Looking back, my old Jeep Wrangler never stood a chance. The first time I took it off-roading was on the winding dirt street behind Hartwick College’s campus about 100 miles east of the Finger Lakes, in the sleepy hamlet of Oneonta, NY. Adventures of any kind were hard to come by there, so my friend and I made our own. Hootin’, hollerin’ and sportin’ a couple of devil-may-care grins, we smashed headlong into an oak tree going 40 mph—the airbags erupting from the dashboard in a cloud of chalky white dust. We somehow both walked away from the crash unhurt, swearing up and down to never do something that stupid again. 

Unfortunately, that vow lasted about as long as our bruised egos. The allure of the trail, the freedom of the back roads and the thrill of what lay beyond the next bend pulled us back in, like moths to a porch light. That was the day I realized that off-roading is as much about the wild places you go as it is about the stories you collect along the way.

For those like me who crave dirt roads over pavement and find thrill in tackling rugged terrain, it’s all about having the right vehicle. From navigating rocky trails to cruising scenic backroads, these SUVs are redefining the limits of off-roading while adding a touch of comfort and style for daily drives.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

$91,545

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 isn’t just another off-roader; it’s the ultimate nod to Jeep’s rugged roots paired with pure muscle. Of course, that’s all there in the name itself. Under the hood, you’ll find a 6.4-liter, 392 cubic-inch HEMI V8 engine pumping out 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Wrangler ever built. This beast is more than just power, though—it’s designed to conquer. With 33-inch all-terrain tires, electronic locking differentials, and a 2-inch factory lift, the Rubicon 392 is built to crawl over rocky paths and wade through 34 inches of water without any hesitation.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

$41,800

For die-hard fans of the “Taco,” the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is the epitome of mid-size off-roading perfection. Built for campers, dirt bikers and any other way you want to make use of its 5- or 6-foot bed, the 2024 version boasts an all-new look literally decades in the making to go along with its 2.4-liter V6 engine with 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. While most off-roading trucks come down to personal preference (and the depth of your wallet), the TRD Off-Road can be enjoyable for all types of off-roading enthusiasts. That’s all thanks to its price and an electronically controlled locking rear differential, Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, allowing drivers to fine-tune their truck for rocks, mud or sand with a quick twist of a dial.

Ford Bronco Raptor

$90,035

When it comes to off-road domination, the Ford Bronco Raptor is the undisputed alpha. Ford’s engineers took the legendary Bronco and dialed it up with a purpose-built design that’s ready to tackle the roughest trails and dune-filled deserts. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, the Bronco Raptor blends raw power with cutting-edge off-road tech. Its high-performance suspension, inspired by the Baja 1000, includes FOX 3.1 internal bypass shocks and 37-inch all-terrain tires, giving it great ground clearance and stability on gnarly terrain—no matter which side of the Mississippi you take it.