When it comes to off-road adventures, not every SUV is built to handle rough terrains. Despite their rugged appearance, some vehicles just don’t perform as expected when the pavement ends. In this article, we’ll highlight 25 SUVs that fail miserably off-road, leaving drivers wishing they had chosen a more capable ride.
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Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is known for its fuel efficiency and comfortable ride, but it’s not cut out for off-road adventures. With limited ground clearance and no dedicated off-road features, the CR-V is more suited for city streets and light dirt roads. Its AWD system is designed for inclement weather rather than rugged terrain, leaving it underpowered in challenging off-road conditions.
Toyota RAV4
Although the Toyota RAV4 has a robust reputation for reliability, its off-road capability is limited. The standard RAV4 offers decent fuel efficiency and interior comfort, but its all-wheel-drive system isn’t designed for extreme off-road use. Its ground clearance and suspension setup are not optimized for rocky trails or deep mud, making it a poor choice for serious off-road adventures.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a popular compact SUV, but it lacks the necessary components for off-road performance. It has a car-like driving experience, low ground clearance, and a lack of advanced off-road technology. While its all-wheel-drive system helps on wet pavement, it falls short on rugged trails, making it better suited for urban driving.
Ford Escape
Ford Escape shines as a commuter SUV, but off-road capability isn’t its strong suit. It has a lightweight design, lower ground clearance, and lacks the robust suspension required for handling rough terrains. The Escape’s AWD system is built for stability on paved roads and mild conditions, making it a less-than-ideal option for off-road enthusiasts.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a practical and spacious SUV but fails to impress when it leaves the pavement. With a lackluster ground clearance and no real off-road-specific technology, it struggles with uneven terrain. Its AWD system is more suitable for snow-covered roads than steep inclines or rocky trails, making it less capable for serious off-road driving.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a stylish and fun-to-drive crossover, but its off-road performance is subpar. It features a low ride height and lacks any off-road modes or skid plates that protect vital components. While it excels in city driving and highway handling, the CX-5 doesn’t have the durability needed for off-road conditions.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a great value SUV for everyday drivers, but its off-road credentials are weak. Its ground clearance and approach angles are insufficient for tackling anything more than gravel paths. The AWD system is designed for better road grip, but without off-road enhancements, the Tucson is best left on smooth roads.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage delivers on comfort and practicality, but it falters in off-road environments. With a relatively low ground clearance and suspension tuned for on-road driving, the Sportage struggles on rough terrains. Its AWD system is more of an assist for poor road conditions rather than a tool for tackling steep inclines or deep mud.
Jeep Compass
Despite the Jeep badge, the Compass is not as capable off-road as some might expect. While it offers an off-road-focused Trailhawk trim, most models are equipped with a less advanced AWD system that can’t handle more challenging trails. Its limited ground clearance and approach angles make it a weaker choice for serious off-roading compared to Jeep’s more rugged models.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan provides a comfortable and upscale ride on pavement, but it struggles off-road. Its AWD system is more for road stability than off-road prowess, and its low ground clearance and lack of rugged features make it ill-suited for rough terrain. The Tiguan is better for urban and suburban adventures than exploring the wilderness.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore may be a luxurious and compact option for city drivers, but it fails to perform off-road. Its small size, limited ground clearance, and front-biased AWD system limit its capabilities on uneven terrain. The Encore’s focus on comfort and style leaves little room for the toughness needed for off-road conditions.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is built for comfort and road performance, not for conquering rugged landscapes. Its AWD system is sufficient for rain or snow, but it lacks the ground clearance and skid plates necessary for more challenging off-road conditions. The Terrain’s softer suspension makes it an easy ride on paved roads but struggles when it’s taken off-road.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander offers third-row seating and decent fuel economy, but it disappoints in off-road performance. With limited ground clearance and a weak AWD system, it’s not built for serious off-road use. It can handle light trails, but anything more demanding will leave the Outlander lagging behind.
Subaru Crosstrek
While Subaru has a reputation for off-road capability, the Crosstrek doesn’t live up to expectations. Its ground clearance is decent, but the suspension and AWD system aren’t robust enough for serious off-road adventures. The Crosstrek is better suited for dirt roads and mild trails rather than tackling rough terrains.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a large SUV with plenty of interior space, but it doesn’t perform well off-road. Its size makes it cumbersome on narrow trails, and its ground clearance is not sufficient for rocky paths or deep mud. The AWD system helps with traction on slippery roads, but off-road enthusiasts will find it lacking in rough conditions.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a sleek, midsize SUV, but it’s not designed for off-road performance. With a low ride height and a focus on comfort, the Edge struggles on anything more than gravel paths. Its AWD system is more for inclement weather than off-road terrains, leaving drivers disappointed when they venture beyond the pavement.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is known for its luxury, but off-road capability isn’t one of its strengths. Its AWD system and suspension are tuned for smooth road driving rather than rough trails. With lower ground clearance and a heavy focus on comfort features, the RX doesn’t perform well in challenging off-road environments.
Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover with a stylish design, but it’s not made for off-road performance. With low ground clearance and an AWD system focused on stability rather than adventure, it doesn’t hold up well on rough terrain. The HR-V is best for urban and suburban driving, with minimal off-road capabilities.
Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano delivers on-road comfort and style, but its off-road abilities are limited. Its low ground clearance and car-like design prevent it from handling difficult trails. The Murano’s AWD system helps in bad weather but lacks the ruggedness for serious off-road excursions, making it better suited for city driving.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical and reliable SUV for everyday use, but it doesn’t excel off-road. Its lower ground clearance and lack of advanced off-road technology mean it’s better suited for light trails than anything more rugged. The AWD system is designed for on-road traction, limiting its off-road capabilities.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV that focuses more on safety and comfort than off-road ability. Its AWD system is more suited for inclement weather than rough trails, and its low ground clearance limits its off-road prowess. The XC90 excels on paved roads but falters when it faces challenging terrain.
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is a refined luxury SUV, but it’s not built for the off-road world. With limited ground clearance and an AWD system geared towards stability on slick roads, the Nautilus doesn’t have the rugged features necessary for off-roading. It’s best enjoyed on highways and city streets, not on rocky trails.
BMW X3
The BMW X3 is a sporty and luxurious SUV, but it lacks the off-road features necessary for serious trails. Its AWD system is more about enhancing on-road performance than tackling rough terrain. With a lower ride height and no off-road-specific modes, the X3 struggles when the pavement ends.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA may offer luxury and compact size, but it’s not equipped for off-road performance. Its AWD system is focused on improving handling rather than conquering trails, and its ground clearance is too low for rough terrain. The GLA is a great urban SUV but doesn’t fare well off the beaten path.
Cadillac XT5
The Cadillac XT5 is a stylish and comfortable SUV, but it’s far from being off-road-ready. Its lower ground clearance and lack of rugged features make it unsuitable for rough terrain. The AWD system enhances road traction but doesn’t provide the capability needed for more challenging off-road conditions.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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