When the original Jeep was developed, there was a war raging th all over the world. The United States and her allies needed an all new vehicle that could handle just about anything that war could throw at it. The original World War Two era Jeeps became common place next to Allied troops throughout the war effort. Dwight Eisenhower said that there was no way that the Allies could have won the war without the Jeep. Over the last seventy years or so, the Jeep has had many different owners. Willys, Kaiser, AMC, Chrysler, and even Mercedes have owned Jeep at one time.

Despite the change of hands over time, the Jeep brand has marched on and popular as ever. There’s something about owning a Jeep that creates a special bond between the Jeep and it’s owner. Especially with the Wrangler. Maybe it’s something about owning a car that has very few amenities, yet being so much fun at the same time. Wrangler owner love their Jeeps! Fast forward to modern day, the Jeep Wrangler has just been heavily remodelled. But despite new, stricter standards of what the Jeep has to meet, it has once again beaten the odds to continue its life as one of the oldest and most loved off road cars in history. But other manufacturers have taken notice.

They’ve built many cars that are just as capable of going off road as the Wrangler, but offering the owners much more as far as comfort and amenities.

20 Outperform: Toyota 4Runner TRD

via motortrend.ca

For decades now, Toyota has had a proud heritage of building rough and tough four wheel drive cars that are not only rugged but reliable. The Toyota 4Runner has always been a staple of Toyota’s off road line up. Built on the bones of the Toyota Tacoma, the 4Runner embodies the classic Toyota off road capability, while still being a car that can comfortably carry seven passengers.

The 4Runner gives its driver everything that the Jeep Wrangler does and then some.

Plus, given Toyota’s fantastic reliability, superb resale value, and comfortable ride, your passengers will thank you during your off road adventures.

19 Outperform: Land Rover Defender

via youtube.com

The Land Rover Defender is the British equivalent to the Jeep CJ and Wrangler. But unlike the Jeep, Land Rover built the defender to be endlessly utilitarian. The Defender is available in two door, four door, hardtop, convertible, truck, and cargo van. With a strong V8 sending power to all four wheel, the Land Rover Defender is just as capable as any other off road machine. The Defender is also available with a diesel engine as well as a BMW straight six engine. Though the Defender is briefly out of production, Land rover says they are already working on the next generation on Defenders.

18 Outperform: Toyota FJ Cruiser

Blue 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Via netcarshow.com

The Toyota FJ Cruiser was little off roader to say the least. From the bizarre design to even the smaller details like having three wipers instead of the conventional two wipers, suicide doors, and big bug eyed headlights.

The FJ was one of the few cars to look very similar to the concept car Toyota originally designed.

Bringing the legendary off road capability that we’ve come to know from the Toyota 4Runner, the FJ Cruiser embodies that off road tradition in a body that’s a little funkier and eye catching. Though the Toyota FJ Cruiser is now out of production, there are still many nearly new used ones out there.

17 Outperform: Ariel Nomad

Via Wired.com

The Ariel Nomad isn’t technically a four wheel drive vehicle, but that doesn't mean that it can’t outpace most of the off road cars on this list. When the small English manufacturing company was founded, I doubt that they had any idea that they would be building something that would be designed to go off road. Built with a rugged roll cage body, flexible suspension and fitted with off road tires, the nomad is ready to take on the outdoors. Plus, weighing only 1,700 pounds and fitted with a 230 horsepower Honda engine, the Nomad will rocket from zero to sixty in 3.5 seconds, that’s fast even for being on the road!

16 Outperform: Mercedes Benz G550

Via netcarshow.com

Like many of the other off road cars on this list, including the Jeep itself, the Mercedes G550 can trace its roots back to the military. In fact, the Mercedes G-Class military variants have been used by everybody from the Albanians, Canadians, and even the Mexicans.

The modern variant of the G-Wagon looks more at home in Beverly Hills and Malibu than it does on the Rubicon Trail or on the battlefield.

But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a very capable off roader. With its twin turbocharged 4.0 litre V8 engine, the G500 has plenty of power and with a very sophisticated four wheel drive system, it can go just about anywhere.

15 Outperform: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Via netcarshow.com

General Motors was the first of the US brands to jump back into the small truck market. Being he first the bring back the small trucks, gave them the opportunity to build one of the first modern small trucks that is off road oriented. With the building of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, General Motors is setting out to do what they never could with the Hummer H3. Which is building a fast, fun, and small off raider. The Colorado ZR2 even has a unique feature, a 2.8 litre diesel Duramax engine. Which give the Colorado lots of low end torque, ideal for off road environments.

