Random Best Off-Road Vehicles (25 items)

• 

  (#19) Hummer H1

  • Hummer

  It’s infuriating to see one of these off-road behemoths sitting in traffic, but these machines are a sight to behold when used as intended. Hummers have serious 4x4 capabilities in their blood. They’re a civilian version of the United States Military Humvee, or “High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle,” which have been in production since 1983. They are basically armoured tanks on four wheels, with the ability to ford up to five feet of water, Nearly a decade later, the Hummer was introduced to the civilian market, largely due to the insistence of Arnold Schwarzenegger after falling in love with a Humvee on the set of Kindergarten Cop. The first generation Hummer, or H1, is a slightly downgraded Humvee with glossy paint and conveniences like air conditioning, sound insulation, and a stereo. Perfect for your next outdoor adventure, or when the zombies come.
• 

  (#2) Subaru Impreza WRX STI

  • Subaru, Subaru Impreza

  Yes, all of them. With features like their low center of gravity (thanks to their patented Boxer engines, the same style found in the likes of Porsche) and trend-setting all-wheel drive, Subaru makes some of the best off-road vehicles on the planet. There’s very few models that need be avoided due to factory flaws, so just about every Subaru manufactured is an excellent buy. Plus, they come new from the dealer with amazing factory warranties and maintenance plans.
• 

  (#24) Toyota Tercel

  • Toyota

  Bet you didn’t know the second generation Tercel was offered with a 4x4 drivetrains! Unlike most other 4x4’s, the Tercel 4WD system was designed and built without a transfer case. Known as solid four-wheel drive, Tercel’s 4WD system is also the simplest. The front and rear wheels are locked together, making it excellent for gaining traction on slippery surfaces. Once traction is regained, the driver can shift smoothly back into two-wheel drive. This makes these little “Turtles,” as they’re affectionately known by their passionate owners, excellent part-time off-roaders for those who need to combine their daily driver with their trail toy.
• 

  (#14) Jeep CJ

  • Jeep

  This car is widely considered to be the forefather of recreational off-road vehicles. The first CJ was launched in 1944, as a way to meet the growing demand for civilian 4x4’s. They were basically modified versions of the “scout” cars commissioned by the US military for WWII. These SUV’s were bulletproof, but incredibly utilitarian. The 3A was the first CJ to feature “luxuries” such as extra leg and headroom, leakproof connections between the canvas roof and side doors, and additional seat padding. The 3B further revolutionized the market with the introduction of the F-Head Hurricane engine, whose novel inlet-over-exhaust design allowed for higher compression ratios and improved flow. These designs set the stage for Jeep style SUV’s for years to come, including the Land Rover brand, and iconic Toyota Land Cruiser.
• 

  (#11) Volkswagen Vanagon

  Looks can definitely be deceiving, as is proved by this 4x4 vintage camping van. Most people don’t know that VW developed 4x4 technology as far back as WWII for the German military. They expanded into off-road vehicles designed for civilian use in the 70’s. Some Vanagons were outfitted from the factory with 4x4 “Syncro” drivetrains, which are surprisingly durable and versatile. Limited numbers of the Vanagon were sold with VW’s 4x4 system, which makes them one of the ultimate factory off-road vehicles. Videos demonstrating their off-road prowess show how capable these vans truly are, with little to no modifications (although modifications don’t hurt). You can take them practically anywhere, sleep and cook in them, and drive a little piece of automobile history. What more could you ask for?
• 

  (#12) Chevrolet C/K

  • General Motors, Chevrolet

  It’s true these trucks were never formally offered with an off-road drivetrain. However, these rugged workhorses are easy to modify, as their design allows them to easily accommodate custom suspensions, lifts, and bigger tires without much fuss. For those who like to leave things stock, the K-Series trucks came standard with bulletproof gearboxes, and solid axles in the front and rear. This makes them more than capable of tackling most tasks without aftermarket additions.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking