Looking for a new suv

[Rare Breed]

As some others have said, if you want a practical solution, that is boringly good, with perhaps only one turbo, check out the Subaru wilderness models. Your fellow owners will include women that wear comfortable shoes, but they are really good cars.

My wife says they are so ugly but they rank #1 in US consumer reports for reliability and maintenance. Just can’t give up my land rover!!!!!

 

[Rare Breed]

I’m still watching for your choice and review!

I had a 2008 2 Door Rubicon Wrangler. It was underpowered… I’ll take a better look at the 2 Door Bronco.

Beware of the Eco Boostecengine just google Eco Boost problems Bronco and enough said. Such a shame I love everything else about them. I tried to order one with a V8 but not available

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I have 2 - 250’s. One for work and one for hunting, fishing, hauling dogs, and towing the boat. Had 1 variation of a F-250 or the other since 1999. Always Diesel. They have their place and use…

Too big for everything I want to do now…

Work Rig:

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Beware of the Eco Boostecengine just google Eco Boost problems Bronco and enough said. Such a shame I love everything else about them. I tried to order one with a V8 but not available

Probably why I haven’t got one yet… I did test drive one…

 

[matt85]

Might go look at 2 door bronco's this weekend. Not entirely sold on the vehice, but its probably the closest thing to what i want.

 

[Daryl S]

Powerful enough for towing?
Towing what is needed?
Pretty light (IMHO) for any travel-type trailer.

 

[cash_tx]

The Toyota options are pretty decent, but it's a damn shame that they have steadily slid from world class products to just better than average. Having worked with them in a B2B context for several years, I can tell you that company is riddled with dumbasses and the decline is not surprising. That being said, the 4Runner/Tacoma platform with the iForce Max hybrid drive train seems very promising.

 

[steve white]

The older 4 runner with the bulletproof v6. I think ‘21 or ‘22 was the last year with that engine.

You call that "older" lol

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I saw one of these at DSC a few years ago. I didn't ask the price. Seems a bit steep.

2024 Sherp N1200 4x4 Amphibious Extreme Terrain Vehicle (Unused)

Enclosed Cab, Air Conditioner, Heater, 1800X600-25 Tires, 8 Passenger Capacity, Diesel Engine, Rear Seats 7, Extra Rear LED Lights, Front LED Bar, 4 Rear Windows

www.ironplanet.com

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

FJ Cruisers look like a great option. Just saw a certified pre-owned 2014 for sale at a Toyota dealership in AZ. 63k miles

 

[CJNJ]

This is 100% BS.

Ground clearance matters, power matters, and angle of departure and attack matter.

More than anything else tires matter. The other four factors are nice to haves. Tires matter the most. I went in places with my wife's Toyota Sienna in deep snow and Chinese snow tires here in Germany the I got stuck in my Subaru Outback with winter rated all season tires.

Good tires on a Yugo and you have a formidable off roader.

I actually hate the visibility in the Land Rover, but all 3 of them suck for that.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 110, 2025 Ford Bronco (5-door/4-door), and 2025 Jeep Wrangler (Unlimited/5-door with Rubicon package) are all highly capable off-road SUVs. Here's a direct comparison focused on your key criteria: ground clearance, power (horsepower), approach angle, and departure angle. These specs are for the most off-road-optimized configurations (e.g., with air suspension or highest packages like Sasquatch/Xtreme Recon for Bronco, Rubicon for Wrangler, and air suspension/off-road height for Defender).

• Ground Clearance(maximum/off-road):
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor trim or equivalent max): Up to 13.1 inches (highest in this group for standard production models).
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with Xtreme Recon package): Up to 12.9 inches.
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (with air suspension in off-road mode): Up to 11.5 inches (about 293mm).
  • Winner: Ford Bronco has the most ground clearance.
• Power(maximum horsepower available):
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (Octa or high-output V8 variants): Up to 626 hp (twin-turbo V8); more commonly up to 518 hp on V8 models or 395 hp on inline-6.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Rubicon 392 with V8): Up to 470 hp.
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor trim): Up to 418 hp (twin-turbo V6); base models around 300-330 hp.
  • Winner: Land Rover Defender 110 has the most power (by a significant margin in top trims).
• Approach Angle(maximum/off-road):
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor or with 35" tires/Sasquatch): Up to 47.2 degrees.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with Xtreme Recon): Up to 47.4 degrees (best-in-class claims for 4-door in some configs). Standard Rubicon around 43.9-44 degrees.
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (air suspension off-road): Up to 38 degrees (around 37.5-38 degrees).
  • Winner: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon edges out slightly (or ties very closely with Bronco in top configs).
• Departure Angle(maximum/off-road):
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (air suspension off-road): Up to 40-42 degrees (around 40-41.9 degrees; higher in some configs).
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor): Up to 40.5 degrees.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Around 37 degrees (35.6-37 degrees standard; up to 40.4 degrees with Xtreme Recon).
  • Winner: Tie-ish between Defender 110 and Bronco, with Defender often at or near the top (e.g., 40+ degrees), and Bronco close behind. Wrangler trails slightly unless maxed out.

