For many overlanders and off-roaders, modifying their SUV or truck is half the fun—I know this full well, as I’ve watched as my wife turns her Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid into a light-duty overland expedition rig. But modifying any vehicle (not to mention assuming you know better than a team of highly skilled automotive engineers) can be risky, especially if you plan on heading off the beaten path.
At worst, a poorly chosen part could break, leaving you stranded a long hike from the nearest pavement. At best, you might destroy the way your vehicle drives. With that in mind, here’s a list of MotorTrend’s picks of the best new overland vehicles.
All of these trucks and SUVs are ready for overland travels right off the lot, and we’ve tried and tested each one on the trail. We’ve also kept in mind prices, factory options, and payload capacities. After all, a vehicle that’s good off-road but can’t haul your rooftop tent and gear is of little use. Here’s what we came up with:
2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
BASE PRICE: $44,490
PROS: Tremendously versatile—at home on the highway, running the Baja, and rock crawling. AEV Bison package is appealing.
CONS: Cabin is spacious but feels cheap; diesel fuel economy should be better.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has proven itself to be a capable overlander multiple times, including on our journey across the Trans-Labrador Highway and on the infamous Mojave Road. We love its standard MultiMatic DSSV dampers, which provide exceptional manners both on the road and off it, and its electronic full-locking front and rear differentials for low-traction situations, which is an increasingly rare thing in factory vehicles.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
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This story is from the June 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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2023 Lexus RZ
Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.
2024 Land Rover Defender
The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)
2024 Kia Seltos
If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.
2023 Jeep Compass
When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.
2024 Hyundai Kona
The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?
2023 Ford Escape
The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.