Best Off-Roading Cars
Ready for your next off-road adventure? You'll need to get behind the wheel of a capable, powerful, and well-equipped vehicle. Does your favorite used car have the same adventurous spirit you have?
Keep on reading to check out our picks for the best off-roading vehicles! Then, browse our large used inventory of off-roading vehicles online or contact Val-U-Line® when you're ready to experience them all for yourself.
Our top picks are:
- Jeep Wrangler
- Toyota 4Runner
- Toyota Tacoma
- Lexus RX 350
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Chevy Colorado
- Nissan Armada
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
A Jeep Wrangler is the epitome of an excellent off-road vehicle. It looks like it's ready for adventure, and that's what it's engineered for! All used Wrangler SUVs are Trail Rated®. This badge is Jeep's way of telling you this vehicle is ready for whatever the road-or lack thereof-throws its way.
Every used model comes with a capable 4x4 drivetrain designed to make your off-road excursions more exciting. However, it's the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that will take your adventure to another level. A used Rubicon could come equipped with:
- Rock-Trac® 4WD system
- Tru-Lok® front/rear locking differentials
- Front sway bar disconnect system
- Dana® 44 heavy-duty front/rear axles
- High-pressure monotube shocks
Do you want to get even closer to nature? You can do it with this off-roading SUV. Some models come with a removable soft or hardtop roof, removable doors, and a fold-down windshield, so you can feel the sun and wind as you hit the trails.
Browse our used Jeep Wrangler models here.
Toyota 4Runner
A used Toyota 4Runner, regardless of the model year, has the performance needed to make your next off-road experience smoother and more exciting. Its available 4x4 drivetrain can come paired with advanced systems like Multi-terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System so you can experience strong and dependable all-terrain performance.
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Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Geometry |
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Ground Clearance |
9.6 inches |
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Wheelbase |
109.8 inches |
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Approach Angle |
33 degrees |
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Departure Angle |
26 degrees |
Is the family coming with you? This used SUV has plenty of room for everyone and the cargo you need. It can seat around seven people, and it has 47.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row. If you're flying solo, lower the rear seats and fill up about 88 cubic feet with an extra tent or chairs.
Toyota Tacoma
As a tough and rugged truck, a used Toyota Tacoma is made to take on rough roads and off-road trails with ease. It can come with either a 4-cylinder engine or a V6 engine depending on how much power you need, and it can be equipped with a 4x4 system. It can even tow over 6,000 pounds when properly equipped.
A used Tacoma armed with the TRD Off-Road package will have all the off-road performance features you need to tear up the trails with complete confidence. This optional package may come with the following features:
- Bilstein® shocks
- Electronically controlled locking rear differential
- Active Traction Control
- Hill Start Assist Control
- Downhill Assist Control
- Front tow hook
You'll have more confidence both on the asphalt and in the mud with the Star Safety System™, which is standard with most models. It comes with driver-assistance features like Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology®.
Browse our used Toyota Tacoma models here.
Lexus RX 350
Luxury and rugged performance come together beautifully with a used Lexus RX 350. Its cutting-edge all-wheel drive system ensures optimal capabilities when traveling through bumpy trails while boosting fuel economy so you can get the best of both power and efficiency. You could even take the wheel of a hybrid model!
Connectivity is key in a used RX 350. Depending on the model you choose, you'll get an infotainment system that will keep you in touch with the world around you. It may include:
- 7-inch LCD display
- iPod® and iPhone® connectivity
- Bluetooth® technology
- SiriusXM® Radio
- Navigation
Some may even have a DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System to keep passengers in the back seats happy and occupied during those long off-road adventures. Watching their favorite movies will let them have almost as much fun as you are tearing up those trails.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Another luxurious off-roader is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It's been carving up trails and the concrete jungle for about four decades, and it doesn't show signs of stopping. It starts with the eager V8 engine, which is standard on most models. Most models also include three locking differentials, which allow you to lock power into four, two, or even just one wheel.
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Mercedes-Benz G-Class Off-Road Geometry |
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Ground Clearance |
8 inches |
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Fording Depth |
23.6 inches |
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Angle of Approach |
36 degrees |
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Angle of Departure |
27 degrees |
The interior of a used G-Class has all the sophisticated touches you've come to love from Mercedes-Benz. Depending on the model year and trim level you choose, you could get the supple comfort of Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a Harman Kardon Logic 7® surround-sound system.
Subaru Crosstrek
From the 8.7-inch ground clearance to the standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a used Subaru Crosstrek has everything you need for the ultimate off-roading experience. With an innovative powertrain, it can deliver the power you want and the efficiency you need for your next adventure.
Driving a pre-owned Crosstrek means being able to hit the road safely. That's why most model years offer cutting-edge EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. This technology suite will keep an eye on the road with the following features:
- Pre-Collision Braking
- Pre-Collision Throttle Management
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning
What makes this off-roader especially unique? Its size. It has the versatility of an SUV but the compact size of a sedan. That helps give its efficiency a boost. Most models achieve about an EPA-estimated 26 city/34 highway MPG when equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission.
Chevy Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is another compact pickup truck that's ready to tear up the trails. There are two available engines across most model years. The standard 2.5L I-4 kicks out about 200 horsepower, but if you need a little more oomph, find a used model with the 3.6L V6. It produces over 300 horsepower.
A used Colorado Z71 is the most capable trim level. It comes with a bevy of unique off-road-ready performance features. Some of them include:
- Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Hill Descent Control
- 2-speed electronic transfer case
- Transfer case shield
Whether you're hauling a travel trailer or your fishing boat, it's important to have an off-roading truck that can tow everything you need for an adventure. That's why the Colorado can tow about 7,000 pounds with most models.
Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is one of the most sizable off-roaders, which makes it perfect for adventurous families. It has seating for up to eight passengers across three rows. There's also more than 41 inches of legroom in the first and second rows and another 32 inches for the third row, so everyone can stretch out.
Whether on- or off-road, peace of mind is paramount when all your loved ones are in tow. That's why newer Nissan Armada models are available with Nissan Safety Shield® technologies. Depending on the model and trim you choose, you could get:
- Front and Rear Sonar System
- RearView Monitor
- Vehicle Dynamic Control
- Traction Control System
- Anti-lock Braking System
- Electronic Brake force Distribution
When equipped with the available All-Mode 4WD®, a used Armada will be right at home on the off-road trails. When set to Auto, it will automatically respond instantly to changing conditions to ensure you're always in control. You can also activate 2WD or 4WD based on your personal preferences.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee rounds out the list as one of Jeep's most versatile models. It's just as capable on the trails as it is in the city. It's available with several engine options, so you're sure to find an SUV with the combination of power and efficiency you need. It can even tow up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped.
Jeep is synonymous with off-roading, and the Grand Cherokee is no exception. Most models come with the Selec-Terrain® Traction System that helps this SUV adapt to the path that you're taking on. It includes the following drive modes:
- Auto
- Snow
- Sand
- Mud
- Rock
The available Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension System is another off-road-tuned performance system. It lets you automatically adjust the suspension height. You can raise it to give the vehicle up to 10.8 inches of ground clearance or lower it by 1.6 inches for better aerodynamics and effortless entry.
What Are the Best Cars for Off-Roading?
Capable drivetrains and a slew of impressive performance features make the cars mentioned above an excellent match for all the challenges off-roading can throw your way. Do your adventures call for the legendary Jeep Wrangler, a trail-ready truck, or do they require a more luxurious touch? It's time to decide!
When you're ready to put your favorite off-road-ready vehicle to the test, schedule a test drive at Val-U-Line®!
