When you think 4x4, you'll probably think Land Rover and the mighty Defender. Land Rover set itself no easy task when it decided to replace the iconic Defender with an all-new model, but thankfully, the latest Defender is exactly what the company promised it would be. 

The new Land Rover Defender was launched in 2020 and thanks to its boxy outline, is unmistakably a Defender, but bought bang up to date for the demands and expectations of the modern-day user. This includes matrix LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, the brand's 10-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system and a panoramic sunroof.

But what's it like off-road? There's plenty of clever tech on hand to ensure the Defender will conquer any type of terrain. All models come with four-wheel-drive, naturally, and with Land Rover's Terrain Response off-road system that ensures the Defender's settings are always optimised for the precise type of terrain you're on (sand or mud, for example). There's also air suspension as standard and an optional 3D surround camera that can help when wading in deep water or reversing a trailer.  

What makes the Defender so good is that it does everything the old model could do off-road, but is in a different league when it comes to on-road performance. The only concern may be that it's so refined and high-tech, you might not want to cake it in filth after all...

There's an all-new Toyota Land Cruiser on the way later in 2024, and we can't wait to get behind the wheel, but that doesn't change the fact that the previous Land Cruiser is an off-road institution. Admired globally for its dependability and go-anywhere grit, it's also the default car of choice for navigating the world's most difficult and inhospitable environments. 

And if it can traverse the Sahara, it certainly won't be phased by a muddy farm track in Oxfordshire, that's for sure. Although the previous car was launched way back in 2010, it's had plenty of updates over its life to keep it fresh, bringing more comfort and technology to what has always been a pretty hardcore off-roader. 

If you're buying a used Land Cruiser and intend to use it on the road as well as off it, then, the later the car the better it is. With a ladder frame chassis (like a pickup truck) it's really a workhorse, but the five-door models are pretty spacious. 

The only engine available is a thirsty and not particularly quick 2.8-litre diesel engine, so this isn't really an everyday SUV. What it will be is incredibly reliable, and it remains to this day one of the most capable off-road cars ever made. 

If you want a great 4x4 on a budget, chances are you’ll be in the market for a used car. Unless, that is, you opt for a Dacia Duster. With nearly new models available for under £10,000, it's one of the best value cars on sale. 

Let's not beat around the bush, though: the Duster is a budget car, and looks it. Go for the pre-facelift model in Access trim and, while you do get electric front windows and ISOFIX child seat points, you also get steel wheels and no radio.

But that's part of the Duster's appeal: You can chuck loads of kit in it and head off the beaten track without a care in the world: the Duster is so cheap you won't be worried about scratching the paint or getting mud in the footwells. And although it won't go as far as some of the high-tech dedicated 4x4s in this list, the Duster is surprisingly plucky and capable in the rough stuff. It's decent enough on-road, too. 

If you can, try and hunt out a Duster in Essential trim, which gives you air-con, or the top-end Prestige, which boasts keyless entry, parking sensors, sat-nav and climate control. The 2021 facelift model is better equipped across the range, however. 

The Mercedes G-Class certainly isn’t one of the most affordable options here, but if you're a wealthy landowner wanting a car that does luxury, style and off-roading, it's a great choice. The original G-Wagen that preceeded the G-Class is able to trace it's roots back to the early 1970s, and while the latest G-Class might look almost indistinguishable the old car, a lot has changed. 

Its plush cabin wouldn’t look out of place in one of Mercedes' luxurious saloons, like an S-Class. Its upright design has lots of pretty trim pieces and you get a pair of large and colourful infotainment screens. Build quality is first-rate, so it'll stand up to rough treatment, too. Four adults have loads of room to stretch out, and the boot is wide and square.

The G-Class is available with a range of powerful petrol and diesel engines, and comes with a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system with locking diffs that mean it can tackle pretty much anything you throw at it. Yet it’s also easy to drive and comfortable. A class act. Then again, for the amount of money it costs, it jolly well should be.

The Volkswagen Touareg may not be as well suited to the off-road adventure lifestyle as some of the other 4x4s on this list, but it’s still a highly capable and well equipped machine that can roll up its sleeves and get muddy if needs must.

There’s plenty of space for five people and luggage on the inside - something you’d expect from a large 4x4 - and the infotainment system is one of the best around with heaps of functionality. Opt for a higher-grade trim (SEL Tech, R-Line Tech or Black Edition) and you’ll get treated to the excellent Innovision system.

It’s quiet inside the cabin, too, with the Touareg offering good levels of sound insulation making for a peaceful time. That's complemented by a comfortable ride, especially if you opt for a model with the air suspension. You’ll find petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains, and you’ll get bags of grip and traction with any of them.

The latest Nissan X-Trail is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, delivering great looks, good driving manners and a premium interior (dare we say, posh) with the flexibility of seven seats as an option. It also boasts a rugged edge, which allows it to effortlessly breeze into our best 4x4 roundup.

