Many are attracted to SUVs because of their off-road capabilities. For this reason, SUV sales have been on the rise, while sedan sales have lowered in recent years.
While SUVs are known for their off-roading potential, some just fail to deliver the goods. Here are 18 popular SUVs that are secretly terrible for off-roading.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson has always been a decent, spacious crossover but not a perfect off-roader. This SUV offers all-wheel drive as an option. But even with this system, the SUV can only do well in urban and highway driving.
Its limited ground clearance and suspension aren’t good for aggressive driving. Also, there have been issues with the traction-control system, as it takes a while to allocate power from the spinning wheels to the grounded ones.
The SUV’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 187 horsepower and 178 foot-pound of torque. This power isn’t sufficient for off-roading, considering most off-roaders boast over 250 horsepower. A check underneath the Tucson, especially the 2024 model, shows a plastic skid plate underneath the engine and a low-hanging tailpipe. Honestly, this is enough to excuse the Tucson from following the off-roading convoy.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a sport utility vehicle positioned between the smaller T-Roc and the larger Touareg in the company’s crossover SUV lineup.
Tiguan is one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. but still remains a poor off-roader. Like many compact crossovers, it features unibody construction, which improves ride quality and handling on paved roads. However, it will compromise durability and toughness anytime you take it off-road.
Tiguan’s ground clearance is relatively low, about 7.5 inches, and this counts as a drawback because lower height makes it more vulnerable to scraping when driving on uneven terrain. Moreover, this SUV has a 4Motion AWD system that is only adequate for snow, gravel, and light trails.
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage is very much a soft-roader, just like the Tucson, because it’s designed as a compact crossover SUV, primarily focused on urban and highway driving. Its body construction enhances ride comfort and efficiency but lacks the strength and durability required for rugged terrain.
Sportage, especially the 2024 model, has a ground clearance of only 8.3 inches, which is relatively low for off-roading. Such low clearance would limit its ability to navigate obstacles like rocks without risking underbody damage.
The model’s AWD system is optimized for light driving conditions, unlike other SUVs that boast advanced four-wheel-drive systems that can handle the track well.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
According to Mitsubishi, the Outlander Sport is “built to handle any adventure.” However, the vehicle has a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder as a standard engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 foot-pounds of torque. Clearly, the specs are not impressive, which translates to disappointing off-road performance.
The SUV’s engine is mated to an automatic CVT transmission, which is also delicate for the track. This transmission may struggle to move from a standstill and will likely not last in off-road conditions. Its ground clearance of 8.4 inches is also relatively low for aggressive driving.
Subaru Outback
Many vehicle enthusiasts have a special place in their hearts for the Subaru Outback. Although it is referred to as the top-level off-road vehicle, it doesn’t have great specs for off-roading.
Under the hood of the 2024 Outback is a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 foot-pounds of torque. The SUV also boasts a ground clearance of 9.5 inches which is pretty good for off-roading.
However, many reviews claim the vehicle is more focused on comfort and not likely capable of handling tough terrain. Also, there are claims that the X mode, which is good for off-roading, works up to 25 miles per hour, and disengages automatically.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers when it was introduced in the ‘90s. Toyota targeted consumers wanting a vehicle with fuel economy and most of the benefits of SUVs, including the option of full-time 4WD and maneuverability.
The SUV has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. This may sound incredible, but the vehicle lacks three pieces of essential off-roading equipment.
Sure, Toyota should have included a center differential locker that sends 50% of the power to the front and 50% to the rear wheels, regardless of traction conditions. Second, it lacks a low-range transfer case that enables 4X4s to climb and descend steep grades, as well as crawl over obstacles. Finally, the RAV4 is built with an inherent TRD suspension that won’t handle tough terrain.
Honda Passport
Honda is promoting the Passport as an off-road SUV, especially for the ’20s demographic. The 2024 Passport has a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 280 horsepower, which is impressive. However, this SUV isn’t the most capable vehicle for off-roading.
Several owners have claimed the Passport has poor efficiency and weak off-road upgrades. Right now, the big trend is modifying otherwise incapable SUVs to appear off-road capable, as seen with the Honda Passport.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a great SUV that is usually used for family travel in the U.S. However, the CRV’s off-road capabilities are limited – the SUV is only good for comfort but weak when it comes to performance.
