SUV Rankings: Off-Road SUVs

Ranking of SUVs that feature off-road performance

Suzuki Grand Vitara Image
  • MSRP: $18,999 - $26,999
  • Invoice: $18,239 - $25,919
  • MPG: 19 City / 26 Hwy

#1
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Suzuki Grand Vitara stands out for its low price, off-road performance and powerful engine options. However, it simply can't compete with the top crossovers in its ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.2
Performance:7.3
Exterior:9.2
Interior:8.1
Safety:8.6
Reliability:NA
Toyota FJ Cruiser Image
  • MSRP: $23,680 - $25,270
  • Invoice: $21,784 - $23,247
  • Avg. Paid: $23,265 - $24,749
  • MPG: 17 City / 22 Hwy

#1
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

The eye-catching Toyota FJ Cruiser continues to impress reviewers with its unique, retro-inspired styling and solid off-road performance. But all that comes at a price -- the ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.2
Performance:7.8
Exterior:9.2
Interior:7.5
Safety:9.2
Reliability:8.0
Jeep Grand Cherokee Image
  • MSRP: $30,710 - $43,325
  • Invoice: $29,234 - $40,658
  • Avg. Paid: $30,225 - $42,438
  • MPG: 16 (2009) City / 21 (2009) Hwy

#3
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an excellent off-road vehicle with a luxurious interior -- a rare combination in the realm of SUVs. Nonetheless, it still can't match ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.1
Performance:8.4
Exterior:8.8
Interior:7.7
Safety:9.9
Reliability:6.0
Land Rover LR4 Image
  • MSRP: $47,250 - $47,250
  • Invoice: $42,998 - $42,998
  • Avg. Paid: $47,130 - $47,130
  • MPG: 12 City / 17 Hwy

#4
2010 Land Rover LR4

For 2010, the Land Rover LR3 receives a number of performance and interior changes and is renamed the LR4. The changes add up to a Land Rover ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.0
Performance:8.2
Exterior:NA
Interior:9.2
Safety:NA
Reliability:4.0
Hummer H3 Image
  • MSRP: NA
  • Invoice: NA
  • MPG: 14 (2009) City / 18 (2009) Hwy

#5
2010 Hummer H3

The H3 boasts great off-road capability in a distinctive, rugged package. However, it costs a lot more than similar SUVs, offers only mediocre highway performance, and has ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:7.8
Exterior:8.5
Interior:7.5
Safety:9.2
Reliability:NA
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Image
  • MSRP: NA
  • Invoice: NA
  • MPG: 11 City / 15 Hwy

#5
2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

If you like your luxury SUV with a side of military chic, check out the Mercedes-Benz G Class. Just be warned that buying one will take a ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:7.7
Exterior:8.6
Interior:8.1
Safety:NA
Reliability:NA
Nissan Xterra Image
  • MSRP: $22,450 - $30,400
  • Invoice: $21,282 - $28,504
  • Avg. Paid: $22,201 - $29,800
  • MPG: 16 City / 20 Hwy

#5
2010 Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is an affordable off-roader with strong V6 performance, but it doesn't match the car-like handling and nicer interiors of others in its class.  

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:7.8
Exterior:7.7
Interior:7.5
Safety:8.5
Reliability:7.0
Ford Explorer Image
  • MSRP: $28,880 - $38,200
  • Invoice: $26,950 - $35,432
  • Avg. Paid: $28,060 - $36,876
  • MPG: 14 (2009) City / 20 (2009) Hwy

#8
2010 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer continues to be a solid but unspectacular performer in its class. Thanks to a 2006 redesign, most test drivers say the Explorer rides better ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.8
Performance:7.8
Exterior:5.7
Interior:8.0
Safety:9.9
Reliability:6.0
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Image
  • MSRP: $59,645 - $73,345
  • Invoice: $54,277 - $66,744
  • Avg. Paid: $58,686 - $71,931
  • MPG: 12 City / 17 Hwy

#8
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

If you want a luxurious SUV that can conquer remote trails, look good around town, and provide a sporty on-road driving experience, the Range Rover Sport might ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.8
Performance:8.3
Exterior:8.6
Interior:8.3
Safety:NA
Reliability:6.0
Toyota 4Runner Image
  • MSRP: $29,175 - $39,800
  • Invoice: $26,548 - $36,218
  • MPG: 17 (Est) City / 23 (Est) Hwy

