Faithful Steed: The Best Adventure Vehicles You Can Buy Off The Lot

‘Adventure vehicle’ is kind of a big term to be throwing around. And we’re sure that there are a lot of different definitions that fit the bill. For us, however, it’s a fairly specific genre of vehicle, boasting equal parts versatility, durability, dependability, and go-anywhere capability. With the outdoor season just a few months down the road, right now is the perfect time to acquire a new expedition-ready rig and kit it out for the upcoming year. As such, now is also seemingly the perfect time for us to take a deep dive into this unique segment, breaking down what defines these machines and what to look for and consider when shopping for one — all before diving into our picks for the best adventure vehicles you can currently buy. 

While it can admittedly be a little subjective, there are certain traits and qualities that pretty much any decent adventure vehicle should have. For starters, these machines need to feature engines that are powerful enough to push them through deep sand, mud, and other rugged terrain, as well as some type of four-wheel or all-wheel drive capabilities. Storage space for both passengers and gear is another absolute must for any adventure vehicle, as is solid go-anywhere capabilities. Upgradability and modularity are also traits that an ideal adventure vehicle should feature, along with ample range and stellar reliability, as the last thing you want is to get stranded deep in off-grid territory. As such, adventure vehicles can range from everything from compact pickups to crossovers to full-size SUVs.

Now that you’re up to speed on just what exactly an adventure vehicle is and should have, let’s jump into our mini guide to the most pivotal areas to consider when shopping for one. 

Powertrain: As the heart of the rig, the powertrain is always of extreme importance when shopping for an adventure vehicle. When reviewing this area you’ll want to consider the engine’s size, number of cylinders, layout, and whether it features any type of hybrid drive system, turbocharger, or supercharger. It’s also crucial to review the type of transmission that a powertrain features. 

Power Output: Additionally, you’ll also want to look into the mill’s power output — more specifically, its horsepower and torque figures. While supercar-levels of horsepower and torque are by no means necessary, you do want enough power and oomph to easily negotiate obstacles, climb steep gradients, and blast through other harsh off-road terrain. 

Power Delivery: How much power a vehicle makes is of major importance, but so too is how that power is transmitted to the ground — making power delivery another vital area to review when shopping. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to opt for a vehicle with a four-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive configuration in order to conquer tough terrain and gain markedly better traction and grip.  

Off-Road Capabilities: A monumental part of what makes any car, truck, or sport utility vehicle model conducive to use as an adventure vehicle is their off-road capabilities — making this easily one of the most important areas to review when shopping. When examining this aspect of an adventure vehicle, you’ll want to review it total ground clearance, suspension travel, wading depth, and approach, break-over, and departure angles. 

Off-Road Parts: With more and more auto-makers offering factory-built trim levels focused on off-roading and overlanding, it’s become increasingly commonplace to see models fitted with items such as snorkels, skid plates, steel bumpers, fender flares, rooftop ladders, roof racks, auxiliary lighting, rock sliders, spare wheel carriers, and winches, straight from the factory — though these items are also commonly offered as available factory upgrades, options, or add-ons. 

Storage: Any proper adventure vehicle should have plenty of storage space in order to accommodate your passengers and gear. When examining this aspect of an adventure vehicle, you’ll want to look at the number of seats, and the vehicle’s total storage space — the latter of which is often measured in cubic feet. It’s also worth noting that the vast majority of vehicles can be fitted with aftermarket roof-mounted cargo box. 

Modularity: While some individuals simply enjoy exploring off-road trails and reaching far-off destinations, others utilize their adventure vehicles as a means of bolstering other outdoor hobbies such as mountain biking or kayaking. If you happen to fall into this latter category, than you’ll definitely want to explore a given model’s level of modularity, and whether it can be outfitted with any available accessories or racks to accommodate your particular lifestyle, interest, or hobby. 

Upgradability: Another manner in which some adventure vehicles can massively differ from model to model is in the availability of aftermarket components. If you plan on further building out and upgrading your new rig, you’ll no doubt want to look into the range of available aftermarket parts currently being offered. It’s worth pointing out that this can sometimes be a drawback to opting for a brand-new generation of a model, as they’ll almost always be lacking in available aftermarket parts when compared to popular models that have been on the market in their current generation for a few years. 

Range: Without any gas stations or the ability to simply call AAA to have some extra fuel dropped off, exploring off-grid territory means piloting a vehicle that features a large fuel cell, and decent enough fuel economy to allow for ample autonomy when exploring off-grid. As a result, you’ll want to review both an adventure vehicle’s mileage, and the size of its tank. You can also always opt to bring along extra fuel in RotopaX cells or jerry cans in order to increase an adventure vehicle’s range. 

Weight: Weight is also of pretty extreme importance when looking at any adventure vehicle. While all of these machines will be somewhat heavy, those exceeding 3 tons are much more likely to suffer catastrophic damage with only one slight misstep while off-roading or crawling — plus are much harder to upright and/or recover when things do go sideways. 

