Top 5 Most Rugged SUVs

The term SUV can refer to a wide range of vehicles with different levels of capability. It might be a hatchback that sits up high, a luxury people hauler with three rows of seats, or it could be an off-road beast such as the Jeep Wrangler. If you’re in the market for new or used SUVs that can tackle anything, here are some of the most rugged ones.

These SUVs are All Work AND All Play

Sometimes, after a long week at work or school, you just want to get out in nature and play in some mud. These five SUVs easily handle mud, debris, and trail conditions. And they clean up really nicely when it’s time to get back to work or head out on date night. Maybe your favorite made the list, or maybe you’ll discover a new favorite SUV!

Jeep Wrangler

You can’t talk about rugged SUVs and not start with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. No matter what Wrangler you’re talking about, it’s rugged, but the Rubicon takes it to another level. It has a V-6 engine with 285 horsepower, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, and heavy-duty Fox shocks that lift it from 9.7 inches of ground clearance to 10.3 inches. The electronic locking front and rear differentials give you extra traction when off-roading, and it also comes with extras such as rock rails and an Off-Road Plus driving mode.

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco took some time off, but it’s back and more rugged than ever, especially if you add the Sasquatch Package. You can get the Bronco with a soft or hard top, rubberized floors that are easy to clean, and water-resistant controls, so nothing holds you back. It’s made even more rugged with the GOAT drive modes. These will take the SUV over any type of terrain with settings for Eco, Normal, Slippery, Sand, and Sport. The Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a suspension with extra ground clearance, and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels.

Land Rover Defender 90

The Land Rover Defender combines comfort and practicality in the cabin with beast-like off-road capability. The 90 is the two-door model, but it also comes in the 110 four-door model. Any of the Defender models can tackle rugged terrain, but the X adds some features to make it look even easier. It has an adjustable air suspension that will raise the ride height, and it has the Terrain Response 2 system that will automatically choose the right off-road driving mode. The All-Terrain Progress Control system is like cruise control for off-road driving and keeps a set speed for better traction.

Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition SUVs

The Subaru Outback may fly under the radar as a rugged off-roader, but it’s worth mentioning. The Wilderness Edition has all the reliability you expect from a Subaru but includes an off-road update with an independent suspension, taller springs, and all-terrain tires. The Outback Wilderness has Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive for uniform stability and 9. 5 inches of ground clearance. It also comes with a front skid plate and the X-MODE system with driving modes for deep snow, mud, and sand.

Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner still sports a truck-based chassis to make it capable of hitting the trails. The TRD Pro has extra skid plates, Fox off-road shocks, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that takes it from the road to the trails, making it a more rugged version than the rest of the trims.

There are Plenty of Adventures Awaiting in these SUVs

These are some of the most rugged SUVs you can get. If you want to save money, used SUVs have all the rugged features as new ones but with a lower price tag.