Best 4WD SUVs Reviews & Ratings

Four wheel drive SUVs are designed to allow driving off road as well as on rough, mountainous terrain or through muddy quagmire. In addition to being able to drive off-road, four wheel drive SUVs also drive better on the road when the roads are slippery or covered with snow. They provide better traction on snow and ice and do not skid as much as two-wheel drive vehicles. A four-wheel drive SUV is also better at handling unpaved roads as they have a better grip of the uneven roadway. The seats are also higher and typically more comfortable in four wheel drive SUVs, providing a better view of the road around you and a more pleasurable driving experience.

Four wheel drive SUVs are available in three different configurations. The SUV can have four-wheel drive all the time, four-wheel drive on a part-time basis and four-wheel drive that is both constant and part-time, which switches between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive automatically as detected by road conditions.

One of the best 4WD SUVs is the GMC Yukon Denali 4WD. It is a full-sized truck-based SUV that is capable of handling rugged terrain and seating four to five adults comfortably. The Yukon Denali is available with a choice of four-wheel drive systems: one with a single-speed transfer case and the other with a two-speed transfer case and low range gearing.

Another of the best 4WD SUVs is the Chevrolet Tahoe, a large SUV with an attractively designed cabin made with high quality materials and craftsmanship. The Tahoe also has a choice of four-wheel drive systems, either a traditional two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing or a single-speed transfer case without low-range gearing. The standard six-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels on models that come with four-wheel drive.

The Nissan Pathfinder is another 4WD SUV that is a compact SUV able to handle the off-road and rocky terrain with ease. All basic Pathfinder models are actually rear-wheel drive vehicles with part-time four-wheel drive that has a transfer case that shifts as required by road conditions operated by a switch mounted on the dashboard. The LE model of the Pathfinder is available with full-time four wheel drive.

Another of the best 4WD SUVs is Toyota FJ Cruiser, a mid-size SUV with a tough and rugged chassis that is extremely agile in off-road conditions, aided by a powerful V6 engine. Full-time four-wheel drive models of the FJ Cruiser come with manual transmissions and an All-Terrain package that includes special shock absorbers, a locking rear differential and active traction control.

The Toyota 4Runner is a 4WD SUV that has outstanding off-road capabilities made possible by a powerful V6 engine and a truck-based construction. The vehicle also incorporates the latest on off-road technology with Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System which disconnects the front and rear stabilizer bars for greater articulation of the wheels going over rough terrain at speeds under 40 mph.

The Nissan Xterra is another of the 4WD SUVs with tremendous prowess when driving off the road made possible by a powerful V6 engine and a traditional truck-like construction. Like many other 4WD SUVs, it has an elevated ride height. The four-wheel drive system in the Xterra has a multi-mode transfer case with low-range gearing.

Another of the 4WD SUVs is the Ford Explorer, a large crossover SUV with an optional four-wheel system. The four-wheel drive has now low-range gearing but includes Ford's Terrain Management System that is a four-mode selectable system which optimizes the traction of the wheels for different road conditions. Four-wheel drive Explorers also include hill start assist and hill descent control.

The Honda Pilot is another of the 4WD SUVs powered by a V6 engine that makes the vehicle good for handling slippery and snowy road conditions rather than for off-road driving. The available four-wheel drive system is designed to apportion up to 70 percent of the power to the rear wheels when it detects that front slippage is occurring. It also includes a "lock" feature selectable by the driver that send maximum torque to the rear wheels at speeds under 19 mph.

The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size 4WD SUV that provides a comfortable highway ride along with good off-road capabilities. These are afforded by a powerful V8 engine, an independent rear suspension, and a full ten inches of ground clearance. The interior is also well-designed and spacious with flexible seating and many user-friendly features. It provides graceful handling for a vehicle of its size.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size 4WD SUV that has maintained its considerable off-road capabilities throughout the years. Powered by an optional V8 engine, the Grand Cherokee's off-road prowess is enhanced by an air suspension system which raises the ride height of the vehicle and a selector for drive mode that adapts the powertrain and suspension for specific types of terrain. Ride quality is improved by a fully independent rear suspension system.