14 Outperform: Toyota Land Cruiser

via autoevolution.com

With its $80,000 starting price, the Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most expensive cars the Toyota sells in the United States. CNBC summed up the Land Cruiser well saying, “Everything about the Land Cruiser is beefy and solid, from the thick-sidewall tires to the protruding grille. The volume knob, the latch for the tailgate, the controls for the off-road equipment; everything you touch in the the top-dog Toyota is made of thicker, heavier-duty material than in other luxury SUVs... For decades, Toyota has built these trucks to survive the world's toughest environments...the United Nations even uses them in war zones.”

13 Outperform: Ford F150 Raptor

Via netcarshow.com

The Ford Raptor set the president for modern high performance off road vehicles. With its seemingly military grade performance, the Ford Raptor can tackle just about anything Mother Nature can throw at it and look great doing it.

Proving once and for all that the Ford F-150 is the ultimate versatile vehicle.

Originally built with Fords incredible 6.2 litre V8, the current variant of the Raptor is equipped with Ford’s 3.5 litre EcoBoost V6. Don’t be fooled by the number of cylinders, the EcoBoost still put out 450 horsepower. Plus, it’s ten speed automatic gives the driver ultimate control over the Raptor’s powertrain.

12 Outperform: Land Rover Range Rover

Via netcarshow.com

The Land Rover Range Rover was one of the first big, luxury off road cars. They helped pioneer the segment that saved companies like Cadillac and Lincoln. CNBC summed up the vehicle well by saying, “Luxury and capability are the two big watchwords for the Range Rover. The interior will swaddle you in leather, wood and high-resolution displays. Meanwhile, a host of available off-road upgrades — including a trick traction control system — means this SUV can tackle terrain most drivers prefer to enjoy from the safety of a scenic overlook. There are a few weaknesses, such as a lacklustre base engine and oversize wheels that don't help the ride quality, but considering all the vehicle's strengths it's easy to understand the cachet the Range Rover has earned.”

11 Outperform: Ram 1500 Rebel

Via netcarshow.com

In a world of Ford Raptors and Chevrolet Colorado’s, the Ram 1500 Rebel is Fiat Chrysler’s first big attempt to jump into the high performance off raider market. With Ram’s tried and proven 5.7 litre V8, an immensely upgraded suspension, and more aggressive styling you can tell the Ram really tried to make this competitive in the segment.

Though the Rebel’s powertrain isn’t as powerful as Ford’s Raptor, the Ram is much more economical and less expensive.

In fact, Fiat Chrysler will even make the Ram 1500 Rebel available with a hybrid powertrain, which may prove to be great for an off road vehicle.

10 Can't: GMC Acadia

Via netcarshow.com

The GMC Acadia was born in a time of great turmoil for General Motors. Bankruptcy was looming on the horizon, the GMC Acadia was General Motors’ last ditch effort to push themselves ahead of the competition. Along with its brothers, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Saturn Outlook, and the Buick Enclave, the GMC Acadia fell short of competition like the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot. Equipped with an uninspiring V6 engine, the Acadia only produces 275 horsepower and its fuel economy maxes out at 22 miles per gallon. Not to mention that with its lacklustre four wheel drive system, the Acadia won't be climbing any mountains anytime soon.

9 Can't: Honda Ridgeline

Via netcarshow.com

The Honda Ridgeline has never real been considered a full blown pick up truck. Based on the very suburban friendly Honda Pilot, the Ridgeline is nowhere near ready to take on any forest service roads. Equipped with a 290 horsepower from its V6 engine, the Ridgeline has enough power to tackle the suburban streets, but falls short off road. Despite this, the Honda Ridgeline does come with a couple of interesting features. Things like its trunk under the truck bed and swinging and lay down tailgate, the Honda tries to make up for its lack of off road performance with quirky features.

8 Can't: Dodge Durango

Via netcarshow.com

You would think that a vehicle that shares most of its internal components with the Jeep Grand Cherokee would be a little better off road. But it seems like the Dodge Durango was built with no intention to ever go foo road.

Despite this, the Dodge Durango does have an impressive selection of engines.