Dependability: When far off the beaten path, the last thing you want to experience is some type of vehicle failure or malfunction. For this reason, it’s imperative to purchase an adventure vehicle from a manufacturer with a proven track record of churning out reliable vehicles. On top of hugely decreasing your chances of breaking down while off-grid, dependability will also play a major role in the cost — and frequency — of maintenance and repairs. 

Subaru Outback Wilderness

Best Cross-Over: While some manufacturers have a tendency to nickel and dime customers with steep fees for optional add-ons needed to fully unlock a vehicle’s potential, the Subaru Outback Wilderness takes things in a different direction, with this crossover model featuring stupendous bang for your buck, and a wealth of noteworthy features that all come as standard.

This laundry-list of highlights includes vehicle dynamics control, active torque vectoring, a four-wheel independent raised suspension, 9.5” of ground clearance, symmetrical all-wheel drive, a full-size spare, steering-responsive LED headlights, hexagonal LED fog-lamps, hill descent control, an advanced traction control system, an anti-glare hood, new reinforced roof rails, a skid plate, front and rear bumpers that have been redesigned to afford increased approach and departure angles, an enhanced X-MODE, and a tech-laden interior that’s trimmed in water-repellent StarTex upholstery. At the heart of this adventure vehicle is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine cranking out 260hp and 277ft-bs of torque — enough to take on all but the harshest of off-road terrains. 

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Best Pickup Truck: Packing a turbocharged 2.7-liter engine cranking out over 300hp, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an immensely capable mid-size pickup that combines solid off-road performance with impressive workhorse capabilities. Riding on 17” aluminum wheels shod in 33” OD MT tires, the ZR2-spec Colorado features electronic selectable locking front and rear differentials, five selectable drive modes including Baja, Off-Road, Terrain, and Tow/Haul modes, Chevy’s new StowFlex Tailgate, a rocker panel protector, aluminum performance skid plates, a 3” factory-installed lift with high-performance suspension setup paired with segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers — all as standard.

What’s more, the interior of the truck also comes loaded with available heated and ventilated seats, dual 11” displays, and an off-road performance display relaying feeds from the Chevy’s optional 10-camera system. The bed of the truck also serves as the perfect platform for loading up with storage boxes, gear, a rail system, racks, a camper or cargo top, or a roof-top tent. 

Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Best Mid-Sized SUV: If you like the idea of getting a super-reliable Toyota, but you’re not keen on the lack of interior cargo space offered by the Tacoma, then your best bet is absolutely going to be the 4Runner. Not only is it offered with the same TRD Pro badging and associated off-road capability, but it also comes with 17” TRD-specific alloy wheels, a TRD-stamped aluminum front skid plate, TRD x FOX high-performance shocks, TRD-tuned front springs, a TRD roof rack, Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Monitor feature with crawl control, an electronic locking rear differential, a generous 88.8 cubic feet of storage space, and a 4.0-liter V6 engine that’s good for a 270hp and 278ft-lbs of torque.

And if it helps your decision, the 4Runner has also recently won the Kelley Blue Book award for best midsize-SUV resale value. The immense popularity of the 4Runner has also given way to an enormous selection of available aftermarket upgrades, ranging from performance parts to overlanding gear. 

Toyota Land Cruiser

Best Full-Size SUV: Moving on to the newest model on this list we have the freshly-revealed Toyota Land Cruiser. Technically a 250-series, this new full-size SUV features the Japanese marque’s new hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain in the form of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-banger with a hybrid drive system, a generous 6,000-pound towing capacity, and an output of 326hp and 465ft-lbs of torque. Boasting unmistakable retro-inspired styling, the new Land Cruiser also benefits from full-time four-wheel-drive, an available set of beefy 33” tires, optional electronically-locking rear and center differentials, an available stabilizer disconnect mechanism, and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Monitor feature with crawl control.

And, while exact pricing has yet to be revealed for this new model, Toyota has confirmed that its MSRP will start in the mid-$50,000 range. It’s also worth noting that the fact that this is an all-new generation of vehicle, the new Land Cruiser will be massively lacking in aftermarket availability compared to the rest of the models on this list. 

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X

Most Modular Pick: Much likes similar, pickup-style sibling, the Gladiator, the Jeep Wrangler is an obvious choice when seeking out a proper modern adventure vehicle — the marque’s high-end Rubicon X-spec even more so. Offering solid spec in its stock form, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X features a plethora of noteworthy highlights all coming as standard including a more than 1,300-pound payload capacity, 17” aluminum wheels, a trailing arm rear suspension and a leading link unit up front, all-LED lighting, and a suite of retro-inspired bodywork that’s crafted from a hardwearing amalgamation of galvanized steel, aluminum, and magnesium.

The model’s 21.5-gallon tank and a combined 18-mpg fuel economy also afford the Wrangler Rubicon X almost 400 miles of autonomy on a single tank. In addition to its go-anywhere capabilities which are bolstered by its  10.8” of ground clearance and generally super-rugged build quality, what really makes the Wrangler Rubicon X so special is its incredibly modular nature, and the fact there the Wrangler boasts an unparalleled selection of available upgrades, both directly from the factory and through a bevy of leading aftermarket companies. 

Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound

Best Luxury Pick: With ultra-plush seating, nearly 90 cubic feet of collective storage space, and some genuinely impressive stock off-road capabilities, the Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound is unequivocally your best option for a premium luxury adventure vehicle. Powered by a turbocharged, mild-hybrid 3.0-liter P400 straight-six engine putting down around 400hp and affording a tow-rating of 8,200lbs, the Defender 130 Outbound benefits from the use of an advanced electronic air suspension setup with adaptive dynamics that enables it to achieve a up to 11.5” clearance, 35.4” of wading depths, and approach, break-over, and departure angles of 37.5° , 27.8°, and 28.5°.

This luxury full-size SUV also gets a set of roof rails, fog lights, LED headlights with automatic leveling, and 20″ Style 5095 wheels wrapped in advanced All-Terrain Tires, a 3D surround camera unit , a wade sensing system, an electronic active differential, Land Rover’s Configurable Terrain Response system, and live tire pressure monitoring. Land Rover also makes several adventure-focused upgrade packages that are available for the Defender 130 Outbound, such as the Explorer Pack (seen in the photo above), which features front and rear mudflaps, an expedition roof rack, a raised air intake, a matte black hood decal, and an exterior side-mounted gear carrier. 

Ford Bronco Raptor

Best High-Performance Pick: If one were to take one of the Blue Oval’s already-rugged new Bronco SUVs and treat it to an expansive series of upgrades to bolster its performance and go-anywhere prowess, the results would almost certainly look a whole lot like the Ford Bronco Raptor. This high-performance model’s laundry-list of adventure-focused amenities include a skid plate, Raptor-exclusive grille design, a vented hood, rock sliders, and massively flared fenders that open up space for the Bronco Raptor’s 17” alloy wheels and super-beefy 37” all-terrain tires — and the 13” of travel they offer out front, and the even more generous 14” afforded in the rear.

It doesn’t end there, however, as the thing also boasts an advanced 4×4 setup with automatic on-demand engagement, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, electronic-locking axles front and rear, a hill start assist feature, and a top-of-the-line Raptor HOSS 4.0 suspension system with FOX Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass semi-activbe dampers. These pieces of hardware contribute to the vehicle’s 13.1” of ground clearance, 37” wading depths, and approach, break-over, and departure angles of 47.2°, 30.8°, and 40.5°, respectively. Mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission with Trail Control, the Bronco Raptor is powered by a Raptor-tuned twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 putting down 418hp and 440ft-lbs of torque. 

Rivian R1S Quad Motor AWD

Best All-Electric Pick: The Rivian R1S Quad Motor AWD is less an all-electric SUV and more of a full-fledged, go-anywhere lifestyle machine aimed at individuals with adventurous outdoor and action sports hobbies. Guided by a state-of-the-art system backed by 11 cameras, five radars, and a dozen ultra-sonic sensors, the R1S features an advanced all-wheel-drive system, no less than 3’ of wading depths, a generous towing capacity of 7,700lbs, a crossbar cargo rack system, a range of between up to 320 miles on a single charge, and a ride height adjustable between 8.8” and 14.9”.

This fully-electric rig also benefits from a total of nine different drive modes including snow, all-terrain, rally, rock crawl, soft sand, sport, and drift modes. In its quad-motor trim, the R1S is able to put down a mind-boggling 835hp and 908ft-lbs of torque, ultimately enabling it to reach 60mph from a complete standstill in just 3 seconds flat — placing it on par with a great many of today’s finest sportscars and supercars. Another major part of what makes this model so special and so ideal for adventure use is the fact that Rivian offers a wide range of available lifestyle-focused add-ons and accessories to accommodate all sorts of different interests, applications, and lifestyles. 

KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

Best Adventure Motorcycle: Engineered from the ground up for long-range, on-road and off-road exploration, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is a big-bore Austrian-built adventure bike that makes for something of the ultimate solo adventure vehicle. Constructed around a powder-coated chrome-moly tubular space frame chassis, the 1290 SA-R is kicked along by KTM’s 160-hp 1,301cc LC8 V-Twin engine and features a 6.1-gallon three-part tank, a TFT display, a cutting-edge suite of electronics and rider aids, 9.5” of ground clearance, and a 21” front, 18” rear spoked wheel-set that offers 8.7” of travel fore and aft, thanks to WP XPLOR suspension items at both ends. What’s more, on top of sporting a set of hand guards, a skid plate, and crash bars all as standard, the bike is also offered with a massive bevy of available upgrades straight from the factory including LED auxiliary lights and an available suite of hard Touratech adventure luggage and cases. 

The Best Electric Off-Road Vehicles for Outdoor Adventure

Want to check out an additional selection of go-anywhere machines? Then be sure to cruise over to our guide to the best electric off-road vehicles for a handpicked list of today’s most rugged and off-grid-ready EVs.