Overall Summary:

• If prioritizing ground clearance, the Ford Bronco (especially Raptor) leads.
• For raw power, the Defender 110 dominates with its high-output engines.
• For approach and departure angles (critical for extreme obstacles), the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with packages) and Bronco are very strong, often beating the Defender's angles despite the Defender's adjustable air suspension helping in practice.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is frequently praised for pure off-road articulation and angles in comparisons, the Bronco for clearance and modern features, and the Defender for luxury + capability balance (plus superior wading depth ~35-39 inches). Real-world performance depends on exact trim, tires, and setup—test drives or professional reviews (e.g., on tough trails) are ideal for your needs.
The 2025 Land Rover Defender 110, 2025 Ford Bronco (5-door/4-door), and 2025 Jeep Wrangler (Unlimited/5-door with Rubicon package) are all highly capable off-road SUVs. Here's a direct comparison focused on your key criteria: ground clearance, power (horsepower), approach angle, and departure angle. These specs are for the most off-road-optimized configurations (e.g., with air suspension or highest packages like Sasquatch/Xtreme Recon for Bronco, Rubicon for Wrangler, and air suspension/off-road height for Defender).

• Ground Clearance (maximum/off-road):
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor trim or equivalent max): Up to 13.1 inches (highest in this group for standard production models).
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with Xtreme Recon package): Up to 12.9 inches.
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (with air suspension in off-road mode): Up to 11.5 inches (about 293mm).
  • Winner: Ford Bronco has the most ground clearance.
• Power (maximum horsepower available):
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (Octa or high-output V8 variants): Up to 626 hp (twin-turbo V8); more commonly up to 518 hp on V8 models or 395 hp on inline-6.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Rubicon 392 with V8): Up to 470 hp.
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor trim): Up to 418 hp (twin-turbo V6); base models around 300-330 hp.
  • Winner: Land Rover Defender 110 has the most power (by a significant margin in top trims).
• Approach Angle (maximum/off-road):
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor or with 35" tires/Sasquatch): Up to 47.2 degrees.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with Xtreme Recon): Up to 47.4 degrees (best-in-class claims for 4-door in some configs). Standard Rubicon around 43.9-44 degrees.
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (air suspension off-road): Up to 38 degrees (around 37.5-38 degrees).
  • Winner: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon edges out slightly (or ties very closely with Bronco in top configs).
• Departure Angle (maximum/off-road):
  • Land Rover Defender 110 (air suspension off-road): Up to 40-42 degrees (around 40-41.9 degrees; higher in some configs).
  • Ford Bronco (Raptor): Up to 40.5 degrees.
  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Around 37 degrees (35.6-37 degrees standard; up to 40.4 degrees with Xtreme Recon).
  • Winner: Tie-ish between Defender 110 and Bronco, with Defender often at or near the top (e.g., 40+ degrees), and Bronco close behind. Wrangler trails slightly unless maxed out.

Overall Summary:

• If prioritizing ground clearance, the Ford Bronco (especially Raptor) leads.
• For raw power, the Defender 110 dominates with its high-output engines.
• For approach and departure angles (critical for extreme obstacles), the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (with packages) and Bronco are very strong, often beating the Defender's angles despite the Defender's adjustable air suspension helping in practice.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is frequently praised for pure off-road articulation and angles in comparisons, the Bronco for clearance and modern features, and the Defender for luxury + capability balance (plus superior wading depth ~35-39 inches). Real-world performance depends on exact trim, tires, and setup—test drives or professional reviews (e.g., on tough trails) are ideal for your needs.

You're entitled to your opinion. I never said my car was better than any other, only that it is refined, that it is capable offroad where I take it, and that I like it. If you don't agree, fine. Its not BS.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Toyota Tacoma Pickup - You can get a 2 door or 4 door.

I drive a large GMC 3500 HD pickup here but I own a Toyota Hilux in the UK, basically the Toyota Tacoma, I think its a great smaller sized pickup that is very capable and largely bomb proof. They hold their values really well over time.

