Off-road SUVs are ideal companions for navigating challenging trails. We have hardcore icons like the Toyota 4Runner, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and the luxurious Mercedes G-Class, to name a few. In fact, the very new Rivian R1S is also a serious off-roader. But the major problem with most of these hardcore machines is that the on-road capabilities are compromised.
They are too energetic to handle routine daily urban duties. However, there exists a middle ground and a bunch of cars (mostly crossovers) that can be your daily grind companion for the week and a formidable off-roading weapon during the weekends. These are mostly jacked-up versions of standard road-going crossovers, with a few exceptions. From iconic Toyota and Ford cars to versatile offerings from Honda, Nissan, and even Kia, this list is a vibrant one.
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser
Price: $57,200
The Land Cruiser LC300 is a large SUV that is not well-suited to the urban jungle. However, the smaller Land Cruiser Prado sits on a lighter-duty platform and is more compact than its larger sibling. The 2026 Land Cruiser sold in America is a re-badged Prado, making it suitable for breezy urban runs. It is powered by a 326-horsepower hybrid four-cylinder engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This is a fun vehicle! Out of the box, the Land Cruiser is a serious machine, too; a proper, body-on-frame SUV equipped with a coil-spring solid axle rear setup for improved handling.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
It also gets a slew of electrical wizardry to help tame this rugged SUV for road use. However, it also has a dormant off-road capability that is kept in check by features such as standard full-time four-wheel-drive, crawl control, up to 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, rear and center locking differentials, and a stabilizer disconnect mechanism. A Multi-Terrain Select module is also available to help adapt and sync this Toyota’s hardware to reign over difficult terrain without breaking much sweat.
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2026 Ford Bronco Badlands
Price: $48,890
This revival of an iconic Ford hits the right spots of a trail-ready, everyday SUV. The most significant advantage of the Ford Bronco is its compact form factor, which helps it excel on tight urban roads. The shorter wheelbase also helps deliver a more dynamic, stable ride, despite its chunky tires and tall stance. It is highly versatile, with both two-door and four-door options. It packs a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is highly efficient at delivering a bit of muscle. It is coupled to a seven-speed manual transmission.
As for ride, the Bronco Badlands, with its 17-inch gray carbonized aluminum wheels sitting on 33-inch all-terrain tires, offered comfort levels that excelled well past my expectations. The suspension tackled every bump and imperfection in the road as if it were sand. Steering in the Bronco is surprisingly light and direct.
– Charles North VI for TopSpeed
But for those who crave more, Ford also offers an optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Badlands trim tickles the senses of off-roading enthusiasts, featuring standard features such as the HOSS 2.0 System with Bilstein Position Sensitive Dampers, an advanced 4X4 with automatic on-demand engagement, and an electronic-locking rear axle to elevate its trail-going capabilities. The Bronco can be further honed with optional features such as a front stabilizer bar disconnect, an even more jacked-up HOSS 3.0 with Fox internal Bypass Dampers, Ford TGrail Control, Front Stabilizer Bar Disconnect, and Trail Turn Assist.
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2026 Honda Passport TrailSport
Price: $48,450
The standard Honda Passport is a no-frills midsize SUV that balances comfort, convenience, reliability, and durable performance at a solid price. A 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 powers it, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to an AWD system via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with a comprehensive list of standard convenience and technology features.
It fits the city life bill like a glove. The standard Passport is not well-suited for off-roading. However, Honda has a trick up its sleeve with the TrailSport trim. It gets all-terrain tires, off-road-tuned suspension, and skid plates to take on challenging trails without second thoughts. It also includes high-visibility recovery hooks, a heated wiper zone, a panoramic moonroof, and an integrated Class II Trail Hitch with a harness, allowing you to truly enjoy the Passport’s off-roading capabilities.
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10 4WD SUVs That Deliver Power And Versatility
These 4WD SUVs blend power and versatility, offering rugged capability, strong performance, and the durability needed for off-road and daily driving.
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Price: $44,995
Subaru makes desirable cars thanks to distinctive cues, such as a boxer engine and standard AWD, even in its most affordable models. The Subaru Outback, while listed as an SUV, is a clever fusion of a wagon and an SUV. This popular Subaru combines the elevated practicality of a wagon with comfort, interior space, and convenience, while offering the rugged advantages of a tall-riding SUV.
It gets a peppy 260-horsepower turbocharged boxer engine that produces 277 pound-feet of torque and has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Wilderness trim dials up on the off-road capability with features like a raised suspension setup with electronically controlled dampers, delivering 9.5 inches of ground clearance. The Outback Wilderness runs on all-terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch blacked-out wheels. The front and rear bumpers also get extended lower cladding for extra protection.
