Yes, everybody knows that the Jeep Wrangler is a wonderful choice if you're hoping to travel where the off-road path takes you. But the Wrangler -- for all its rustic, bare-bones charm -- may not be the most amenable companion during the five days of the week that you spend enduring tedious workday commutes and gridlocked city traffic.
That's where these four picks come in.
They're rough enough to serve up some tasty, heavy-duty trail action, but smooth enough to keep you comfortable and coddled as you book it down the freeway.
1: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Masterfully redesigned for 2011, the Grand Cherokee manages to be most things for most people. On paved roads, it's the picture of refinement, offering the sort of smooth ride quality that you expect from a modern crossover; there's also that stylish cabin to enjoy, with its full armament of amenities. Get it on a rocky path, however, and its wild heart is revealed; high ground clearance, fearsome climbing power, tremendous low-speed stability and a high-tech four-wheel-drive system combine to make this a true trail-busting machine.
2: Toyota Land Cruiser
Born more than five decades ago, the rugged Land Cruiser has maintained a plucky off-road-ready ethos that's gloriously at odds with the current preference for thoroughly domesticated crossovers.There's full-time four-wheel drive with low-range gearing; you also get features like "Crawl Control," a three-speed hill ascent and descent mode that governs throttle and brake to keep speed constant and controllable over over tough terrain, freeing the driver sit back a little and enjoy the ride. With seating for up to eight, the Land Cruiser's spacious cabin offers high-grade materials and impeccable refinement. Ride quality is well-behaved on pavement, with the forgiving suspension providing a gentle buffer between passengers and the outside world.
3: Nissan Xterra
Though the Xterra doesn't have the bold styling cues seen in some of its more flamboyant brethren, one shouldn't mistake that for a lack of bravado. This ordinary-looking Nissan has plenty of heart, and boasts all the attributes you'd need and want in top-rated hill climber. There's tons of ground clearance along with an optional four-wheel-drive system with a multimode low-range transfer case; you also get accommodating long-travel suspension to help you along on mountain jaunts. There is a slight trade-off in that the Xterra -- while comfortable enough -- features a plainer cabin and a more truckish ride than some of its less trail-ready rivals.
4: Land Rover LR4
Historically, Land Rovers have offered both upper-crust British elegance and down-and-dirty trail-busting proficiency, and the LR4 doesn't disappoint on either of these counts. With a lower price tag that its Range Rover sibling, it's the more accessible choice, and you lose little in the step down; its plush cabin boasts high-quality materials and upscale design that make it virtually indistinguishable for a Range Rover's. The LR4 scoots up the mountainside like a jackrabbit, and features like its Terrain Response System, Hill Descent Control and available locking rear differential make sure that even those with little trail experience can face the path ahead with assurance. On asphalt, the LR4's road manners are superb. Its biggest drawback concerns that one issue that has haunted Land Rovers for years: questionable reliability.
Which models get your votes for offering an ideal balance of comfortable city handling and stellar off-road prowess?
transpower says:
07:48 AM, 12/25/11
I really do like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I wish it still had a Diesel engine available.
hondacura4 says:
08:28 AM, 12/25/11
Never been impressed by Chrysler products but the new Grand Cherokee is really nice. It feels substantial, looks great, has good dynamics and the interior quality seems to be vastly improved over previous Chrysler products.
greenpony says:
09:30 AM, 12/25/11
The Jeep gets my vote.
billt9 says:
12:33 PM, 12/25/11
I vote for the Land Rover. The LR4's 12-13 mpg is necessary to offset those evil Prii.
teampenske3 says:
01:35 PM, 12/25/11
Big fan of the Jeep GC. Also, like the Land Cruiser, which has been know to be a ride of choice for those in places like Africa and the MidEast (much like the vaunted Hilux). One vehicle that seems missing is the legendary Gelandewagen, better known as the G class. It's a great offroader, but it's surprisingly comfortable, especially considering fact that it's a 20 year old chassis.
