2023 is a great year for trucks, off-roading, and even electric vehicles. The rapid advancement in technology has made it possible for new vehicles to hit the streets. Reports from Experian and the International Energy Agency show that EV sales are on the rise for all vehicle types, including off-road vehicles. While rapid advancement is great for car enthusiasts, it’s not always easy to keep up.
To keep you in the loop we’ll take you through some of the top trucking industry trends for 2023. We’ll cover new vehicles that are coming out, parts to enhance your experience, and the off-road capabilities of EVs.
Notable New Off-Road Vehicles Coming Soon
2023 is the year of the truck. Several unique vehicles are hitting the market soon. Our favorites are the Ford Ranger, Honda Pilot TrailSport, Land Rover Defender 130, the Ineos Grenadier, and the EV Hummer.
Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ford Ranger made a comeback recently and has taken the market by storm. It’s a smaller truck than the F-150 and it’s made for commuters rather than commercial work. The Ford Raptor Tremor was one of the first models made for off-road use and it performed well enough to get some attention. Now, for the first time in 2023, the Ford Ranger Raptor will hit dealerships.
The Ford Ranger Raptor comes with many of the upgrades found in the F150 Raptor models. It gets supercharged capabilities, raised suspension, bigger wheels, and more torque/horsepower.
Honda Pilot TrailSport
The Honda Pilot TrailSport is a cross between some of Honda’s crossovers and larger SUVs. It’s an affordable off-road vehicle that’s perfect for exploring some trails on the weekend and commuting to work during the week.
It comes loaded with 285 horsepower, big, 18-inch wheels, and burrows suspension technology (all-wheel drive) from Honda’s 4 Runner model. Plus, it has 8.3 inches of ground clearance, which is hard to find in other family-friendly vehicles.
Land Rover Defender 130
The Land Rover Defender is a top-tier off-road vehicle. Not to be confused with the Range Rover, the Land Rover Defender 130 has a powerful V8 engine, off-road suspension, big wheels, and innovative technology.
What makes the Defender stand out from other vehicles is its capacity for adventure. These great features are paired with eight seats to help you explore all corners of the world with your friends or family.
Ineos Grenadier
The Ineos Grenadier looks like a cross between the Land Rover Defender and a Mercedes G-Wagon but underneath the hood, the Grenadier is on its own level. It’s one of the most battle-tested vehicles you can find and has gone through rigorous testing in 15 countries to maximize exposure to rough terrain. When it comes to performance, the Grenadier can get it done in jungles, shallow bodies of water, deserts, sand, and much more.
The Ineos Grenadier is also one of the most customizable options. There are plenty of features and colors you can choose from and it’s easy to personalize your vehicle.
Hummer EV SUV
The Hummer EV took the market by storm in 2023 and quickly became one of the best electric vehicles on the market. It has a range of 300 to 350 miles, even with powerful acceleration that resembles the fastest sports cars. In fact, some EV Hummer models are projected to have up to 1,000 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque.
Ultimately, it’s one of the most powerful off-road machines you can buy in 2023 and its combination of luxury, performance, and durability makes it worth every penny.
Next-Level Parts to Boost Your Off-Road Performance
Off-road performance from the factory has its limits. When push comes to shove and it’s time to take your 4×4 off-road, having the best, next-level parts will help you stay safe and maximize your performance.
Tires
One of the best things you can do for your off-road vehicle is put some new tires on it. Tires help your vehicle connect with the road or lack of road, and provide you with traction. The right tires will help you get out of any situation, climb rocks, and stay straight in the snow.
Some of our top picks for tires include:
- Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP Tires
- Yokohama GEOLANDER A/T G015 Tires
- Ironman All Country A/T Tires
When you’re shopping for tires, always choose based on your needs. Mud terrain tires (M/T) are good for serious off-roading, while all-terrain (A/T) tires are better for casual off-roading.
Suspension and Lift Kits
Suspension and lift kits are also important, especially if you plan on getting bigger wheels or tires. Always consider what you’re trying to accomplish with your suspension. Higher suspension is better for climbing, ground clearance, and driving through water. On the other hand, the lower suspension is better for concerning, turning, and drifting.
Suspension and lift kit components are specific to your make and model, so always make sure you get parts that fit. Also, when you choose a lifted suspension, remember that the chance of tipping increases.
Performance
Last but not least we have performance. What’s the fun in lifting your Jeep if you don’t plan on giving it some more gas? That’s where performance comes into play. The best performance modifications to start with include:
- Air intakes: more air more power
- Headers and exhausts: more airflow more power
- Turbochargers: forced air induction drastically improves horsepower and torque
Performance is unique to what you plan on doing with the vehicle. For example, you may want to add snorkels and other components for better performance in the water.
The EV Potential as an Off-Road Vehicle
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular each day. According to the International Energy Agency, sales of electric vehicles doubled in 2021 and again in 2022. Reports from Experian also indicate an increase in EV sales for 2023 with 7.1% of all vehicles sold in January 2023 being electric. What’s more, that’s only figures for all-electric vehicles. The numbers are even higher for vehicles with hybrid drive trains. With all of these new EVs hitting the market, it’s no surprise that some off-road innovation has started to trickle down.
Better 4WD
4WD is one of the most important things for off-roading. Having equal power going to four wheels improves traction, which reduces the risk of slipping or getting stuck. Having equal torque on all wheels also helps you climb steep hills and rocks. While combustion engines are capable of 4WD, many EV vehicles like the Rimac Concept One (Mercedes) have individual motors for all four wheels. This makes the EV even more efficient for off-road traction because some wheels can receive more power than others without differentials and other heavy equipment.
Waterproofing
Driving through streams, lakes, and rivers is some of the most fun you can have when you’re driving off-road. Unfortunately, driving through bodies of water is risky for a combustion engine vehicle because of the air intake. If water enters the intake, it may flood the engine and cause extensive damage. While you can install a snorkel to get around this problem, EVs don’t have air intakes. In fact, with the right waterproofing, an EV can drive through water with a submerged hood.
Speed and Longevity
Speed and longevity will transform off-roading and EVs are leading the charge. Electric vehicles have instant torque and many batteries are delivering more torque than V8 engines. Having more torque will get you up steep hills, win races, and much more. Electric vehicles also benefit from not needing fuel stations. In the future, there may be solar charging stations that allow you to charge the battery in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, you never have to worry about running out of gas.
Even today EVs are starting to last longer than ICE engines on one charge. Some EV off-road vehicles have a battery life of 600 miles.
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