The Best Off-Roading Cars That Aren’t Absolutely Massive, You want an off-roading car, but you’re sick of all the options being absurdly massive. Most reviews and lists you read recommend the same vehicles: a Ford Raptor pick-up truck, an enormous Land Rover Defender or a classic Toyota Land Cruiser. All three will do the job, but they’re terrible when it comes to driving on the road.
That’s something a lot of people forget when buying an off-road car; you still need it to get around as usual before you reach the off-roading part. Unless you can afford two cars, you’ll use it as a daily driver, which means trying to park a gigantic 4×4 in narrow supermarket parking spaces – or attempting to navigate tight city streets. It’s a ridiculous task, so here are some of the best off-roading cars that aren’t absurdly huge:
Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek is one of the best Subaru cars of this generation, giving you 4×4 performance in a relatively compact vehicle. You might not get the pure ruggedness of a larger off-road vehicle, but it’s more than capable of handling dirt tracks, grass, muddy areas and more. There’s ample space for all of your belongings, plus it’s in the crossover category, which means it isn’t much larger than most hatchbacks.
Suzuki Jimny
When it comes to dream cars, most people will talk about Ferraris or Lamborghinis, yet a growing number of car enthusiasts want a Suzuki Jimny. Why? Because it’s the ultimate utility vehicle: designed for the ruggedness of off-road driving, yet manufactured to be small and easy to manoeuvre. It’s the type of car you can drive around town and fit into any parking space, then go green laning without kicking up any fuss. The more you look at it, the more you wonder if it was made purely to answer the question, can you find a 4×4 that isn’t enormous?
Jeep Renegade
You normally associate Jeeps with big 4×4 SUVs, yet the Renegade is really nicely compact. It’s not too dissimilar from the Jimny, only you benefit from buying a Jeep. This means you get a car that’s built on a platform known for great off-roading capabilities. You’ve got a durable and rugged car on your hands that can take you down some great off-roading paths, followed by a trip to the local Tesco’s.
See, you don’t need a gigantic vehicle to go off-roading. All four of these cars offer 4×4 capabilities that actually work while giving you a car that’s easy to drive around town. They’re living proof that you don’t need to compromise one for the other.
Dacia Duster
If you want bang for your buck, then the Dacia Duster is a prime consideration. A brand-new one comes with a 4×4 configuration from as little as £21,845. That’s an absolute steal – and you get the benefit of a mild hybrid engine, meaning this is a dream to drive around cities and towns while getting amazing MPG. Of all the options on this list, the Duster maybe pushes the boundaries when it comes to “compact” off-roaders. Some might deem it slightly too large, but it’s still smaller than almost every Land Rover out there.
