With SUV and Pickup sales maxing out at their highest ever, there are plenty of “trucks” out there that will get you to the grocery store just fine; but are these trucks actually capable of doing what an off-road vehicle was designed to do? This article serves as review of the barebones list of new vehicles that break the mold in terms of 4X4’s. What you may notice is: its small! This list takes into account practicality, heritage and raw capability. Style, luxury, and fancy badges and chrome wont factor in to the equation. Hands down, these are the best new vehicles money can buy for their capability.
Woof!
Ford Raptor– The Raptor is a simply put, and overpowered, sand spewing, wheel spinning monster! That being said, this is certainly some peoples thing. If you want to go fast like Ricky Bobby, than this is probably the truck for you. With its 6.3 liter V8 Raptor Engine, on huge burley suspension, you can fly down desert roads past dusty arroyos, and sage brush, catching air on the dunes and drive home to park in your garage. The Raptor is like the tuner 4X4 you always dreamt of building, but couldn’t rationalize the cost. Ford makes it surprisingly affordable (given the hardware), and attractive to drive. At $44,035, the Raptor weighs in on the higher end of the range. One thing to consider is its less than stellar gas mileage: 11/16 city/highway.
Slick-rock romping!
Toyota FJ- The FJ has clout. Dating back to in 1958 when it was introduced in Brazil, the FJ (then the Land Cruiser FJ-40) would time and time again prove itself to be one of the top rated 4X4 vehicles in the world. Serving as military vehicles across the globe, and staples in desert/mountain tour fleets, the new FJ definitely has some big shoes to fill. Luckily, Toyota knows how to wow the truck market. The new style FJ Cruiser, as it has been dubbed, is rugged, and extremely capable straight off of the lot. One of the new most popular trucks among slick-rock drivers, the FJ channels the old tank like qualities of the FJ-40 with a new style and power unparalleled by other similarly sized trucks.$27,130 and reasonably equipped at $34,000. This car is customizable with accessories from air intakes that allow you to drive through rivers to safari racks loaded with off-road lights to keep your cargo out of the cabin and the trail lit up. Toyota knows that this is their best off-road truck, and skimps on nothing.
The beautiful new Rubicon for 2013.
Jeep Rubicon With a 260 horsepower V-6 Engine, Dana Solid Axils and BFGoodrich Mud tires stock, the Rubicon (it says trail rated on the badge) can conquer most anything. This is truly the most versatile vehicle on the list, as it can morph easily from a doorless, dune romping, sand demon, to an agile, safari-rack-topped rock climber on high mountain passes. The accessories available for this vehicle alone make it and entertaining idea to get one. Starting at $36,095 for the two door Wrangler and $39,595 for the four door Unlimited. Stick with the 4.10 rear axle ratio for better low-speed performance. The unlimited is less roll resistant, and more evenly weighted than the Wrangler.
A wild 4Runner in its natural setting.
Toyota 4 Runner- While adding another Toyota to the list might seem silly, consider that the 4Runner and the FJ are two very different trucks with similar capabilities. While the 4Runner may not be as impressive a rock crawler as the FJ but it maintains its price-point under $40,000, while delivering the same level of general off-road capability. The 4Runner has undergone many changes over the years since its introduction in the early 80s. Finally settling on a 4 door, 5-7 passenger SUV, the took on part of the 4 Runners old identity. In a way, they share a lot. Buy this car if you want good gas mileage, and room for a crew. $31,490.
The New PRO-4X in its true form.
Nissan XTerrra Pro-4X- Distinct, equipped and and rugged, the XTerra is ready for your off-road trail adventure. Extremely agile over sustained rocky passes , the XTerra boasts a 9.1 inch ground clearance, standard bilstein shocks and an electronic rear locking differential. Its convenient side steps allow easy access to the stock XTerra roof rack. This rack is useful as It incorporates a “cargo” box in the front behind a fairing that can easily be modified for off-road lights. The Pro-4X model boasts a 4.0 liter V6 Engine that gets 16/20 gas mileage while delivering solid power. This car is great to take a crew up to the high country for a weekend of mountain biking The Pro-4X Starts at $29,440.
For a higher level of domesticity.
Range Rover LR4 – It is long-standing that Range Rover is synonymous with superior off-road vehicles. The Discovery/Defender series catapulted Range into world-class 4X4 fame, but somewhere along the way, I feel the Ranges’ integrity was compromised by their other dedication; luxury. Like its predecessors, the LR4 has delivered on both fronts, but honestly shines through as a 4X4 with many options including rear locking differentials, and adjustable suspension available in the Heavy Duty Package. The LR4 while capable, is something you might worry about taking off-road. Its luxury appeal is what has made it a popular car for ski resorters, and condo dwellers, but when the moment calls for it, it can drive over gnarly mountain passes without breaking a sweat. The LR4 is the priciest of the bunch weighing in at $49,995 and ranging up to about $90k with options. This truck is perfect if you only drive off-road once in a while.
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