A four-wheel drive car, also known as a 4x4, has a two-axle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. While many people describe a four-wheeled vehicle with torque supplied to both axles as an all-wheel drive, a four-wheel drive typically refers to a set of specific components and functions, as well as intended for off-road use.

Although most people associate all-wheel-drive cars to be SUVs and pickup trucks, sedans also qualify into the category. A Lamborghini Murcielago is an all-wheel-drive vehicle that powers the front via a coupling unit if the rear slips. The only problem with owning a car such as a Lamborghini, although an all-wheel-drive car, is that you cannot drive it off-road.

One of the main reasons drivers buy all-wheel-drive cars is to experience the dirt road. We wanted to help consumers find suitable 4x4 vehicles that they could take off-road without breaking the bank for the purchase while not worrying about incurring exorbitant maintenance costs. Our objective was to find affordable 4x4 vehicles that could handle inhospitable terrains while the driver enjoys the ride.

To help consumers find affordable 4x4s, we searched the market for the ones priced at below $5,000. We were surprised to find brands such as Toyota, Nissan, and Ford within that price range. Although aged, the vehicles provide great off-road capability and durability.

20 Jeep Cherokee

Don't worry too much about the Grand Cherokee, as the Cherokee (XJ) could do an outstanding job off-road. The Cherokee's unibody construction made the vehicle the forefather of the modern SUV, according to Complex.

The clean lines of the Cherokee have ensured that the car hasn't gone out of style. If consumers want to optimize their experience, they should get the '87 until '91 models, as those cars are equipped with the towing package that came with a Dana 44 rear axle.

19 GMC Yukon

To be realistic, consumers should expect to find a base 1999 model within this price range. Considering the car is a GMC, it will have full power accessories and an array of comfort and convenience features. Under the bonnet of the Yukon, you'll find the massive 5.7-liter V8 engine that is capable of pumping out 255 horsepower and 330 ft-lbs of torque.

If you equip the Yukon, it can haul up to 7,000 pounds with the four-speed automatic transmission powered to all four wheels. Driving a big engine means that you won't get good fuel consumption; 11 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway.

18 Nissan Pathfinder

The Toyota 4Runner emerged onto the market, followed swiftly by the Nissan Pathfinder. Nissan wanted to prove that the 4Runner wasn't the only capable 4x4. Both cars competed with 4x4s like the Bronco II, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the S10 Blazer.

While many people consider the first 4Runner to be a pickup with a fiberglass cap, the Pathfinder had a unified design. The later generations became more elegant and bigger, but the first generation Pathfinder, based on the Hardbody pickup, was perfect. Consumers who want the Pathfinder for an affordable price should seek the mid-80s models until the mid-90s.

17 Chevrolet Tahoe

Don't be surprised if you get the Tahoe confused with the GMC Yukon, as the two vehicles are identical, but also don't be surprised to find a 2002 Tahoe under $5,000. The Yukon is a rebadged version of the Tahoe, but the big Tahoe has a massive 4.8-liter V8 engine that is capable of pumping out 275 horsepower and 290 ft-lbs of torque.

Current owners of the 2002 Tahoe highly recommend the car for its durability, as many owners have surpassed 200,000 miles. The four-speed automatic ensures that the Tahoe can haul 8,700 pounds if properly equipped.

16 Jeep Wrangler

Talk about getting a bargain. Who would've thought that you can purchase the Wrangler for a few thousand bucks? Considering that many car pundits consider the Wrangler to be one of the classic four-wheel drive cars, the purchase makes sense.

Consumers who want a one-of-a-kind 4x4 should seek 1991 until 1996 Wranglers, as these cars had a fuel injected 4-liter straight-6 engine, capable of spurting out 180 horsepower. That doesn't sound like much power, but the Wrangler will provide endless fun on the dirt road.

15 Toyota Land Cruiser

Owning a top of the line 4x4s doesn't have to cost exorbitant amounts if you dig into the history of the Land Cruiser. Toyota enthusiasts who don't mind owning a 90s model will find the Land Cruiser for a few thousand dollars.

Finding the classic FJ40 for under $5,000 might prove to be a challenge, but consumers should opt for the boxier looking FJ60. The car has a great off-road capability. The FJ80 is a more luxurious version, but consumers can find an affordable one and shouldn't be surprised if the car has high mileage.

14 Toyota 4Runner

Getting your hands on one of the best 4x4s on the road is possible with Toyota's production and depreciation. The 1997 model is available within the price range that we are looking at, and consumers have two engine options. The options are between the 2.7-liter inline four that produces 153 horsepower, or consumers can go for the 3.4-liter V6 engine that pumps out 183 horsepower.

Both engines are available with a four-wheel drive. Consumers who opt for the V6 engine can expect a fuel consumption of 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The purchase is a no-brainer.

13 Ford Expedition

The fact that the Expedition offers seating up to nine people, provides a comfortable ride and is available for just under $5,000 if you seek the late 90s model, this should have you sold. If that wasn't enough, then you should know that you will have plenty of fun off-road with the car, as it has a towing capacity of up to 8,000 pounds when properly configured.

Although Ford offered two engine choices, consumers will have to settle for the 4.6-liter V8 engine at this price range. The big engine was capable of pumping out 240 horsepower and 293 ft-lbs of torque.

12 Dodge Durango

Say what you want about the Durango, but the car offered the spaciousness of a large SUV with the handling of a small sedan. Owners of the Dodge Durango praised the car for its durability and the powerful V8 engine. The only problem with the Durango was the fuel consumption. Don't expect too much from the fuel tank, as drivers can get 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Consumers should seek the 2001 model, which has a standard 4.7-liter V8 engine that is capable of pumping out 235 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque through the four-speed automatic transmission.

