In the market for a second-hand 4x4? Or a brand-new one? Then the first question you should be asking is how reliable they are. Not every 4x4 that launches in the market comes with a good-car tag, especially if you are shopping in the used car lot. Some 4x4s sell okay but are known to have innumerable problems and glitches that tend to pop up the most once the warranty is out. So, buying an unreliable 4x4 from the pre-loved car lot means you better be open to expensive repairs and repeated trips to the mechanic. Not exactly what you were in the market for, right?
But there have been stalwarts, over the years, that have come to be known for their utter reliability and dependability. These 4x4s may be classics or relatively newer used cars, but they come with a guarantee of lasting you many problem-free years. Here are 15 of our picks, do you concur?
15 1945-86 Willys/Jeep CJ: Never Say Never
Before the Jeep, there was the Willys. Bare-boned with no doors, with its top and windshield folding down, these could be fixed with ease if they ever broke down, (which they rarely did). The ‘70s 308 V8 models, as well as CJ-6s and CJ-7s, remain in great demand on the classic 4x4 bazaar because of their undying spirit and exciting engines!
14 2010-Present Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: The Best Ever
America’s darling in trucks, the Ford F-Series may have faced some flak over the years with reliability pendulating up and down, but there’s no denying the beastly power of a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. This has to be the ultimate offroader, racer, and lifestyle truck combined. The only downside is its monstrous size.
13 1979-85 Toyota Trucks: Rock Solid
Not to say that Toyota does not make them good and lasting now, but the four-cylinder engine family of the ‘70s and ‘80s Toyota trucks were a class apart. Today, these very classic trucks, such as the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Hilux, not only make for great classic buys but remain powerful workhorses to date.
12 1970-1996 Range Rover: More Utilitarian Than Luxury
Today, the Range Rover Evoque may have all but forgotten its strong 4x4 predecessors, but from 1970 to 1996, the Range Rover was more basic and less of luxury. The only difference between this and the Land Rover models was that the latter were considered more of workhorses and the Range Rover was more passenger-oriented.
11 1990-97 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80: The SUV That Never Dies
If you can get an FJ80 with 100,000 miles on it, consider it a new vehicle. Toyota Land Cruisers went into the deep six-figures in mileage without needing more than a head gasket change somewhere in between. And if you can’t find this, try looking for its mechanic twin – the Lexus LX 450. Any of these will just about last you forever.
10 1966-77 Ford Bronco: Still A Pricey Find
Once upon a time, Ford styled Jeep, which eventually resulted in the making of Ford's sporty 4x4, the legendary Ford Bronco. The longer wheelbase and smoother coil suspension made it a better ride, and the Bronco is still in demand on the classic 4x4 market, for a car that stopped production forty years ago! Must be something special, right?
9 1973-91 Chevy/GMC K-Series: Perfect For Mods
The downside of these trucks also proved to be their upside, and it's the fact that they never had a factory-fitted off-road version. But with Dana axles, these trucks could take in huge tires and locking differentials, and be the best on-road and off it. We love the Blazer Chalet mini motorhome, for its cool camping and off-road abilities.
8 1987-97 Nissan Patrol: From Leaf To Coil
Nissan’s family 4x4 made a major dent in its competition’s sales simply because it came with a coil suspension rather than a leaf-sprung one. The smoother ride, on and off-road, made all the difference when it came to having a 4x4 that was more family-oriented, with the same Japanese dependability as well.
7 1993-97 Land Rover Defender: Wrangler’s Able Competitor
More than the Defender 110 that came in the first year as a four-door wagon, it was the two-door Defender 90 that instantly clicked with the homeboys. The Defender 90 locked horns with the Wrangler and managed to be better than the non-Rubicon versions of the legendary Jeep. At a better price too!
6 1985-95 Suzuki Samurai: An Amazing Off-Roader
The world loves the Suzuki Jimny of now, but the Jimny is nothing more than Samurai’s successor. At the time, due to a misrepresented statement by the media, the Suzuki Samurai came to be associated with rollovers. But these were very capable no-frill 4x4s that could go just about anywhere. And you can still find a cool one on the 4x4 bazaar today, at affordable prices.
5 2003-Present Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Doesn’t Get Better
While the Wrangler Rubicon gets pricey for most, it's also the best off-roader there is around. With unbreakable Dana axles and an electronic disconnect front swaybar, the wheels remain on the ground even on the toughest of trails. This is the Jeep that will take you to the rubicon, and beyond, and is nigh well unbreakable.
4 1979-Present Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen: Luxury Plus Off-Roading
If you feel the G-Wagen looks boxy, its because initially it was designed for military use, and was bare-bones but rugged. Now, of course, G-Wagens are for the rich and the famous, with a penchant for off-roading now and then. And while the G-Wagen may not be able to handle very tough trails, it can and does last for years.
3 1992-2006 Hummer H1: Still Heavy Duty
The Hummer 2 may have faded into ignominy but the Hummer H1 was one classic military-turned-civilian machine. The four-wheel independent suspension and the more than 16-inch ground clearance made it one tough-as-nails vehicle that could take on any terrain. Plus, with its military background, it was built to last.
2 1983-2002 Isuzu Trooper: A Reliable Snail
Much has been bandied about Isuzu in the US, enough for it to have packed its bags and left. But the Trooper was a virtually indestructible, seriously capable machine that could tackle tough and sandy terrains. It was a popular 4x4 in many parts of the world and remained a popular buy in Australia as the Holden Jackaroo.
1 2005-2016 Dodge/RAM Power Wagon: The Toughest Around
Dodge has been steadily climbing up the reliability ranks, having dethroned the Chevy Silverado from its erstwhile second position. The Power Wagon, with its 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and the later 6.4-liter V8, can take on any trail and spit it out with ease. It may not be the fastest thing around, but it's tough finding a more trail-capable vehicle.