What is the Best Toyota SUV for off-road driving?

If you’re planning on heading off the beaten path, Toyota’s vehicle lineup offers you several options to choose from. You can opt for a vehicle capable of handling some light off-roading, such as the RAV4, or opt for a crossover fitted with all the equipment to tackle the most challenging trails, such as the Tacoma or 4Runner. Here are some of Toyota’s best off-roaders, selected by our team at Performance Toyota in Cincinnati.

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What Are Toyota’s Best Off-Roading Vehicles?

Toyota makes several SUVs and pickups that are well-equipped to continue moving when the pavement ends. The crossover lineup includes the mid-sized 4Runner and large Sequoia, which have specific off-roading features. Both of Toyota’s pickups, the compact Tacoma and full-sized Tundra, are also ready for the trails, as well as being real workhorses.

These vehicles are available in a range of trims and with off-roading upgrades, so you can configure your ride to meet your needs. If you’re unsure about the type of equipment you’ll need to head off on your next off-roading adventure, you can chat to one of our Toyota experts, and they’ll provide you with some advice on which vehicle and add-ons you should purchase. Popular off-roading features at Performance Toyota include four-wheel drive, skid plates, and low-range gears.

Toyota 4Runner

The first vehicle we’ll consider more closely is the 4Runner, which is arguably Toyota’s most capable off-roader. The 4Runner comes standard with skid plates and has an impressive 9.6 inches of ground clearance, which allow it to cope with rocks and other obstacles with ease.

Under the hood, the 4Runner has a 270-horsepower V-6 engine that provides plenty of power to cope with uneven terrain. If you opt for a four-wheel-drive 4Runner, you also get a two-speed transfer case that includes low-range gears. This feature is important for improving traction and control when you’re traveling slowly over rough surfaces.

You can stick with the 4Runner’s standard two-row seating configuration or add a third row to carry more passengers. The two-row version is great if you need to carry lots of gear with you on your off-roading adventures, since it features over 47 cubic feet of storage at the rear. The advantage of the third row is that it boosts your seating capacity to seven, allowing family or friends to come along for the ride.

Toyota Sequoia

Image via Auto Week

The Sequoia is Toyota’s largest SUV, making it an ideal choice for large families looking to do some light off-roading. A 5.7-liter V-8 engine ensures that this big SUV has plenty of power to tackle trails and hills. Optional four-wheel drive, skid plates, a two-speed case transfer, and a locking rear differential mean that many of the key features keen off-roaders look for are on offer. They can all be had in the off-roading TRD Pro trim. Another bonus is that the Sequoia has 10 inches of ground clearance.

The Sequoia can hold eight people in its standard setup. You also have 18 cubic feet of storage at the rear, which is more than enough for some luggage for a weekend trip. You can add a touch more comfort to the cabin with second-row captain’s chairs, but they drop the passenger capacity to seven.

Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma combines the utility of a pickup with the convenience of solid handling for day-to-day driving. It’s also more than capable of holding its own on a trail. You should check out the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims to see the best Tacoma setup for off-road adventures.

The Tacoma is ideal for off-roading with family or friends, since you can accommodate up to five people in the cab. In addition, you can choose from a bed measuring 6 feet 1 inch or a shorter one measuring 5 feet to carry your gear.

The range-topping TRD Pro trim features four-wheel drive, shock absorbers, a front skid plate, and an off-roading TRD suspension. The multi-terrain monitor can alter driving performance for specific surfaces, including mud, rocks, and sand. The TRD Off-Road trim is an affordable alternative that’s equipped with many helpful features, such as four-wheel drive, crawl control, and a locking rear differential.

Toyota Tundra

The Tundra is Toyota’s full-sized truck, and it has long been a favorite with off-road enthusiasts. If off-roading will be your main occupation in the Tundra, you’ll want to focus on the TRD Pro trim. On the other hand, the SR base trim offers many features suitable for a truck on the job site that can also hold its own on the trails. All Tundra trims are available with four-wheel drive, so you’ll easily manage a trail or two no matter which one you choose.

With the Tundra TRD Pro, you get a high-strength fuel tank, transfer case covers, fox shocks, and an upgraded TRD suspension. On top of that, you’ll have crawl control, skid plates, and an off-roading camera to help monitor the terrain.

The Tundra can seat up to five people in the cab and offers more storage space than the Tacoma. You can stick to a stripped-down cab design in the base trim or step up to a more upscale ambiance with leather upholstery and heated front seats in the higher trims.

An 8-feet 1-inch bed is on offer for maximum cargo capacity. Alternatively, the two shorter cargo beds measure 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches in length. Under the hood, the Tundra is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 that pumps out 389 horsepower.

Test Drive the Best Off-Road Toyota SUVs Today

Now that you know some more about the great off-roading options in Toyota’s lineup, why not drop by our Ohio dealership to choose your next adventurous ride? Our team of Toyota experts will be delighted to arrange a test drive for you in Cincinnati or talk to you about our competitive auto financing options. Give us a call at (513) 874-8797 today. Whether you’re looking for an SUV to accommodate your family or friends during a trip into the wilderness or a sturdy work truck that can cope with all driving conditions, we’ve got what you’re looking for.