lostboyz says:
04:58 PM, 12/25/11
@transpower, its out in 2013
church123 says:
07:55 PM, 12/25/11
Jeep GC FTW. I love the capability and the value of the Xterra, but I'm not sure I'd call it civilized in this crowd.
ag4 says:
12:49 AM, 12/26/11
@teampenske3, the G-wagen is over 30 years old. It was launched in 1979.
http://www.drivearabia.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/mercedes-benz-g-class-2-450x304.jpg
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/australian-outback-cripples-fleet-of-mercedes-g-wagons-during-pr/
teampenske3 says:
04:42 AM, 12/26/11
@ ag4
True, but the current 643 chassis is modified from the original, and that's been produced since 1990. Saw that second link on Jalopnik. Still stand by my original statement that the G should be on this list.
dinobot666 says:
08:00 AM, 12/26/11
Not sure why luxury and off-road capability ever came together in the first place, but it came at the cost of suspension articulation, as evidenced by the picture of the GC.
I really wish Toyota would sell a proper off-road truck in the US with solid axles in the front and rear. Just look at how many people are doing solid axle swaps on these rigs already.
_feloniousmonk says:
08:39 AM, 12/26/11
The XTerra needs to swapped out for the FJCruiser or the 4Runner. It has horrible articulation, as evidenced by its comparatively low RTI scores.
Also, outside of the old Defender, there's nothing "rugged' about any Land Rover anymore.
The G-Wagen ought to be on here too.
desmolicious says:
11:08 AM, 12/26/11
The Benz Gwagen should not be on this list. It truly is a terrible relic in the US form.
I've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a G55.
Positives:
1/ Looks cool
2/ Sounds cool.
3/ Diff. locks
Negatives:
1/ Creaks like a sail boat. The noise from the back hatch us horrible.
2/ Handles like a sail boat
3/ Wheels and side pipes ruin any potential offroading ability of diff locks
4/ Horrible seats
5/ Terrible blind spots
6/ Rough suspension
7/ Storage compromised by rear seats.
8/ Insane asking price.
agentorange says:
01:34 PM, 12/26/11
@_feloniousmonk
I own a 2005 Xterra Offroad, and I agree with you about this truck having limited articulation. I don't know where IL got the idea that it has "long travel" suspension. Just look at the clearance from the rear axle to the bump stops with the vehicle parked. This is why the Timbren progressive stops are so popular for this model.
What this Xterra excels at is a great ride over stony and washboard roads IF you go fast enough. You have to get an Xterra up "on the plane" like a speedboat. It also handles well on tarmac and has good acceleration.
nefariousnigel says:
12:14 PM, 12/27/11
Does the Grand Cherokee utilize this generation's or the last generation M-Class platform? Regardless, it is hard to beat - especially if they can migrate that 8-speed transmission into the V-8.
agt1717 says:
07:05 PM, 12/27/11
The Landcruiser is a beast by any standard, seen it going on the huge sand dunes of Dubai Deserts effortlessly all day at temperatures excess of 120F
agt1717 says:
07:07 PM, 12/27/11
The Landcruiser is a beast by any standard, seen it going on the huge sand dunes of Dubai Deserts effortlessly all day at temperatures excess of 120F
agt1717 says:
07:09 PM, 12/27/11
The Nissan Pathfinder ,Toyota 4 Runner are quite capable offroaders too
bassrockerx says:
03:06 AM, 12/28/11
i would take off the xterra and add the VW taureg. or a ram 1500 leremi 4x4
ahightower says:
06:42 AM, 12/28/11
I like the Jeep GC. Comparably equipped, it's about the same price as a four-door Wrangler, and just as capable anywhere I'd actually take it.
johnnys4 says:
05:07 PM, 01/31/12
Jeep Grand Cherokee is my first choice. This jeep has been my best buddy for 3 years. never failed me on my journey. And of course http://off-road-direct.com help me to take care of my GC.
johnnys4 says:
05:10 PM, 01/31/12
Jeep Grand Cherokee is my first choice. This jeep has been my best buddy for 3 years. never failed me on my journey. And of course http://off-road-direct.com help me to take care of my GC.