Top 10 Off-Road SUVs 2024 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

For the 2024 model year, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is our Best Overall off-road SUV at a starting MSRP of $51,295 (four-door). Nothing else under $60,000 ships with standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, an electronic front sway-bar disconnect, and a 47.4-degree approach angle straight off the showroom floor, and no rig has a deeper aftermarket.

Our Best Value pick is the Subaru Outback Wilderness at a starting MSRP of $39,960 — a daily-drivable wagon-SUV with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a turbo boxer, and standard all-terrain tires that quietly outpunches its price. Below are all ten 2024 picks ranked, each with real engine, hardware, clearance, angle, and towing numbers pulled from manufacturer specs and tested by Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, and TFLoffroad.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We scored every 2024-model-year contender on six weighted criteria. The weighting reflects what actually keeps you moving on a trail versus what merely looks good in a brochure:

• Off-road capability and hardware — 30%: locking diffs, disconnecting sway bars, low-range gearing, ground clearance, approach/departure angles, and tire spec.
• Durability and reliability — 20%: body-on-frame versus unibody, drivetrain track record, and long-term ownership data from Edmunds and KBB.
• Value — 15%: capability and hardware delivered per dollar of starting MSRP.
• On-road livability — 15%: ride quality, noise, and daily usability, drawing on Car and Driver and MotorTrend road tests.
• Aftermarket and mods — 10%: breadth of bumpers, lifts, armor, and lockers available, where Four Wheeler and TFLoffroad coverage is deepest.
• Tech — 10%: terrain modes, cameras, screens, and driver aids.

Sources span Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, TFLoffroad, Four Wheeler, and Kelley Blue Book. All specs below are for the 2024 model year specifically, so this guide stays distinct from later-year buying guides.

1. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $51,295 | Best for: Rock crawlers who want maximum hardware and the deepest mod ecosystem

The 2024 Wrangler Rubicon four-door pairs a 285-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 (a 270-hp 2.0-liter turbo four is optional) with a part-time Rock-Trac 4WD system and 4:1 low range. It is the rare factory SUV with standard Tru-Lok front and rear electronic locking differentials plus an electronic front sway-bar disconnect for huge articulation.

Standard Rubicon clearance runs around 10.8 inches, with a 44-degree approach angle and roughly 37-degree departure, while the 6.4-liter 470-hp Rubicon 392 with the Xtreme 35 package pushes that to 12.9 inches, a 47.4-degree approach, and a 40.4-degree departure.

Properly equipped four-doors tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Pros:

• Standard front and rear lockers plus a sway-bar disconnect — unmatched at this price.
• Removable doors, roof, and folding windshield for a true open-air rig.
• The largest off-road aftermarket on earth — lifts, armor, and bumpers everywhere.
• Solid front and rear axles that shrug off abuse.

Cons:

• On-road manners are trucky — wandering steering and wind noise on the highway.
• Fuel economy trails the field, especially the 392.

Verdict: The most capable, most moddable factory off-roader you can buy in 2024, and still the benchmark every rival is measured against.

2. Ford Bronco Badlands

Starting MSRP: $51,385 | Best for: Buyers who want Wrangler hardware with sharper steering and modern tech

The four-door 2024 Bronco Badlands runs a 300-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost four standard or an optional 330-hp 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, both feeding an advanced 4x4 with a two-speed transfer case. The Badlands adds front and rear locking differentials, a front stabilizer-bar disconnect, and Bilstein position-sensitive monotube shocks.

High-clearance Badlands setups deliver up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance, a 43.2-degree approach angle, a 29-degree breakover, and a 37.2-degree departure angle. Towing tops out near 3,500 pounds, and the Sasquatch package bolts on 35-inch tires from the factory.

Pros:

• G.O.A.T. Terrain modes make hard trails approachable for newer drivers.
• Sharper on-road steering than the Wrangler.
• Removable doors and roof keep the open-air appeal.
• Front and rear lockers plus sway-bar disconnect match the segment leader.

Cons:

• EcoBoost engines can run warm under sustained low-speed crawling.
• Aftermarket is growing but still smaller than the Jeep's.

Verdict: The closest rival to the Wrangler, and arguably the better daily driver — it loses top honors only on aftermarket depth and proven longevity.