Starting with the 3.6 litre V6 which produces 295 horsepower, the 5.7 litre V8 which produces 360 horsepower, and finally the 6.2 litre V8 that produces a whooping 475 horsepower! Even with off of this power, the Durango will struggle to even do down a dirt road without feeling completely out of its element.

7 Can't: Ford Explorer

Via netcarshow.com

When the Ford Explorer was first i traduced to the world it was a compact, fun to drive little SUV that took the United States by storm. Based on the Ford Ranger it was meant to be the more mainstream replacement for the Ford Bronco II and compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Blazer and the Jeep Cherokee.The modern generation of the Ford Explorer is a bloated whale of an SUV. It’s big, heavy, and underpowered. Though the Police Interceptor version does have a big of “oomph” the naturally aspirated V6 leaves a lot to be desired. Needless to say, the Ford Explorer won’t do well off road. In fact, it may struggle to get through a pile of leaves in the driveway.

6 Can't: Dodge Journey

via caranddriver.com

How the Dodge Journey is still in production after all these years is beyond me. When most consumers are shopping for a vehicle like the Dodge Journey, fuel economy is an important factor. With that 3.6 litre V6 engine, the Journey tops out at a mediocre 18 miles per gallon. That’s four miles per gallon less than a Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with a 5.3 litre V8 engine and 4X4. Under the the body of the Journey is the skeleton of the long dead and gone Dodge Avenger. Needless to say, the Journey won’t do well in any off road situations. Save yourself the headache and just stay on the pavement and leave the off road adventure to the real off road cars.

5 Can't: Nissan Pathfinder

Via netcarshow.com

Motor Trend summed up the modern Nissan Pathfinder very well. Saying, “If you were to blend all of today’s three-row crossovers into a single, entirely average concoction, the Nissan Pathfinder would be the result. Although its nameplate evokes its off-road heritage—the original Pathfinder was a tough, truck-based four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle…”

The first Nissan Pathfinder was a pretty good little 4X4 car.

But with the current lineup, the Pathfinder has become bloated and overweight. It even utilizes a CVT transmission rather than a conventional one. Which as we all know is more of a hindrance than anything else in an off road situation.

4 Can't: Cadillac Escalade

Via netcarshow.com

Obviously when they were designing the Cadillac Escalade off roaring was not part of their engineering equation. When it comes to true, American luxury, there is nothing more authentic than a big luxury SUV slathered in leather seating and trim. The power is ample coming from a 6.2 litre V8 than produces 420 horsepower. But any mention of 4X4 and the Cadillac acts like it’s never heard of a road without pavement. Cadillac doesn’t even consider the Escalade a 4X4. They’ll say the Escalade has all wheel drive rather than four whee drive.

3 Can't: Lincoln Navigator

via motortrend.ca

The newly designed Lincoln Navigator is a great feat for the struggling company. For nearly a decade Lincoln had fallen behind the competition like the Cadillac Escalade and the Land Rover Range Rover. With a ten speed automatic transmission and a 450 horsepower twin turbo V6, the Navigator has more than enough power for any leadfoot. But take it anywhere off the pavement and you can instantly tell that the Navigator is out of its element. Lincoln yours about the Navigator’s adaptive suspension. but when the vehicle sits so low to the ground, it doesn’t do much good.

2 Can't: Audi Q7

Via netcarshow.com

The Audi Q7 is the more refined, better built, better engineered, and very German equivalent to the large American SUV. Surprisingly, disputed looking smaller than most big SUVs, the Audi Q7 feels just as roomy as you would expect from a vehicle in its class. The luxury version of the Volkswagen Touareg, it never quite kept the off roading capabilities that the Volkswagen Touareg had. The Audi is very much at home in the suburbs. The place where it never has to worry about ascent or descent angles, and it certainly never has to worry about large rocks damaging it’s undercarriage.

1 Can't: Volvo XC90

Via netcarshow.com

When the Volvo XC90 first debuted, it proved that the Swedish company could think outside the station wagon. For decades Volvo has prided itself in building some of the toughest, roomies, and safest wagons on the road. But when the decided that they needed to build an SUV, it was new territory for them. One thing that they have definitely left out over the years of building the XC90 is good off road capability. Though, with its Swedish roots, the XC90 can tackle snow filled roads like nobody’s business. Once off the paved roads it’s struggles to perform. At least you’ll know that if you get into an accident there’s no Alsace’s place to be.

Sources: Motor Trend, Top Gear, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Forbes