A Guide to the Best Vehicles for Off-Roading

Taking your car off-road can be a ton of fun. But it’s important to be prepared before you hit the dirt so you don’t endanger your vehicle or yourself. Great wheels and tires can go a long way in enabling you to drive off-road. You’ll need tough tires with thick treads that can maintain traction on uneven surfaces. But it’s just as important to make sure your car is capable of handling off-road conditions. 

In this post, we’ll be going through what makes a car an off-roader and some of the best makes and models for tough conditions.

What Are Off-Road Vehicles?

Ever wonder why the Jeep Wrangler is considered the iconic off-roader? Many of the features that are part of the Wrangler’s signature look are actually very useful when going off-road.

Off-road vehicles need to have a lot of ground clearance so that the undercarriage of the car doesn’t get caught on stones, branches, and other obstacles on uneven surfaces. This means having a lot of space between where the tires meet the ground and the underside of the car. 

Your vehicle also needs to have its wheels stay on the ground at all times, while still having room for flexibility if driving over an uneven surface. This is accomplished by having a flexible and tall suspension system that can handle the larger, heavy tires. 

Most famously, off-roaders will have some sort of four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive system that can provide power to all the wheels. A four-wheel drive system ensures that you’ll maintain traction on slippery, uneven surfaces. It will also come in handy in case one or more of your tires becomes stuck, as cars with front or back wheel drive can be immobilized in similar conditions. 

Best Affordable Off-Road Vehicles

If you’re in the market for a new 2022 off-road vehicle, you can expect to spend somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 on the low end. You can search for used, older models of some of the vehicles we listed, but the price will vary on these. 

Subaru Crosstrek

With its smaller size, you may expect the Crosstrek to not handle well in off-road environments. However, this smaller SUV is actually all-wheel drive and has a surprising amount of ground clearance for more uneven terrains. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised at the comfort level and gas mileage that you get while driving on pavement. The Crosstrek’s biggest weakness is its smaller size, meaning you’ll get far less cargo space than a full-size SUV or truck.

MSRP: $23,145*

Toyota Tacoma

Likely the cheapest pickups on the market, the Tacoma has great value and reliability for its price point. You’ll have a powerful V Engine for extra tough terrain and surprisingly good on-road gas mileage for a truck. Note that while you have a great base package for going off-road, the Tacoma does require an extra upgrade to get a four-wheel drive system installed. Even with the extra cost for the 4x4 system, a new Tacoma will still land at under $30,000. 

MSRP $27,150

With affordable options, you also may find that the vehicles won’t come with tires that have the thicker treads necessary to leave the pavement. If you’re looking for good off-roading tires for your vehicle, you can enter your make and model into our tire brand tool and we’ll show you some of the best options available for your vehicle. 

SHOP 4WD TIRES

Best Off-Road Jeep

Jeep is known for being the brand that specializes in off-roading, but the model that you decide on is dependent on your specific needs. Related: What are the best tires for Jeeps?

Wrangler Rubicon

Easily the most recognizable off-roader out there, the Wrangler has great ground clearance, a 4-wheel drive system, and powerful suspension. It ticks almost all the boxes and you can take your Wrangler in almost any road condition out there. Note that while the Wrangler is ideal for off-road environments, it isn’t as well suited for the pavement. You’ll notice lower than average ride comfort and gas mileage in normal driving circumstances.  

MSRP $42,100

Grand Cherokee

If you’re looking for a larger off-roading SUV, the Grand Cherokee is one of the best choices you can make. Most notable is its powerful V6 or V8 engine; you’ll be able to cruise through tougher environments with ease. The Grand Cherokee also has plenty of passenger and cargo space if you’re planning to take the whole family on an adventure. 

MSRP $38,425

Best Toyota Off Road Vehicle

It’s not uncommon to see the odometer of a Toyota with 150,000+ miles. That kind of reliability is almost unmatched across all modern car manufacturers. If you’re looking for an off-road option that will last you years to come, Toyota is an excellent choice.

Toyota 4Runner

With the frame of the Tacoma, the 4Runner has many of the same strengths of its reliable truck cousin. The 4Runner has great ground clearance and cargo space, with an option to upgrade to a V6 Engine. Note that the 4Runner, like the Tacoma, may require an extra cost in order to secure four-wheel drive. 

$38,105

Toyota Tundra 

The Tundra is meant for hauling cargo in any condition. With a payload capacity of up to 1,940 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds, the Tundra can handle almost anything you throw at it. The Tundra comes with 4-wheel drive and off-road capabilities such as crawl and downhill assist control. The Tundra is a great, hefty choice if you need to transport cargo through tough terrain.  

MSRP $52,600

Best Off Road SUV

Lexus GX

Off-road SUVs should balance comfort and performance, and that’s exactly what the GX does. With a powerful V8 engine and gas-pressurized shock absorbers, you’ll be getting an efficient and comfortable drive on- and off-road. The GX also has an option to turn on full-time four-wheel drive, rather than just having four-wheel power kick in when the vehicle detects an issue. 

MSRP: $57,200

Best Off Road Light Trucks

Ram 2500 Power Wagon

While Ram offers a variety of truck options, the Power Wagon is the option explicitly meant for off-roading. This heavy-duty hauler has lifted suspension for more ground clearance and a locking front and rear differential to allow all wheels to spin regardless of resistance. The Power Wagon is also rated to tow up to 12,000 pounds with a 410 horsepower V8 engine. 

MSRP: $62,615

GMC Sierra 1500 AT4

GMC’s Sierra 1500 has a package specifically tuned for off-roading. The X31 off-road package has locking differentials, off-road suspension, and a specific off-road drive mode that allows you to maintain normal speeds on dirt roads. The off-road package also comes with tougher shocks and hill descent control for ascending and descending tough terrain. 

MSRP: $53,595

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*This goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway: MSRP is subject to change, especially in such unprecedented inflationary times!

_{Vehicle photo sources:}

• _{Jeep Wrangler Rubicon}
• _{Subaru Crosstrek}
• _{Toyota 4Runner}