Driving doesn’t always have to be a mundane task. Taking your truck off-road opens up the door for new adventures, challenges, and memories.
The best 4×4 trucks will help you elevate your off-roading experience in every aspect. In fact, some off-road trucks will help you conquer off-road trails you didn’t think were possible.
While many automakers manufacture high-quality off-road vehicles, some are better than others. Plus, some of the best 4-wheel drive trucks might surprise you.
The good news is that 4 Wheel Parts has you covered with our choices for the best 4×4 trucks in 2023.
Best Trucks for Off-Roading
Not all trucks are built the same when it comes to off-roading. When you’re looking for an off-roading vehicle it needs to have the right suspension, tires, lights, and overall design. Some of the best manufacturers of off-road vehicles include Ford, Jeep, and Land Rover.
2023 Ford Bronco Badlands
The 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands is one of the best off-road-focused vehicles on the market. You can fit it with an in-line four-cylinder EcoBoost engine or a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine. It also comes fitted with post-collision braking, advanced 4×4 on-demand engagement, and an electronic-locking front and rear axle. These features make it a beast in the mud, rain, or snow. It’s also possible to disconnect the front stabilizer bar for rocky and uneven terrains.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands is also one of the most fun vehicles to drive off-road. It comes standard with a 7-speed manual transmission that gives you control over every gear. For advanced off-roading techniques, you’ll want to keep the manual transmission. Still, the Badlands isn’t exclusive to people who drive stick. There’s also a 10-speed automatic option that’s fitted with paddle shifters.
To finish off the off-road design, Ford equips the Badlands with 17-inch wheels. It’s up to you to choose between beadlock-capable wheels, mud-terrain tires, and all-terrain tires. Mud-terrain tires and beadlock wheels will maximize the vehicle’s off-road performance.
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Jeep is one of the few brands that specialize in off-road vehicles, so it’s no surprise that the Rubicon model is second to none. It comes with either a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter V6 engine. The four-cylinder produces 270 horsepower and the six-cylinder produces up to 285 horsepower. These engines are often paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic.
While these are the base-model engines, Jeep offers two additional options. These include the Rubicon 392, which comes with a 450+ horsepower V8 and the 4xe variant which comes with a hybrid engine. The hybrid engine gives you 22 miles of range on the battery alone and improves fuel efficiency.
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon also has four-wheel drive capabilities and comes with a lifted suspension. Its lifted suspension helps it fit 33-inch tires on its aluminum rims. Mud-terrain tires are best for the Rubicon and help you conquer even the roughest terrain.
Best 4×4 Trucks for You
The best 4×4 trucks for you vary based on your needs. To help you narrow down your options it’s important to compare vehicles with separate use cases.
2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is an excellent example of utility and off-road capabilities. It performs well off-road with its powerful engine and the 17-inch wheels are a good fit for any type of tire. The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road also comes with a locking rear differential to help all four wheels generate traction at maximum power.
While the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is a pickup truck, it has one of the best transmissions available for off-roading. It has options for different terrain types, which helps the vehicle remain stable on rocks, mud, or even water. Furthermore, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road comes with a Crawl Control mode. Crawl Control stabilizes the vehicle for rock climbing.
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is a great example of a 4×4 that combines practically with off-road performance. Its pickup truck design makes it suitable for commuting, transporting things, and much more. Plus, it has all of the off-road features necessary to have a good time. For people who want an off-road vehicle but need one that has utility, it’s hard to beat the Tacoma TRD.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
2023 is a good year for the Chevrolet Colorado. The ZR2 model is an impressive and well-rounded pickup truck with great utility and off-road features. For off-roading, it features a two-inch lift and a wider stance to maintain balance. The wide stance and two-inch lift give you plenty of ground clearance for most off-road trails.
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 also has some unique design elements. Great examples include the Multimatic dampers, which help you maintain high speeds safely when off-roading. The suspension also has additional reinforcements that protect the chassis.
The ZR2 trim level is a great choice but Chevrolet allows you to take the Colorado ZR2 to the next level with the Bison package. Bison packages come with upgraded bumpers for protection and aggressive styling, tow hooks, and a powerful engine. The Bison features an impressive 6.2-liter V8 that produces more than 400 horsepower. When paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission it’s possible to take the Colorado driving on almost any terrain, even sand
Trucks for Off-Road and Road Capacity
Jeeps and Land Rovers are typically the best all-around off-road vehicles. It’s great to design off-road focused vehicles but they don’t offer as much utility. This is where trucks for off-road and road capacity come into play. Many of these vehicles are pickup trucks you can use for work or off-roading.
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor
Another legendary 4×4 is the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor. Unlike other Ford F-150s, the Raptor model comes with loads of features that boost off-road performance. It comes with aggressive style choices and a 4-wheel drive system that has a Hi-Loc TOD transfer case. The hi-lock transfer case connects to an electronic-locking rear differential that maximizes traction at high or low speeds on any terrain.
As for the suspension, the F-150 Raptor doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a lifted suspension that supports 37-inch all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. Moreover, it features Fox Racing shock absorbers that create a smooth transition between pavement, rocks, and dirt. Therefore, the F-150 Raptor makes off-roading comfortable without comprising the ride quality on highways.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptors also make a lot of power. It’s powered by a 5.2-liter V8 that makes up to 700 horsepower. The engine is similar to the engines found in Ford’s Shelby Mustangs. Overall, it’s one of the most powerful off-road machines on the planet. The only vehicle that comes close is the 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX.
2023 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX
The 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX is the most powerful off-road truck you can get from the factory. Thanks to the Hellcat engine it produces more than 700 horsepower. That’s enough power to get you out of almost any situation. Still, that’s a lot of power to unleash with a gas pedal, so always be careful when off-roading.
Unlike other Dodge Ram models, the 1500 TRX (codename T-Rex) comes with off-road-specific features. Features include a lifted suspension that fits 35-inch tires and a permanent 4-wheel drive drivetrain. Ultimately, the TRX comes with one mode and that’s 4-wheel drive. The benefit of this is that every component within the drivetrain and suspension is geared towards off-roading.
Dodge Ram 1500 TRXs also have many customization options from aggressive mud-terrain tires to appearance modifications like protective bumpers. Another unique capability of the Dodge Ram 1500 TRX is that the Hellcat motor makes it efficient for towing trailers, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and other off-roading gear.
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