Which used 4x4 should i buy

Can it beat tough rivals from Seat and Skoda? What Car? List items. View all new car reviews. News and advice. Best of. Best used 4x4s and one to avoid. While some SUVs offer off-road style over substance, there are cars with sophisticated four-wheel drive systems that are well equipped for wet tarmac, muddy tracks, snowy roads and whatever other tough conditions you can find, offering better grip in slippery conditions and the ability to keep moving when the going gets rough. To help you find one of the more capable models, it's worth focusing on models with sophisticated four-wheel drive systems that also offer high ground clearance - the gap between the ground and the bottom of the car - and short overhangs before the front wheels and behind the rear wheels, to reduce the chance of scraping the underside or bashing the ends of the car over rough terrain.

These serious 4x4s come in a variety of forms though. The Range Rover for instance is essentially a high-riding luxury car with the ability to cross tough terrain without fuss, while the Jeep Wrangler is a no-nonsense and minimalist alternative. Then you have the tiny Fiat Panda 4x4 and Suzuki Jimny , which may be small but are far more capable of going far off road than you might expect.

Our pick Toyota Land Cruiser 2. The Land Cruiser is not the most luxurious nor sophisticated 4x4 on the road, but off it the car is utterly dependable. It's huge - weighing almost three tonnes 2,kg - yet the power from its 2. Our pick Land Rover Discovery 3. It gives the larger Range Rover a run for its money in its ability to blend luxury and go-anywhere capability but at considerably less cost.

It hasn't aged particularly well inside, with a distinct lack of comfort and convenience on board potentially turning off anyone looking for a more modern experience, but there's no denying the Discovery's off-road prowess is unmatched at this kind of price. Our pick Jeep Renegade 2. However, the range-topping Trailhawk cars are so capable off road that they'll follow the Land rover Discovery, above, deep into rough and boggy territory.

The Range Rover offers an unbeatable combination of luxury and off-road prowess. A car that really can be used as a limousine one day and for exploration the next. The SDV8 diesel engine is the one to choose for its power and economy, and Vogue trim the optimum specification.

This is an option for buyers without much care for expense. Our pick Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 0. At the opposite end of the scale to the Range Rover, the Fiat Panda proves you don't need a big diesel engine, hefty mechanical underpinnings and acres of steel to have fun off-road. In fact, its tiny dimensions, short overhangs and light weight are exactly why it can scramble up and down the steepest muddy slopes that would leave reputedly more capable rivals struggling. Toyota's inline six-cylinder engine is nearly bulletproof, as is the rest of the drivetrain.

Automatic transmissions weren't offered until the FJ62 generation. These trucks will go k or k miles with good maintenance. They were produced from — Fuel mileage is the weak point on these rigs. Jeep Wrangler YJs are finally starting to become more affordable in the used vehicle market.

The first generation of this truck is starting to slip into the realm of cheap 4x4s. These trucks are really capable off-road and have the added bonus of the soft top. There are obscene amounts of accessories on the market for these Jeeps, so they can be customized easily.

In the Jeep crowd, they are referred to as YJs. As with the Cherokee, I would avoid anything but the 4. Wranglers are capable of turning incredibly high mileage when they are taken care of. Suzuki Samurais are smaller than most of the other vehicles on this list but tend to get better gas mileage. Many people don't care for these tiny rigs, but I kind of like them.

If you are not in a hurry to get anywhere, are not too tall, and appreciate decent fuel mileage, the Samurai may be just right for you. They tend to be very basic and have kind of cheap interiors. They are severely underpowered with anything but stock-sized tires. The good thing is that the aftermarket takes good care of these trucks. Some companies are also making conversion kits for installing VW diesel engines in Samurais, giving them instant credibility. Toyota pickups consistently deliver both quality and longevity.

The basic 4x4 Toyota pickup is one of my all-time favorite vehicles. Every year and every drivetrain option is excellent. The main weak point on these is that the beds tend to disintegrate from rust in most climates. I routinely find these with k miles or more on the clock. Modifications are easy and aftermarket support is plentiful.

Chevy Ss come in pickup, two-door, and four-door models. While the S is not my favorite vehicle, I am gaining some respect for it. When equipped with the awesome GM 4. Pickup, two-door, and four-door blazer models are available. First-generation models can be had very cheap, and second-generation models are getting cheaper every year. Ford Fs are have been popular for so long that it's relatively easy to find replacement parts at salvage yards.

The Ford F is a very good vehicle and has been the top-selling truck in the U. They are very common and come in many configurations. I don't care for the IFS front suspension. These trucks just keep going and going. They are extremely common, and the widespread availability of junkyard parts is a huge plus. The Chevrolets and GMCs are my personal favorite domestic half-ton trucks. I prefer GM drivetrains to Fords and Dodges. These trucks have a better ride than the Fords or Dodges as well, but prices tend to be slightly higher.

I like the early s models with small-block V8 engines and manual transmissions. I have a mids in the fleet at work with well over k miles, and it's still in great shape. Nissan Pathfinders tend to be relatively affordable, but it can be difficult to find support for any aftermarket modifications. The Nissan Pathfinder sold in the U. It is a decent alternative to a 4Runner see below , but the interior and the drivetrain aren't of the same quality in my opinion.