Not all SUVs are built for rugged off-road adventures, despite their tough looks. Some models that appear capable struggle when faced with challenging terrain. In this list, we’ll explore 25 SUVs that might surprise you with their less-than-stellar off-road performance.
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Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a top pick for daily driving due to its excellent reliability and fuel efficiency. However, its off-road performance is limited by its low ground clearance of just 8.2 inches. The CR-V also lacks advanced off-road technologies like a locking differential or low-range gearing. While its all-wheel-drive system can handle light dirt roads, it’s not built for rough, uneven terrain, making it a surprising underperformer in off-road conditions.
Ford Explorer
Despite its size and SUV category, the Ford Explorer is more at home in the suburbs than on rugged trails. Its focus on comfort, technology, and family-friendly features means it sacrifices off-road capability. Its limited ground clearance and lack of advanced off-road hardware like a transfer case make it less suited for challenging trails, especially compared to other SUVs in its class.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a well-rounded, comfortable SUV perfect for daily commuting. However, it is not designed for off-road adventures. Its front-wheel-drive layout (with all-wheel-drive optional) and lack of off-road-specific modes make it struggle on difficult terrains. While its compact size is an asset in tight spaces, it doesn’t perform well on rugged paths or steep inclines.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a solid family SUV, known for its spacious interior and smooth on-road handling. However, it lacks serious off-road capabilities. Its standard front-wheel-drive system, and even the optional all-wheel-drive, can’t match the off-road performance of more rugged SUVs. Additionally, its 8-inch ground clearance is too low for challenging trails, making it less capable off-road.
Mazda CX-5
Mazda’s CX-5 excels on the road with its sporty handling and refined design, but off-road is a different story. The CX-5 lacks the necessary features for challenging terrain, such as sufficient ground clearance and off-road driving modes. Its suspension and drivetrain are optimized for comfort and agility on paved roads, meaning it struggles when faced with dirt trails or rocky paths.
Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano is stylish and comfortable, designed more for urban driving than venturing off-road. Its sleek design and focus on luxury detract from its ruggedness. Its all-wheel-drive system is more suited for bad weather than off-road trails, and with a ground clearance of 6.9 inches, it’s better left to the pavement.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento offers an affordable and comfortable ride for families, but when it comes to off-road capability, it falls short. Its all-wheel-drive system is more tailored for snow or wet roads rather than rugged terrains. The Sorento lacks key off-road features like skid plates and advanced traction control, which are critical for handling difficult off-road conditions.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is an excellent choice for a smooth and quiet ride on paved roads. However, it’s not built for serious off-road adventures. With a ground clearance of 8.2 inches and an all-wheel-drive system designed for inclement weather rather than off-road trails, the Santa Fe struggles when tackling rougher terrains.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep brand is synonymous with off-roading, but the Compass is an exception. While it has the rugged look and a Trailhawk trim that adds some off-road features, the Compass lacks the robust drivetrain and advanced off-road technology found in models like the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. Its smaller size and weaker powertrain make it less capable on tough trails.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a well-rounded family SUV, excelling in comfort, cargo space, and daily driving. However, it is not meant for off-road escapades. Its all-wheel-drive system, while capable in snow or light gravel, lacks the refinement and features necessary for more challenging off-road conditions. The Tiguan’s 7.9-inch ground clearance further limits its off-road prowess.
Subaru Ascent
Subaru is often known for its off-road capabilities, but the Ascent doesn’t live up to that reputation. While it comes with Subaru’s signature all-wheel-drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it is more suited to light trails rather than serious off-road adventures. The Ascent’s size and weight, combined with its road-focused suspension, limit its capability in tougher off-road conditions.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge offers a comfortable, tech-forward driving experience, but its off-road performance is underwhelming. With a lack of specialized off-road features like skid plates or hill descent control, it’s more geared towards urban environments. Its all-wheel-drive system is also more focused on improving on-road handling rather than tackling rough terrain, making it a weak performer off-road.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is built for families and long road trips, not for off-road adventures. Its front-wheel-drive setup (with optional all-wheel-drive) and low ground clearance limit its off-road potential. While it excels in comfort and interior space, the Traverse’s size and suspension make it struggle on uneven or rocky paths.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a spacious, reliable SUV with excellent on-road manners. However, its soft suspension and limited ground clearance of 7.3 inches make it less capable in off-road situations. The Pilot lacks advanced off-road features like a two-speed transfer case, which restricts its performance when the going gets tough.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a great compact SUV for city driving, but it struggles off-road. Its all-wheel-drive system is more suited for adverse weather than rough trails. Additionally, the Rogue’s 8.2-inch ground clearance and road-focused suspension mean it lacks the ruggedness necessary to handle more challenging off-road conditions.
GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia is designed to be a family-friendly SUV with a smooth on-road ride, but off-road capability isn’t its strong suit. Its all-wheel-drive system lacks the advanced traction control needed for tough terrains, and its 7.2-inch ground clearance limits its ability to navigate rocky or uneven ground, making it better suited for paved roads.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander’s focus on fuel efficiency and affordable pricing makes it a solid urban vehicle, but it doesn’t shine off-road. Its all-wheel-drive system is better suited for light trails and poor weather, and its modest 8.5-inch ground clearance isn’t enough for more rugged conditions. Overall, the Outlander is outmatched when it comes to serious off-roading.
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave delivers a luxurious and comfortable ride but lacks off-road muscle. Its front-wheel-drive base configuration, with optional all-wheel drive, and low 7.5-inch ground clearance make it more suited to city streets than challenging terrain. While it excels in providing a quiet, refined drive, the Enclave isn’t built for venturing off-road.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that prioritizes safety and comfort, but it’s not built for off-road adventures. With a low ground clearance of 8.8 inches and no advanced off-road features like skid plates or locking differentials, the XC90 struggles on rough terrain. Its all-wheel-drive system is more suited to handling slick roads than navigating challenging trails.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is known for its plush ride and premium features, but its off-road capabilities leave much to be desired. Its all-wheel-drive system is designed more for all-weather traction than rugged terrain, and its low ground clearance further hinders off-road performance. This luxury SUV is best kept on the pavement.
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX excels in delivering a refined on-road driving experience, but it falls short in off-road capability. Its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is designed for improving handling on paved roads rather than tackling rough trails. Additionally, its ground clearance is on the lower side for an SUV, limiting its off-road potential.
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is designed for comfort and style on highways rather than off-road performance. Its all-wheel-drive system is primarily meant for light terrain and inclement weather. Lacking in ground clearance and advanced off-road features, the Nautilus is not suited for serious off-roading.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV that focuses on providing a premium driving experience on paved roads. Its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, while great for handling adverse weather, lacks the robust features required for off-road challenges. Additionally, its ground clearance is insufficient for rough trails, making it a poor choice for serious off-road adventures.
Infiniti QX60
The Infiniti QX60 is a sleek, stylish SUV with an emphasis on comfort and technology, but off-roading is not its strength. Its available all-wheel-drive system is more focused on providing stability in poor weather rather than on rough trails. With a modest ground clearance and no advanced off-road features, the QX60 struggles on uneven terrain.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 is known for its sporty handling and luxurious interior, but it’s not built for off-road challenges. Its xDrive all-wheel-drive system is designed more for enhancing on-road performance than for tackling rough trails. With limited ground clearance and a lack of serious off-road features, the X5 underperforms in rugged environments.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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