The best 4x4s and off-road cars – driven, rated and ranked

Best for: Heading off the beaten track

If there's one name that can trump Land Rover for off road cred then it's Jeep - and the Wrangler its most roughty and toughty offering. However, the American firm is calling time on this iconic machine in Europe, with the last cars slated for sale in early 2026. So if you hanker after this rugged operator, then you'll need to be quick.

That the latest Wrangler remains one of the toughest, most capable off-roaders in the business comes as little surprise.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Assuming you've managed to get your order in, then what can you expect? Well, the interior is spacious and less cheaply and sparsely finished than you might think, and that goes hand in hand with the improved efficiency of the car's downsized engines and better road manners. (Everything is relative, mind).

More importantly, the Wrangler is still spectacular off the beaten track, especially in Rubicon trim with its ladder-frame, locking differentials, knobbly tyres, specialised articulating axles, underbody bracing and outstanding approach and departure angle statistics.

It isn't as nice to live with every day as the Land Rover Defender, hence its second-place ranking. That's partly down to on-road manners that are considerably less salubrious than those of its British rival, with far less accurate handling, a more hyperactive ride and ear-bashing levels of 'refinement'.

Moreover, the only engine option (a 268bhp 2.0-litre petrol) lacks the aural drama you expect of typical America iron (where's the V8?), plus its fairly thirsty.

Still, if you're handy with a spanner, you can remove the Wrangler's doors and sections of its roof for some wind-in-the-hair thrills.

Best for: Reliability

Yet another off-roading icon, and it has historically been the workhorse of choice in the Australian outback, a place where breaking down simply won't do. As the old saying sort of goes: If you want to explore the wilderness then take a Land Rover. If you want to come back afterwards, then choose a Land Cruiser.

Few cars offer quite the same duality of ability to go to Waitrose or on a desert expedition. Being a Toyota, it can be expected to return from both too.

Jonathan Bryce, Social Media Executive

For towing, wading and low-ratio, grind-it-out driving across truly inhospitable ground, the Toyota Land Cruiser scores very highly.

Basic-spec versions are reasonably affordable, while top-spec cars offer packed-out equipment rosters and seating for up to seven.

As you'd expect, in its quest for reliabity Toyota has chosen simplicity for the Land Cruiser's suspension. There are no air springs or fancy adaptive damers here, just tough live axles and a ladder frame chassis. With no height adjustment its 700mm wading depth is 200mm lower than a Defender's, but low range can be engaged at the touch of a button and the disconnectable front anti-roll bar allows even greater axle articulation.

On the road this means its less sophisticated, with a slightly more energetic ride and lower levels of refinement. Yet it handles accurately and the four-cylinder 2.8-litre diesel makes up for in grunt what is lack in polished manners.

Best for: Carrying cargo

The original Ford Ranger Raptor was something of a mixed bag, with a weedy 2.0-litre diesel four failing to match the talents of a chassis that fooled you into thinking you could tackle a Dakar Rally stage.

For UK drivers especially, it’s a niche proposition: it's amazing in its element, but when it’s not, it doesn’t entertain like a great driver’s car really ought to.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Happily, the newer version of the hot pick-up truck retains its predecessor's high-speed off-road prowess, but it now packs a little more muscle in the form of a 288bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6.

There's enough punch to surprise more than a few slumbering sports saloons, though, while the rortier engine note is much more pleasing to the ear than the old diesel's drone.

As before, it's the Ford's uprated suspension that shines the brightest, with clever electronically controlled Fox 'live-valve' adaptive dampers that help to smooth any terrain that rolls under its wheels.

That means a supple and controlled ride on Tarmac, while in the rough stuff the Raptor can tackle ragged and torn terrain at speeds that would likely leave traditional 4x4s being swept into a carrier bag at the end of the route.

If you can't stretch to a Land Rover Defender Octa then the Raptor is great cut-price alternative.

Best for: Luxury off-roading

The Range Rover isn't just one of the best luxury SUVs on sale; it also excels off road. 

Land Rover is like a supercar manufacturer when it comes to off-roading: it knows some owners won’t use the capability but its reputation depends on it being there.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Thanks to its air suspension, the Range Rover can be raised by 135mm for better ground clearance. It can also be lowered 50mm for easier entry and egress.

At its highest setting, the Range Rover stands 4mm taller than the Land Rover Defender and 55mm above the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. And it will wade up to 900mm in water.

Having excellent off-road ability is all well and good, but let's be honest: most Range Rovers won't ever leave Tarmac. 

