Which most reliable 4x4

The early Toyota trucks are some of the most reliable and durable 4WD vehicles ever sold in the U. These little pickups helped to forge Toyota's legendary reputation for quality. Finding one with anything less than , miles is considered "low mileage" thanks to the simplicity and durability of the 20R four-cylinder engine. These indestructible Toyotas were available around the world, so although the oldest of these models are closing in on 40 years old, replacement parts are still around.

Thanks to the robust solid axle and a high-riding leaf-sprung front suspension, these little Toyota pickup have incredible ground clearance and off-road capability. In terms of traction, reliability and fuel consumption, these models would be excellent desert runners. Don't let the glitz fool you. These Mercs might be popular on the streets of Beverly Hills, but the near-bombproof, slab-sided SUVs have their roots in the military and are respected throughout the world for their off-highway talents.

The modern G-Wagen is particularly popular in the United Arab Emirates, where long-distance desert-running is a natural part of off-road driving. These heavy-duty machines have body-on-frame construction and stout solid axles with locking differentials at each end for true four-wheel drive. The G-Wagen is so popular in these wealthy desert climes that the company recently offered a wild long cab six-wheel drive pickup version of the truck, called the G63 6X6 with huge inch tires.

No matter which G-Wagen you choose, they're all a little thirsty. So we'd mount extra fuel cells before taking off across the desert. With a wheelbase of just under 80 inches, Suzuki's trucklet is small machine, one that might seem like an odd choice for taking on the Earth's more extreme climates. The little's Samurai's secret is its weight. This thing measures barely over a ton, so with the right tires, it will float easily over dunes that would otherwise bog down heavier trucks.

The simple solid axle, leaf-sprung front and rear suspension along with manual steering, manual hubs, and a manual transmission meant the Samurai offered simple, reliable 4WD performance and excellent durability. These trucks were very inexpensive to buy new and repair, so stocking up on parts for that desert adventure wouldn't be hard on the wallet.

Of all the vehicles here, only the Raptor was designed specifically to dominate the desert. The original Raptor took Ford's mega-selling F pickup and increased its off-road capability with a new long-travel suspension.

With more than 11 inches of wheel travel up front and 13 in the rear, those original V8-powered Raptors were perfect for deep sand running. The last-generation Raptor ended production in , but there's an all-new one on deck for this fall and it's packing a 3.

New Raptor or old, this is one truck that, with no modifications, could cross just about any desert around the globe quicker and easier than just about any vehicle ever made. The Defender goes back decades.

The original Land Rover models that date to are some of the most capable adventure machines the world has known. So when Land Rover returned to the U. Today, these Land Rovers and their shorter D90 brethren are very collectible. But that wouldn't stop us from using them for what they were designed to do: blazing a trail through tough terrain. Much more accurate and reliable information is available from Consumer Reports which actually surveys all the owners of vehicles and then reports on the repairs by car make, year, and system.

A particular car may have had a high rate of electrical problems in , , and , and then the manufacturer addressed the problem and the car is fine with the and later production. When buying a new or used car this is a much more accurate way to access the likelihood of having a vehicle break down or need expensive repairs.

Few 4x4 vehicles have this and in many cases as with locking differentials it is not even available as a factory option for most models sold today. Then it becomes a case of choosing between a make and model with the locking differential and the overall reliability of the vehicle. A locking differential and great ground clearance do not mean much if you have a dead vehicle 25 miles up a bad road and have to walk out and then get a tow truck to go back for it. Greg Riemer January 10, AM.

Amen Greg and Calson. My old FJ would go almost anywhere, as well as my land cruisers and lexus LX Never have done anything but scheduled maintenance to any of them after hundreds of thousands of miles. That said, I would probably rather feed the CRV at the gas pump! Calson January 12, PM.

I doubt very much that VW Touareg owners ever go off road unless they end up on the front lawn after having had to much to drink. The Land Rovers are in the same category and I see people at the car washes with these vehicles pointing out every spec of dirt to the people doing the final detailing as heaven forbid their 4x4 is not spotless. No way are these 4x4 users going to take their spotless cars where they might get dirty or have the paint scratched.

Buyers would have to wait until a year after the third-generation arrived in for the first HiLux 4x4. Unlike the 4x2 models, it featured live axles and leaf springs at both ends. At the time it was only available as a single cab, with dual-cab models not appearing until Today the modern dual-cab, with its sophisticated powertrains and equipment, is very much a match for most 4x4 wagons in terms of performance and safety.

It also beats a wagon hands down for versatility. The dual-cab ute is the default 4x4 to transport a family and for recreation in Australia. Various Toyota HiLux models seem to populate the roads of every country in the world, too. There might be a lot of players in this ever-crowded field but the HiLux has been, and still is, the king! After playing second fiddle to Toyota, Nissan surged ahead of its long-time rival with its coil-sprung GQ Patrol.

That honour goes to its predecessor, the MQ, which marked the first significant change of direction for the Patrol. Nissan actually produced its first Patrol around the same time as Toyota made its first Land Cruiser, and for the same reason as Toyota: Answering a call from the US military for a light 4x4 that could be quickly and easily produced after war broke out in nearby Korea in It proved a great basis for the even better GQ.

The GQ with its coil-sprung live axles may have arrived 17 years after the Range Rover was launched with coils, but it was the GQ rather than the Range Rover that really consigned leaf-sprung recreational 4x4s to history once and for all. The GQ was a huge coup for Nissan in a market dominated by Toyota. In fact, the GQ hurt Toyota so much that the 80 Series was rushed into production in ahead of the original schedule.

As a result, it was somewhat compromised. Toyota started planning for the 60 Series in The idea was for a bigger, family-style 4x4 that could hopefully gain a foothold in the growing US market sector led by the Jeep Wagoneer. Like the Wagoneer, the 60 Series needed to have more of the feel of a passenger station wagon, with a comfortable ride and a more luxurious, better-equipped interior. Consideration was given to independent front suspension for the 60, just like the Wagoneer, but this was rejected in favour of a modified version of the live-axle leaf-spring set-up of the earlier FJ Apparently there was no consideration of coil-sprung live axles, as per the Range Rover, something that would come with the 80 Series a further decade down the track.

Before the 60 there were long-wheelbase wagon versions of the 40 45 Series and, more significantly, the FJ However neither the 45 nor the 55 were designed specifically for the recreational market, as was the In , the popular HJ60, with its bigger six-cylinder 4. In many ways the HJ60 was the defining vehicle of the 60 Series range.

As well as its bigger engine, the HJ60 also featured a five-speed transmission, an optional sunroof, power mirrors and other luxury features. For Toyota, the 60 Series brought a split in the Land Cruiser family between commercial and recreational 4x4s.

With the option of a 5. And of course, there is enough power to pull any extra toys for more fun times. When looking at the Nissan Titan for off-roading excitement, look for the Pro-4X package, or model. It includes off-road upgrades to the shock absorbers, locking diff, upgraded battery, heavy-duty skid plates, and larger all-terrain tires.

The Chevy Blazer is not one of the biggest off-road vehicles available but it definitely can do the job. The smaller S10 was in production from It became popular due to its sportiness and ability to go just about anywhere. It contains technological gadgets and interior comfort. The exterior has a more rugged than luxurious design to it and it is ready to take on any off-road challenges.

It is not known for its fuel economy or low fuel costs, especially requiring prime fuel. Land Rover takes the off-roading experience so serious, they have Land Rover Experience Centres over the globe where drivers can book time with a qualified instructor to learn off-roading skills. It had a bare-bones interior but an engine that could take on anything.