10 Best Outdoor SUVs

2017 Land Rover Discovery ・ Photo by Land Rover

Though they have become fashion accessories for the street, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were born to be heavily utilized - and that has always included off-road capability. The combination of all-wheel drive, good ground clearance, comfortable two or three-row passenger carrying capacity, and an enclosed cargo hold, make SUVs ideal vehicles for the great outdoors. On our list of SUVs, the models we selected excel in off road fun, making them our top choices for rugged adventures.

Presented here, in alphabetical order by brand, are the 10 Best Outdoor SUVs.

2017 Jeep Wrangler

When it comes to rugged outdoor SUVs, nobody does it like the 2017 Jeep Wrangler. Tracing its roots back to WW II, the short-wheelbase Wrangler comes in with excellent ground clearance, a very compliant suspension with plenty of articulation, a V6 engine and all the right pieces in all the right places. A robust aftermarket makes it possible to customize the Wrangler with bolt-ons that can make it into the perfect vehicle for you. It may not be the fastest or most comfortable model on our list, but it is one of the best outdoor SUVs ever made.

Photo by Jeep

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee returns with mild upgrades this year. And for us to include a second Jeep vehicle on our list demonstrates just how important Jeep SUVs are for this category and the great outdoors. Don’t be fooled by the near-luxury feature set that gets included with each Grand Cherokee – this is one of the best outdoor SUVs available. The Trailhawk trim level is the sweet spot here, equipped with 4-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels and a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine as standard equipment. The torque-happy Pentastar is a great choice for off-roading (it’s the same engine that comes as standard equipment on the Wrangler,) and if towing is in your future, you can upgrade to the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to make your outdoor excursions even easier.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover’s lineup rivals Jeep’s for the best off-roading ability from top to bottom. The all-new 2017 Land Rover Discovery replaces the highly capable LR4, retaining that vehicle’s excellent capability with a more modern style and a passenger-friendly interior. Land Rover’s Terrain Response system assures that the Discovery will always be in the right setup to get the most out of the environment, whether that is sand, ice, snow, rocks or just plain old pavement. The Discovery’s combination of capability, luxury, performance, and handling are some of the many reasons this vehicle made the list.

Photo by Land Rover

2017 Lexus LX 570

The 2017 Lexus LX 570 is at the pinnacle of Lexus lineup, an SUV flagship that brings luxury, all-terrain capability and exceptional reliability to the party. Driving an LX gives you a command driving position along with pleasantly serene road manners, making it an excellent long-distance cruiser that can get through the rough patches with ease. Sharing a platform and many parts with the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX is capable of taking you all the way from Point A to Point B in comfort and style, even if some of the journeys between points require Active Height Control, Multi-Terrain Select, Variable Gear-Ratio Steering, and Crawl Control.

Photo by Lexus

2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (like the Jeep Wrangler) retains military-inspired looks and a rugged, linear exterior design. Unlike the Wrangler, however, the G-Class (or Gelandewagen, as it also known) is a full-size luxury suv. With a combination of electronic and mechanical aids, the G-Class can achieve as much as 17 inches of ground clearance, easily the most of any of the vehicles on our list. Ground clearance is only one part of the equation though, as G-Class brings a standard V8 engine, luxurious interior features, and impressive approach and departure angles. If you positively have to get there, and the pavement is not an option, the Gelandewagen might be the best way to assure your arrival in style, comfort, and safety.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2017 Nissan Armada

Though it has been around since 2004, the all-new 2017 Nissan Armada took a giant leap forward when it was redesigned to share a platform with the global icon Nissan Patrol SUV. The formerly floaty Armada became more grounded and rugged, with improved rigidity, off-road capability, and planted on-road handling. Armada’s interior is anything but rugged, leaning toward premium and loaded with comfort and convenience features. Armada’s unique appearance and competitive performance make it one of the Best Outdoor SUVs.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Subaru Outback

Subaru’s commitment to standard all-wheel drive (fitted to every new Subaru except the BR-Z coupe,) has made the brand a best seller in areas of the US where the weather is rough. That capability and symmetrical all-wheel drive mean that you can enjoy the outdoors year-round in your 2017 Subaru Outback. As the biggest SUV in the Subaru lineup, the Outback’s wagon shape provides excellent cargo-carrying capability and is ideal for dog outings, tailgating and camping excursions. Subaru’s advertising tag, “Love. It’s what makes a Subaru a Subaru,” underlines the company’s philosophy of philanthropy, which gives you a good feeling when buying a new suv. Outback itself inspires a lot of love from its owners, who insist that it is one of the best outdoor SUVs.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Toyota 4Runner

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner has remained stoically and solidly a traditional SUV even as its main competitors Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder abandoned body-on-frame, truck-based platforms for car-based crossover platforms. Sales of 4Runner models in the US have steadily increased, from 19,675 vehicles in 2009 to 111,970 in 2016, and are on target to improve on that number this year. 4Runner owners are incredibly loyal, keeping their vehicles for many years and replacing them with newer 4Runner models when the time comes. 4Runner made our list thanks to its rugged, yet refined character and excellent ergonomics.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Not content to let Subaru run away with the off-road capable wagon-style crossover suv, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack arrives to join the group of Best Outdoor SUVs. Based on the popular Golf SportWagen, the Alltrack adds standard all-wheel drive, bigger wheels and more aggressive tires, and a modest amount of cladding. One of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on our list, the Alltrack is also one of the least-expensive and makes a great choice for outdoor-loving drivers on a budget. It can conquer some pretty tough terrain, and still remain a pleasure to drive on a daily basis.

2017 Volvo XC90

The 2017 Volvo XC90 is one of the most-awarded vehicles in Volvo’s history, and the first vehicle developed from scratch by Volvo since the company was purchased by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd in 2010. Considered by many as one of the most-admired SUVs currently available, the XC90’s choice of gasoline or plug-in hybrid gasoline/electric powertrains add to the appeal, while gorgeous Swedish design elevates its interior to Architecture Digest levels of style. Excellent road manners, good off-road chops and a full complement of safety features leaning toward semi-autonomy combine to solidify the XC90 in our list.

Photo by Volvo