Driving along countryside roads in a four-by-four vehicle that fears no mountain is quite a fulfilling experience that only off-road enthusiasts can explain. The feeling, the connection to the environment, and the freedom is something you’ll not find anywhere else except on an off-road adventure. And with a vehicle equipped for that purpose.
New vehicles, including trucks, look so much like they can do well off the roads. Most of them have been designed with enticing body appearance that will make you think that you’ve found the right one. In reality, they cannot ride on a rough road, leave alone crossing over the verge.
One of the main reasons why modern car brands have gone soft is because car makers prioritize on comfort and fuel economy. This is a good thing, but only for a few consumers. A good number of drivers still want to cross over rocky and muddy roads, and onto the other side of the country.
For many adventurers, jeeps are the best options or the only option car for the trip. And they are right, maybe. For those who want a brand new off-roader, the Jeep Wrangler is their default choice. What if you want to go on an off-road trip, but on a more luxurious ride? Strong enough to climb over those rocks, and comfortable enough to ride miles and miles?
There are great off-road vehicles, not jeeps, but mighty workhorses that can guarantee to cross over rough terrains without getting stuck.
Here are 20 of those vehicles, choose your best.
20 Lexus LX
The Toyota Lexus LX is a large off-road vehicle built on the 2017 Toyota land cruiser platform. It is a perfect multi-purpose vehicle as it is designed with both an exquisite interior, and extra-powerful off-road features. Its rating is way above average.
Its electro-hydraulic feature that is also available in the 2017 Land cruiser allows for height adjustment and tuning for varied driving conditions and terrains. The active suspension will maintain the LX at a level even if you load it with a heavy load or tow.
A 383hp v8 premium gas engine powers this luxury off-road vehicle. And this is the one outstanding difference between the LX and the Land Cruiser. The cruiser can cruise on regular unleaded fuel.
19 Land Rover Range Rover
Unless you see this "king" of all-terrain commanding the rocky terrains on an off the road trip, you will not believe that Land Rover Range is really an off-road vehicle. This is due to its slick design and the comfortable (posh) interior. It is a perfect fit for a luxury vehicle.
It is designed with incredible, modernized features that make it respond differently on different terrains. It has a long and adjustable up front (10.2 inches), and rear (12.2 inches) travel air suspension. It also has a computerized 4x4 drive system that enables it to perform incredibly well in the dirt.
When faced with a really “difficult to drive on” terrain, the range rover can raise a foot higher on its springs and provide better ground clearance.
18 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
This award-winning off-road machine has proved beyond reasonable doubts that it belongs at the same level as any other off-road heavy duty machine. Designed originally with a v10, but now offering a highly capable v6 engine, the Volkswagen Touareg TDI is offered in two models.
The first one uses the world’s first supercharged gasoline hybrid, and the other one has the clean diesel engine.
The Touareg TDI is built on the VW Group PL71 platform, same as the Porsche Cayenne, a race-winning super-powerful vehicle. Also, the Audi Q7 is built on the same platform, as well as the upcoming Lamborghini SUV. You can already be sure that is a beautiful choice for an off-road trip.
17 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
Toyota has very many vehicles on the road, from powerful road monsters to small cars. From these, we get the 4Runner TRD Pro, one of the five models the Toyota 4Runner has been through since its debut in 1984. Just like the other generations, the TRD Pro is an off-road pickup truck, but with an enclosed cargo unit.´
The Toyota's TRD Pro package comes with a locking rear differential and cruise control. This is a Toyota’s excellent crawl control for off-road driving. Unlike on the older 4Runner models, this one has the suspension replaced with taller Eibach coilovers and Bilstein’s shocks with remote reservoir.
The Toyota TRD Pro gains better ground clearance with taller BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, with the new suspension allowing for an extra inch on the tires from both ends.
16 Chevrolet Colorado zr2
The Colorado zr2 is the latest product from Chevrolet’s mid-sized trucks. And to ensure that it enters the market with a wave, Chevy is offering a limited number of special editions that all types of truck lovers will love.
This is an off-road truck that is aimed at competing at the same level as Tacoma TRD Pro, and the Ford Raptor.
Chevrolet designed this truck with an enhanced suspension, locking differentials (front and rear), a wider wheelbase, and traction control manned from the cockpit. These are quite crucial features of a real 4x4 and a reliable off-roader.
