But even as fuel prices generate greater interest in smaller, more fuel-efficient alternatives, a hardcore segment remains — about 5 percent of the SUV market, analysts say — that will always own SUVs because they off-road as a hobby. And as the market continues to favor buyers with dropping prices on SUVs, it could be the right time to buy that off-road-ready ride you've been hoping for.
Diehard Off-Roaders' Favorites "The off-road market is pretty steady, while the rest of the SUV market swings with gas prices and fashion," says Jim Hossack, an analyst at AutoPacific, based in Tustin, Calif.
The research firm doesn't have data to quantify how many SUVs are bought specifically for off-roading, partly because it's hard to determine exactly which buyers truly are serious about it.
But AutoPacific has identified the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota FJ Cruiser and Mercedes-Benz G-Class as models that diehard off-roaders gravitate toward. "Those buyers have more direct intent for taking them off-road than most other buyers," says Stephanie Brinley, another AutoPacific analyst.
All three made our list of best SUVs for off-roading, which we compiled by polling off-road experts and assessing vehicle characteristics that predispose an SUV to tackling rough terrain.
The tough, truck-based vehicles on our list aren't to be confused with car-based crossover utility vehicles, which are more like overgrown wagons and fast becoming the family vehicle of choice. See the full list of the best choices for rugged driving in the accompanying slideshow.
Most gains in off-road ability come at the detriment of on-road performance, says Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser, No. 3 on our list, is "absolutely amazing off-road," with a combination of sturdy mechanical components and modern electronics that make navigating rough terrain "a no-brainer," Fisher says. Yet it lacks the agile on-road handling that car-based crossovers such as the BMW X3 and Mazda CX-9 provide.
Then there's the weight factor. Vehicles with ample off-road hardware usually weigh more than similarly sized ones that skimp on it, and the trade-off comes in fuel economy, among other things.
Compare the beefy Land Rover LR3, which is No. 2 on our list, with the sporty Acura MDX crossover: The LR3 weighs 5,796 pounds, with its stout frame and lots of off-road hardware to keep it going when the terrain gets rough. With all that heft, it only gets an estimated 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.
On the other hand, the Acura MDX, which isn't cut out for serious off-roading, weighs 1,208 pounds less. That helps make it much more nimble and fuel-efficient by comparison, with estimated mileage of 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. (Yes, that's still far worse fuel economy than a small car offers, but we're talking large SUVs here).
See the Best SUVs for Off-Roading
For most buyers just looking for a vehicle that can handle snowy or gravely roads, less is more, Fisher says. "A lot of people look for that ruggedness and ability, and then overbuy the ability. Even the Subaru Outback will take on a rugged dirt track. Deep ruts or a rocky hill demand more. But then you have to ask what you're willing to give up," he says.
For those who require true off-road chops — not just all-weather capability — the two most important features to look for are ground clearance and "a dedicated transfer case with an added low-range ratio," says Mark Williams, the editor of Truck Trend magazine. "This allows these vehicles to run much slower, more controlled speeds to navigate treacherous terrain. After that, things like big, aggressive tires and smart, computer-controlled traction systems can help make a vehicle quite capable."
Standing Tall
Ground clearance is how high a vehicle sits off the ground as measured from the lowest point under the vehicle; when it comes to off-roading, the more the better. The opposite is true on-road, where a high center of gravity created by lots of ground clearance makes a vehicle less stable when cornering, changing lanes and driving on curvy roads.
Land Rover equips some of its models with suspension systems that can raise the vehicle for added ground clearance or lower it for a more stable ride on-road. At its highest setting, the Land Rover Range Rover has the most ground clearance of any vehicle on our list, at a total of 11 inches. Next highest is the Jeep Wrangler, with 10.5 inches of ground clearance.
Diehard off-road enthusiasts will put "lift kits" on their vehicles to raise the body and suspension for even more ground clearance. If not already part of an options package provided by the manufacturer, hardcore off-roaders also add "skid plates," robust metal covers that protect the underside of the vehicle because in many instances, no amount of ground clearance will prevent a vehicle from scraping bottom.
Off-road-ready tires are another must-have. Most SUVs don't come with them as standard equipment, but sometimes they're offered as part of an off-road options package. "A lot of the grip factor comes down to tires," Fisher says.
