Zoom Along Unpaved Trails in a Toyota Land Cruiser
Fans of off-road driving need to ensure they are driving the best SUV for the terrain. You need to think about height, power, and, of course, safety. The last thing you want is for your SUV to get stuck on a trail in the wilderness. Here are the 10 best SUVs for off-roading adventures and the 10 worst.
1. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
To many off-roading enthusiasts, the Rubicon is the gold standard. It offers solid front and rear axles, locking differentials, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. It was designed to handle the rigors of rocks, mud, and the odd steep climb. Purists will love its excellent maneuverability.
2. Toyota Land Cruiser
Among off-roading drivers, the Land Cruiser is legendary for its durability and reliability, two traits you can't overemphasize. Its body-on-frame construction and suspension system provide a smooth ride and make it adept at handling even the toughest terrain.
3. Ford Bronco Badlands
The Bronco Badlands is an SUV designed for adventurous off-roaders. It even has a terrain management system with seven modes to "go over any terrain". Other off-roading features include front and rear locking differentials and optional 35-inch mud-terrain tires.
4. Land Rover Defender 10
This Land Rover blends luxury with the capability to handle punishing trails. It comes with an air suspension system that provides adjustable ride height, and there's 11.5 inches of ground clearance.
5. Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
This SUV is a total off-roading workhorse that loves to be pushed in the wild. Its locking rear differential allows it to crawl over rocks and journey through muddy trails. This 4Runner combines driving finesse with a rugged construction to ensure reliability even in the middle of the woods.
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk offers tons of off-road prowess. With Quadra-Drive II 4WD and an air suspension that lifts to 10.8 inches, it's durable, versatile, and safe. It's a great choice for those who need to transition from the highway to the unpaved trail without missing a beat.
7. Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G550)
The G-Class might feel like a ride for the rich, but it's a beast that can handle any rugged trail. Its three locking differentials, permanent 4WD, and a low-range gearbox help it conquer everything from rocks to mud.
8. Lexus GX 550 Overtrail
This SUV is an evolution of reliability without skimping on luxury. Drivers enjoy its twin-turbo V6, adaptive suspension, and Crawl Control system. This is a mountain-capable SUV.
9. Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
An SUV that marries size with strength to deliver strong off-roading performance. This Tahoe has skid plates, a two-speed transfer case, and hill descent control. It's relatively nimble for a vehicle of its size.
10. Subaru Outback Wilderness
This one might surprise you as it's not a traditional off-roading SUV, but it is more than capable and offers tons of practical features. You can off-road with standard AWD, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires.
1. Honda HR-V
The HR-V has the style of an SUV, but it's built specifically for the city. Its low ground clearance, front-wheel-drive, and less-than-stellar engine make it a terrible fit for even the least rough terrains.
2. Mazda CX-5
Despite its nice driving ability, this is a terrible choice for unpaved roads and trails. It's simply not built for mud and dirt. Its AWD system is designed for traction in rainy conditions, not the wilderness. Also, the ground clearance is modest.
3. Kia Sportage
Kia SUVS are not really engineered with off-roading in mind. The Sportage isn't equipped for any type of adventure, but that's not to say it's a bad vehicle. It looks good but drives tame, so don't take it for a weekend of wilderness exploration.
Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
4. Nissan Kicks
The Kicks doesn't have all-wheel drive, so it's immediately clear that it's not meant for off-road use. It has a small engine and a front-wheel drive configuration. This is more of an SUV for city-based errands than anything else.
5. Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is nice-looking and sporty, but it has no true off-roading capabilities. Even with AWD, it has a soft suspension, and the underbody isn't adequately protected to deal with rocks, ruts, or anything else that might be on the trail you're eyeing for your next driving adventure.
Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
6. Tesla Model X
Tesla drivers love their electric SUV, but they need to pump the brakes before they hit the trail. It's heavy and has low ground clearance, and not to mention, it's fitted with road-biased tires.
7. BMW X5 xDrive40i
This BMW is committed to performance and luxury. It offers all-wheel drive but will struggle on any unpaved terrain. It has low-profile tires and minimal suspension. This is a risky SUV to take off-roading.
Angelica Levshakowa on Unsplash
8. Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 has strong handling and a luxury interior. Neither of these makes up for its lack of off-roading grit. Its Quattro AWD system is ideal for driving in bad weather, but it can't handle sand or deep mud.
9. Buick Encore GX
The Encore GX is marketed as a crossover SUV, and it shows in its inability to handle anything beyond city driving. Its small tires, low clearance, and modest suspension limit its off-roading abilities.
10. Range Rover Evoque
The Evoque isn't much of an off-roading vehicle. It lacks adequate clearance and torque, and it isn't the most durable and reliable SUV. It is perfect for urban comfort and has style to spare, but it will get you into trouble if you veer off the beaten path.