It’s a great all-rounder for those looking for space and practicality, but there’s no diesel option, mind. Instead you'll choose between a mild hybrid and Nissan’s ePower system, which uses a petrol engine to power electric motors to give you a feel closer to that of an EV. You’ll want the latter for 4x4 power, and the system can shift torque between axles 10,000 times faster than a mechanical system, making the X-Trail ideal for slippery conditions and off-road terrain.

You’ll want to opt for a mid-spec N-Connecta trim at the very least to bag yourself the improved 12.3-inch infotainment system, 360-degree parking cameras, privacy glass and more.

We have a separate list for the best pick-up trucks, and you'll find the regular Ford Ranger right at the very top of it, because it's the best pick-up truck money can buy. The Ford Ranger Raptor, however, is no ordinary pick-up truck. This thing is more of a hardcore off-road racer with its own enthusiast following, and it's also one of the best off-road vehicles that money can buy. 

The Ranger Raptor takes an existing Ford Ranger (itself pretty capable in the rough stuff) and adds uprated suspension with Fox Racing shocks that add an extra way more travel. There's an electronically locking rear differential, off-road tyres and new driving modes, along with body protection and styling tweaks. The range-topping model also has Fox dampers with 'Live Valve' technology, and these react in real time to the conditions and can even detect when the vehicle is airborne.  Handy when you're busy launching your truck off the nearest sand dune.

The Raptor's huge performance comes from either the same twin-turbo 210PS 2.0-litre diesel engine in the previous version of the Raptor, or a newer twin-turbo V6 petrol developing 292PS. Both operate through a ten-speed automatic gearbox. 

It's certainly not the most sophisticated car here on the road, but off the beaten track it's nigh-on unbeatable. Many will find that the significantly cheaper base Ranger is capable enough, but some will pay extra to experience the ultimate off-roader. 

Dire to drive, noisy on the road and lacking space: the Suzuki Jimny is very much an acquired taste. But, whether you’re into its Tonka toy looks or not, this is one supremely capable off-roader.

Buyers love its reliability and low running costs, as well as its ability to get from A to B… even if that means going via X, Y, and Z. However, the Jimny is not without its ‘quirks’. Or flaws, in other words. You see, as an old-school 4x4, it’s not very civilised on the road… but it’s compact size and light controls do make it okay around town.

On the motorway, though, the Jimny can be hard work. There are only five gears and even at 60mph it feels strained. The steering also requires a lot of input, so you’ll be busy with that, and fast cornering is definitely best avoided. Creature comforts are pretty minimal, too...

Despite all of this, Jimnys hold their value incredibly well. The latest model was launched in 2019 and wasn't on sale for very long before it had to be withdrawn so that Suzuki could meet new European emissions targets, and that meant that demand outstripped supply by a long way. As a result, you'll see used models costing significantly more than they did when they were brand new. Suzuki brought it back to the market in 2021, but as a commercial vehicle with no back seats. 

When it comes to 4x4s, most drivers have to choose between style and substance. Don’t get us wrong, there are a few mud-pluggers that can do it all and offer the ability to scale mountains in the automotive equivalent of palatial luxury, but most of the time you have to choose between an interior you can host in, or an interior you can hose down. 

The Subaru Forester falls closer to the latter category. Low-rent, functional, hard-wearing… call its cabin what you like. This is the kind of car bought by people who need a working vehicle. And that’s because it’s incredibly capable. It’s got all-wheel drive as standard, plenty of ground clearance and can make progress on the muddiest of fields. It’s also got a braked trailer rating of between 1800kg and 2000kg, which means pulling a medium-sized caravan or small horsebox is no drama.

As a family wagon, however, it’s better than you'd think. There's a lot of luggage space - 505 litres to be precise - while the back of row of seats is comfortable for adults as well as children. It’s got decent visibility, too, which makes it easy to see over hedges or spot the corners when parking. Not as plush as more road-biased SUV rivals, the Forester is still a very worthy 4x4.

Off-roaders don't come much more recognisable than the Jeep Wrangler. Its story started way back in 1940 with the original Willy's Jeep, and that heritage is still in clear evidence in the styling of the latest car, with its large round headlights and seven-slot grille. And the Wrangler is an effortlessly cool car as a result. It's also pretty much unstoppable off-road. Short of a vertical cliff face, there's pretty much no surface that the Wrangler can't deal with.

Granted, it's fairly rough-and-ready as a result. The on-road ride is bumpy, noisy and unrefined, while the cabin materials are basic, equipment levels are modest and the interior is surprisingly cramped. It's not quite the stripped out off-roader that the original Land Rover Defender was, but compared with more modern cars, it feels rather behind the times. However, few cars will get as far across countryside as the Wrangler, and thanks to its detachable roof, you can even feel the sun on your face in the process: in fact, it's the only five-seat convertible that money can buy.