Bumpers Optional
Bumpers might save lives on the highway, but they can get in the way on Northern California's Rubicon Trail, a Mecca for off-road enthusiasts where Jeep tests its vehicles.
That's why the Jeep Wrangler is made in such a way that anyone reasonably adept with a wrench can just pull the bumpers off. Many off-roaders will do just that to keep from damaging them, Brinley says.
Removing the bumpers allows a vehicle to approach and negotiate steeper inclines and obstacles without scraping the front or back of the vehicle. Doing so creates good approach and departure angles, which are among the attributes we considered for our list.
The angles listed in our slideshow don't take into account removing bumpers. But even with its bumpers on, the Jeep Wrangler has the best approach and departure angles of any SUV in the ranking. It can approach a 44-degree incline without scraping its front, and exit a 37-degree slope without snagging its rear.
At least one SUV that is legendary among off-roaders didn't make the list because of its approach/departure angles: The Toyota Land Cruiser looked a lot like the Jeep Wrangler decades ago. But it has grown steadily larger over the years and no longer has dimensions suitable for off-roading, though it does still have the necessary equipment for it.
Size Matters
When driving off-road, bigger often is not better.
If you live out on a ranch in Texas or drive mostly on desert terrain, a large, wide vehicle works fine, but a lot of off-roading happens in places where there are "trees and rocks to get around," AutoPacific's Hossack says.
That's why you won't see full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban or the Hummer H2 in our ranking. They're robust enough to take the punishment, but they're simply too big to negotiate many trails.
"A big truck's not going to be as maneuverable," Fisher says. "If you're in the woods and you have some tight corners between trees, you're just not going to make it in your H2." For this reason, we reluctantly left off the iconic Hummer H2, which has good ground clearance and approach/departure angles, but at 81.2 inches wide, is too porky.
With maneuverability in mind, we looked at two attributes to narrow our list: overall length and turning radius. Vehicles more than 200 inches long were disqualified — that length seems to be a relative threshold where full-size SUVs give way to gargantuan ones.
A vehicle's turning diameter is the diameter of the smallest circle in which a vehicle can complete a U-turn; the smaller the turning diameter, the better — both off-road and on. On our list, the Jeep Wrangler once again comes out on top, this time with the tightest turning diameter, at 34 feet.
Man and Machine
For all the additional features these off-road beasts have, don't count on your SUV to do everything when you're out in the bush.
"I'm constantly reminding people even the best system sold can be for nothing if you have a dolt behind the wheel," Williams says. "Know your 4x4, and don't wait for the emergency."
Before buying an SUV with off-roading in mind, "first get the education," says Kevin Leonard, who owns Leonard Motorsports, an upstate New York driving school that specializes in off-road instruction. Leonard says understanding the physics of off-roading and how a vehicle works is the first step to successful driving.
Good drivers also respect the limitations of a vehicle, Leonard says. Those who fantasize about churning through mud or sand and "hitting the rocks" will find out that such an attitude could leave them stranded and with huge repair bills — no matter how tough their SUV.
Sport-utility vehicles that rely on mechanical components rather than electronics — the Jeep Wrangler, for instance — are a better choice for beginning off-road drivers, Leonard says, since mechanics force drivers to manually control levers and shift knobs. Learning basic emergency repairs like changing headlights, hoses or belts is also essential.
"Many new models have electronic aids that are simple to understand, but the driver doesn't really know what's happening," says Leonard, who is also an emergency-response instructor. "What if a fuse blows or hydraulics fail? Do they have the basic driving technique?"
After all that, if you're still going off-road only 5 percent of the time, CR's Fisher suggests buying an older, inexpensive but time-tested SUV that you don't mind scratching and denting for off-roading purposes. "That way you can have your hiking shoes and your running shoes," he says. "And you're not putting your family in some vehicle with inferior on-road performance."
Most SUVs driven off-road are between 5 and 25 years old anyway, Hossack says, and SUVs are much more likely to be enjoyed off-road by their second or third owner than their first. "When you're really off-roading, you'll get it scratched and dented and definitely dusty or muddy," Hossack says. But that's part of the fun.
More ForbesAutos Content:
Lexus' Rugged Yet Refined Demeanor
Range Rover, Made for the Outdoors
BMW's Mini SUV Rocks the Outdoors
Highlander, Rugged and Green
An American SUV that Climbs
