The 5 Best Off-Road Vehicles

Three times in three minutes we seemed well and truly stuck. Each time, the frame of the FJ Cruiser was solidly in contact with a clay mogul and one tire was hanging in the air. Especially because the FJ was fitted with on-road-oriented tires, we knew we were stuck: A tractor and a chain were in our future. WRONG. The combination of the FJ's available limited-slip center differential, electronically locking rear differential and a system that applies the brakes to the tires with the least traction repeatedly got us out of hopeless situations. The FJ is closely related to the Toyota Tacoma and the two share the good off-road pieces. So, if it's a pickup you prefer, go with the Tacoma with the TRD Off-Road package.