Off-road vehicles are a category of vehicles designed for off-road driving in areas with difficult terrain. Good off-road performance is achieved primarily due to high ground clearance, two drive axles and high-powered power units.
The first off-road vehicles appeared in the early XX century in the form of four-wheel drive cars. They were produced in small batches and were intended for the senior staff of the army. The first mass-produced off-road vehicle was GPV, which appeared thanks to the efforts of several automakers, including Ford Motor.
According to one version, the name “Jeep” was formed from the first letters “gi” and “pi”. “Off-road vehicles with great cross-country ability began to be called “SUVs” only in the 90s to avoid problems with Chrysler, which was already the owner of the Jeep brand.
How to choose a car for off-roading
Let’s define the main criteria for choosing an off-road vehicle. The main purpose of such cars is comfortable off-road travel. However, passability is far from the only criterion for the modern user, which complicates the choice of this category of cars.
Capacity
A very important characteristic, both for an ordinary city car and for an SUV. Their capacity is from 5 to 8 people. If you choose a car for a family or traveling in a large company – the choice is obvious. The optimal choice for many is a five-seat SUV with a large luggage compartment.
Body type
The choice is between a frame SUV and a car with a load-bearing body. Most people prefer the frame modification, because such cars are unpretentious, easy to maintain, enduring in the most difficult areas. However, due to the high weight, frame SUVs can hardly be called economical.
Price
SUVs are not cheap cars. Even for a used copy you will have to lay out at least 15 thousand dollars. Therefore, before you buy a car, determine the purposes for which it is purchased. For lovers of traveling it is really necessary, and for daily trips within the city such a purchase can hardly be called expedient. In this case, it is better to look for a budget option, for example, on Canadian online auctions of used cars. To make your deal successful, it is recommended to check the VIN-code of Canadian cars before buying.
Comfort
When driving off-road, you need to pay close attention to this factor. Climate control, heated seats, comfortable dashboard, good visibility, noise insulation will help to increase comfort. This is not a complete list of what will help you to stay comfortable in any situation.
Top 5: best cars for off-roading
- Nissan Patrol
- Jeep Wrangler
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
- Toyota Fortuner
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Nissan Patrol
The first off-road vehicle in our review. This is a frame SUV, which in search of new markets has gone through many reincarnations. In the sixth generation Patrol became soft, leather and very expensive. The updated SUV is equipped with independent suspension with hydraulics, as well as electronically controlled 4×4 transmission. The sixth version has a full electric package – there is an electric drive even in the fifth door. There are monitors in the headrests for rear passengers, and the trim uses a lot of wood and leather.
This model is the flagship of off-road vehicles, so it uses the widest range of standard equipment and safety systems. The car uses a system of all-round vision with a viewing angle of up to 180 degrees, recognition of moving objects, which, if detected, signals and accompanies them with visual information on the display. Safe movement is facilitated by the system of collision prevention when driving in reverse, as well as parking assistant with four front and rear sensors.
Jeep Wrangler
Men’s SUV with brutal exterior. The fourth generation is the most popular on the secondary market. Only the frame, suspension and concept remained from the previous version. Everything else in the new generation has changed. All the optics of the SUV became LED. External changes also catch the eye – it is a convex hood, sloping windshield pillars. For the manufacture of body elements, the manufacturer uses mainly aluminum.
Even more thorough changes took place in the interior. The interior has a large display, start/stop system, dual-zone climate control system, new dashboard, Bluetooth, USB ports. The seats have become even more comfortable and are equipped with heating.
The body is presented in two modifications: three-door and five-door. The roof of Wrangler can be rigid, cloth with a drive or rag roof with latches. In the “long” version the trunk volume is 553 liters.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Off-road cars can be extremely stylish and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport crossover, which many call one of the best cars in its class, is proof of that. The updated version of the Pajero Sport has a more modern and stylish look. There are a lot of chrome elements in the trim, and the ground clearance has become 6 mm more. The car has large wheel arches, which speaks about its impressive potential. The SUV is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, which not only allow you to secure cargo, but also make the car more stylish.
The basis for the vehicle is a frame spar structure, in the rear part of which there is an axle with the possibility of differential locking. An important feature of the new generation is the Off Road Traction Control system, which is controlled by a lever and is installed together with an automatic transmission. A manual transmission version is also available. New gearboxes reduce fuel consumption to 9.8 liters per “hundred” mileage. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 12.3 seconds.
Toyota Fortuner
Our top car for off-roading continues to be an off-roader with a reliable suspension that has been tested in the toughest conditions and provides grip on the most difficult terrain. The frame design allows for efficient load redistribution when driving over all types of obstacles and pavement.
It has a high ground clearance (225 mm) and rear differential lock function, which allows you to overcome areas with any terrain and make your way even where there is no road. It is equipped with a powerful 2.8 liter turbodiesel engine with an output of 200 hp, which provides unrivaled traction and dynamics. The version with a 2.7 liter gasoline engine has the advantages of high reliability and economy.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
A car with impressive off-road performance, which is equipped with a 2.8-liter diesel engine with an output of 200 hp. Excellent dynamics on the road will show the version with a gasoline 4-liter engine.
The vehicle features adaptive suspension with several operating modes, and a special Multi-terrain Select system easily adapts for driving on any road surface. The SUV has a frame construction, all-wheel drive, which guarantees excellent off-road performance.
Unrivaled comfort is ensured by three-zone climate control, a power sunroof, high-quality trim materials and sophisticated ergonomics. The interior features a 9-inch display, a multimedia system with Apple Carplay© and Android Auto© and navigation.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.