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Few people who enjoy casual 4x4 driving will drive their car into the jungle without any modifications but you need a strong foundation to start with.

These cars come in all shapes and sizes but the main thread that holds them together is that they all focus on off-roading.

This list doesn't focus on quads but on 4x4 vans of all sizes and price points.

While there are significant trade-offs in on-road performance in at least three cases all are great for taking you away from closed roads.

Vehicles that were originally designed to be sturdy and have a lot of wheel articulation are often deficient in road comfort and refinement not to mention safety.

All of them here have low-range gearing and most have more advanced 4x4 features like a rear differential locker.

But people who never plan to leave the suburbs shouldn't buy anything - people can buy whatever they like but they should be aware of it.

If you want a big 4WD for the tarmac it's worth looking into a big SUV like the Toyota LandCruiser or Nissan Patrol.

Toyota LandCruiser 70 SeriesRATING6.8/10PRICE$67400 to $82600 (excluding on-road costs)

Pros: Legendary powerful Relax V8 diesel engine with tons of body options

Cons: Zero model cons Expensive (but resale value is insane) Ergonomics

Towing capacity: 3500kg braked

The Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300 are more passenger-friendly and have newer designs but Toyota with core 4x4-ing in its DNA (albeit ancient) is the 70-series station wagon two- and four-door cab chassis and troop carrier.

It's a vehicle with absolutely zero frills but there's a reason the Australian outback crawls with them. They are as tough as today's OEM road vehicles.

The best seller is the two-door pallet truck but the five-door station wagon is a great value. With a staggering 180 litres of fuel tank storage the Troopie is the go-to choice for those on land.

Available are off-road features such as diff-lock and low gear as well as endless aftermarket support.

LandCruiser comes with a five-year unlimited kilometer warranty.

The only engine is a 4.5-litre V8 diesel with 151kW and 430Nm of torque - not a particularly high figure these days but note it's available between 1200 and 3200rpm. 

Ford EverestRATING8.3/10PRICE$50090 to $73190 (excluding on-road costs)

 

Pros: Versatile 4x4 system for on-road and off-road Spacious interior for comfortable ride

Cons: 2.0-liter diesel engine working hard New model in low-rent cabin trim for 2022

Towing capacity: 3100kg braked

The Australian-designed Ford Everest is the same as the ute-based MU-X: the best-selling Ranger in this case. Like the Isuzu it swapped the ute's leaf springs for rear coils.

Local developments give it good noise suppression and an ultra-luxury and compliant ride. Additionally its full-time 4x4 system is available on paved roads for better traction in the rain with various terrain traction modes and an electronic locking rear differential. It also has 800mm fording No breathing tube potential.

With a tough American exterior and an available seven-seater interior with vents on the roof it balances family use with off-road capability.

Mount Everest comes with a five-year unlimited kilometer warranty.

The base engine is an outgoing 3.2-litre five-cylinder making 143kW and 470Nm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder makes 157kW and 500Nm of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

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Isuzu MU-XRATING8.2/10PRICE$47990 to $65900 (excluding on-road costs)

 

Pros: Rock-solid 3.0-liter diesel Comfortable road manners Practical cockpit

Cons: Part-time 4x4 only offers a glossy interior not the former bargain

Towing capacity: 3500kg braked

The Isuzu MU-X is an enduring bestseller that appeals to those who want a more affordable alternative to the Toyota Prado.

The MU-X is based on the D-Max ute but has a more road-friendly rear coilover suspension with just the right amount of firmness: for its diesel-engined ladder frame part-time 4x4 (no full-time road mode) and rear differential lock Word.

The MU-X is known for its rugged caravan transporters and family adventure machines and in its latest look the interior has been greatly modernized to fit.

The MU-X comes with a 6-year 150,000km warranty.

The only engine is a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder making 140kW and 450Nm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. In fact it beats its weight in mid-range engine braking and real fuel economy.

Jeep WranglerRATING6.9/10PRICE$61750 to $69650 (excluding on-road costs)

 

Pros: Nearly unmatched off-road Ample room for modifications to improve on-road performance

Cons: No diesel option below ANCAP crash rating Expensive

Towing capacity: four-door brake 2495kg two-door brake 1497kg

Wranglers are a dime a dozen in trendy downtown areas but they're actually designed to get off the beaten track. In addition to the removable hardtop the Jeep has removable doors and a foldable windshield in keeping with old-school Willys.

Gap spans from 225mm to 252mm depending on the variant. All models feature solid Dana front and rear axles and a low-range on-demand 4x4 system.

Depending on what you pay you also get high-end equipment like front and rear locking differentials and a removable stabilizer bar.

The Wrangler comes with a five-year 10,000-km warranty.

The only engine is a 3.6-litre V6 petrol with 209kW and 347Nm and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Diesel or manual? difficult.

The claimed 0-100km/h sprint takes just 7.5 seconds.

Suzuki JimnyRATING7.4/10PRICE$26990 to $29990 (excluding on-road costs) 

Pros: Go where goats are afraid of stepping on cheap

Cons: Still slow waiting lists and unfinished roads Sub-standard ANCAP crash ratings

Towing capacity: 1300kg braked

The Suzuki Jimny is beloved because it's the last dinosaur: an affordable ladder-frame low-end 4x4 with rigid axles and coilovers on both ends.

With 210mm of clearance a 2250mm wheelbase and negligible front and rear overhang plus plenty of articulation it'll take you anywhere—unless steep hills beat the overgrown engine.

Tradeoffs are on the way. Sure its large windows and tiny size make it a downtown ripper but it gets restless and imperfect when driving on longer highways.

The Suzuki Jimny comes with a five-year unlimited kilometer warranty.

One engine is available: a 1.5-litre petrol with just 75kW and 130Nm mated to a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. To be fair Jimny also only weighs 1095kg (curb).

More on the Suzuki Jimny