Best for: Style

The best off-roaders tend to stick around, and the G-Wagen (technically now the G-Class, but forgive us the nostalgia) matches the Land Cruiser and Defender for cultural longevity. 

You can dismiss its ‘tough military vehicle’ affectations as gimmicks, but you would be ignoring the combined effect: making this feel like a very special car and a real event to drive and be in.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

This Mercedes recently received an update, but underneath you will still find a ladder-frame chassis, although the front suspension is now fully independent and the whole set-up was part-developed by AMG.

It boasts three locking differentials, improved ground clearance and the same immense range of off-road abilities as before, but it's now also one that handles predictably and, at times, even quite enjoyably on the road. 

However, Mercedes has also been cute with the period details, so the G retains the old car's traditional door handles with push-button locks, while the catches themselves are similar, meaning the doors close with the same retro clack.

As well as the already powerful G450d (365bhp) and G500 (447bhp), there's the range-topping AMG G63. It gets 583bhp and will hit 0-62mph in 4.4sec. Perfect – if you've got the budget of a Premier League footballer and have recently had a taste by-pass. 

Best for: Not looking like an off-roader

The off-road estate car has become something of an endangered species in recent years, but Subaru has remained faithful to genre with its rugged Outback. 

The Outback's charms aren't obvious in the showroom, but live with one for a while and you can see why so many Subaru owners are repeat customers.

Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

It's not the most attractive machine and its interior feels a cut below premium rivals, but the high-riding load lugger is a spacious and versatile family car that'll head far further off the beaten track than you'd imagine.

At the heart of its rough road abiity is the brand's famed symmetrical permanent four-wheel drive system, which manages to conjour up traction that even the fastest reacting part-time set-ups (think anything Haldex) can only dream of.

It also features an X-Mode off-road setting that primes the traction control for slippery surfaces and engages hill descent control for stress-free progress down hills. It also packs a handy 213mm of ground clearance - although the long rear overhang is vulnerable to abuse on the steepest off-road sections

The Subaru's monocoque construction and independent suspension means it performs admirably on the road, with a cushioned ride and accurate handling. If there's a dynamic weakness its the wheezy and thirsty 167bhp 2.5-litre flat four - although the smooth Lineartronic CVT gearbox does its best to make the most of the available urge.

Given that some many off-roaders rarely do, the Outback is a great option for those who want a spacious and comfortable family wagon that delivers all the capability you're ever likely to need on the rare occassion you do head into the wilderness.

Best for: Value

For heading off the beaten track on a tight budget, the Dacia Duster 4x4 still takes some beating. It's not as cheap as it was (there's no entry-level Access version now), but it's still cracking value regardless of vehicle type.

Dacia’s budget-friendly crossover is now more refined, more drivable, more efficient where it matters and simply nicer to be in and around, despite prices having barely changed.

Steve Cropley, Editor-in-chief

In terms of off-road kit, the Duster isn't as comprehensively specced as others in this list, but you get enough to be able to tackle the wilderness with confidence.

The trick four-wheel drive system allows you to choose front-wheel drive for the road, while an Auto mode quickly engages the rear axle when it detects wheelspin; Lock mode sets the torque split at 50:50 for the best off-road traction.

There's also a shorter first gear for climbing steep slopes plus hill descent control for scrabbling down the other side. 

Yet the Duster's best off-road attributes are decent ground clearance and a relatively low kerb weight, allowing it to tiptoe over some obstacles that would sink heavyweight rivals.

Best for: People carrying

You might wonder why the fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery doesn't feature higher up this list, even given the calibre of the cars above.

The classy Discovery now lives in the shadow of the Defender but is still a thoroughly enjoyable and likeable SUV.

Sam Phillips, Staff Writer

It is, in the grand scheme, a terrifically competent off-roader, but it matches that with wonderful road manners for an all-round package with which none of the others can quite compete. Everywhere the Discovery goes, it does so with a calm assurance.

However, it isn't quite as gritty, grippy or tenacious as some cars when the going gets really tough. That said, few are as easy and stress-free to drive in the rough stuff: the brand's advanced Terrain Response system does much of the hard work, meaning all you need to do is steer the Discovery up hill and down dale.

A facelift for the 2021 model year brought new six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as updated suspension and some fresh interior features - although still no plug-in hybrid option (the third row seats and electrical gubbins are incompatible).

It also kept a likeable and very versatile car high in our estimations - although the need for seven seats means there's no room to fit the battery and motor required to deliver a plug-in hybrid version.