an diesel after 140 ks of great service.
well priced, well equipped and suprising in the end the depreciation was about the same as a cruiser, but at half the entry level.
U have probably noticed by now I have a bit of a soft spot for orphan vehicles
have owned and bushed everything from Suzies to International D Series, and much in between.
The Terror can in manual form is as reliable as any of the new crop of stuff, but in auto "highlander" spec, the front drive can sometimes leave u in need of a tow when you least want it.
Diff vehicles for diff things, the attached MQ went anywhere a driver had the guts to take it, except super soft beach sand where the little SWB hilux tray on splitties would just go and go.
Bush proper you are right, a Tojo or Nissan is the logical option even though vehicles like the Terror Can can run the frenchline across the simpson with ease if it breaks, u are stuffed.
Push comes to shove, if I was doing solo vehicle work in the desert again (like before the days of sat phones), id prefer a fully rebuilt old style diesel MQ/ GQ or early 80series cruiser. There arent any electronic bits to go wrong that you cant fix
ta
rolf