If you're in the hunt for off-road-ready trucks, SUVs and crossovers, then look no further. We've rounded up the top trail-ready models from across the auto landscape that are equally at home running errands around town as they are running up a rugged mountain path.
The Land Cruiser is the first of several Toyota trucks and SUVs on this list because Toyota knows how to make an off-road-ready vehicle. All Land Cruisers come standard with a full-time 4WD system, skid plates, a locking center differential and a 5.7-liter V8 engine that makes 381 horsepower.
Many digital off-road assist systems and Toyota's Multi-Terrain Monitor make this large SUV ready to conquer nearly any terrain.
The Power Wagon name goes back to the World War II-era when Dodge began making civilian versions of military trucks. The current Power Wagon is a version of the Ram 2500 HD, which is a pure work truck.
It includes a lifted suspension for more ground clearance and steeper departure and approach angles, plus a 6.4-liter gas V8 engine. Essential off-road equipment on the Power Wagon includes locking front and rear differentials and a front-mounted winch.
The Defender arrived in 2020, marking the start of the second generation of Land Rover's most rugged SUV and the first time it's been available in the U.S. since 1997. In a similar format to the Jeep Wrangler, the Defender comes in two-door and four-door versions, with the former being dubbed the 90 and the latter called the 110.
Two choices of engines are available: A turbo four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter inline-six that makes just shy of 400 horsepower. The Defender features unibody construction with a fully independent suspension for superior rock-crawling ability.
The beefy and boxy G-Class may not look handsome, but it was initially a military vehicle where looks don't count. Instead, the "G-Wagen," as it's known, offers a durable build meant for punishing conditions, plus a choice of V8 engines; one provides 416 horsepower while the other offers 577.
Off-road equipment includes three locking differentials, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and numerous digital assist systems to aid in navigating difficult terrain.
The upgraded, trail-ready version of the Silverado 1500 Z71 is the Trail Boss. Equipment from the Z71 includes Rancho shocks, a two-speed transfer case and an automatic locking rear differential.
The Trail Boss package also adds a two-inch suspension lift and steeper angles for more off-road ability. The wheel and tire set is 18-inch wheels combined with 32-inch off-road tires.
The Raptor may not be the best for rough trails, but if you need to race across the desert at high speeds, then this is your truck. It features a wide and aggressively-styled exterior and packs a 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 under the hood.
A terrain-management system combines with Fox internal-bypass dampers to help it cross ground quickly. The Raptor also comes standard with 34-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires and an electronic locking rear differential.
As the largest truck in Toyota's stable, the Tundra offers a TRD Pro version to give off-road enthusiasts an even better reason to buy. Trail-ready equipment on the TRD Pro includes 10.6 inches of ground clearance with a 2-inch suspension lift, plus thick skid plates and Fox internal-bypass dampers.
A set of 18-inch BBS wheels come standard along with Michelin all-terrain tires to easily handle the pavement and the trails.
For trail-hungry truck shoppers, Nissan's full-size Titan offers the Pro-4X version. It has a 5.6-liter V8, unique suspension, a two-speed transfer case, all-terrain tires, hill-descent control and an electronic rear differential, among others.
It also comes equipped with skid plates to protect vital components like the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case. Above, the interior of the Titan Pro-4X.
If you want a Toyota SUV that's bigger than the 4Runner but smaller and less expensive than the Land Cruiser, then the Sequoia is calling your name. This full-size, three-row SUV offers a TRD Pro version for those looking to go trail-hunting.
This version of the Sequoia also includes much of the same TRD Pro equipment found on the Tundra, plus a Torsen locking center differential to send 401 pound-feet of top torque to all four wheels. The Sequoia comes with a 5.7-liter V8 engine like the Land Cruiser.
The Gladiator is Jeep's new truck option built on the Wrangler platform. It comes in a four-door design with a decent-sized pickup bed. Like any other Wrangler, the top and doors can be removed to better enjoy the great outdoors.
Currently, the only engine choice is a 3.6-liter gas V6, but a new turbodiesel V6 should be available soon.
Toyota's midsize truck has always been an off-road stalwart, and the TRD Pro version naturally takes it to another level. The TRD Pro Tacoma features a 4WD system with an electronic dual-range transfer case and locking rear differential. It also includes a suspension lift with TRD springs and Fox internal-bypass dampers that are a beefy 2.5 inches.
The truck comes with 16-inch wheels and Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires that are Kevlar-reinforced for added protection. The already-aggressive exterior gets a more distinctive grille styling for 2020 as well.
The other Ram entry on this list is a slightly smaller full-size truck meant for light duty. The Rebel offers an Off-Road package that includes skid plates, 32-inch tires, hill-descent control, and an electronic-locking rear differential.
Optional 33-inch tires are available for the Rebel as well as a choice of engines between a 3.0-liter diesel V6, a 3.6-liter gas V6 and a 5.7-liter gas V8.