3. Toyota Land Cruiser

Starting MSRP: $55,950 | Best for: Overlanders who want legendary durability with new-era efficiency

Reborn for 2024 on the TNGA-F platform, the Land Cruiser uses the i-Force Max hybrid: a turbo 2.4-liter four plus an electric motor for 326 hp and 465 lb-ft through an eight-speed automatic. It runs full-time 4WD with a center locking differential and an electronic locking rear differential, plus a front sway-bar disconnect on upper grades.

Ground clearance is roughly 8.7 inches, and a trailer hitch is standard with a 6,000-pound tow rating. It returns to a sensible footprint and a sub-$60K entry, a sharp contrast to the six-figure prior generation.

Pros:

• Toyota body-on-frame durability with a strong resale track record.
• Hybrid torque arrives instantly off-idle for clean crawling.
• Center and rear locking diffs standard on all grades.
• Right-sized versus the old land-yacht Land Cruiser.

Cons:

• Ground clearance trails the Wrangler and Bronco.
• Base 1958 trim is sparsely equipped for the money.

Verdict: The smart long-haul overlander — built to outlast everything else here and finally priced within reach again.

4. Lexus GX 550 Overtrail

Starting MSRP: $69,250 | Best for: Buyers who want serious trail hardware wrapped in luxury

Fully redesigned for 2024, the GX 550 Overtrail shares the Land Cruiser's body-on-frame bones but swaps in a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 making 349 hp and 479 lb-ft through a ten-speed automatic. The Overtrail grade adds an electronically locking rear differential, a Torsen limited-slip center differential, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and the E-KDSS system that locks and unlocks the stabilizer bars for articulation.

Clearance is about 8.9 inches, with a roughly 26-degree approach and 23-degree departure, and towing reaches a stout 9,000 pounds.

Pros:

• Genuine off-road hardware behind a luxury badge.
• 9,000-pound tow rating leads the midsize group.
• E-KDSS delivers articulation without wrecking the on-road ride.
• Real V6 torque and a refined ten-speed.

Cons:

• Modest approach and departure angles limit hardcore rock work.
• Premium pricing climbs fast with options.

Verdict: The luxury overlander that genuinely earns its trail credentials — pick the Overtrail grade or skip it.

5. Land Rover Defender 110

Starting MSRP: $67,400 | Best for: Globe-trotters who want adjustable clearance and big towing

The 2024 Defender 110 spans a 296-hp turbo four (P300) up to a 493-plus-hp supercharged V8, with the popular 395-hp mild-hybrid inline-six P400 in the middle. Its electronic air suspension raises ground clearance from about 8.5 to 11.5 inches on demand, with an approach angle reaching 38 degrees and departure up to 40 degrees.

A center locking differential is standard and an active rear locker is available, while Terrain Response 2 manages the surfaces. Towing reaches roughly 8,200 pounds on six-cylinder and V8 models.

Pros:

• Height-adjustable air suspension unlocks class-leading clearance on tap.
• Up-to-40-degree departure angle clears obstacles most rivals scrape.
• Genuinely plush on long highway stretches.
• Strong towing across the six-cylinder and V8 range.

Cons:

• Air suspension and electronics raise long-term reliability questions.
• Options inflate the price well past the base figure.

Verdict: The most versatile do-anything Defender in years — supremely capable, if you can stomach the complexity and the running costs.

6. Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Starting MSRP: $55,170 | Best for: Buyers who want the last of the proven old-school 4Runner

2024 is the final year of the fifth-generation 4Runner, and the TRD Pro sends off the 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic with the exclusive Terra paint. It runs part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case, an electronic locking rear differential, Fox internal-bypass shocks, and KDSS sway-bar control.

Ground clearance sits around 9.6 inches and towing is rated at 5,000 pounds. The aging V6 and five-speed are dated, but they are also as bulletproof as anything in the segment.

Pros:

• Legendary, almost unkillable old-school drivetrain.
• Fox shocks and a rear locker standard on TRD Pro.
• Massive 4Runner aftermarket for armor and lifts.
• Strong resale value that softens the buy-in.

Cons:

• Dated five-speed automatic hurts efficiency and refinement.
• Thirsty V6 with no hybrid help.

