Sometimes it seems like everyone on the Internet wants me to tell them what car to buy. So, for once and for all, here are those recommendations, all in one place. I’ll break these down by your needs.
“Which Subaru should I get for off-roading?”
My recommendation: A Ford Bronco Sport
But I read on a car website that those are bad: Most car journalists get into the job because they’re into sports or luxury cars. Often, the only time car journalists ever do any actual off-road driving is on press launches. Many manufacturers carefully curate the drive courses at those events to flatter a vehicle’s capabilities, and to hide its flaws. Lately, as it’s really gotten into off-road vehicles, Ford has taken the opposite approach, and is turning those same journalists loose on some legitimately challenging terrain. Combine a driver’s lack of experience off-road, with what may be the first-ever time having to carefully choose lines, and think about which buttons to push, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Good on Ford for believing in the capability of its products, but it has led to some…outlier conclusions.
Some journalists on the launch of the Bronco Sport managed to convince the 4WD system to overheat, and had to wait for it to cool down before proceeding. In no cases did a vehicle actually break, or fail to complete an obstacle. It’s been a long time since I could say I’ve driven every vehicle in that space, but anecdotally, I’ve overheated the traction systems in every crossover I’ve ever driven on dirt, including ones made by Land Rover and Jeep, and done so while driving in a manner appropriate for the conditions and capabilities of those vehicles.
If you insist on believing that a crossover is adequate for your needs, then you must realistically prepare yourself for their limitations. These are economy road cars with a little bit of extra traction, or a little bit of extra clearance. There is no crossover that I would consider suitable for use on anything but an easy dirt road. And even then, I wouldn’t wander very far from civilization. Failing to understand this just killed a Subaru owner in Death Valley.
Having said that, out of all the various crossovers out there, the Ford Bronco Sport is unique in that it is available (you have to check some options boxes, more on that below) with actual four-wheel drive, a sort of locking rear differential, and adequate tires. And that’s enough to elevate it far beyond anything else in its class.
How I’d configure it: The Badlands model is the only one available with the traction system described above. You’ll have to option the off-road tires at the dealer, or simply swap the stock rubber for a set of Falken Wildpeak A/T Trails (the only all-terrain tire designed for the unique needs of a crossover) after you buy one. But, the Badlands trim starts at $32,000, which is pretty ridiculous for a compact crossover. For that price, if you actually want to go camping and stuff, you’d be way better off buying a base-spec Ford Ranger XL 4x4, or a lightly used Ranger XLT or Lariat FX4.
“I want a mid-size truck.”
My recommendation: A Ford Ranger
But I read on a car website that those are bad: Same caveats about car reviewers as above. Driving an unladen vehicle with only a driver, and maybe a passenger onboard does not represent real world use. You want a truck because you have people, dogs, and stuff to carry. With its 1100 pound payload (four door 4x4 models), a Tacoma only has 600 pounds of capacity left to work with once you add two people and full tank of fuel. Not only does this rule out the addition of protection parts, campers, or other off-road accessories, but it means you can dangerously overload your vehicle simply by trying to take three friends and enough beer for all four of you, on a weekend camping trip.
Not only does a Ranger come equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, a powerful motor, and a good transmission, but at 1600 pounds in its worst-case configuration (four doors, four-wheel drive), its payload actually exceeds that of a Tundra. The Ranger is the best selling vehicle in Australia for a reason.
How I’d configure it: Mine’s a Lariat SuperCrew FX4, which stickers around $46,000. That’s pretty pricey. Most drivers would probably be better off with the XL or XLT trims, which skip some of the convenience options, but don’t skimp on capabilities. If you’re able, you should definitely check the box for the FX4 package since that brings Ford’s excellent Terrain Management system, and a rear locker. Terrain Management is the best of the modern electronic off-road traction management systems out there, seamlessly tweaking individual brake calipers to replicate the effects of locking axle diffs, without the drivetrain stress and inconvenience those bring. If that sentence is confusing, here’s a simpler one: the Ranger is better at traction than anything else in this space.
