Where we’re going, we don’t need roads: these high-riders are capable on just about any surface
The SUV continues to top sales charts as Britain’s most popular car class, but few of these are able to offer the go-anywhere ability of a proper off-roader.
Despite their raised ride heights and typically chunky styling, SUVs are more at home in a town centre than fording a river. If you really want to adventure into the wilderness, an off-roader is the only machine that will take you there.
Off-roaders are designed from the very outset to tackle rough terrain and would have no trouble taking on the green lanes of the Strata Florida.
And while most of the off-road market features square-set 4x4s with an array of go-anywhere modes, you can also have a rugged pick-up truck, jacked-up estate or even an electric 4×4 with oodles of torque.
We think the Land Rover Defender Octa is the most capable off-roader you can buy today. This pseudo-rally car is a hoon to drive on loose gravel, but thanks to its adjustable ride height and clever terrain response, it can crawl and climb over just about anything.
But which other off-roaders should you buy, how much should you spend, and is it worth buying something more rugged and analogue over a high-tech luxury offering?
Whatever your off-roading wants or needs, there’s something in our top 10 topography-tamers that should suit your requirements and budget.
