Cars

Midsize Off-Road SUV Comparisons

Midsize off-road SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser are built differently from crossovers. They use body-on-frame construction (the body sits on a separate ladder frame, the way a pickup truck is built) and pair it with four-wheel-drive systems designed for rough trails rather than just slippery roads. The payoff is toughness off pavement and higher towing capacity; the cost is usually ride comfort, gas mileage and a taller step into the cabin.

When you compare these vehicles, look first at the four-wheel-drive hardware. A part-time system with a low-range gear is made for crawling over rocks and through deep sand, while a full-time system stays engaged on every surface, which can be reassuring when conditions change mid-drive. Locking differentials, off-road driving modes, skid plates and all-terrain tires are usually tied to specific trims, so check what the version you are considering actually includes.

Ground clearance decides what the underbody can clear, and towing ratings in this class sit well above what most crossovers offer, but they can change with engine and trim, so confirm the figure for your configuration.

Powertrains increasingly use turbocharged four-cylinders and hybrids in place of older V6 and V8 engines. Torque matters more than horsepower here, since low-speed pulling power is what moves a loaded vehicle up a trail or a trailer up a grade. Be honest about how you will use it: if you rarely leave pavement, a crossover will usually ride more smoothly and use less gas, but if you do head off-road, the body-on-frame design is exactly what you are paying for.

20 comparisons · 7 products