7 of the Best Off-road Vehicles

Article QuickTakes

• Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
• Ford F-150 Raptor
• Ram 2500 Power Wagon
• Ford Bronco
• Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
• Land Rover Defender
• Mercedes Sprinter 4x4

Finding some of the best off-road vehicles can be incredibly complicated. Where it will be driven, both on and off-road, can be a major factor, and what you'll be using it for (work, family, play, etc), can also dictate what the best off-road vehicles might be for you. To help you identify the right vehicle for your situation, we've included three categories: trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles.

The vehicles below are picked based on overall capability, availability of after-market add-ons, and drivetrains that ensure smooth travel. They are listed alphabetically by manufacturer.

• AWD or 4WD: Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a no-brainer for the best off-road vehicles, but newer, more advanced all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems can be just as powerful while maintaining a smooth ride on road.
• Ground Clearance: When you're crossing rocky, wet, or snowy terrain, the last thing you want is your engine to be impaled by nature. For this reason, each of these vehicles has at least 8 inches between the lowermost point of the vehicle and the road.
• Tires: While this is certainly something that you can swap out on your own, heading into the wild without the right tires is like wearing flip-flops while hiking—things often don’t go well. To make it on this list, a vehicle must come with off-road or all-terrain tires.

We also factor in suspension, transmission, and brakes that are trail-ready. Most of the vehicles on our list also feature advanced off-road technology.

Trucks

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

At around $42,000, according to the MSRP, the ZR2 Colorado adds factory-ready off-roading to an already powerful truck. The suspension on the ZR2 trim is 2 inches higher and 3.5 inches wider than the standard version, giving it 10 inches of ground clearance. Front and rear locking differentials paired with the nubby tires make quick work of loose gravel. Its 3.6L V6 produces 308 hp, or you could opt for the 2.8L turbo-diesel, which produces 181 hp and has a 7,700-lb towing capacity.

Ford

Ford F-150 Raptor

Ford's best-selling F-150, coming in at around $64,000 according to the MSRP, turns from daytime workhorse to weekend demon with the Raptor trim. With its five-link rear suspension, 24-inch coil springs, and 11.5 inches of ground clearance, the 4x4 F-150 Raptor provides unique comfort in any terrain. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine produces 450 hp and a jaw-dropping 510 lb.-ft. of torque. The F-150 Raptor has eight drive modes to handle everything from slippery terrain to rock crawling.

Ram

RAM 2500 Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Edition

Since its inception in the 1940s for military use, the Power Wagon has been revered in serious off-road circles. It has a price tag of $64,000 according to the MSRP. After a hiatus, the truck came back about 15 years ago, and it is a beast. It has 14.2 inches of ground clearance and can wade through 30 inches of water without your coffee taking a tumble. Skidplates and powder-coated bumpers are standard on the Power Wagon, and its 149-inch wheelbase clears a shocking 22-degree break-over angle. The only engine available is the 6.4L V-8, a Hemi of course, that makes 410 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque.

SUVs

Ford

Ford Bronco

Customizing a Bronco can be almost as much fun as driving one with packages like the Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Outer Banks. The G.O.A.T (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) modes help the Bronco navigate everything from mud to sand to slippery terrain. Available in both two-door and four-door options, and priced at around $29,000 according to the MSRP, the Bronco is offered with two 4x4 systems—the base two-speed and the advanced system with on-demand selection between 2H and 4H. The Bronco also has a one-pedal Trail Mode for advanced rock crawling. Ground clearance is an impressive 8.4 and 8.3 inches on the base two- and four-door Bronco models, respectively. Step up to the available 35-inch tires and you'll have 11.5 inches of ground clearance on four-door models, and 11.6 inches on two-door Broncos.

Jeep

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe

The world's perhaps most recognizable off-roader became even more capable once it was outfitted with a plug-in hybrid engine. With up to 25 miles of silent, fully-electric driving, the two electric motors help the 4xe Wrangler produce 470 lb.-ft. of torque, which is a great way to get out of the mud. At around $55,000 according to the MSRP, the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe's full-time 4WD is enhanced by an off-road transfer case with a 4:1 low gear ratio, and an impressive 10.8 inches of ground clearance. Because this is a Jeep, open-air driving is always an option with the removable roof and doors.

Land Rover

Land Rover Defender

Spotted in the wild and around the world, the Land Rover Defender holds firmly to its heritage in its latest iteration. Available in two- or four-door versions, called the Defender 90 and Defender 110 respectively, the iconic Land Rover is capable in any guise. Defenders equipped with air suspension can raise to give driver's 11.5 inches of ground clearance, but even base Defenders with the coil spring suspension come with 8.9 inches of ground clearance. Priced at around $52,000 according to the MSRP, the Defender's standard all-wheel drive AWD, dynamic stability control, hill descent, and configurable terrain response make it more than competent off-road and remarkably user-friendly as well.

Other

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4

If going into nature sounds great and staying there sounds even better, the Sprinter 4x4 van may be one of the best off-road vehicles for you. Long revered for its functionality and flexibility, the Sprinter van can arrive with extraordinary capability. Factory-outfitted with a 6-cylinder diesel engine and 4x4 construction, the 3500xd has a payload of 4,526 lbs. Also a favorite with the van-life crowd, the Sprinter 4x4, priced at around $61,000 according to the MSRP, has an endless supply of aftermarket add-ons, including kitchens, solar panels, and composting toilets.