Are you looking to get into off-roading but need help figuring out where to start? Is it better to have a truck or an SUV? You may be overwhelmed by the terminology used on off-road forums and sites, while also wondering if the truck or SUV in your garage is good enough to go off-road. Most of today’s 4WD and AWD trucks and SUVs are at least somewhat capable off-road, but some are better than others.
What To Know About Off-Road Vehicles
In short, there isn’t one thing that determines how capable a vehicle is off-road. Much of what goes into your final choice depends on how you plan to use the vehicle. Are you looking to hit hardcore trails or climb rocks? Maybe you’re considering the overlanding lifestyle, or perhaps you simply want a vehicle that can take the occasional back road without getting stuck.
There are a few basic requirements if you want to take a vehicle off-road. It needs to have AWD or 4WD and it should also have at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance. What’s the difference between AWD and 4WD? Usually, AWD is always active and it sends power to the wheels when it’s needed. 4WD is usually something you switch between it and 2WD.
A 4WD system on a truck or truck-based SUV is usually a lot more powerful than an AWD system. These vehicles typically have 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings. 4-Hi is for regular off-road driving, while 4-Lo is for more extreme situations. You might also see a discussion of angles like approach, departure, and breakover. This describes how steep of an obstacle the off-road vehicle can traverse without scraping bumpers or the underbody.
Crossovers or SUVs?
You may see these terms used interchangeably, but usually, crossovers are vehicles with an SUV look but built on a unibody car platform. A true SUV is usually one that’s based on a body-on-frame truck platform. Both can do well off the pavement, but truck-based SUVs can take a lot more punishment off-road.
We’ll just get it out of the way right now, if you’re looking for a serious off-road vehicle, you can’t avoid checking out the Jeep Wrangler. It’s arguably the most iconic and capable off-road vehicle available. Not only that, but the Wrangler is ready to roll right off the lot. You can drive one directly from the dealer to a challenging trail and expect it to get through without any problems.
Probably the only comparable vehicle is the Toyota 4Runner. These also offer high-ground clearance, are very durable, and have tons of aftermarket support. Finally, there’s the Ford Bronco, which is pretty new on the scene but quite capable.
Off-Road Trucks
Even though you can take a full-size truck off-road and most models offer off-road trims, the fact is that midsize trucks are a lot more agile and easier to maneuver off-road. For this category, the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator stand out. The Gladiator is basically a Wrangler with a bed, and the Tacoma is derived from the ultra-durable and reliable Toyota 4×4 pickups of the past.
Other midsize truck options include the Nissan Frontier and the Chevy Colorado in its ZR2 trim. The Ford Ranger has recently made a return as well and it too offers some off-road chops. However, the Gladiator, Tacoma, and Colorado have the most aftermarket support.
Ultimately, there’s no one way to choose the off-road vehicle of your dreams. The Jeep Wrangler has more off-road capability than most people will ever need, which means you might be just fine with a midsize truck or an SUV that has more room.
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