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Best 4x4 cars 2026
Many of the SUVs and crossovers we see today are inspired by off-road vehicles, but which ones can actually cut it in the rough?
Words by: Erin Baker
Additional words by: Eleanor Greaves
Last updated on 25 August 2026 | 0 min read
Once upon a time the term '4x4' only applied to genuine off-road vehicles like old-school Land Rover Defenders, Toyota Land Cruisers or the utilitarian pick-up trucks used by farmers or others with a need to go off the beaten track. But the popularity of high-riding SUVs and crossovers has blurred the lines somewhat. Now, a significant number of everyday cars look like they’re built to go wading through mud or scrambling up mountains, but most of them are no more capable in the rough stuff than any other family hatchback.
But what if you do need some proper off-road ability? Here’s our selection of the most capable four-wheel drive cars on sale right now. Some you’ll expect to see, others may surprise you...
But what if you do need some proper off-road ability? Here’s our selection of the most capable four-wheel drive cars on sale right now. Some you’ll expect to see, others may surprise you...
Land Rover Defender
Originally developed in the late 1940s as an affordable, utilitarian vehicle, the original Land Rover evolved to become a British icon popular with farmers, families and even the late Queen Elizabeth. Rebranded as the Defender in the 1980s and reborn more recently into the modern SUV we know today, the current Land Rover is a clever blend of sophistication, style and the legendary off-road performance that made its name. The Defender continues to impress, winning the Most Loved Car 2026 and the Best In-car Design 2026 at our recent Drivers Choice Awards!
Read the review and browse Land Rover Defenders on Autotrader
Toyota Land Cruiser
There’s an old joke that if you want to go anywhere you take a Land Rover, but if you want to come back you choose a Toyota Land Cruiser. LOL etc. From Africa to Australia, Toyota’s legendary 4x4 has a reputation for unstoppable toughness, with decades-old versions still plugging away doing their thing. Beyond a small but loyal customer base it’s never quite had the same popularity here, though that may change with the latest Land Cruiser 250. Like the Defender, it’s been designed to celebrate the traditions of its predecessors, and while it's far from cheap to buy, the introduction of mild hybrid technology should help keep running costs somewhere near manageable.
Read the review of the current model and browse Toyota Land Cruisers on Autotrader
Read the review of the current model and browse Toyota Land Cruisers on Autotrader
Ineos Grenadier
When Land Rover declined Sir Jim Ratcliffe's offer to keep building the old Land Rover Defender under his own Ineos brand, he decided to create his own modern version of it from scratch. The Grenadier – named after the London pub in which the plan was hatched, and that Ratcliffe subsequently bought – stays true to the Defender's utilitarian, proper 4x4 ethos. As such, it’s not especially refined on the road but, once off it, the combination of Land Rover, Land Cruiser and Mercedes G-Class influence results in perhaps the purest off-roader you can currently buy. And there’s an electric version on the way, too.
Read the review and browse Ineos Grenadiers on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Ineos Grenadiers on Autotrader
Bentley Bentayga
Following the lead of the original Range Rover, British manufacturers have demonstrated a particular talent for building luxurious 4x4s, with the Bentley Bentayga a great example. It combines epic performance with surprising off-road ability. Benefitting from a comprehensive update recently, the latest Bentayga has new tech and a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid option as well.
Read the full review and find the Bentayga of your dreams on Autotrader here.
Read the full review and find the Bentayga of your dreams on Autotrader here.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
True, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn’t really built for serious off-roading, but of all the sporty car brands to ‘go 4x4’ we’d argue the Stelvio is the most convincing - and the sexiest to look at. Buy it in red, naturally (although it looks canny in green, as you can see) and, if you can afford it, go all-in with the Ferrari-engined Quadrifoglio version. It's sensational.
Read the review and browse Alfa Romeo Stelvios on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Alfa Romeo Stelvios on Autotrader
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is the fun 4x4 and a true slice of rugged Americana, with massive exposed hinges and bolts, squared-off wheel arches, and a roof that comes away completely, leaving a roll cage for the kids to swing from. It feels underpowered, suffers from horrendous noise, and the body rolls like a Weeble on a see-saw... but despite all that, we absolutely love it. We realised that when we lived with one for six months. Read all about that here.
Read the review and browse Jeep Wranglers on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Jeep Wranglers on Autotrader
Skoda Kodiaq
Crossovers and SUVs have become the dominant format for family cars in all categories in recent years, but not all are as off-road capable as their looks might suggest. The Skoda Kodiaq is, though, a very credible off-roader. That only applies to certain models, mind, given there are front-wheel drive and hybrid versions in the range. But if you need some of that old-school off-road ability, or the pulling power for towing boats, caravans or whatever, the diesel 2.0 TDI 4x4 is the car for you.
Read the review and browse Skoda Kodiaqs on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Skoda Kodiaqs on Autotrader
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
For a brand with a tradition of building sports cars, Porsche went a bit off-road crazy at some point, mainly because it realised that the strategy is a good one for profitability. The Cayenne and Macan sell in huge numbers, and the company even does a Dakar version of the iconic 911. But our favourite off-road Porsche has to be the Cross Turismo version of the all-electric Taycan. The combination shouldn’t work, but with the more practical estate body, some plastic cladding to protect against mud, gravel and branches, a bit more ground clearance and a dedicated ‘gravel’ mode, the Cross Turismo is fast, stylish, practical and, most of all, huge fun.
Read the review and browse Porsche Taycans on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Porsche Taycans on Autotrader
Mercedes-Benz GLB
If we’re talking 4x4 Mercedes we should really be featuring the mighty G-Class, or G-Wagen as it’s known among its fans. Off-roaders don’t come much more imposing, capable or, it’s fair to say, expensive. So, we’ll look a little further down the range and instead focus on the more attainable GLB, which has a more upright and traditionally 4x4 vibe than the GLA on which it is based. For its seven-seater practicality and more useful shape we, much prefer the GLB to the GLA. It's also available in related all-electric EQB form.
Read the review and browse Mercedes GLBs on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Mercedes GLBs on Autotrader
Aston Martin DBX
It was a long time coming, but Aston’s crossover SUV is everything we hoped it would be: stunning styling and Aston performance, but raised ride height and all-wheel drive. It’s no mud-plugging Land Rover, but it's capable enough for towing boats and such like across wet grass. The four-wheel drive system detects grip loss and can send power in any percentage between the front and rear wheels, so you and your horse box are unlikely to get stuck in the mud at... erm... a place where an Aston Martin owner might pull a horse box.
Read the review and browse Aston Martin DBXs on Autotrader
Read the review and browse Aston Martin DBXs on Autotrader
Dacia Duster
While many of the 4x4s on this list come with a chunky price tag, the Dacia Duster is very affordable and cheap to run. We fell in love with the Duster’s rugged charms when we lived with one on long-term test and the 4x4 version packs genuine off-road capability to back-up its rough and tough looks. The new hybrid system should make the Duster 4x4 even more frugal to run. Plus, Dacia’s nifty YouClip system allows you to attach practical accessories like torches, storage compartments and cupholders to anchor points throughout the car – handy!
Read the review and browse Dacia Duster models on Autotrader