If it has to be an SUV, Toyota 4 runner. The used V6 are selling at very high prices.

 

[matt85]

Welp im back from the Ford dealership... and I still have my Wrangler.

They had the Bronco I liked, and I was ready to buy it. But they wouldn't give me enough money for the Wrangler. It's a brand-new Wrangler purchased at the end of October but they would only give me $23,000 for it. I'm not prepared to lose $17,000 on a vehicle I just bought.

I think im going to give up and keep the Wrangler. I ride a motorcycle most of the year anyway, so it's not like I need to deal with it all the time.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So i got tired of my Ram 2500, it was really too big for my needs and was getting up there in miles. So, i traded it in on a new Jeep 2-door Wrangler. While i like the Wranglers size and abilities... I hate its drive train! I also dont trust its reliability as the build quality seems quite poor.

So im on the hunt for something similar in size and capability to the Wrangler, but better built.

Basic requirements:
- small, preferably not much bigger than the 2-door Wrangler.
- 4x4 with enough ground clearance to deal with fallen trees and moderately deep snow.
- the ability to tow at least 1000lb
- enough space in the back to haul 300lb of salt pellets (big 50lb bags) for maintaining a communal well. (The Wrangler can do it with the rear seat removed).

Any suggestions? Thank you!

@matt85
You can't go past. Nissan Frontier 4x4 just a crying shame they don't come in diesel in the USA. Great reliability, fantastic off road and tows 3,000# brakes and 2,000# payload in the tub.
Plus not much bigger than the Jeep espt in 2 door variety.
Don't listen to the naysayers that recommend a Toyota Hilux. Over rated rubbish compared to NISSAN
Just saying
Bob

 

[Scott CWO]

Welp im back from the Ford dealership... and I still have my Wrangler.

They had the Bronco I liked, and I was ready to buy it. But they wouldn't give me enough money for the Wrangler. It's a brand-new Wrangler purchased at the end of October but they would only give me $23,000 for it. I'm not prepared to lose $17,000 on a vehicle I just bought.

I think im going to give up and keep the Wrangler. I ride a motorcycle most of the year anyway, so it's not like I need to deal with it all the time.

Just sell it privately. I never trade. Just sold my 2017 F350 XLT diesel crewcab with 188k miles on it to the first guy that came and looked for $29k. The new truck I ordered will be here in two weeks.

 

[fourfive8]

@matt85
You can't go past. Nissan Frontier 4x4 just a crying shame they don't come in diesel in the USA. Great reliability, fantastic off road and tows 3,000# brakes and 2,000# payload in the tub.
Plus not much bigger than the Jeep espt in 2 door variety.
Don't listen to the naysayers that recommend a Toyota Hilux. Over rated rubbish compared to NISSAN
Just saying
Bob

Yep! Too bad the USA got off on the stupid “green, anti-small-diesel” tangent and seems to be totally unwilling to return to reason. In addition to Nissan… Ford, Mazda and Isuzu all have established, world market, proven models of small, diesel powered vehicles. The rest of the world leaves the USA in the dust in welcoming efficient, affordable vehicles. I’ve zero experience with the more recent players out of India and China and those models continue to be unknown outliers. Soooo dunno about them.

 

[matt85]

The Nissan Frontier is 3.5 feet longer than the Wranger...

 

[Muskox]

@matt85
You can't go past. Nissan Frontier 4x4 just a crying shame they don't come in diesel in the USA. Great reliability, fantastic off road and tows 3,000# brakes and 2,000# payload in the tub.
Plus not much bigger than the Jeep espt in 2 door variety.
Don't listen to the naysayers that recommend a Toyota Hilux. Over rated rubbish compared to NISSAN
Just saying
Bob

Yes, the bigger crying shame is that you can't get the Isuzu or Mazda pickups in America.

FJ -79's aren't a super comfortable grocery getter and daily commuter. High mileage trips also suck. The wrangler is comfortable by comparison.

I'd happily take one, but I don't know how much I would love it.

An F-250 is a dream compared to a FJ-79, but the F-250 has a different job. Unless it is your only truck.

Kind of leaning toward the Jeep Rubicon pickup when we get back to the USA.

 

[Scott CWO]

The Nissan Frontier is 3.5 feet longer than the Wranger...

Yes but still plenty small. Heck, I take a F350 places you can’t imagine. It’s a misnomer that you need a small 4x4 to get to remote places as well as parking spaces. Just takes another turn to line up. So what.

 

[Muskox]

Heavy timbered Pacific Northwest. You'd be served well by a Suzuki Jimmny that they have here in Germany.