The vehicle’s ground clearance of 7.8 inches is another feature that keeps it from dining at the off-roaders table. Its passenger radial tires often have only two-ply sidewalls, and they are awfully easy to punch holes in with rocks.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX5 will definitely do well in light off-roading conditions such as sand, light mud, and light snow. However, it becomes sluggish when handling tough terrain, even though it is known for its sporty handling and stylish design.
Its suspension and AWD system are not designed for rugged terrain, and the vehicle lacks specialized off-road modes or equipment like locking differentials, skid plates, or enhanced traction control systems. To make matters worse, the 7.6-inch ground is more for the highway than rugged terrains.
GMC Acadia
When the Acadia debuted, hopes were high that it would easily conquer off-road trails. After all, it boasts an AT4 suspension installed with hydraulic rebound control dampers which, according to the carmaker, is excellent for off-roading.
Acadia AT4 also gets a bespoke AWD system, a carryover from the previous generation, which GMC calls Active Torque Control AWD. This system comes standard with features such as hill descent control and hill start assist. Unfortunately, the SUV’s 6.8-inch ground clearance isn’t any better for allowing the SUV to follow a convoy of off-roaders as they venture out into the wilderness.
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevy believed that Tahoe could go off-roading with the available Z71 trim, but that wasn’t possible in reality. The Z71 is available with four-corner air ride adaptive suspension, which the automaker claims gives the SUV an additional 8 inches of clearance.
At the same time, Tahoe comes with 20-22 inch all-terrain tires that are good for the track. However, the Tahoe’s departure angle was also not improved, so it isn’t in the same league as vehicles designed specifically for extreme off-road conditions.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a stylish, road-oriented SUV with some capability for light off-roading, such as gravel paths, light dirt trails, or snowy roads.
Yes, the vehicle has a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s standard, but some trims can make up to 269 horsepower and 273 foot-pound of torque. In addition, it comes standard with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION AWD system, which provides better traction.
However, due to its 6.3 inches of ground clearance, approach angle of 20.8 degrees, and departure angles of 21.3/21.1 degrees, we can leave the Atlas Cross Sport for occasional rough patches but not serious off-roading adventures.
Ford Explorer
The Explorer is a beloved midsize SUV known for its versatility and on-road comfort. The model may offer features that can help handle light to moderate off-road adventures but not tough driving.
During some grueling off-road tests, the Explorer got stuck several times. Many drivers claim that it feels stiff and makes a lot of noise.
Ford Bronco II
The Bronco has long been known as a tough SUV. However, it reportedly has some stability and safety issues. During testing, it was prone to rolling over despite sharing its platform with the Ford Ranger compact pickup truck.
Hummer H2
Sure, many won’t argue that the Hummer H2 is a beast because its aggressive look says it is. However, its low clearance space causes some shortcomings on the road. Also, the SUV’s large and heavy body is a big turn-off on the track as it hinders maneuverability.
Meanwhile, Hummer claims they’d need the model to return even after the disappearance in 2009. But for now, we’re happy to tell you about this older model.
Jeep Compass
Many Americans love the Jeep Compass for its roomy interior, strong standard engine, standard AWD, and Jeep-infused style. However, the vehicle’s engine is connected to a transmission that’s somehow lazy.
Moreover, Compass isn’t at home on twisty roads because of the potential body rolls. The brakes also feel grabby during low-speed maneuvers, making the vehicle more of a daily driver than an off-roader.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue delivers a comfortable, well-appointed interior, and its turbocharged three-cylinder engine is also surprisingly punchy. However, because of its sluggish transmission, this SUV lacks the real driver engagement needed for the track. The steering also doesn’t give you much feel for the road, as there is a noticeable dead spot when you’re driving straight.
In addition, the vehicle’s AWD system doesn’t handle rough trails well. Around corners, the Rogue is capable and composed but not particularly fun.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox, with its 1.5-liter engine making very low horses and a slow-shifting transmission, is aimed at buyers who prioritize fuel efficiency and tech features. It lacks most of the off-road hardware.
Opt for Powerful SUVs if You’re Serious About Off-Roading
Off-roading is a thrilling adventure that all vehicle enthusiasts would love to participate in. But you can only have this fun if you choose a capable 4WD or AWD SUV. Such drivetrains offer better grip and balance, reducing potential accidents and giving you more control when driving gets tough.
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Peterson is an automotive content writer, blogger, and copywriter who is passionate about turning automotive experiences into compelling words. He developed an interest in cars at a young age and, upon reaching adulthood, mastered the ability to simplify complex automotive topics and present them engagingly.
