The Best and Worst All-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The Best
Willys Jeep
It all started with the Willys Jeep. Like many of the most practical all-terrain vehicles, the venerable Willys started as a military vehicle. The Willys Overland Company developed its revolutionary vehicle for the US Army in 1941. It was shipped in huge numbers to the UK and USSR as part of the massive lend-lease program. At the time, most military utility vehicles were two-wheel drive and very heavy. This meant that they got stuck often and were hard to lift free when they did get lodged in the mud. Most armies still relied largely upon horses to cover rough terrain. The Jeep was different. With its light construction and all-wheel drive, it was perfectly practical and was used for everything from ambulances to gun carriages.
After the war, thousands of these vehicles made their way into civilian ownership. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these vehicles, you’ll find it just as exciting and bare-bones as any purpose-built off-roader.
Toyota Hilux
Alongside the Land Cruiser, the Hilux is top of the pile in terms of indestructibility and utility. The Hilux is currently the pickup truck of choice for cash-strapped military and guerilla forces around the world, thanks to its efficient engine, solid suspension, and ease of maintenance. Hilux trucks have been modified in some bizarre ways by paramilitaries looking to piece together mobile heavy weaponry systems on a shoestring budget. You don’t have to be trying to take on an army to make good use of a Hilux. These trucks are perfect for agricultural workers due to their ability to get beaten up without consequence and traverse even the foulest of terrain types.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is by far the most practical of the modern American pickup trucks. Ford’s flagship model does not have the bells and whistles common on big American trucks. Instead, it is a basic machine: which is always the most practical solution. Being relatively easy to work on and able to keep going regardless of terrain or conditions, the Ranger is a real American classic.
Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is a rare beast: a British vehicle that is practical. Somewhat bare bones in construction, the Defender can be easily upgraded due to the sheer length of the production run. The Defender can tackle incredibly difficult terrain and comes in several wheelbase lengths. Unfortunately, it is rather fuel-hungry, which can make it an expensive option if driven regularly.
Dacia Duster
Dacia might not be one of the most recognizable brands in the world, but it is a front runner in the production of go-anywhere vehicles. The Duster is a versatile family SUV that is typically sold at a far more reasonable price than competing vehicles. Its low price has made it a big hit in developing countries, which also happen to be the places where 4WD is most necessary. If you are looking for a comfortable, all-terrain SUV at a reasonable price, you can’t do much better than a Dacia Duster.
Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser is a legendary pickup – capable of withstanding the most austere conditions on the planet and coming back for more. It rose to fame in the 1980s when Chadian forces outmaneuvered their Libyan foes in the so-called ‘Toyota War.’ Although the classic 1980s Land Cruisers are the most notorious for their roles in guerilla warfare, the latest models are just as indestructible. The key to the Land Cruiser’s practicality is its simplicity. These are no-frills vehicles designed to be practical workhorses, and they are a surefire favorite for people all around the world that just want to get things done, whether it be for work purposes or recreational times.
Toyota 4Runner
Although not as famous as the Hilux or the Land Cruiser, the 4Runner is a highly stable workhorse of a truck. Ever popular, this Toyota is readily customizable using snap-on parts, like Empyre’s 4runner TRD pro grille from Empyre Off Road. While the Hilux and Land Cruiser are excellent vehicles, they are not exactly flush with comforts. The 4Runner, however, is more suitable as a family car for people that live off the beaten track.
Some of the Worst
This article has been all about practical work and off-roading vehicles. Unfortunately, 4 x 4 automobiles have become something of a fashionable item in recent years. This, and some bizarre bureaucracy, have led to some of the least practical and most overpriced all-terrain vehicles gaining popularity. Of note are:
The Hummer
Originally built for the military market before being sold on to civilians, the HMMWV is an awful choice for both sets of users. Military veterans have given damning reviews of the vehicle, which guzzles gas and is extremely vulnerable to all but the lightest weaponry while traveling at a glacial pace. Civilian buyers should steer clear of these all-terrain vehicles, especially when gas is so expensive. Spare parts are also costly.
Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero is a beautiful vehicle. What it is not, however, is practical as a utility truck in any way. The Ranchero was first released in the 1950s. The manufacturing giant advertised it as having the practical nature of a truck combined with the drivability of a car. Unfortunately, it had neither. This did not stop the Ford Motor Company from selling over half a million of these bizarre and largely pointless cars, however.
Dodge Ram SRT 10
When Dodge released the SRT 10, they advertised it as the ultimate performance pickup. Possessed of a massive engine, it certainly gave customers a thrill ride – providing that they were driving on a road. Off-road, the huge power of the Viper-derived V10 engine served to hinder the car. Too much torque can make getting through mud an impossible challenge, and the motor simply weighed too much to be practical in any way. Massive and overpowered pickup trucks should be avoided if you want to do any practical off-roading.
