Trying to find the best off-road vehicles to buy in 2019? Look no further.
Off-roading is all about jumping into nature and going where your feet can’t take you. In this article, we’re going to look at what makes a great off-road vehicle and pick 8 of the best off-road vehicles in 2019.
The key to personal liberation lies in the epic construction of these state-of-the-art marvels of engineering. Let’s find out which is the best one for you.
What Makes the Best Off-Road Vehicles?
So, what qualities do you need in a vehicle to make it the best for off-roading? Is it size? Torque? Clearance? All of the above? Let’s find out what you need to look for when purchasing your next toy.
Clearance
The ground clearance of the vehicle is really important when it comes to off-roading. Basically, more is better. The more ground clearance you have, the more easily your vehicle can climb over obstacles.
Typically, about 9 inches of ground clearance (distance between the ground and the bottom of your vehicle) is appropriate for a good off-road vehicle.
Visibility
The amount and power of the lighting on the vehicle is another huge factor. If you can’t see well at night, you’ll find yourself in trouble. Many off-road vehicles come packed with LED lights to guide you in the dark of the bush.
You don’t want to find out that you needed extra lighting when you’re out there, so it’s good to factor this in when purchasing. If a vehicle has sold you on everything else but has bad lighting, you can always purchase your own, however.
Size & Torque
Weight reduction is important for offroading. The heavier you are, the more difficult it is to get over obstacles. Lighter vehicles overcome obstacles better, are easier to control on rough terrain, and have a lower center of gravity.
When it comes to torque, more isn’t always better. If you aren’t equipped with off-road tires and a lightweight vehicle, you could end up just spinning your tires. More torque makes it much easier to ride on rough terrain without feeling like you’re destroying your vehicle.
The Best Off-Road Vehicles in 2019
Now that we know what makes a great off-road vehicle, let’s look at some of the best options this year. 2019 is sure to be a great year for off-roading if these incredible pieces of machinery are any indication.
1. Jeep Gladiator
The 2019 Jeep Gladiator is the longest Wrangler ever made and maybe the only 4-door convertible pickup that we’ve seen. The Gladiator has over 7,600 pounds of towing capacity, which blows past Wranglers out of the water.
This thing is packed with features, including additional LED lights, a 5-foot steel bed, and tons of storage for long excursions.
The true highlight of the Gladiator series is the sheer customizability. It’s got dozens of options for additional features that can make your off-road experience unforgettable.
2. Ford Raptor
Ford built the 2019 Raptor for off-road enthusiasts and them only. New features include “Jump Mode”, which detects when the Raptor is off the ground, then turns up its compression damping to brace for impact, allowing the Raptor to avoid bottoming out on big jumps.
The “trail-control” feature is like cruise control for off-roaders. You can adjust the speed then the Raptor takes it from there while the driver focuses on steering. If you set the speed to 1 mph, the Raptor sends power just to the wheels, great for getting unstuck in your travels.
3. Ram Rebel TRX
The Ram Rebel TRX looks every bit the part of an off-road beast. Its massive 37-inch tires give you all the clearance you could ever hope for. Word on the street is that this thing can cruise at speeds up to 100 mph off road.
The Rebel TRX is basically a souped up version of a Ram 1500. The 575 hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine is somehow going to be upgraded with next year’s 707 hp version.
4. Mercedes-Benz G550
Why mess with the classics? The G550 by Mercedes-Benz has a similar look to its predecessors but there are some subtle changes with this model.
The front fascia is rounded and aerodynamic, unlike previous models. The 9.5 inches of ground clearance that you get is more than enough to tackle any off-road bumps and rocks.
The new independent front suspension is a departure from the solid front axle of previous models and gives it the aforementioned ground clearance.
5. Land Rover Discovery SVX
British SUV manufacturer Land Rover left the off-road world behind when it retired the Defender in 2016. But, with the Discovery SVX, some of the off-road spirit of Land Rover still remains.
Improved approach and departure angles, locking rear-deferential, and high sidewall tires are great for off-roading through the mud and debris.
6. Toyota 4-Runner
Toyota’s 4-Runner is the perfect off-road vehicle that comes at an affordable price. It’s got a truck-like build that gives it tons of ground clearance and a huge amount of storage space, for long journeys.
While this vehicle’s performance suffers on the highway because of the attention paid to off-road capabilities, the crawl control, multi-terrain select, and locking rear-differential features more than make up for it if you’re an outdoors person.
7. Sprinter 4×4
Hear us out. If you’ve ever seen a Mercedes Sprinter, you probably won’t think “wow, that’s a great off-road vehicle”, but you’d be wrong. The new customizable AWD version of the sprinter comes in at 190 hp with 324 lb-ft of torque. These numbers probably won’t blow an off-road expert away.
However, the Sprinter comes with loads of other features that make it the most road-trip friendly vehicle on the market. You can pre-heat and check the fuel levels remotely, use the interior WiFi hotspot, and employ the incredible driving aid features to make your long-haul trip a good time.
8. Nissan Titan
Last but not least, the Nissan Titan comes in the normal model or the XD model. The smaller Titan is much better for off-roading. The optional Pro-4X package gives you off-road dampers, all-terrain tires, a radiator skid plate, electronic rear locking differential, and hill-descent control.
All of these things, along with the off-road gauge that displays pitch and roll angles, allow you to make the best of your off-road experience.
Pick Your Poison
There you have it. These are our picks for the best off-road vehicles that money can buy in 2019. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in this list, but maybe you’re still unfulfilled. Do some of your own research to match your needs with what the vehicle offers.
The time is now to make your getaway. Don’t hesitate to buy your off-road vehicle now and ride out 2019 in style.
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