15 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
In as much as Mercedes wants to maintain their status of making extraordinarily luxurious cars, the G-class knows that a combination of class and power works much better. And that's why the boxy Benz is designed with incredible off-road abilities.
The new Mercedes Benz G-class is a full-time 4WD with three locking differentials that can be easily configured for various driving conditions. It has an incredible wheel articulation that allows it to traverse the roughest of all terrains. Its wheel heights, and the boxy body design (for enhanced visibility) makes it cross over deep streams without damage.
The G550 is the best G-class model for off-road trips.
14 Ford Raptor
Debuting in 2010, the Ford Raptor came with such insane speed cruising on a desert in a four-by-four driving mode that no production off-road SUV or truck could match it. Ford was really into this one because it has maintained that reputation to date. No vehicle of its caliber can match it. This speed is made possible by a 6.2L V8 engine that cranks out 411 horsepower. Its suspension, width and wide (35 inches) tires, as well as the independent front (and solid) axle, makes it remain the king of the dirt. Its solid axle is double that of traditional pickup trucks.
13 Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Rover Discovery Sport is the best off-road machine compared to other vehicles in its caliber. It's a comfortable, compact SUV with incredible all-terrain capabilities, and also a special one as it has an optimal passenger seating of seven people.
Every discovery sport is designed with a standard four-wheel-drive and comes with land rover's terrain response system.
The all-terrain progress control system acts as the Discovery's cruise control, manages the power on all wheels independently, and also acts as traction control on difficult terrains.
Compared to other larger Land Rover models, this one doesn’t offer as good ground clearance as they do, but it has incredible off-road prowess that you won’t find in other vehicles in the luxury class.
12 Ford Super Duty
The Ford Super Duty is a perfect choice if you want to haul or tow a heavy load. The solid axles on this truck make all the difference. Most off-road pickups have an independent front suspension. This truck has a solid beam axle for increased lifespan and axle articulation. The solid beam also enhances the ability of the car to manage larger-than-stock tires.
It has an optional electronic locking rear differential that makes this truck powerful and able to ride on really difficulty terrains, hauling a heavy load. The Ford Super Duty also comes with an optional 6.7L producing 440hp.
11 Toyota Land Cruiser
As this SUV flagship from Toyota advance in all aspects including size, power and also price, the automaker was overly careful with its off-road prowess. A 5.7L, v8, 381hp motor pushes this large off-road vehicle through rocky and muddy terrains as well as on highways. It has an independent (front and coil-long) solid axle rear suspension designed to increase articulation. This feature is created from Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension (KDS) that auto increases suspension when the vehicle is not speeding, and when off-roading, and automatically tightens up its ground grip as speed increases.
The Toyota Land Cruiser also has a fascinating feature that upon activation, it brakes the rear wheel to tighten the turning circle of the vehicle at a sharp corner.
10 Ram Power Wagon
The Ram Power Wagon is a combination of all powerful features of other Ram off-road trucks. An example of these is the solid axle (front, rear, and coil-link) suspension. On this Ram is a new joint link called Arti Culink that offers more flex in the suspension for better ground traction on rough terrains.
It also has a button that when you press, it disconnects the swaybar and increases suspension.
With the Wagon’s front and rear locking differentials engaged, this truck can pull through any terrain, irrespective of how rocky or muddy it is. With each of the above features active, the Ram Power Wagon can drive difficulty terrains like on a highway.
9 Ram Rebel
The Ram rebel is a mighty off-road double cab pickup truck. Most off-road vehicles don’t mind much about comfort, but this one has a full frame with independent front suspension for optimal comfort. It has an active level shocks that are easily controlled from the cockpit, providing four sets of drive options that maximize ride height for various applications. It also features an exit/ entry feature that lowers the truck while packed for easy loading.
The whole load sits on 33-inch tires that make it possible for this workhorse to perform perfectly on any terrain. It is designed with air suspension at its four corners that provide a customized ride for enhanced ground clearance while off-roading. This also provides for improved gas mileage while on the highway.
8 Toyota FJ Cruiser
The FJ Cruiser, a monstrous off-road vehicle is powered by a 4.0L, 239 horsepower engine, and one of Toyota's off-road cruisers that can match with the Jeep Wrangler. It has a double wishbone with an independent front suspension with an axle. At the rear is a solid axle that uses a 4-link with a panhard bar and a coil over spring suspension. The front and rear axles have gears and disc brakes, with the rear having a selectable locking differential.
