Top 10 Best Off-Road Cars | Our Picks for Proper Off-Roaders
30th May 2025
The popularity of the SUV shows no sign of slowing in the UK. The high driving position, enhanced practicality, clever technology, sought-after looks, and desirability have them selling in their thousands with absolute ease.
But if you want a serious SUV, one that can handle the day-to-day with ease and continue when the road runs out, well, there are some properly impressive choices, with even a non-SUV, too.
Two-wheel-drive simply will not cut it in this list—we are only interested in the best 4x4 cars of the best.
- Land Rover Defender
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Land Rover Range Rover
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Jeep Wrangler
- Land Rover Discovery
- Porsche 911 Dakar
- Dacia Duster
- Ford Ranger
- Suzuki Jimny
Land Rover Defender
Tracing its heritage back to 1948, the Defender name carries a lot of weight and iconicness, so when this new version was launched at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, it had to make a solid first impression, and it did just that.
The looks are a perfect evolution of the original, and in true Land Rover style, when the road runs out, the Defender will impress with its sheer off-road capability.
Its luxurious sibling, the Range Rover, may offer even more refinement and luxury on the road, but as a sheer all-rounder, the Defender is the textbook choice. And with 90, 110, or 130 versions, along with a commercial version too, there is a Defender to suit all. You can even get the Defender with a luscious V8 engine, too.
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Reliability is perhaps Toyota's most celebrated characteristic. Team this with legendary heritage, rather like the aforementioned Defender, and it is easy to see why the Land Cruiser is on our list.
Similarly, tracing its routes back to 1951, the Land Cruiser has stood the test of time, a strong indicator of why it is still an exception off-road vehicle. It has an indestructible character, which is why you see many Land Cruisers roaming remote parts of the world, where others would simply struggle and cause anxiety; the Toyota Land Cruiser gives a sense that it will never let you down.
Sure, it may be more niche, and on-road manners will not match what Land Rover has to offer in terms of refinement, but in terms of dependability, the Land Cruiser takes some beating.
Search Used Toyota Land CruiserLand Rover Range Rover
If you are after the textbook luxury off-roader, look no further. The iconic Range Rover is a status symbol worldwide, thanks to its iconic heritage, its cult status with the rich and famous, and of course, its sheer ability to provide an ultra luxurious driving experience on the road, something some SUVs can struggle with, offering a less refined ride.
But if you want your all-wheel drive SUV with ultra refinement, then the Range Rover is the textbook choice. And, even if many Range Rovers will never see any type of off-roading, it is nice to know that, if you wanted to, you could make light work of any terrain. Like the Defender, there are some epic versions too, with V8 engines and even a fully-electric version.
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Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Another proper off-roader with amazing heritage. The G-Class, or G-Wagen to many, is another excellent all-purpose SUV that is decent on the road, too, thanks to Mercedes-Benz refinement and class.
Tracing its history back to 1979, today's 'G-Wagen' still features the same boxy silhouette, albeit polished and perfected, with a digital, cutting-edge, typically Mercedes-Benz interior.
If you want that extra bit of excitement, there is also an AMG version with over 500bhp and a characterful V8 engine. After all, if you want the complete package, a V8, all-wheel drive, refinement, cutting-edge tech, and retro coolness, then the G-Wagen is hard to beat.
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Another icon in the 4x4 world, the Jeep Wrangler traces its roots back to the 1940s, whilst the Wrangler name came along in the 1980s. Take one look at the Wrangler, though, and the iconic round headlights and slated grille hark back to the original Willys Jeep.
As you can see, there is somewhat of a theme here, as all our picks have quite the history, and a substantial heritage, but with these 4x4s, heritage and history are all part of why these are the best of the best.
The Wrangler keeps hold of its retro looks and delivers them in a perfect modern evolution. And, the off-road performance has evolved too, ensuring the Jeep Wrangler is yet another textbook off-road king.
Search Used Jeep WranglerLand Rover Discovery
A hat trick for Land Rover in our list, with the Discovery joining the Defender and Range Rover. Put simply, Land Rover makes some of the world's best off-roaders, and the Discovery, also known as 'Disco' to many, is yet another one.
It is not as luxurious as the Range Rover, but it does offer a more practical seven-seat option. It is more luxurious than the more utilitarian Defender, although calling the Defender utilitarian is only really comparable to other Land Rovers, as it is still more luxurious than most in this list.
Back to the Discovery, if you want a more luxurious Land Rover, but do not want a Range Rover, the Discovery may just be exactly what you are looking for.
Search New Land Rover Discovery Search Used Land Rover DiscoveryPorsche 911 Dakar
A Porsche 911? As an off-road vehicle? Launched in late 2022, Porsche gave the world the 911 Dakar, which pays homage to Porsche models that have won the famous Dakar rally, also known as the Paris-Dakar rally.
Sure, it is the most impractical on our list, as it is not an SUV, but if you like the idea of a raised sports car, which will delight the keen drivers out there, then the 911 Dakar is a unique option for sure.
Not as practical, perhaps, but you can still use the roof rack for transporting anything you may need, if you fancy going on your own Paris Dakar-style road trip. And for sheer coolness, the Dakar gets a solid ten, as the idea of a sports car turned into a car that can take on tougher terrain is a trick for sure.
Search New Porsche 911 Search Used Porshe 911Dacia Duster
The original Dacia Duster came along in 2010 and was a proper utilitarian affair, but this was part of its charm and no-nonsense approach to an SUV that could actually off off-road, when choosing the all-wheel drive version, of course.
Today, the Duster is a much more polished affair, but it is still affordable and a great buy for those on a budget. It features more sophisticated styling and comes with mild hybrid technology.
To get four-wheel drive, you need to opt for the 'Expression' trim or higher, but there is certainly charm in its enhanced simplicity.
Search Used Dacia DusterFord Ranger
Perhaps your job has you visiting building sites and clients who live off the beaten track; the Ford Ranger ensures neither will be a problem when selecting a four-wheel drive version. And if you do not want all-wheel drive, you can put the Ranger into a rear-wheel drive mode.
As press photos go, the Ranger Raptor version, pictured above, gives you a detailed insight into the Ranger's character, and its all-round ability. Sure, in the UK, pick-up trucks are not as popular as they are in the US, but the Ranger is without doubt the UK's favourite, with not much in terms of competition.
It is easy to see why it is so dominant, it is practical, durable, loaded with kit, and is a great all-rounder, that can turn into a family hack when not at work. The all-wheel drive go anywhere character also means family life will be much easier, too.
Search Used Ford RangerSuzuki Jimny
Unveiled in 2018, the latest version of the Suzuki Jimny continues the car's impressive legacy, which can be traced back to 1970. It is by far the most utilitarian example in our list, but that is part of its charm.
It has a small wheelbase, meaning off-road, it punches well above its weight. Sure, it is no Range Rover on the road, but again, it is all part of this little 4x4's charm.
When launched, the Jimny was hot property, due to its chicness, price point, and its sheer capability. Like the Defender, commercial versions proved popular and suited their workhorse nature. If you like the idea of a Defender, but cannot quite budget for one, the Jimny could be a more attainable move, which will still give you plenty of fun off-road, if not as sophisticated on it.
Search Used Suzuki JimnyFind your perfect off-roader with Stratstone
No matter what off-road vehicle you are after, here at Stratstone, we represent some of the world's most sought-after SUV and off-road manufacturers. Discover our new car deals, or why not take a look at our used offers, too.
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