Nissan's midsize truck has always been a little old-school, coming up short on the latest technology. However, when it comes to being trail-ready, the Frontier has everything to boast. The 4WD Pro-4X model features all-terrain tires, an electronic-locking rear differential, Bilstein dampers and hill-descent control.
For the 2020 model year, Nissan introduced a new powertrain in the Frontier: a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower, paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Based on the Tacoma platform, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is similar to its truck sibling in many ways. The TRD Pro 4Runner version comes only in 4WD and offers skid plates, upgraded tires, wheels, and suspension, and an electronic-locking rear differential.
New interior tech for 2020 includes an eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration and a digital behavior display that monitors your 4Runner's health while riding the trails.
Even though it's a luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX 570 backs up its flashy looks with real off-road ability. The LX offers full-time 4WD with a limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case.
Digital goodies include terrain-management software and hill-start assist, among others. This SUV also gets its power from a 383-horsepower V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Range Rover might be the Queen of England's luxury vehicle of choice, but that doesn't mean it isn't packed with off-road ability. The Range Rover includes an adaptive all-wheel-drive system, plus a two-speed transfer case and adjustable air suspension.
Many automated off-road assist systems like hill-descent control and electronic-locking differentials help the Range Rover conquer any type of terrain while looking stylish enough for royalty.
The classic and rugged Jeep Wrangler is always ready for off-road duty right off the lot. All models come with 4WD and two solid axles, plus 10.9 inches of ground clearance and steep angles at 44 degrees for approach and 37 for departure.
Wranglers come in two and four-door models and a choice of engines: the aforementioned V6, a four-cylinder turbo, or a diesel V6.
The AT4 trim of the Sierra 1500 is an upgrade from the lower-level Off-Road package. Both versions include Rancho monotube shocks, an electronic locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case and skid plates everywhere. However, the AT4 adds a 2-inch suspension lift for even more ground clearance.
It also comes with an Off-Road mode that allows you to go faster than usual off the pavement. The top available engine is the 6.2-liter V8 that makes 420 horsepower.
The Discovery Sport makes a bit of a style statement with its sleek, crossover-like appearance that belies its true off-road ability. It may not be the most rugged SUV in Land Rover's lineup, but it can ford water over 23 inches deep, and it offers a steep approach angle of 23.4 inches and a departure angle of 31 inches.
The standard AWD system comes with a selection of drive modes that tackle snow, gravel, mud and sand. The Sport features a 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 246 horsepower, but you can also get a more powerful version of this engine that produces 286.
Despite its somewhat basic crossover looks, the Trailhawk version of the Grand Cherokee is a legit off-road SUV. It comes with a standard air-spring suspension that can lift to 10.8 inches of ground clearance at the touch of a button. The AWD system offers a two-speed transfer case and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
The Trailhawk also provides several different traction-control settings, including modes for hill-climbing up or down. The same V6 as the Gladiator and Wrangler comes standard, with a Hemi V8 being optional.
If you're looking for a midsize truck that does the job off-road, then the Canyon is a good fit. It's practically a twin of the Chevy Colorado, and it offers 4WD, an off-road-tuned suspension, two-speed transfer case and an electronic-locking rear differential.
Skid plates and hill-descent control also come standard on the All Terrain trim. You can get either an extended-cab or crew-cab layout and a choice of engines between the 3.6-liter V6 or Duramax diesel four-cylinder.
Many truck buyers spring for the Ford Super Duty for its strong towing capacity. However, the Super Duty can hold its own off-road too. Along with the usual 4WD system, the Super Duty with the FX4 Off-Road package includes underbody armor, a two-speed transfer case, specially tuned shocks and all-terrain tires.
The Super Duty offers three engine choices in the standard 6.2-liter gas V8, plus an optional 7.3-liter gas V8, and a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8.
Like the Super Duty, the Ranger can be equipped with the FX4 Off-Road package for maximum trail-riding ability. Along with 4WD, this package includes front tow hooks, skid plates, an off-road suspension and all-terrain tires. Off-road assistance systems include an electronic-locking rear differential and a terrain-management unit to control it.
The only Ranger engine is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder that makes 270 horsepower and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Expedition remains Ford's largest SUV that's ready for off-road challenges with the FX4 trim. Added equipment on this trim includes an electronic limited-slip differential, upgraded front and rear dampers, a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, all-terrain tires and a heavy-duty engine radiator.
The Expedition is powered by a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 that makes 375 horsepower, and it's paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Colorado ZR2 offers a beefier exterior and several off-road modifications to back it up. The front and rear tracks are widened by 3.5 inches to fit 31-inch tires. And the electronically locking front and rear differentials aid traction. Power is provided by the standard V6 or available four-cylinder diesel.
The ZR2 also features a two-inch suspension lift and plenty of skid plates to protect the underbody. A ZR2 Bison edition is also available and it includes a winch and snorkel.