Verdict: The sentimental, durable choice — the last of a beloved generation before the 2025 redesign changed everything.

7. Ineos Grenadier

Starting MSRP: $71,500 | Best for: Purists who want a no-nonsense, locker-equipped utility 4x4

The Grenadier is a deliberately analog body-on-frame brute powered by a 282-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter BMW inline-six (B58) with an eight-speed automatic. It rides on solid front and rear axles, runs a two-speed transfer case with a center locking differential standard, and offers front and rear locking differentials on the off-road packs.

Ground clearance is about 10.4 inches, and towing reaches roughly 7,700 pounds. It is purpose-built for abuse, with switchgear and recovery points designed for the field rather than the boulevard.

Pros:

• Triple-locker capability for the most demanding trails.
• BMW inline-six delivers smooth, reliable power.
• Solid axles and a ladder frame built to be flogged.
• Utilitarian, fix-it-anywhere design philosophy.

Cons:

• Crude on-road ride and steering by modern standards.
• Sparse dealer and service network in the U.S.

Verdict: A modern Defender-style workhorse for those who value mechanical honesty over polish — niche, but deeply capable.

8. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

Starting MSRP: $40,130 | Best for: Families wanting real trail hardware with crossover comfort

The 2024 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk blends genuine capability into a comfortable family SUV. It pairs a 293-hp 3.6-liter V6 (or the 375-hp 4xe plug-in hybrid) with Quadra-Drive II 4WD, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and the Quadra-Lift air suspension that lifts clearance to about 10.9 inches.

The Trailhawk adds skid plates, a two-speed transfer case, and Selec-Terrain modes. Properly equipped Grand Cherokees tow up to 6,200 pounds with the V6, and the cabin is far plusher than any Wrangler.

Pros:

• Air-suspension clearance up to 10.9 inches at the touch of a button.
• Genuinely comfortable, quiet cabin for daily family duty.
• 4xe plug-in option adds electric-only torque for crawling.
• Standard skid plates and terrain modes out of the box.

Cons:

• Unibody construction is less abuse-tolerant than body-on-frame rivals.
• Air suspension adds repair complexity over time.

Verdict: The best blend of trail ability and everyday family comfort here — capable enough for real adventures, livable enough for the school run.

9. Subaru Outback Wilderness 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $39,960 | Best for: Budget adventurers who need one car for trails and the commute

The 2024 Outback Wilderness is the value champion: a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer with a CVT and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. It delivers 9.5 inches of ground clearance — more than a stock 4Runner — plus standard Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, a dual-function X-Mode system for snow and mud, and a raised, retuned suspension.

Towing is rated at 3,500 pounds, and the integrated front and rear tow points plus extra body cladding back up the rugged styling. For under $40,000 it does most of what bigger rigs do, with car-like comfort and efficiency.

Pros:

• 9.5 inches of clearance beats many body-on-frame SUVs.
• Standard all-terrain tires and X-Mode straight from the factory.
• Easily the most fuel-efficient and comfortable daily here.
• Lowest entry price with real capability per dollar.

Cons:

• No low range or locking differentials for hardcore terrain.
• CVT dulls enthusiast appeal.

Verdict: The smartest money on this list for buyers who want a single do-it-all vehicle — light trails, snow, and a comfortable commute, all under $40K.

10. Ford Bronco Sport Badlands

Starting MSRP: $38,390 | Best for: First-time adventurers who want trail tech in a compact package

The compact Bronco Sport Badlands is the gateway off-roader, pairing a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four with an eight-speed automatic and an advanced all-wheel-drive system featuring a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with differential lock. The Badlands trim adds tougher dampers, a roughly 1-inch lift to about 8.8 inches of clearance, all-terrain tires, and extra G.O.A.T.

Terrain modes including Rock Crawl. Towing is modest at around 2,200 pounds, but for a unibody compact it punches above its size on light-to-moderate trails.

Pros:

• Twin-clutch rear-drive unit with diff lock is rare at this price.
• Compact size makes tight trails easy.
• G.O.A.T. Terrain modes simplify off-road driving.
• Lowest price of entry into the Bronco family.

Cons:

• No low range limits steep, slow technical climbs.
• Small turbo four can feel strained when loaded.

