The Best Off-Roading Trucks
What do you love most about off-roading? Or, if you're new to the hobby, what excites you the most about navigating a dirt trail in the woods? For many off-roaders, it's the challenge of exploring new terrain and the camaraderie of time spent in the woods with old and new friends. It's hard to explain the excitement of fording a stream in a caravan of off-road rigs or setting up camp later in the afternoon and commiserating about the day's events.
The adventure of off-roading typically comes at a price or risk, which is likely why you're searching for a used truck dealer like Jay Hatfield Chevrolet. Anytime you venture off the pavement and down the trail, there's a risk of getting stuck in the mud, damaging your bumper as you descend a boulder, or putting a few scratches in the paint from narrow paths and thick branches. Because of this, off-roaders of any skill level will be the first to encourage you to invest in a used truck as it makes those dents, dings, and scratches a little easier on the wallet.
So, where should you start your search? You're in excellent hands with Jay Hatfield Chevrolet because we're not only your used truck dealer, but we're also passionate off-roaders. We're excited to use our combined expertise to your benefit and show you the best off-roading trucks you can buy!
Best Overall: Toyota Tacoma
We're not wasting any time by starting our list with the best overall and most popular off-road truck–the Toyota Tacoma. Affectionately known as the "Taco," the Tacoma's small stature works to its advantage on the trail, making it more agile and easier to maneuver in challenging conditions. Off-roaders also turn to the Tacoma because it has one of the most extensive offerings of aftermarket accessories in the industry, and we all know how off-roaders love their gear. This broad market means you can make just about any modification to the Tacoma that you can imagine, whether you're looking to add a snorkel, a beefier set of tires, a light bar, or high-strength steel skid plates to protect the undercarriage.
The Tacoma's popularity directly reflects Toyota's reputation in the automotive industry. Toyota is renowned for building reliable and durable vehicles, and the Tacoma is no exception, whatever generation or model you choose. In addition, the many off-road trims and packages add to the Tacoma's attractiveness, and its exceptional ability to hold its value even on the used lot makes it an outstanding financial investment.
Best Value: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
The Nissan Frontier is a hidden gem in the off-roading realm, earning a cult following among those who prefer something with a lower price tag than models like the Tacoma that are in high demand. The Frontier debuted in the late 1990s, introducing Americans to the first compact truck with four full-sized doors. The Frontier's powerful V6 engine led the segment by the new millennium and proved the compact truck was dynamite in a small package. The introduction of trims like the Frontier PRO-4X quickly earned it a place in the off-road segment with its four-wheel-drive system, electronic locking rear differential, and heavy-duty skid plates.
Until recently, the Frontier went unchanged for over a decade, leaving many to wonder if Nissan forgot about its popular little truck. That wait, while painful for some, sent a strong message in the segment: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." The Frontier's robust design, capable powertrain, and exclusive off-road components on trims like the PRO-4X made it a favorite among off-roaders. Plus, the fact that it went unchanged for so long translated to a vast aftermarket laden with modifications, accessories, and how-tos to customize the Frontier to all your trail-running needs.
Best Variety: Ford F-150 FX4 and Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71
Ideally, you'll have a dedicated truck for off-roading and another to navigate your daily commute, as modifications like suspension lifts and mud-terrain tires can dramatically impact your rig's efficiency. However, not everyone can afford two trucks, and that's where models like the Ford F-150 FX4 and the Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 are great options. Of course, it also helps that the models are two of the best-selling trucks in America.
The F-150 FX4 and Silverado 1500 Z71 feature off-road components like locking rear differentials, skid plates, advanced camera systems, and beefy tires that ready them for the trail, but they're also exceptional performers on the pavement. As a result, they're capable of meeting the demands of your workweek and matching your sense of adventure on the weekend. And since each truck is incredibly popular, there's no shortage of options in the used truck segment, making it easy to find the F-150 or Silverado 1500 of your dreams for a fraction of the price.
Most Exclusive: Ford F-150 Raptor
The Ford F-150 needs little introduction among off-roaders as the Raptor name alone is enough to spark a passionate conversation. The first-generation Raptor, built between 2010 and 2014, is a popular favorite among off-roaders who are happy to spend a little more for exclusivity since Ford only made a limited number of the power-hungry, off-road-ready trucks. But what makes the first-generation Raptor so impressive?
Ford's first-gen Raptor set new standards of off-road performance by satiating a driver's need for speed and the desire to get a little mud on the tires. For the first time, the two weren't mutually exclusive. While the Raptor's Fox-internal bypass shocks are revolutionary, they can't be outshined by the Raptor's electronic locking rear differential that you can engage at any speed or driving mode, ensuring next-level performance in any condition. And just as you would expect from a road warrior, the Raptor's 6.2L V8 engine roars to life and delivers the power you need exactly when you need it, regardless of the terrain.
Most Expensive: Jeep Gladiator
When you think about off-roading, it's impossible not to think of the Jeep name since the automaker built its reputation around its four-wheel drive capability. Jeep continues its reign today with models like the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Gladiator. While these are all beloved icons on the trail, the Gladiator makes the bottom of our list not for its incapability but for its newness.
Jeep reintroduced the Gladiator in 2020, continuing the legacy of the Gladiator truck of decades past. As with most Jeeps, the Gladiator is a solid performer on the trail with its locking differentials, beefy tires, coil-spring suspension, and four-wheel drive system. However, its recent reintroduction makes it one of the most expensive off-roading trucks on the used lot. Like the Toyota Tacoma, Jeeps tend to hold their value incredibly well, making a used Gladiator around the same price as a new model. Unless you're a die-hard Jeep fan, that's a tough splurge, especially with more affordable options that leave more money to spend on modifications.
Are You Ready for Adventure?
There's nothing quite like the adrenaline of navigating a technical area of terrain where you have to rely on the rigs in front of you and several spotters to guide you. The challenge is enticing, and the camaraderie is remarkable because it always ends with a new lesson learned and a memorable story to recount around the campfire. That's the spirit of off-roading.
If you're ready to dive into the realm of off-roading or you're a veteran looking for a new rig, you're already off to a great start by looking for a used truck that will maximize your investment and allow you to pursue your hobby even further. Models like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Nissan Frontier, and Jeep Gladiator have something unique to offer adventurers of every skill level and passion. They make it easy to answer the call of the wild and chase your sense of wanderlust deep into the woods amid a caravan of fellow adventurers ready to get a little or a lot of mud on the tires.