Lately cars have gone soft as pickups and SUVs have prioritized comfort and fuel economy over all-out off-road capabilities. For majority of buyers this is a good thing. However, many truck and SUV buyers still prefer the thrill of romping in the mud. The following are three examples of best SUV’s for towing and off-road.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
In 2003, a collection of hardcore off-road duty parts were combined in the TJ version of Jeep Wrangler. This made it as if every dream for a four-wheeler list of components were built in Jeep’s platform. And for more than a decade the Wrangler Rubicon has been the four wheel drive SUV benchmark.
The current package has hardware like a sway bar disconnect system, 4:1 transfer case for simple slow-speed crawling and Dana 44 axles. The former frees up suspension when the Rubicon needs additional suspension flex on extreme trails. The 2015 model has a new Hard Rock version that includes blacked-out trim, rock rails for protecting the body tub sides, red tow hooks and tough bumpers with removable end caps. Additionally, the 2015 Wrangler receives a new Torx tool kit. It includes all the tools you may need to remove bumper end caps, doors and even roofs.
Toyota 4Runner
Better known as the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, this is a vehicle that has Toyota’s reputation for off-road excellence. The new TRD pro package was added in 2015 to the Toyota 4runner. Because of the flexy coil-link rear suspension and its size, this vehicle may be the most effective and capable of off-road Toyotas in the market. It is also a good drive on the street.
The 4Runner trail package comes with the company’s excellent Craw Control and a locking rear differential. The crawl control is basically an off-road cruise control system. Remote reservoir Bilstein shocks and taller Eibach coils replace the suspension. At both ends the new suspension allows for an additional inch of wheel travel. The car also has a higher ground clearance thank to the All-Terrain BF Goodrich 265/75 R 16 tires which are wrapped around tough looking faux beadlock wheels. All these features make the vehicle a very competitive option especially at a cost of as low as $36,400.
Nissan Xterra Pro-4X
Nissan has had a stagnant SUV line-up that recently got a shakeup. It has come up with a Pro-4X package that is available in three models; Xterra, Frontier and Titan. The Xterra has been the manufacturer’s most capable vehicle since it was launched in the United States about 15 years ago. The Nissan Xterra Pro-4 is one of the few of-road friendly SUVs in the market today. At the core of the car is the standard rear locking differential. Equipment included in the vehicle is hill start assist and hill descent assist. This will prevent you from rolling forward or backward on a steep decline and incline respectively.
These three vehicles have been found to be the best for towing and off-road use. They are also good for city or normal travelling use.