Verdict: The best compact entry point to off-roading in 2024 — affordable, capable enough for most weekend trails, and easy to live with.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying an Off-Road SUV

When you shop a 2024 off-road SUV, prioritize the hardware that actually moves the vehicle over the trim and badging:

• Locking differentials: a rear locker transforms traction; front and rear lockers are what separate true rigs like the Wrangler and Bronco from posers.
• Low range: a two-speed transfer case with deep gearing is essential for slow, controlled crawling — the Outback and Bronco Sport notably lack it.
• Ground clearance and angles: look past the headline clearance number to approach, breakover, and departure angles, which dictate what you can actually climb and exit.
• Solid axles versus IFS: solid axles flex and survive abuse; independent front suspension rides better daily. Choose based on how hard you will push.
• Tire spec: factory all-terrain tires save you an immediate upgrade cost and meaningfully boost real-world capability.
• Sway-bar disconnect: an electronic disconnect dramatically improves articulation on uneven terrain.

One thing that matters less than marketing implies: drive-mode names and screen-based "terrain selectors." Slick graphics and a dozen named modes sell well, but a single rear locker and proper low-range gearing will out-crawl any software package on genuinely hard terrain. Buy the hardware, not the menu.

FAQ

What is the most capable off-road SUV for 2024? The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon takes the crown thanks to standard front and rear electronic lockers, a front sway-bar disconnect, deep low-range gearing, and a 44-degree approach angle — capability no rival matches at its price.

Which 2024 off-road SUV is the best value? The Subaru Outback Wilderness at $39,960 delivers 9.5 inches of clearance, standard all-terrain tires, and X-Mode for the lowest entry price, making it the strongest capability-per-dollar pick.

Do I really need locking differentials for off-roading? For light trails, snow, and dirt roads, all-wheel drive with X-Mode (as on the Outback) is plenty. For rock crawling, deep mud, or heavy articulation, a rear locker is the single most valuable upgrade, and front-plus-rear lockers are ideal.

Are body-on-frame SUVs better off-road than unibody ones? Body-on-frame designs like the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Grenadier handle sustained abuse and heavy loads better, while unibody rigs like the Grand Cherokee and Outback ride more comfortably daily. Match the construction to how hard you plan to push.

Which 2024 off-road SUV tows the most? Among these picks the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail leads at about 9,000 pounds, followed by the Land Rover Defender 110 at roughly 8,200 pounds and the Ineos Grenadier near 7,700 pounds.

Is the 2024 Toyota 4Runner worth buying before the redesign? Yes, if you value proven durability and a deep aftermarket. 2024 is the final year of the long-running fifth generation, and the TRD Pro's bulletproof V6, Fox shocks, and rear locker make it a dependable, high-resale choice.

Bottom Line

The 2024 off-road SUV field is the deepest it has been in years. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon remains the Best Overall for its unmatched standard hardware, extreme angles, and bottomless aftermarket, while the Ford Bronco Badlands runs it close with sharper road manners. For long-haul durability, the reborn Toyota Land Cruiser and the final old-generation 4Runner TRD Pro are the smart bets; for luxury that still crawls, the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail and Land Rover Defender 110 deliver.

And on a budget, the Subaru Outback Wilderness earns Best Value by doing most of what the big rigs do for under $40,000. Buy the hardware that matches your terrain, not the badge — and any of these ten will get you well off the pavement.

Sources

• Car and Driver — 2024 off-road SUV reviews and road tests
• MotorTrend — 2024 SUV reviews and specifications
• Edmunds — 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon features and specs
• Edmunds — 2024 Ford Bronco features and specs
• Toyota USA Newsroom — 2024 Land Cruiser returns to its origin
• Edmunds — 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail features and specs
• Edmunds — 2024 Land Rover Defender features and specs
• Edmunds — 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro features and specs
• Kelley Blue Book — 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness pricing and specs
• Kelley Blue Book — 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands pricing and specs
• Cars.com — 2024 Ineos Grenadier specs and pricing
• Edmunds — 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing and specs

*Off-road SUV review — off-road SUV reviews, rating, best off-road SUV 2024, and a review of the top 4x4 picks for buyers.*