Even
if you narrow down the fundamental comparative characteristics — breakover
angles, wheel travel, wading depth, cost, and so forth – the issue becomes one
of surroundings.
1. Land Rover Defender
After a more than a decade-long wait, Land Rover officially
unveiled the long-awaited follow-up act to the original 'Land Rover' in 2019,
and the automobile will hit dealerships in 2020. This new Land Rover Defender
is more of a successor than a direct replacement, having switched from a ladder
frame construction to a monologue, and for a variety of other reasons; and
some feared that it wouldn't be capable of quite the same kind of mud-plugging,
rock-hopping, water-fording, slope-scaling, and axle-twisting as a result.
The new Defender,
on the other hand, can accomplish practically all of that and more. This car
has all of the key vital statistics, with approach and departure angles of
roughly 40 degrees and ground clearance of up to 291mm owing to its
height-adjustable air suspension. But it's the way it approaches offroad
driving, and how it makes it easier for the driver to pick exactly the correct
transmission mode, retain just the right amount of forward momentum, and stay
on the proper course through the ruts, that truly impresses.
The automobile
currently includes four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines from Land Rover,
although the P400e plug-in hybrid is the sole four-cylinder option, and all
diesels are now inline sixes. The top-of-the-line P525 V8 version has plenty of
performance and presence, but the D300 diesel is our favourite of the bunch, as
it combines lots of torque with reasonable fuel efficiency, drivability, and
refinement, and doesn't have to cost as much as some of the other variants of
the car. Of course, the P400e plug-in hybrid (with a stated electric range of
27 miles) will have its own set of enticements for fleet users and city
dwellers.
The Defender is
available in three-door '90' and five-door '110' bodystyles, as well as a
'Hardtop' version if you prefer; and whatever you choose, you'll discover it's
a broad, tall, and heavy car that isn't perfect for the smallest of tracks or
'green lanes.' But, with that said, this 4x4's talents are undeniable, and the
manner in which it goes about its offroad business makes it appear to be a car
designed for individuals who don't even like offroading.
Offering
all of this in a car that rides and handles so well on the road is the frosting
on the cake, putting this car head and shoulders above its competitors. 'By far
the greatest 4x4' has been given a fresh lease on life.
2. Jeep Wrangler
Jeep doesn't refresh the Wrangler very frequently, but the newest
iteration is more usable on the road and more competent off it than ever
before. The fact that Jeep has meticulously kept the much-loved design – whose
round headlamps, famed seven-slatted grille, and rigorous geometry are still
discernible from the original Willys MB jeeps initially deployed in WWII – is
only half of the attraction. The cabin is now more roomy and less cheaply and
sparsely built, which corresponds to the greater efficiency of the car's
downsizing engines and improved driving manners (everything is relative, mind).
Of course, the
Wrangler remains amazing off-road, especially in three-door Rubicon trim with
its ladder frame, locking differentials, knobbly tyres, specialised
articulating axles, underbody bracing, and excellent approach and departure
angle data. It just would not be as pleasant to live with on a daily basis as
the Land Rover Defender, hence its second-place position.
The four-cylinder petrol and petrol-electric
plug-in hybrid variants of the Wrangler are now on official UK sale, with the
four-pot diesel now out of stock and other alternatives only available through
'grey' import.
For actual wilderness trips, the Jeep is second
to none. And it delivers even less in Dodge Challenger-powered, 6.4-litre
special-edition Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 configuration.
3. Toyota Land Cruiser
However, while the 2.8-litre turbodiesel Toyota
with air suspension and leather seats is available, don't expect it to ride and
handle like an Audi or Mercedes-Benz monocoque SUV. It's a different beast on
the M40, but it's in a different league in locations where you might truly need
a car like this, with a reputation for mechanical dependability that rivals
every one of its competitors.
4. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
This Mercedes, the only one without an official "end of
production" date, just underwent the only genuinely significant facelift
in its 40-year existence. Underneath is still a ladder-frame chassis, but the
front suspension is now fully independent, and the entire setup was created in
part by AMG. As a consequence, the car has locking differentials, more ground
clearance, and the same incredible off-road skills as before, but it now
handles reliably and, at times, very enjoyably on the road. The switch to
rack-and-pinion steering has made the most of a difference.
The creamy straight-six diesel in the G350d is
our favourite, but if you have a Premier League footballer's income to spend,
you can have a complete Mercedes-AMG G63 with a twin-turbocharged petrol V8
generating over 600bhp.
5. Ford Ranger Raptor
Put all rational thoughts aside for a moment, because the Ford
Ranger Raptor is a Baja-inspired pick-up truck that seeks to delight. It's a
touch bigger than the normal Ranger, but the true magic lies beneath the skin,
where re-engineered axles, upgraded springs, and Fox racing dampers replace the
front leaf springs and the original Watt's linkage. The setup has been
fine-tuned to perform optimally with no added load and at high speeds, and
ground clearance has been increased by 30%. We've previously referred to this
vehicle as a 'rough-track sports car.'
Weaknesses? There's nothing more than a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel under the hood, and at just under £50,000, it's a very pricey commercial vehicle. Its capacities as a workhorse are limited, but as a technique of navigating exceedingly difficult terrain at high speeds, it is nearly without match.
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