Top Picks for Off Roaders

Getting to your favorite campground often requires some trailblazing — and for many drivers, that's half the fun. We looked at SUVs and pickups that will take owners off the beaten path and then some. Then came the subjective considerations, such as dirt-crawling prowess, a pliable suspension and a comfortable interior.

Best New Car for Off Roaders 2009 Jeep Wrangler Starting MSRP $20,460 The tight economy and high gas prices helped elevate last year's Best Deal in this category to our 2009 Top Pick. Serious offroad vehicles aren't the best choice if gas mileage is your first priority, but some are better than others. The Jeep Wrangler's offroad ability rivals that of last year's winner, the Hummer H2, but it burns less gas — and you can get two ultimate-offroad Rubicon models for the price of one H2. The highway ride might be noisy, but that doesn't bother true enthusiasts. The four-door Wrangler Unlimited's longer wheelbase isn't ideal for offroading, so stick with the two-door.

Best Deal for Off Roaders 2009 Nissan Xterra Starting MSRP $22,310 Whether you're looking to do light trail running or more serious offroad driving, the Xterra has the equipment to keep you moving through difficult terrain. It has a fully boxed frame, offers up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance in Off-Road models, can have low-range four-wheel drive and is available with offroad aids like Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist. If part of the reason you go off-road is to put yourself to the test when you get there, the Xterra is equipped to carry your gear, too, with an optional roof-mounted storage bin and a washable cargo floor.

Research this car      Build this car

Research this car      Build this car

Dodge Ram 1500 (2009) Starting MSRP $21,270 In TRX4 offroad trim, the Ram 1500 packs skid plates and a limited-slip differential, and the optional 5.7-liter V-8's 407 pounds-feet of torque should power you through the ruts. The Ram may not have the ground clearance or locking differentials of its peers, but its other credentials — from cabin quality to safety features — make a solid all-around case many of them can't. Research this car      Build this car

Hummer H2 (2009 ) Starting MSRP $61,310 The Hummer H2's price and thirst endanger it more than its image problem does, but it's still hard to beat off-road. Aside from the high approach and departure angles and ground clearance, the H2 was an early showcase of brake-based four-wheel traction control and variable throttle progression, in addition to the more common locking center and rear differentials. Research this car      Build this car

Jeep Patriot (2009) Starting MSRP $17,290 While the Patriot starts for much less than the competition, when outfitted with its optional offroad package — which requires upgrades, including a continuously variable automatic transmission — it loses out to the Xterra in terms of MSRP. However, it still gets relatively good mileage and has a terrific on-road ride compared to others in this segment. Research this car      Build this car

Land Rover Range Rover (2008) Starting MSRP $77,675 If you ever want to luxuriate in the backwoods, the Range Rover is your steed. An upscale cabin comes with the $80,000 territory, but so do serious 4x4 chops: The air suspension can raise ground clearance to 11 inches, and Land Rover's Terrain Response System varies drivetrain and suspension settings for five possible situations. Hardcore drivers should consider the optional locking rear differential. A locking center differential is standard. Research this car      Build this car

Nissan Titan (2009) Starting MSRP $26,150 With reliability on the upswing for the current generation, the full-size Titan's offroad chops are hard to deny. It has 10.7 inches of ground clearance in offroad Pro-4X trim, and its 31-degree approach and 28-degree departure angles are impressive. The standard 5.6-liter V-8 delivers stout power, and offroad features, from multiple skid plates to a locking rear differential, set it apart even among pickups. Research this car      Build this car

Subaru Forester (2009) Starting MSRP $19,995 Though it's a car-based crossover, the Forester has always impressed when conditions got tricky. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system sends continuous power to all four wheels and, with the automatic transmission, has an advanced electronic center differential. Competing AWD systems direct power to the rear wheels only when slippage begins to occur; some shut down if neither axle finds traction. Research this car      Build this car

Toyota FJ Cruiser (2009 ) Starting MSRP $23,320 If you want a stylish and affordable off-roader, there's nothing that draws more looks for the money than the FJ Cruiser — but that doesn't mean it isn't capable. It has up to 9.6 inches of ground clearance and available full- or part-time four-wheel drive. The rear cargo area is coated in hard plastic to make it easy to clean in case any of the mud you venture across gets inside. Research this car      Build this car

Volkswagen Touareg 2 (2009) Starting MSRP $39,300 Volkswagen has packed some serious offroad hardware into the Touareg 2 so it can scale steep hills and rugged terrain with ease. The optional adjustable air suspension comes in handy on really rugged terrain, as it gives the Touareg 2 up to 11.8 inches of ground clearance. What you might appreciate most, however, is that while the Touareg 2 is doing all that hard work, you get to enjoy its upscale cabin. Research this car      Build this car