Sport utility vehicles have surged in popularity, and while many boast about their capabilities, not all are created equal when the pavement ends. For those craving adventure beyond city limits, a true off-road SUV is essential. Navigating rocky terrains, muddy trails, or sandy dunes requires more than just a rugged look; it demands robust engineering and specialized features. Fortunately, the automotive market offers a compelling selection of vehicles designed to conquer challenging landscapes. From Japanese reliability to American muscle and German engineering, the options for the Best Offroad Suvs are diverse and impressive. Let’s explore ten of the top contenders that stand out when it comes to venturing off the beaten path.
1) 2016 Jeep Wrangler: The Off-Road Icon
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler remains the quintessential off-road SUV, consistently earning accolades as a top choice for adventurous drivers. Its legendary capability stems from a combination of robust 4-wheel drive systems and trail-ready features. Wrangler offers two distinct 4WD systems, with the Rubicon trim taking it a step further with an ultra-low gear ratio for enhanced crawling ability. Features like skid plates, locking front and rear axles, and a disconnecting front sway bar for increased wheel articulation on uneven terrain solidify its off-road prowess. Power comes from a potent 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler’s design prioritizes off-road performance, making it a benchmark in the best offroad SUVs category.
2) 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser: Luxury Meets Unstoppable Capability
The 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser is Toyota’s flagship SUV, blending luxurious comfort with exceptional off-road competence. Its reputation as one of the best offroad SUVs is built upon decades of reliability and rugged performance in demanding environments. Beneath its premium interior lies a full-time 4-wheel drive system, the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for optimal body control and articulation, and Crawl Control for navigating challenging obstacles at low speeds. Power is abundant from its 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, managed by a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. The Land Cruiser proves that luxury and serious off-roading can coexist seamlessly, making it a top contender among the best offroad SUVs.
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser driving through a desert landscape, highlighting its robust build
3) 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71: American Versatility with Off-Road Edge
While often recognized for its towing capacity and passenger space, the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with the Z71 package transforms into a capable, albeit larger, off-road SUV. The Z71 package is specifically designed to enhance its off-road abilities, featuring 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, skid plates for underbody protection, and distinctive styling cues. Powering the Tahoe Z71 is a 5.3-liter V8 engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with available 4-wheel drive and low-range gearing for tackling tougher trails. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Tahoe Z71 offers a blend of American muscle and off-road readiness, making it a noteworthy option in the best offroad SUVs category for those needing extra space.
4) 2016 Land Rover LR4: Refined Off-Road Mastery
The 2016 Land Rover LR4 (known as the Discovery in some markets) caters to a more discerning SUV buyer, but its sophisticated off-road technology ensures it’s more than just a luxury vehicle. Land Rover’s reputation for off-road excellence is evident in the LR4, which features the Terrain Response System. This system intelligently adjusts engine, transmission, and 4-wheel drive settings to optimize performance for various terrains. Hill descent control and an optional locking rear differential further enhance its capability in challenging conditions. Under the hood, a 340-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, producing 332 lb-ft of torque, is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a refined yet powerful off-road experience. The LR4 stands as a testament to Land Rover’s commitment to producing some of the best offroad SUVs, blending luxury with true all-terrain capability.
5) 2016 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: Trail-Ready Right from the Factory
The 2016 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is the off-road enthusiast’s choice in the 4Runner lineup. The TRD Pro trim, developed by Toyota Racing Development, elevates the already capable 4Runner to a new level of off-road performance. This package includes heavy-duty skid plates, a TRD sport exhaust for improved performance and sound, increased ground clearance for tackling obstacles, and a performance-tuned suspension system. The 4Runner TRD Pro is designed to excel in remote off-road locations, while still offering ample space for passengers and cargo. It’s a prime example of a factory-built off-road machine, firmly placing the 4Runner TRD Pro among the best offroad SUVs for serious adventurers.
6) 2016 Subaru Forester: Compact and Surprisingly Capable
The 2016 Subaru Forester might not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when thinking of hardcore off-roading, but its standard symmetrical all-wheel drive system makes it surprisingly adept in various conditions. Available with a choice of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder or a more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Forester offers versatility. Its compact size is deceptive, providing a generous 74.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and its fuel efficiency, achieving up to 32 mpg on the highway, makes it a practical choice for reaching distant trails. While not designed for extreme rock crawling, the Forester’s all-wheel drive and ground clearance allow it to handle light to moderate off-road adventures, earning it a place as a surprisingly capable and efficient option in the best offroad SUVs category for those with less demanding needs.
7) 2016 Lexus LX 570: Ultimate Luxury Off-Roader
The 2016 Lexus LX 570 is essentially the even more luxurious counterpart to the Toyota Land Cruiser, sharing its robust off-road platform. This means the LX 570 inherits the Land Cruiser’s exceptional all-terrain capabilities, making it unique in the luxury SUV segment, rivaled only by Land Rover. Beyond its opulent interior, the LX 570 features an adaptive suspension system, full-time 4-wheel drive, and adjustable ride height control to further enhance its off-road prowess. Power comes from a strong 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque, now mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Lexus LX 570 redefines the best offroad SUVs by delivering unparalleled luxury without compromising on extreme off-road performance.
8) 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Versatile and Trail-Capable
The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is more than just a comfortable family SUV; it shares DNA with the Wrangler, offering impressive off-road capability through its various 4-wheel drive systems. Three 4WD systems are available, each offering increasing levels of off-road prowess. The Quadra-Drive II system stands out, featuring Selec-Terrain traction management for optimized performance across diverse terrains, electronic limited-slip differentials, a low-range transfer case, and hill descent control. Optional Quadra-Lift air suspension allows drivers to adjust ground clearance on demand. Engine options include a 3.6-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a powerful 6.4-liter V8 delivering 470 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee strikes a balance between on-road refinement and off-road capability, making it a versatile choice in the best offroad SUVs category.
9) 2016 Volkswagen Touareg: European All-Wheel Drive Confidence
The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg may not be as hardcore as some others on this list, but its capable all-wheel drive system, generous ground clearance, and robust engine provide confident off-road performance within its limits. The Touareg is equipped with a 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine that also produces 260 lb-ft of torque (the hybrid and TDI versions were not available for 2016). An 8-speed automatic transmission manages the power delivery. The Touareg is designed for comfortable on-road driving with the added benefit of being able to handle light off-road trails and varied conditions, making it a solid European option among the best offroad SUVs for those who need a blend of on-road comfort and some off-pavement capability.
10) 2016 Jeep Renegade: Affordable Entry to Off-Road Fun
The 2016 Jeep Renegade offers a more accessible entry point into the world of off-road SUVs. While its styling may be polarizing, the Renegade, particularly in Trailhawk trim, provides surprising off-road capability for its size and price. Similar to its larger Jeep siblings, the Renegade offers selectable off-road systems, including Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system. This allows drivers to optimize vehicle settings for different surfaces, enhancing its grip and control. Despite its smaller stature, the Renegade proves that off-road fun doesn’t have to break the bank, positioning it as an appealing and more affordable option in the best offroad SUVs category.