11 Mitsubishi Montero

Drivers who can't afford the Land Rover but won't compromise when it comes to a four-wheel drive car should have a look at the Montero models from 1984 until 2000. The tall and boxy car distinguished itself with the turbocharged diesel engine that it hoards under the bonnet, as well as its roadworthy amenities.

The second generation was more round and bulging but also available with a 24-valve V6 engine. Although the car isn't the most beautiful 4x4 on the market, consumers will take pleasure knowing that they can go off the road for a few thousand dollars.

10 Mazda MPV

Production of the MPV commenced in 1988 and ended in 2016. The car was a rear-wheel drive with an optional four-wheel drive when introduced in 1988 but replaced in 1999 with a front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel-drive in some markets.

Consumers should target 1989 until 1991 models, which offered a five-speed manual transmission. Although the MPV is not the most elegant vehicle, it provides a 3-liter, 18-valve V6 engine that makes the car a decent four-wheel-drive. Don't expect too much power from the MPV, but it will provide good handling and a spacious interior.

9 Honda CR-V

Consumers who search hard for a Honda CR-V under $5,000 will find a 1999 model. The best part about the CR-V is that it offers great handling, a comfortable ride and reliability. After all, Honda is known for producing some of the most reliable vehicles on the road.

If power is what you're looking for, then the CR-V isn't your cup of tea, as the 2-liter inline four-cylinder engine is capable of pushing out 146 horsepower. The car offers most of the attributes of an SUV with car-like handling.

8 Nissan Xterra

The production of the Xterra may have come to an end at the end of 2015, but consumers shouldn't let that worry them when they purchase the Xterra at a basement price. What was surprising to discover is that the Xterra 2000 until 2004 models are available for below $5,000.

Consumers shouldn't worry about the latest models, as the early 2000 models proved to be the gem. Don't expect too much power from the V6 engine, as the XE set up can pump out only 170 horsepower through the five-speed manual transmission. The supercharged variety from 2002 is also great.

7  Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Wagon

Subaru is known for manufacturing vehicles that are reliable and fast, but the manufacturer also wanted to offer an all-wheel-drive option, as well. Many versions of the Outback wagon or Outback Sport had all-wheel-drive as standard or option equipment.

Although the Outback can't compare to the WRX, the Outback Sport Wagon is available at basement prices, whereas consumers would struggle to find the WRX for a few thousand dollars. Considering the car had a 2-liter boxer-4 engine, consumers are getting a taste of the WRX at a fraction of the cost if they opt for the late-90s model or 2000 version.

6 Jeep Liberty

Although the Liberty was only in production from 2002 until 2012, the car provided a lot of fun to owners who took it off-road. Drives who want to purchase the Liberty should target the early 2000 models. Consumers shouldn't have a problem with finding one for around $4,000 on Auto Trader but should expect high mileage.

The other aspect that consumers should consider when purchasing the Liberty is the fuel consumption. According to Auto Trader, the 2002 four-wheel drive sport model will provide 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.

5 Infiniti QX4

The QX4 is a Nissan Pathfinder in disguise. The major difference between the two cars is that the QX4 offered a more luxurious interior. When you checked under the hood, you would've discovered a 3.3-liter engine that was a version of Nissan's VQ series V6. The engine provided only 168 horsepower and 196 ft-lbs through the four-speed automatic engine.

Consumers who want the QX4 within this price range, need to target the late 90s models. Fortunately, the QX4 is available for a few thousand dollars considering that drivers will spend large amounts at the gas station, as the car allows 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

4 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki brought out the Vitara as a compact SUV in 1988 and has produced it across four generations. The second and third generations were known as the Grand Vitara. The US and Canada version was produced as a joint venture between Suzuki and General Motors known as CAMI.

Depending on the market, the engine options included 1.6-liter capable of pumping out 105 horsepower, a 2-liter capable of producing 126 horsepower and a 2.7-liter V6 engine that could pump out 185 horsepower. Consumers who want to purchase the Grand Vitara should look at the 2006 model.

3  Toyota RAV4

One of the things that made the RAV4 so appealing was the variety of body styles for the four-cylinder SUV. The car had mild off-road capabilities built-in, though the RAV4 could handle rugged terrain, according to Autobytel.

Toyota offered the car as a traditional four-door hatchback or as a two-door convertible. Don't expect the RAV4 to provide great performance, as the 2-liter inline four-cylinder engine was capable of producing only 127 horsepower and 132 ft-lbs of torque. The car had a five-speed manual transmission, and consumers should seek the 1998 model if they want an affordable one.

2  Ford Bronco II

Ford kept the Bronco in production for 30 years before deciding to pull the production plug in 1996. Consumers dropped to the floor and kicked and screamed when Ford took the car off the market so much that the U.S. manufacturer was forced to resume the production of one of its most successful vehicles.

The Bronco returns in 2020, bigger and better, but it was the 80s models that proved to be the biggest hits. Ford sold the Bronco II from 1984 until 1990, and the good news is that this superb vehicle is now more affordable than before. Unlike the original Bronco, the Bronco II didn't contain a V8 engine.

1 Lexus RX300

You don't have to sacrifice luxury if you want a reliable 4x4 for an affordable price, as the 1999 Lexus RX300 is a luxury crossover SUV that is available at just below $5,000. Apart from the luxury that the car provides, the RX300 is reliable, smooth and quiet. Although the RX300 is a four-wheel drive, the car is intended for street use.

The power from the RX300 comes from the 3-liter V6 engine that is capable of producing 220 horsepower and 220 ft-lbs of torque. The four-speed automatic transmission feeds the front or all four wheels on AWD models. Consumers can expect a fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Sources - Complex & Auto Trader