What is an Off-Road Vehicle?
An off-road vehicle is defined as any motorized vehicle manufactured or built to be driven (or ridden) across natural terrain. These include navigating sand, gravel, mud, rocks, streams, swamplands, snow, and other natural features and obstacles that begin when the pavement ends. Typical vehicle types include 4x4s, ATVs, side-by-sides (SxS), dirt bikes, and snowmobiles. Other unconventional types include amphibious vehicles, snow bikes, and all-terrain e-bikes.
Some features that make vehicles of the four-wheel variety off road worthy include long-travel suspension, higher ground clearance, rugged all-terrain tires, underbody protection, a torquey engine, and an air intake snorkel kit. Four-wheeled off-road vehicles allow you to carry necessary items needed to repair the vehicle in the backcountry—such as a winch, jack, and tire repair kit—while also carrying survival and rescue essentials that allow you to be self-sufficient on the trail.
The same can be said for two-wheeled off-road vehicles such as dirt bikes, where knobby tires and long-travel suspension allow you to navigate singletrack and rough two-track roads easily. Although lighter and more agile than their larger four-wheeled cousins, the trade-off is less packable volume to carry survival, rescue, and repair essentials. Instead, you’re relegated to storing these items on your person or in small vehicle-mounted luggage.
Keep in mind, by law, some off-road vehicles, such as many dirt bike and ATV models, cannot be plated and will not be street legal. As a result, these vehicles must be hauled to the riding area or trailhead by a trailer, pick-up, van, or other forms of transportation.
Different Types of Off-Road Vehicles
Let’s take a quick look at types of off-road vehicles and what makes them unique.
4x4s
Photo: Kingston Photography
As the name implies, 4x4s utilize some form of four-wheel drive or all-wheel drivetrain system that powers all four wheels. These include heavy-duty trucks, SUVs, vans, campers, and other vehicles designed to handle rugged terrain. The 4×4 category is one of the most popular vehicle types for off-roading because of its similarity to standard passenger vehicles. The difference is 4x4s models typically offer heavy-duty oversized tires, higher ground clearance, long-travel suspension, and lower gearing for slower speeds.
Popular Brands: Ford, Jeep, Lexus, Toyota, Range Rover, Rivian.
ATVs
Photo: Boyd Jaynes
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) is a term used to describe four-wheelers or “quads” as they are sometimes called. Although they have four wheels, ATVs have handlebars, hand and foot controls, and a motorcycle-like seating position. Popular among hunters, farmers, and ranchers, ATVs are a practical, beginner-friendly way to enjoy off-roading without the need to balance the vehicle or place your feet on the ground when stopped.
Popular Brands: Arctic Cat, Can-Am, CF Moto, Honda, Kawasaki, John Deere, Kymco, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha.
Side-by-Sides (SxS) and UTVs
Photo: Jessy Nelson
A side-by-side, often abbreviated as “SxS” or “UTV” (Utility Terrain Vehicle), is a fast-growing genre of four- or six-wheeled off-highway vehicles that emerged from the ATV market as a standalone segment. Unlike ATVs, SxS vehicles are more car-like in appearance and function, with a steering wheel, foot pedals, and side-by-side bucket seating (hence the name) for up to six people depending upon the model.
Popular Brands: Arctic Cat, Can-Am, CF Moto, Hisun, Honda, Kawasaki, John Deere, Kymco, Polaris, Yamaha.
Dirt Bikes
Photo: Emery Photo
“Bike” is a blanket term applied to vehicles with two wheels. These include dirt bikes, dual sport motorcycles, e-bikes, and scooters specifically designed to tackle rugged terrain. Bikes are a lightweight solo way to ride singletrack trails and navigate technical terrain often not accessible by larger vehicles.
Popular Brands: BMW, GasGas, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Sherco, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha.
Snowmobiles
Photo: Dylan Dowson
Unlike other off-road vehicles with tires, snowmobiles utilize a track drive system to allow users to navigate snow-covered terrain and trails. Unless groomed trails are nearby, snowmobiles must be transported to a riding area with a truck or trailer, although some states allow snowmobiles on roadways. We recommend checking local laws in your state before proceeding.
Popular Brands: Artic Cat, Lynx, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Yamaha.
Unconventional Off-Road Vehicles
The last category of off-road vehicles is for those hard-to-define models that fall between types. These include amphibious UTVs, snow bikes, hoverboards, e-scooters, e-skateboards, onewheels, and go-karts. Each vehicle in this small but unique off-road category has been modified to tackle off-highway terrain and navigate through dirt, sand, mud, water, and other extreme conditions.
Popular Brands: Argo, Backfire, Coleman, Dualtron, Fantic, Onewheel, Timbersled, UBCO.
Most Popular Off-Road Vehicles
With 4x4s being one of the more accessible ways to enjoy off-roading, some of the more popular 4×4 models enthusiasts drive to enjoy backcountry exploration include the following popular brands and models.
Jeep® Wrangler
The Jeep 4×4 is the original adventure vehicle that has become legendary in the off road market. With its rugged, recognizable timeless design styling, the Wrangler is a favorite among hard-core off-road enthusiasts and casual explorers.
Ford Bronco®
Arguably one of the most exciting new model releases in years, the re-launch of the Ford Bronco gives off road adventure seekers a new way to explore the outdoors. Based on the original iconic Bronco model released in the late 1960s, the new Bronco features an innovative design for extreme durability combined with modern amenities and technology.
Toyota® 4Runner
The 4Runner has been popular with 4×4 enthusiasts for many years thanks to its rugged and reliable design, off-road capability, and abundance of aftermarket accessories. The 4Runner tackles off-road conditions and streets equally well, which makes them ideal for those looking for one vehicle they can use for everyday driving and weekend adventure.
Photo: Justin Wirtalla