DIY Off Road

While going on a guided desert safari tour is something of a UAE rite of passage, nothing quite compares to getting behind the wheel and taking on the wadis and dunes for yourself. Read on for a selection of the best off-road vehicles, perfect for tackling the UAE’s spectacular landscape

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Ram 1500

Engine: 5.7-litre HEMI V8

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 395hp/400ps @ 5,600rpm

Torque: 410ft-lb/556Nm

Off-roading features: Hill-descent control; underbody protection (including skid plates for the transfer case, steering system, oil pan, and petrol tank); optional air suspension system

Price: Dhs199,900

Ram’s latest iteration of its flagship truck has undergone a complete overhaul, shedding 102kg of total weight compared to its predecessor, but without compromising its off-roading credentials. The new 1500’s lighter frame is 98 percent high-strength steel to ensure rigidity and durability. The air suspension system offers best-in-class ground clearance, departure angle and break-over angle, with the added benefit of load-leveling capability – so even if your gear calls for all the 1500’s payload capability (an impressive 834kg), the truck will automatically detect and adjust the suspension to improve the ride.

Suzuki Jimny

Engine: 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder

Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic

Power: 102hp/103ps

Torque: 96ft-lb/130Nm

Off-roading features: Selectable four-wheel drive; hill hold; hill descent.

Price: Dhs67,000 (approx)