Which Fun-To-Drive Off-Road SUVs Perform Under Pressure?

There’s no doubt that SUVs are still incredibly popular with American car buyers. Even though many SUVs come with AWD or 4WD, not all of them can truly hold their own off-road. A lot of modern SUVs are actually unibody crossovers, and most of them are not built for off-road life.

Let’s take a look at the SUVs that really perform off-road with an enviable mix of ruggedness and mechanical ability.

Jeep Wrangler

The Wrangler is what many people think of when they consider an off-road SUV. It still resembles the original military vehicle of old, and it’s still built to go off-road right off the lot with its rugged body-on-frame construction. All models are equipped with 4WD and two solid axles. The Wrangler offers 10.9 inches of ground clearance and one of the steepest approach angles available at 44 degrees. Both axles can be fitted with locking differentials, and a two-speed transfer case offers super low-range gear ratios for rock crawling and maximum traction.

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is another throwback vehicle that only recently came back into production. Regular models of the Bronco are body-on-frame SUVs, not to be confused with the Bronco Sport, which is a unibody crossover. Like the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Bronco is designed to have the doors and top removed for a more complete outdoor experience. The off-road trims of the Bronco are quite beastly with 35-inch tires and over 11 inches of ground clearance. Fording depth is 33.5 inches of water. The Ford Bronco has an independent front end, which is generally preferable in most off-road situations save for the most extreme.

Toyota 4Runner – Powerful Off-Road SUVs

The Toyota 4Runner started out as a rugged and capable 4×4 SUV, and not too much has changed. It remains Toyota’s toughest SUV and can go off-road with the best. All 4WD 4Runner models are capable of doing some off-road damage, but the really beastly one is the TRD Pro version that only comes in 4WD and features a long list of upgrades specifically to tackle tough terrain. Some of these upgrades include thick skid plates, an electronic locking rear differential, and front springs that raise the 4Runner’s nose by one inch. The Toyota 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV, which makes it one of the most rugged you can buy.

Land Rover Defender – Luxury Off-Road SUVs

The Land Rover Defender comes from some serious off-road roots, but these days it’s a little more civilized with a unibody design and independent suspension. However, it’s still quite capable off-road. Let’s start with the 11.5 inches of ground clearance, which is more than all SUVs listed here. According to Land Rover, the Defender can ford 35.4 inches of water without issue.

You can’t go wrong with any of these 4×4 SUVs if you’re looking to spend some serious time off-road. Each one has specific strengths. For example, the Land Rover Defender is probably the most civilized on the road, but the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler offer more in terms of overall toughness.