11 Trucks and SUVs Great for Off-Roading

Colorado Climb Lineup ・ Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

Have you ever gazed upon a shiny new 4x4 pickup truck or an all-wheel-drive crossover, glistening in the lights of the shopping mall parking lot, and stopped to wonder how it might fare when driven far off the beaten path? The inaugural Colorado Climb off-roading event in Breckenridge, Colorado, answered that question with a unique opportunity to get dirty with a carefully chosen set of AWD crossovers and serious 4x4s, put to the test on a pair of demanding mountain trails, climbing to an elevation over 11,500 feet.

The list of entries included most of the usual off-roading masters, although Ford and Land Rover did not participate and the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 was sadly missing from the roster. While there were no posers, the squadron split into two squads, based vehicle capabilities.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring

My introduction to the 2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring started at the Denver International Airport, where I picked up the handsome cruiser for the scenic two-hour drive to Breckenridge. The CX-9 soaked up the highway miles as we wound our way through the mountains on I-70.

With 20-inch alloy wheels and P255/50 R20 tires, the CX-9 was relegated to the easier trails the next day, but the CX-9’s G-Vectoring Control delivered reliable traction to all four wheels throughout. While the CX-9 has 8.8 inches of ground clearance, downhill segments required extra care to avoid scraping the front air dam. An overall length of 199.4 inches added to the challenge on tight trails.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Ram 1500 Rebel Quad Cab 4X4

Our bright red RAM 1500 Rebel was among the most aggressive four-wheelers in the fleet. The Rebel was in its element and clad with trail-appropriate 17-inch alloys wrapped with 33-inch Toyo Open Country on-off road tires. The 4X4 Off-Road Group, which is optional on most other Ram 1500s, is standard on the Rebel. It includes an electric locking differential, as well as performance tuned Bilstein shock absorbers. Skid plates are standard beneath the transfer case, fuel tank, and transmission.

A 3.92 rear axle ratio is exclusive to the Rebel, and Ram’s class-leading Four-Corner air-suspension system is available. With a starting MSRP roughly 10 percent less than the Ford F-150 Raptor, the Ram Rebel is the obvious choice for 4x4 owners that prefer a naturally aspirated Hemi V8 over the Ford's turbocharged V6.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite 4X4

The trail-rated Cherokee Trailhawk Elite earned a spot in the elite of four wheelers tackling the tougher set of trails. The Trailhawk was up to the task, with standard skid plates, an off-road suspension system, Jeep Active Drive Lock (with a mechanical locking differential), Selec-Speed Control, and electronic hill-descent control.

Take a gander at the Trailhawk’s beak. While the little 4x4’s ground clearance of 8.7 inches sits in the middle of the pack, its approach angle of 29.9 degrees, breakover angle of 22.9 degrees, and departure angle of 32.2 degrees set it apart from the crowd. I landed extra seat time in the Cherokee Trailhawk on the two-hour drive from Breckenridge back to Denver International Airport. The trip hammed it home. If you need a small SUV that can handle it all, the Trailhawk makes the short list.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Honda Pilot AWD Elite

Honda has taken a new interest in off-roading with the introduction of the 2019 Pilot, and the Colorado Climb proved the three-row SUV’s capabilities on the more casual set of trails. An Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel drive system with snow, sand, and mud modes is standard on the Elite trim.

The Pilot has an approach angle of 19.7 degrees, a departure angle of 20.8 degrees, and 7.3 inches of ground clearance. The intelligent traction management system handled the lighter trail with ease, but the Elite’s standard 245/50 R20 tires are not optimal for serious trails. If off-roading is part of your routine, you will do well to opt for one of the less-expensive Pilot trim levels, clad with 245/60 R18 tires.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 GMC Sierra AT4 Crew Cab Short Box

Off-roading the brand new 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 was a treat. This is a serious 4x4. The four-wheel drive system features a two-speed transfer case with a locking rear differential, a traction select system, and hill descent control. A factory suspension lift with Rancho monotube shock absorbers gives the AT4 two additional inches of height over the standard Sierra while also improving the approach and departure angles.

