Top 9 Off-Road Car Brands w/ 4×4 Vehicles (+Models List)
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are inherently better for venturing off-road, delivering power to all wheels for enhanced traction over uneven surfaces.
These 4×4 manufacturers are some of the best off-road car brands to shop for your next champ on rugged terrains.
#1 Jeep
Jeep is a specialist off-road car brand with an impressive SUV lineup that dominates the rocky landscape better than most competitors.
Despite the vehicles’ middling ride quality on smooth pavements, Jeep’s long history of building rugged vehicles has earned the marque a loyal customer base, willing to sacrifice comfort for character.
All Jeep models are capable off-roaders:
- Jeep Renegade – extra-small SUV.
- Jeep Compass – small SUV.
- Jeep Cherokee – small SUV.
- Jeep Wrangler – small SUV.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee – midsize SUV.
- Jeep Wagoneer – large SUV.
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer – large SUV.
- Jeep Gladiator – convertible pickup truck.
The link to the official page of Jeep off-road vehicles is at the bottom of this page.
#2 Ford
Ford is famous for its high-performance Mustang coupe and all-terrain-conquering F-150 pickup.
Still, Ford’s range of full-size trucks, covering light-duty and heavy-duty ones, is the off-road automaker’s most capable 4×4 performer.
Although Ford has many SUVs in its stable, the pickup trucks are better off-road vehicles with 4WD:
- Ford Bronco Sport – compact SUV (AWD).
- Ford Bronco – midsize SUV.
- Ford Bronco Raptor – midsize SUV.
- Ford Maverick – compact truck (FWD).
- Ford F-150 – full-size light-duty truck.
- Ford F-150 Raptor – full-size light-duty truck.
- Ford F-250 – full-size heavy-duty truck.
- Ford F-350 – full-size heavy-duty truck.
You can find the link to the official page of Ford off-road vehicles at the bottom of this page.
#3 Chevrolet
As another American automaker on this list, Chevrolet has an extensive lineup, from small, energy-efficient runabouts and track-ready sports cars to massive people haulers for large families.
Its impressive list of vehicles inevitably means Chevrolet is also an outstanding off-road 4×4 manufacturer and maker of some of the most recognizable nameplates like the Tahoe and Suburban SUVs and Silverado trucks.
Chevrolet SUVs have light off-road capabilities, but its range of pickup trucks is infinitely more able on rocky landscapes:
- Chevy Tahoe – large SUV.
- Chevy Suburban – large SUV.
- Chevy Colorado – midsize truck.
- Chevy Silverado 1500 – full-size light-duty truck.
- Chevy Silverado 2500HD – full-size heavy-duty truck.
- Chevy Silverado 3500HD – full-size heavy-duty truck.
The link to the official Chevrolet page for its off-road vehicles is at the bottom of this page.
#4 GMC
Like its North American counterparts, Chevy and Ford, GMC is an exceptional off-road vehicle brand, with equally robust 4wd SUVs and trucks to rival class leaders.
You can take GMC SUVs and pickups off-road, but the latter is better suited for the job with the 4×4 drivetrain:
- GMC Yukon – large SUV.
- GMC Yukon XL – large SUV.
- GMC Canyon – midsize truck.
- GMC Sierra 1500 – full-size light-duty truck.
- GMC Sierra 2500HD – full-size heavy-duty truck.
- GMC Sierra 3500HD – full-size heavy-duty truck.
- GMC Hummer EV – electric truck.
#5 Ram
Ram competes with Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC in the pickup truck segment, each a compelling option for going off the beaten path.
However, Ram offers the unique proposition of producing some of the most comfortable trucks for everyday use – Ram should be your top pick for a 4×4 truck brand that works equally well for the family.
Consistent with the industry’s standard sizes, these Ram pickups are as capable off-road as they are on the road:
- Ram 1500 – full-size light-duty truck.
- Ram 2500 – full-size heavy-duty truck.
- Ram 3500 – full-size heavy-duty truck.
#6 Land Rover
Land Rover specializes in making premium SUVs with strong engines, refined driving dynamics, and impressive levels of opulence.
Given Land Rovers’ delicate bodywork and luxurious interiors, however, it’s debatable if you should subject them to serious off-roading.
But still, these Land Rover models have four-wheel-drive and can be capable off-roaders:
- Land Rover Discovery Sport – compact SUV (AWD).
- Land Rover Defender – midsize SUV.
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar – midsize SUV (AWD).
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport – midsize SUV.
- Land Rover Discovery – midsize SUV.
- Land Rover Range Rover – large SUV.
- Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography – large SUV.
#7 Toyota
The Japanese marque’s rock-solid reliability is indisputable, often the go-to option for vehicles with low running costs and strong resale values.
Although more renowned for its on-road passenger cars, Toyota is a commendable 4wd truck manufacturer, with the long-time ultra-capable Tacoma truck a standout model.
Toyota SUVs have respectable capabilities off-road, although a little less than their pickup stablemates:
- Toyota 4Runner – midsize SUV.
- Toyota Sequoia – large SUV.
- Toyota Tacoma – midsize truck.
- Toyota Tundra – full-size light-duty truck.
#8 Nissan
Like many of its rival passenger car makers, Nissan also manufactures off-road capable vehicles, with SUVs and pick trucks that come with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive trim level.
The Nissan Armada remains one of the few large trucks with body-on-frame construction, giving it legit off-roading capability.
Nissan has several models you can take off-road with:
- Nissan Pathfinder – midsize SUV.
- Nissan Armada – large SUV.
- Nissan Frontier – midsize truck.
- Nissan Titan – full-size light-duty truck.
#9 Subaru
This Japanese automaker is a budget-friendly car brand offering standard all-wheel drive.
Its AWD lineup includes small passenger cars, entry-level sports machines, and adventure-inclined sport utility vehicles for the family.
Subaru SUVs have above-average abilities when venturing into rugged terrains. But still, they cannot compare to full-size pick trucks in this aspect.
Good Subaru SUVs for light to medium off-road duties are:
- Subaru Crosstrek – compact SUV (AWD).
- Subaru Forester – compact SUV (AWD).
- Subaru Outback – midsize SUV (AWD).
- Subaru Ascent – midsize SUV (AWD).
References:
https://www.jeep.com/all-vehicles.html
https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/
https://www.ford.com/new-suvs-crossovers/
https://www.chevrolet.com/trucks
https://www.gmc.com/current-vehicles
https://www.ramtrucks.com/ram-1500.html
https://www.landroverusa.com/vehicles/index.html