Best off-road vehicles

At the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, we have the ability to systematically evaluate the off-road capability of SUVs and 4WD pickup trucks. Ascending our "Rock Hill," a 23-degree slope of boulders set in cement, reveals differences in axle articulation, suspension travel, traction, approach and departure angles, and more. It also provides a repeatable course that does not change after successive runs.

This may not the most extreme off-road situation a dedicated 4x4 enthusiast can encounter. However, it is an honest simulation of a realistic rugged, rocky trail that one might find in the Southwest and other parts of the country, if the owner chooses to venture into the wild.

Our list below highlights the most capable vehicles currently on sale that we've evaluated. (And yes, we do have a couple more in the fleet that are ready to face our rock hill.) The list shows that fancy off-road-oriented, four-wheel-drive systems can help, but they aren't the be all end all for off-road capability. For example, while the Land Rovers make use of very sophisticated off-road electronics, they’re matched by vehicles with more rudimentary systems, like a Toyota Tacoma TRD

Infiniti QX80

The Infiniti QX80 may be a big, luxurious fullsize luxury SUV with a plush ride, but it’s no softy when it comes to off-road capability. It is based on the legendary Nissan Patrol SUV—a truck that’s as revered the world over for its dirt prowess as the Jeep Wrangler. So, the QX is built with durable body-on-frame construction and a very capable four-wheel-drive system. The default drive mode is “Auto,” which means this rear-drive biased truck will send torque up front when needed. But when the going gets tough, lock the center diff into a 50/50 torque split between the axles. Need more? The QX80 has a generous low range ratio of 2.7:1, which helps the big truck crawl with excellent control. If wheels do begin to slip, there’s a traction control system that automatically uses the brakes to slow any unruly wheel. It may not look like an off-road bruiser, but the QX80 will go just about any place it will fit.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee has an off-road legacy that stretches back more than two decades. Over that time, owners have gravitated toward this SUV for its blend of off-road capability, civilized pavement manners, and upscale interior trimmings. The standard four-wheel-drive system will handle enough for most. But in order to get really dirty, opt for the Off-Road Adventure II package. It bundles all the best gear Jeep offers. The multi-mode (Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and Rocks) four-wheel-drive system with a generous 2.72:1 low-range ratio allows you to go from highway to trail with the twist of a knob and the push of a button. And it works in concert with the adjustable Quadra-lift air suspension that can provide a whopping 10.4-inches of ground clearance and 20-inches of water fording. So equipped, the Grand had no trouble cresting our rock hill and is “Trail Rated” by Jeep to tackle exotic off-road destinations like Moab Utah. Just as important, thus equipped, it has skid plates to protect underbody essentials.

Jeep Wrangler

The Wrangler is an off-road icon without peers. The Jeep Wrangler is the off-road SUV of choice amongst hardcore 4WD enthusiasts. The solid-axle suspension on both ends brings simplicity, ruggedness, and low cost. Plain-vanilla Wranglers may struggle here and there. But the top Rubicon model adds an incredible list of very hardcore equipment that includes front and rear electronic locking differentials, as well as the ability to disconnect front anti-roll bars to free up even more wheel travel. A Wrangler Rubicon can, as the name suggests, handle the demands of the famed Rubicon Trail. That capability and heritage has many happy enthusiasts overlooking the Wrangler’s on-road deficiencies.

Land Rover Range Rover

Today’s Range Rover may be lighter, sleeker, and more refined than any that has come before, but it’s lost none of the famed off-road prowess. Part of the key to its cultured adventuring is the Terrain Response system 4WD system—one of the smartest of any vehicle—and height-adjustable air suspension. Just toggle through the four modes and the Rover tailors all its system (engine, transmission, differentials, and more) to the chores at hand. Raise the body via the air suspension for seriously rough terrain. To further bolster capability, an Extra Duty package adds adaptive dampers and the ability of Terrain Response to switch automatically between modes as it notices changes in road conditions. The package also incudes a specific Rock Crawl mode and even an off-road cruise control system of sorts called All-Terrain Progress Control. The air suspension is fully independent and has more than a foot of wheel travel at the rear and more than 10-inches up front. For comparison, most SUVs make due with around 8 inches. And more wheel travel means the tires maintain traction even when the suspension is fully extended. The transfer case has a low range ratio of 2.93:1, which is lower than any SUV in its class. And there’s even an optional locking rear differential. All this means the Rover can crawl slowly and easily over the biggest boulders or ford streams as deep as 35 inches—should you choose to subject your near six-figure ultra-luxury SUV to such things. And the icing on the cake is that occupants are comfortable with a minimum of rocking and bouncing.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Here is a quick, responsive SUV that can almost match the performance of its German rivals on pavement, but it can easily walk away from them in the dirt. Its Terrain Response system is nearly as capable as the one in its big brother—the Range Rover, provided you got the optional low-range transfer case. But according to our testers, even without that hardware aboard, the Sport had enough grunt to conquer our rock hill, but watch those low-profile performance tires since it’s easy to damage them. Some of that capability is of course due to the 10 inches of wheel travel at each corner of the Sport’s height-adjustable independent suspension. That’s slightly less than the flagship Range Rover, but it is still more than most SUVs. The optional electronically controlled rear differential can vary the lockup depending on conditions. And like the larger Rover, the Sport can wade into a river nearly three-feet deep.

Lexus GX 460

The Lexus GX 460 is one 4WD luxury SUV that doesn’t require specialized optional equipment to be capable off road. The GX may wear the plush trimmings of a Lexus on the inside, but underneath there’s a full frame and a transfer case with a Torsen center differential that can be locked into a 50:50 torque split for rough going. And when the dirt road turns into a serious trail, the Lexus has a set of 2.52:1 low-range gears. But the real magic of the Lexus GX is in its suspension. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) uses hydraulically controlled anti-roll bars to either reduce the amount of roll in the chassis on road or increase it for off-roading. So in slow speed off-road situations, when maximum wheel travel is needed, the KDDS system loosens its grip on the suspension and lets the tires dip down easily into ruts. It works incredibly well. And when the GX runs out of wheel travel, the excellent four-wheel traction control system will arrest a spinning tire and divert torque to the wheel (or wheels) that do have traction. Like the Range Rover, this Lexus also has an optional off-road cruise control system called Crawl Control. It allows the driver to simply steer as the vehicle maintains speed up and down a trail in low range. It works well and is a great tool for novice four wheelers.