Like them or hate them, the automotive market is awash with SUVs. They are massive, cumbersome, and gas-guzzling machines, but they do have a place in the automotive world. Some of them are, of course, natural off-roaders.
Some are tougher than others, though, and this list contains some of the toughest and most durable of all SUVs currently available. All of which will take you across the most challenging of terrains and then get you home again at the end of the day.
Ford Bronco
The revival of the Ford Bronco was one of the most eagerly anticipated of recent years. When Ford finally launched it in 2020, it was an instant hit, and it remains so in 2024.
Starting at $39,630, the Ford Bronco remains one of the most affordable SUVs on the market. Plus, as an off-roader, it is exceptional, and it gets better and better as you go up the trim levels. Just take a look at the Bronco Raptor, the ultimate version of Ford’s excellent off-roading SUV.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler does have its issues. Reliability can be questionable, and Jeep’s build quality is sometimes a bit flakey. However, the Wrangler is by far one of the best off-roaders on the market.
The Wrangler can handle everything —mud, dirt, rocks, or sand. Perhaps the best version is the Wrangler 392, the extreme version of the SUV with its massive Hemi V8 engine under the hood.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Finally, after a several-year hiatus, the Toyota Land Cruiser is back on the North American market. It is slightly different from before, being slightly smaller than the previous Land Cruiser, which certainly makes it easier to take around town.
Power now comes from a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, bringing the Land Cruiser right up to date. Like previous generations, the latest Land Cruiser is perfect off-road, and it’s an SUV that isn’t phased by anything.
Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
It might be a bit old now, but the current Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is still a brilliant off-roader. The model’s longevity actually puts it in such a good place. The TRD Pro is the best when it comes to off-roading.
The addition of skid plates, a locking rear differential, and Fox off-road shocks further enhance its off-roading capabilities. Throughout the years, the current generation of the 4Runner has proven itself to be one of the most reliable vehicles in Toyota’s range.
Land Rover Defender 110 X
The Land Rover Defender is one of the most historic and longest-running nameplates in automobile history. It blends excellent off-road performance with luxury and comfort, something Land Rover has become very good at.
While all Defender versions have a two-speed transfer case, wade sensing, and hill descent control, the 110 X adds a few other features. Namely, it adds the electronic active differential, all-terrain progress control, and adaptive air suspension.
Hummer H1
If you fancy something large, brash, and a little old-school, look no further than the Hummer H1. The Hummer H2 was a disaster, but its predecessor had some success, capitalizing on the frames its military cousin, the Humvee, had built up.
While it is too big and quite ugly, the Hummer H1 made a name for itself off-road. It has a brilliant 16-inch ground clearance and a 72-degree approach angle. The final H1 was made available with the powerful Duramax diesel engine, making it even more potent off-road.
Lamborghini LM002
It might not have been an overwhelming sales success, but there is something quite special about the incredible Lamborghini LM002. The LM002 was born out of the ashes of the failed Cheetah and LM001 projects, and Lamborghini created a brilliant off-roading SUV.
The LM002 not only looked good but was also powerful. The Italian SUV was powered by a 5.2-liter L503 V12, producing 444 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Lamborghini also sold some with the 612 horsepower 7.2-liter L804 Marine V12 version of the SUV.
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is a luxury giant that has also proven capable of going off-road. It’s been a staple in the Land Rover range for over 30 years, providing almost unrivaled levels of comfort and luxury.
It’s also excellent off-road, thanks to its 11 inches of ground clearance. It retains its comfort even on the bumpiest of terrains, and it’s powerful with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 296 horsepower and the 3.0-liter inline-six with 355 horses available.
2024 Kia Telluride
Kia is a manufacturer that has grown significantly in recent years. This is highlighted by how good the Telluride SUV is not just on tarmac but also on off-road terrains and adventure trails.
The standard Telluride has an impressive eight inches of ground clearance, which rises to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Line Pro. All-wheel drive ensures that the Telluride retains as much grip as possible.
2024 GMC Yukon
It might be big and brash, but the GMC Yukon is equally at home on dirt and trails as it is on tarmac. GMC knows a thing or two about large SUVs, although they aren’t cheap, with the range currently starting at $58,200.
You do, however, get an awful lot of SUVs for your $58,000, and one that has impressive ground clearance for its size. Entry-level models have plenty of power, too, thanks to the 5.3-liter 355 horsepower V8 engine. Power also comes from a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel and a larger 6.2-liter V8 engine.