#8
2010 Toyota 4Runner

Since its 2003 introduction, the Toyota 4Runner has been a capable off-road vehicle with poor fuel economy and a sub-par highway ride. Changes for 2010, however, have ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.8
Performance:8.0
Exterior:NA
Interior:NA
Safety:NA
Reliability:NA
Kia Borrego Image
  • MSRP: $26,245 - $32,995
  • Invoice: $24,640 - $30,410
  • Avg. Paid: $26,140 - $32,798
  • MPG: 17 City / 21 Hwy

#11
2009 Kia Borrego

Named after a state park in California and meaning "bighorned sheep," the Borrego is Kia's brand new midsize SUV -- and the manufacturer's largest offering yet. With ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.7
Performance:7.8
Exterior:NA
Interior:8.0
Safety:9.9
Reliability:5.0
Jeep Wrangler Image
  • MSRP: $21,165 - $32,050
  • Invoice: $20,627 - $30,090
  • Avg. Paid: $21,691 - $31,434
  • MPG: 15 City / 19 Hwy

#12
2010 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is loved for its rugged off-road capabilities and boxy styling. However, its off-road chops come at a price -- on-road handling and comfort fall far short ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.5
Performance:7.5
Exterior:8.3
Interior:6.1
Safety:NA
Reliability:5.0
Land Rover LR2 Image
  • MSRP: $35,500 - $35,500
  • Invoice: $32,305 - $32,305
  • Avg. Paid: $34,256 - $34,256
  • MPG: 15 City / 22 Hwy

#13
2010 Land Rover LR2

The LR2 strengths are its off-road driving capabilities and strong safety features. However, these strengths are tempered by Land Rover's poor reliability record. A few reviewers also ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.4
Performance:7.9
Exterior:8.3
Interior:7.5
Safety:NA
Reliability:4.0
GMC Envoy Image
  • MSRP: $30,625 - $38,670
  • Invoice: $28,634 - $36,156
  • Avg. Paid: $29,671 - $37,408
  • MPG: 15 City / 21 Hwy

#14
2009 GMC Envoy

The Envoy's strengths are its spacious interior and outstanding towing capacity. However, these are eclipsed by sub-par handling and questionable reliability and value. For better value and ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.2
Performance:7.6
Exterior:9.1
Interior:8.0
Safety:6.1
Reliability:7.0
Jeep Liberty Image
  • MSRP: $23,255 - $28,735
  • Invoice: $22,630 - $27,701
  • Avg. Paid: $23,347 - $28,709
  • MPG: 16 (2009) City / 22 (2009) Hwy

#14
2010 Jeep Liberty

The Liberty's strong suit is its excellent off-road capabilities. In spite of that, it can't match the raw power and refined handling of rivals and probably won't ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.2
Performance:6.6
Exterior:7.8
Interior:7.2
Safety:9.9
Reliability:4.0
Jeep Patriot Image
  • MSRP: $17,795 - $24,550
  • Invoice: $17,376 - $23,591
  • Avg. Paid: $18,086 - $24,683
  • MPG: 23 City / 28 Hwy

#16
2010 Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot lives up to its Jeep heritage and receives plenty of praise as a genuine off-road vehicle. But in all other applications, it simply can't ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.0
Performance:7.2
Exterior:7.1
Interior:7.3
Safety:9.3
Reliability:5.0
Nissan Pathfinder Image
  • MSRP: $29,440 - $42,160
  • Invoice: $27,584 - $39,041
  • Avg. Paid: $28,697 - $40,738
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#17
2010 Nissan Pathfinder

First introduced in 1986, the long-running Nissan Pathfinder is a good choice for those who want a versatile cabin and decent off-road capabilities. However, this SUV lags ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:6.8
Performance:7.5
Exterior:6.9
Interior:7.8
Safety:NA
Reliability:5.0
Chevrolet TrailBlazer Image
  • MSRP: $29,155 - $39,330
  • Invoice: $27,260 - $36,774
  • Avg. Paid: $28,578 - $38,409
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#18
2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The TrailBlazer's strong point is its comfortable, roomy and relatively well-equipped cabin, but that can't make up for sub-par handling and cheap interior materials. For a smoother ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:6.7
Performance:6.9
Exterior:8.8
Interior:7.1
Safety:6.1
Reliability:7.0

Unranked: Off-Road SUVs

Our rankings are based on analysis of third party reviews. Sometimes, we are unable to find enough reviews to publish a definitive ranking. Please check back later, as we are constantly updating our reviews.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Image

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

MSRP: NA | Invoice: NA | MPG: NA