When it comes to 4WDs (or 4×4), the expectations can be very different from other segments. You want durability, reliability and to a large extend comfort and looks too.
Muscle and Power
Driving a 4WD does not necessarily mean you are going off-road driving all the time. Most 4WDs are great drives while they are just handsomely macho to look at. While they might not be the flashiest models around, they get the job done extremely well. Most brands have their own version of the off-road machines although the Japanese names are more cost-effective. While the continental boys are reliable and comfortable, maintenance could be a major drawback. Below are the top 5 4WDs to consider this year.
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
The Jeep Cherokee is possibly the mainstay in any 4×4 list. Their 2020 version has been enjoying huge success in the compact 4×4 segment and it maintains the conventional 4WD drivetrain. This car has a long history of offering a reliable drive even through the toughest terrains and their latest version comes equipped with a 271 horsepower 2.0 turbocharged engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. When driving off-road, it gives you added traction with a pretty impressive price tag too.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Would driving a Merc for off-road adventures might be a little too luxurious? One might think so but when it is the Mercedes Benz G Class, it changes everything you might ever imagine. This iconic machine has been designed for the rough terrains and it is still doing very well in that department. It comes with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine that gives you more than 400 horses. The V8 engine is coupled with a 9-speed gearbox with electronic locking differentials for the front, center and back. You would expect the team from Merc to pack their tech in this and they did so with their electronic adaptive suspension system to help you drive both on and off the road surfaces.
Toyota Land Cruiser
If you are looking for space, then the Toyota Land Cruiser is surely the one for you. It is one of the oldest models made by Toyota having been around since the 1950s. It has since gone through various changes and generations and remains one of the most iconic models in the 4×4 market. the latest model is the 300 series which comes with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine boosting out slightly more than 400 horsepower. It is also packed with its standard 4WD drive and a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester has always been the icon of how a 4WD should look like. They are coming out with the 2022 version and this all-wheel-drive monster with its standard Subaru engine roar will surely be what you might like. Packing in enough space comfortably for 5 people with large boot space, you can get some really good mileage on the Forester on an adventure. It comes with a 2.5-liter engine that gives you 182 horses on its CVT (Continuously variable automatic transmission) gearbox. If it is speed and strength you are after, then the Forester is the one to drive this year.
Isuzu MU-X
Any off-road list will not be complete without Isuzu and their latest MU-X has seen them getting their act right this time. Unlike the older models where the Isuzu models are commonly seen as tough and mean machines, the 2021 version has the looks of a more luxurious and comfortable persona. It has the same D-Max engine where they pack in the latest 3.0-liter turbo engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission gearbox that comes with a 4WD drivetrain that pushes out enough power in both on and off-road journeys.
