Top 5 best 4x4s & off-road cars 2022

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

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 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

Toyota Land Cruiser

Another icon - one that has historically been the workhorse of choice in Australia's Outback, where breaking down simply isn't an option. This is an old-school offroader with a body-on-frame design and large numbers in every category. The Land Cruiser excels at towing, wading, and low-ratio, grind-it-out driving through extremely difficult terrain. Basic-spec Utility variants, distinguished by their steel wheels, are really economical; three-door passenger versions aren't much more expensive; and five-door Invincible-spec cars provide with a plethora of standard features and seating for up to seven.

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

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The best off-roaders prefer to stay. Both the Wrangler and the Land Cruiser have been around for decades, as has the G-Wagen (officially now the G-Class, but excuse us for the nostalgia).

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

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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