10.8 inches of ground clearance ties the AT4 with the Jeep Wrangler, and the GMC's underbelly is well-protected with standard skid plates on the oil pan, differential, and transfer case, as well as the front underbody. The AT4’s cabin is luxurious and filled with tech, including a heads-up display that provides an off-road inclinometer. It's a big ticket, no doubt about it, but the Multi-Pro tailgate, with a built-in Kicker speaker system, is like nothing else on the market.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec

The Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec was a blast to drive in the loose stuff, but it took considerable care to pick through the rockier segments, due to its wheel and tire combo. With a compact overall length of 186.8 inches, it was one of the easiest vehicles to position on the trail, and the SH-AWD system delivered power to each corner with precision.

The A-Spec is fitted with low-profile 255/40 R20 high-performance all-season tires. Not exactly what you want your four-wheeler to be wearing off-road. (The standard model RDX SH-AWD wears 235/55 R19s.) Acura reports 8.2 inches of ground clearance, but it doesn't publish approach and departure angles. With a bit of lift and a more appropriate set of shoes, Acura could play a whole new card.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Lexus LX570

While some may fault the Lexus LX570 for being long in the tooth, its legendary Toyota Land Cruiser platform is well proven and indisputably capable. By the luck of the draw, I landed in the jumbo lux wagon for one of the more challenging segments of the day, as the trail wound through a series of tight downhill turns carved into the mountainside. Lapping up all that luxury while navigating the lavishly appointed barge through extreme terrain was a rare treat.

The LX570 provides 8.9 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 25 degrees, a breakover angle of 23 degrees, and a departure angle of 20 degrees. While the overall length of 200 inches added to the challenge, I had no issues picking its way through the rocks with the air suspension system fully raised. Off-roading the Lexus LX570 was a huge check on my bucket list.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Kia Sorento SXL AWD

The seven-passenger Kia Sorento SXL was one of the more surprising entries in the fleet, as the spec sheet raised a caution flag. The Sorento had the least ground clearance of the pack, with just 7.3 inches, along with an approach angle of 16.9 degrees and a departure angle of 21 degrees.

But its full-time all-wheel drive system provided plenty of capability, with torque on demand and a locking center differential. It delivered reliable traction throughout the climb. An overall length of 189 inches gave it a slight edge in maneuverability when pitted against the Honda Pilot, and the rivals' V6 engine outputs were similarly matched, with 290 horsepower for the Sorento and 280 hp for the Pilot. If you’re in the market for a three-row, you’ll want to drive these two back-to-back.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer

2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab 4X4

While the RAM 1500 Longhorn edged out the GMC Sierra AT4 as the most luxurious pickup truck in the Colorado Climb squadron, it traveled the less-difficult trails, mainly due to the truck’s power side steps, as well as its 20x9 inch alloys, wrapped with 275/55R20 all-season tires.

The 1500 has a minimum ground clearance of 8.7 inches, but our tester was equipped with Ram’s splendid optional Four-Corner air suspension system, which adds lift at the push of a button. In the Off Road 2 position, it achieves an approach angle of 23.1 degrees, a breakover angle of 23.5 degrees, and a departure angle of 27.3 degrees. Although skid plates are a prime component of the protection and off-road option groups, our Longhorn test vehicle lacked either package.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

The 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma TRD Off-Road was in its element on the trails at Breckenridge. Climbing into the Tacoma’s cabin is always an immediate reminder of its uniqueness. While the seating position is not for everyone, the truck’s off-road capability is undeniable.

The part-time 4WDemand drivetrain features four high and four low, along with Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a locking rear differential. The wheel and tire combo provides plenty of sidewall, with 265/70R16 tires wrapping 16-inch alloys. Rockier segments were a breeze with the TRD’s 9.4 inches of ground clearance, approach angle of 32 degrees, breakover angle of 23.5 degrees, and departure angle of 21 degrees. An overall length of 212.3 inches made it the easiest pickup to maneuver through the tighter segments. The TRD Off-Road delivered the most bang for the 4x4 buck in the fleet, with a starting MSRP of $33,500 before options.

Photo by Nathan Leach-Proffer