Like all other pickups this side of the F-150 Raptor, the Ranger’s suspension errs a little too far in the direction of supporting weight, rather than providing ride comfort off-road. Rather than option up to nicer trim levels, I’d encourage you to instead spend the money equipping yours with the complete Old Man Emu BP-51 suspension system.
“I want a mid-size SUV.”
My recommendation: The Ford Bronco
But I read on a car website that those are bad: No you didn’t. Based on that very strong frame used in the Ranger, the Bronco gets a completely re-thought suspension system that endows it with more travel and more flex than a Jeep Wrangler Rubicion. But, with independent front suspension, the Bronco will still ride smoothly, and drive in a straight line at highway speeds. It’s also getting two very good turbocharged engines, both manual and 10-speed automatic transmissions, and yes, Terrain Management. The new Bronco is the real deal; nothing will be able to touch it off-road.
How I’d configure it: If I was a free-wheeling single person with only one dog, I’d get a two-door soft top with 35s and a manual transmission. Skip the rest to keep it as light and simple as possible, and just enjoy driving a fun truck. Normal types will probably do best with a four-door hard top on 33s with the big motor and the 10-speed. That’ll be the most livable day-to-day, and on long road trips, while still being capable of tackling any off-road obstacle this side of the Rubicon Trail. If you’re into that kind of stuff, I don’t need to tell you how to option a truck. A spec’d out Bronco on big tires, with all the protection and suspension parts will be the most capable stock SUV ever made.
“I felt compelled by societal pressure to produce human children.”
My recommendation: An F-150
But I read on a car website that those are bad: Really? While it’s hardly a sports car, the F-150 is arguably the greatest road trip vehicle of all time. It’s smooth, it’s enormous inside, and surprisingly fuel efficient, and it’ll tackle most light off-roading with ease.
The fact is, Ford just sells so damn many of these things that the cost amortization over that volume allows them to pack more value into the F-150 than any other vehicle on sale today. Better motors, the best transmission, nicer interiors, and well, just everything else too. The new hybrid version with the Pro Power systems looks like an incredible upgrade for contractors, and serious campers too.
How I’d configure it: The F-150 represents way better value than the Ranger, but I opted for the smaller truck for the simpler fact that its dimensions serve my off-road needs way better. If I wasn’t tackling tough trails, I’d drive a 3.5-liter EcoBoost XLT FX4 (again, for Terrain Management) in a heartbeat. But really, you just can’t go wrong. Set a budget, and get what you need. Everyone I’ve ever talked into buying an F-150 has thanked me profusely.
“I’m one of those people who’s convinced anything that’s not a Toyota will catch fire the second I leave the dealership.”
My recommendation: A Lexus GX
REALLLAABIIILLLAATTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY: We live in the year 2021. And while most everything else has gone to shit, trucks have not. Any new car or truck you buy today can be expected to deliver at least 10 years and 150,000 miles of trouble-free driving.*
*Exceptions: Anything made by Tesla, Fiat, Jaguar-Land Rover, BMW, or Volkswagen Auto Group. All of these will absolutely burn to the ground the split second you pull off a dealer lot. Also, believe it or not, but performing ridiculously inappropriate modifications can ruin any vehicle. If you once had a Ford Raptor burn down because you tried to run 40s without regearing or custom drive shafts, that’s on you.
Having said that, the GX is an incredibly appealing car, and honestly the one I recommend the most to my readers. Sold elsewhere as the Land Cruiser Prado, it comes with some of the features that help make the full-size Cruiser so special: KDSS and a full-time 4WD system complete with a TorSen center-diff. Compared to the dumpster fire that is the current 4Runner, it also provides drivers will welcome amenities like an actual motor, a functional transmission, windows you can see out of, and an interior that feels appropriate for drivers over the age of 16.
If you’re looking for a relatively sensible, all-round vehicle that will be comfortable on the highway, safe in winter, and unstoppable off-road, this is it.