It’s very powerful both on the highways and on the country side streets. With the TRD package, this cruiser can carry right about anything, an on any terrain.
7 Mitsubishi Outlander
This is a practical four-wheel-drive and spacious family off-road vehicle. We can say that it is the cheapest of all on this list. It's powered by a 2.2L diesel engine that is quite quiet as you drive along. All the Outlander models have a standard four-by-four system which makes sure that thickets, rocky terrain, and muddy roads won't stand in your way as you head up to your next camping destination.
Its body is built from hard plastic-like material that makes it relatively cheaper compared to other off-road hardcore vehicles. It offers smooth driving experience, and it doesn't lean as much as other high riding off-road cars do on tight corners.
6 Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X Diesel
Powered by a 5.0L Turbo diesel v8 engine, the Nissan Titan XD is a capable off-road truck and the first non-domestic-made full-size pickup that is larger than half ton trucks. While the engine puts this truck above the crowd, it also comes with a locking rear differential, with Bilstein’s shocks, and 8.8 inches ground clearance.
It is the best off-road vehicle Nissan can offer currently, but that’s just for a short while, the king of off-road, the Raptor-fighting Titan Warrior is coming soon.
The Titan Pro is a perfect family vehicle off-road vehicle as it offers a rear seating split-bench setting, able to accommodate up to five passengers.
5 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is not as powerful as the rest of my selection, and so before you ask what it is doing here, have a look at its off-road capabilities. The proprietary all-wheel-drive takes into consideration long successful years of making rally monsters like the WRX sti and applies it to the Subaru Outback.
It has an 8.7-inch ground clearance that makes it quite useful in different, but selected terrains. The AWD system will work just fine on gravel, but the ground traction fails when it comes to sandy grounds.
It has an ample cargo space of 35.5 cubic feet and an excellent choice for families going out on a light trail in the national park.
4 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro got into the spotlight when Ford abandoned their Ranger, followed by the brief disappearance of Chevy Colorado. But it deserved it. With a 3.5L v6 engine, this is the only Toyota of this size with such incredible off-road prowess that it can fly over dunes (as in the super bowl ads featuring the Tacoma TRD Pro).
It features a part-time four-wheel-drive and automatic limited slip differentials with Fox off-road coil-over remote reservoir shocks. There has been a stiff competition lately, and no off-road truck has been able to remain the best for long, but before any of these newcomers dethrone Toyota of the best off-road vehicles, they will have to go through the Tacoma TRD Pro. And it won't be a walk in the park.
3 Lexus GX
The Toyota Lexus GX, like the LX, is an off-road vehicle that carries every other feature of an excellent off-road machine. Talk of perfect towing ability and heavy loading, and positive reliability predictions, the GX is your ideal choice for an off-road trip.
The Lexus GX is built on the body-on-frame construction, which is entirely different from other luxury off-road SUVs.
This architecture is used mostly on trucks, which gives the GX perfect off-road prowess, and the ability to withstand any weather. While this vehicle is not as powerful as Lexus LX, it also comes with advanced features like electronic traction, and crawl control.
2 KIA Sorento
Not as powerful as Toyota Land Cruiser, but the Kia Sorento is an off-road machine to consider. It is a 4WD vehicle that receives its power from a 2.2L 200 horsepower engine that makes it sturdy and capable of cruising over muddy, or snow-covered lanes on the countryside.
The diesel engine is also a perfect plus for you if you regularly offer towing services.
The diesel engine, however, is a guzzler, and therefore not so ideal for long journeys. But, fortunately, Kia has an optional eight-speed automatic that'll do you good if you want to ride for miles and miles, only it comes at an extra cost. Not a problem, because Sorento is way cheaper f you compare it with other off-road vehicles in its class.
1 Mercedes GLS
The GSL is a powerful 7-seater luxurious off-road vehicle that comes with a range of (diesel and petrol) models. It has a four-wheel-drive system, which together with the powerful engine, it gives the Mercedes GLS a "go where you want" attitude. And the power to handle any terrain the British countryside has to offer.
It is an eight-speed automatic that offers a smooth driving experience, and easy steering. It has a raised driving position that gives the driver vivid visibility. Its comfort and luxurious interior are not as that of many modern off-road SUVs like the range rover sport, but it is among the best.
Sources: complex.com, cars.usnews.com, popularmechanics.com, roadandtrack.com, thestreet.com, carwow.co.uk