By Deanna Isaacs
There are plenty of SUVs on the market, and more coming out every major car show. While some are small and others big, the ones we’re looking at today are the top SUVs for the outdoors family.
Things that are required for outdoors anything: all-wheel drive, but preferably 4×4 ability, plenty of cargo space for gear or dogs, third row for extra company (or more dogs), and a comfortable ride for when not on the trails.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Trailhawk variants of any Jeep are an off-roaders dream production vehicle for those who don’t want a Wrangler. The 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has a Quadra-Lift air suspension, Selec-Terrain traction control system for various enviroments, and an electronic limited-slip differential for the rear axle.
Photo courtesy of Jeep
There are three engine choices, but the best one is the 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine creating 360 HP and 390 lb.ft. of torque. There’s also a 3.6L PentaStar V6 and a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engines for non Trailhawk models.
Land Rover Discovery
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery offers the heritage of off-roading dependability that the brand is known for with premium accents from a modern era. It has seating for seven, and the third-row seats fold down for extra space.
Photo courtesy of Land Rover
It comes with a 340 HP, 3.0 L gasoline engine connected to a 4-wheel drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like many Land Rovers, it can traverse rivers (so long as they aren’t deeper than 33.4 inches).
Toyota 4Runner
The outdoors variant from across the Pacific is the 2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road (standard or Premium trims). It comes with part-time 4WD and low range transfer case, a locking rear differential, and a dynamic suspension for wheel articulation. It has a 4.0L V6 Engine creating 270 HP.
Photo courtesy of Toyota
The Premium variant has the latest technology and a more luxuriant interior, but both models have seating for five passengers and a ton of cargo.
Photo courtesy of Toyota
Ford Expedition
Base model Ford Expedition could haul all the entire expedition. It’s powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost engine and has a 28-gallon fuel tank. Optional off-roading items include a Control Trac 4WD system and two choices of axle (a limited-slip and a non-limited-slip rear axles).
Photo courtesy of Ford
It has three-rows of seating standard, with an option for power-folding third row seats. Heated seats, for any row, are an additional option that’s well worth the extra cost for those in colder climates.
Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne is probably people’s most unexpected off-roader, but this vehicle has been user-tested on the rough and brutal Winter Alcan 5000 road rally, on off-road expeditions and more (Otis is a pretty mean Cayenne…). While it only has an all-wheel drive platform, the Traction Management System been tested to the ends of the roads and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Porsche
There are plenty of optional layouts for buyer’s Porsche Cayenne, including gas, turbocharged and hybrid variants. Base Cayenne’s come with a 300 HP V6 engine. The interior features premium comfort and seating for five passengers.
Deanna Isaacs lives near Seattle and writes about cars for various outlets, including The Auto Reporter. She served in the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Washington, where she decided to go into automotive journalism.