How I’d configure it: There really aren’t many options. And Toyota has been making these things since 2003. All generations are great, just set a budget and buy the best example you can afford.
If I owned one, it’d have BP-51, an ARB front bumper, a good set of sliders, and 33-inch tires.
“I’m Broke.”
My recommendation: A used 4Runner (or a new base-spec Ford Ranger 4x4)
But I can’t afford that: The quality of a used vehicle is entirely a function of its condition. I’m always hesitant to recommend an exact make, model, or year of used truck because I’m afraid you’ll run out, buy the cheapest one you can find, then blame me when it catches on fire three days later. And honestly, finance rates are so low right now, that it may make sense to keep your cash in your savings account, and finance or lease a sensible new car or truck instead. Especially if you don’t know how to work on vehicles, that will likely be a much more practical choice in the long run. Just decide on a monthly budget that you can realistically afford, including insurance and fuel, and find a vehicle that fits that need. Swap it for a new one every three to five years, and you’ll only ever have to spend that budget. With an older used car, financial pitfalls lay around every corner. New tires? That’ll be $1,000. New windshield? About the same. Busted transmission? Good luck.
Another argument against the false economy of buying used: safety.
How I’d configure it: Having said that, I totally get the reasons why a new car may be unattainable. My credit still sucks after having to declare medical bankruptcy a few years ago. If I was shopping for a vehicle with a budget under $10,000, I probably wouldn’t look at anything but a used 4Runner. Before Toyota stripped all the content out of the current generation of that model, those were actually well-made, practical trucks. And all of them offer a higher payload than a brand-new Tacoma.
My 1998 model is still going strong at 240,000 miles, but I must caveat that with the fact that it’s been immaculately maintained throughout its life, and that it offers nothing like the safety of modern vehicles.
“I’m a Mormon.”
My recommendation: a Ford Expedition Max FX4
I had all the kids! Yes you did. And you’ll be able to haul all six of them, plus one of your wives in one of these thanks to independent rear suspension that makes for both better ride quality and more room in the back. And you’ll benefit from all that traction wizardry the Expedition shares with other Ford trucks that I described above, as well as low-range gears. I’d swap the tires out for Toyo ATIIIs or Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws.
“I want to drive the best truck ever made.”
My recommendation: This.
“I want to haul a camper or tow a trailer.”
My recommendation: A Ford Super Duty Tremor.
But I read on the Internet that I can haul a 2,500 pound camper in the back of my Tacoma if I upgrade the springs: No you can’t. And I should also add that most makers of campers and trailers outright lie about the weight of their products.
Take the new Scout Campers Yoho for example. They claim it has a dry weight of only 958 pounds, and advertise it being hauled in the back of a Tacoma. It’s hard to understand how they got to that figure though, because its actual weight (sometimes called “wet) is actually at least 1,400 pounds…before you even put stuff like beer in there. It’d be dangerous to haul one of those in a Ranger with two humans and a full tank of gas onboard, let alone in the Taco. Plus, I saw one in person the other day, and it was about the size of a port-a-john.
How I’d configure it: If you’re going to go through all the expense and hassle of hauling a camper or trailer around, you’re going to want something comfortable, and you’re going to want a vehicle capable of hauling it. Something like a Ford Super Duty Tremor, which comes with 35s, a rear locker, and a front limited-slip, as well as a 3,470 pound payload. To maximize space inside, I’d also recommend a tray back camper, which ditches the standard pickup bed. Corey Whitaker knows what’s up:
“But what about the environment?!”
My recommendation: It’s increasingly looking like we’ve already passed the point of no-return on disastrous climate change, and society is already significantly fraying around the edges. There is no situation in which humans buy their way out of damaging the environment, so I’m of the admittedly controversial opinion that it makes more sense to prepare for the inevitable, than to compromise your ability to safely enjoy the outdoors in what little time we have left to do so.
F 150 arrived yesterday. Add me to the list of people who will think of you fondly everytime they hop in this truck.
I took your advice and picked up a GX470 it’s performs amazing on and off road! Thanks for the recommendation!