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2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4X4
Price: $43,000
The Jeep Cherokee is a capable mid-size SUV that gets the dimensions right to make it a comfortable urban runabout. It is powered by a peppy 1.6-liter hybrid four-cylinder engine producing a combined 210 horsepower. It features a smooth CVT gearbox and four-wheel drive, delivering a balance of linear acceleration and all-wheel grip.
An interior loaded with comfort and convenience features makes the Cherokee‘s cabin a cozy place. Elevating its off-road appeal are features such as available air suspension for up to 11 inches of ground clearance, a Selec-Terrain management system for various driving conditions, and rugged elements like skid plates. Finally, Jeep’s heritage helps make the Cherokee a “sleeper off-roader”.
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2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland
Price: $39,900
The RAV4 is in its most handsome guise today, with a sharp, futuristic design overlaying the already established, highly reliable underpinnings. The 2026 RAV4 Woodland is powered by a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder mill that produces a combined 236 horsepower. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox.
The form factor is compact yet offers ample comfort, convenience, and safety features, making the RAV4 a comfortable, convenient, and safe all-day companion. While not extensive, the Woodland trim makes the RAV4 off-road-ready with features such as all-terrain tires, raised roof rails with crossbars, and integrated LED fog lights for enhanced visibility. It also includes features such as a tow hitch, all-weather floor mats, and a cargo liner.
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The Most Unique Convertible SUVs Ever Made
A unique mix of off-roading prowess and open-top, hair-down thrills, convertible SUVs are unique models – here are the most standout top-down SUVs.
2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige
Price: $39,590
The new Kia Sportage is a dashing-looking SUV with sculpted body panels and a bold, futuristic front fascia. Powering the Sportage is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The X-Pro Prestige trim edges over the others with a standard all-wheel drive system and Terrain Mode.
This Kia is already sorted on the on-road front, offering a comfortable driving experience and a range of comfort, convenience, and technology features. However, the X-Pro Prestige trim elevates the Sportage’s off-road capability with exclusive features such as all-terrain tires, Snow, Sand, and Mud modes, and amber lighting elements to improve visibility on unpaved roads. The rugged styling and 8.3 inches of ground clearance also strengthen the Sportage X-Pro Prestige’s case.
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2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid
Price: $38,800
The Honda CR-V is one of the most well-rounded SUVs on the market today. It features a hybrid powertrain delivering 204 horsepower on all four wheels. This mill is highly frugal with a combined 40 MPG rating. The cabin is spacious and loaded with top-spec convenience, comfort, and technology features.
A modest off-road course was easy to traverse, but with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, it’s not a hardcore off-roader. Think dirt roads to the family cabin, not rock crawling. If you need more capability, the larger Passport is your best bet.
– Nicole Wakelin, TopSpeed Journalist
The CR-V is also packed with comprehensive standard safety and assistive features. The TrailSport trim gives it more fighting spirit on trails with features like all-terrain tires, standard off-road modes, and assistive features like Hill Descent Control. Even the exterior design is slightly tweaked to help protect the CR-V on trails.
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2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek AWD
Price: $33,990
The Nissan Rogue is a run-of-the-mill midsize SUV that offers rugged styling while delivering comfort, convenience, and enhanced on-road safety. It is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox. This gives the Rogue a frugal side, with a combined fuel-economy rating of 29 MPG.
The urban-going side is sorted here. However, Nissan goes a step further with the Rock Creek edition, which adds all-terrain tires, a functional tubular roof rack, Hill Descent Control, and an Off-road mode with dedicated camera views to elevate the Rogue’s trail-ready character. Nissan also wrapped the cabin in durable leatherette to make this Rogue a more practical package.
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Top 10 Off-Road SUVs That Can Conquer Any Terrain
These utes stand as the pinnacle of exploration, with extensive upgrades allowing them more off-road versatility than most SUVs.
2026 Jeep Compass Trailhawk
Price: $33,395
The Trailhawk nameplate is renowned as the most capable badge on a Jeep. The Compass Trailhawk lives up to this claim by packing some serious hardware and software features to help this SUV be a formidable off-roader. Jeep has equipped the Compass Trailhawk with serious capability, including a specialized Active Drive Low 4X4 system with low range, terrain modes (including a Rock mode), a standard AWD system, and all-terrain tires.
It stands tall, with a ground clearance of 8.6 inches, which enhances water wading and approach angles. This Compass also gets underbody skid plates to protect exposed components. Powering this capable Jeep is a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and coupled to an eight-speed transmission.
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