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8 Cheap Suvs Tougher Than A Jeep Wrangler (and 8 That Don’t Live Up) - Car Talk - Nairaland

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8 Cheap Suvs Tougher Than A Jeep Wrangler (and 8 That Don’t Live Up) by teens(m): 7:15am On Jan 11, 2020
When the latest JL-generation Jeep Wrangler finally debuted in 2017 for the 2018 model year, the off-roading and overlanding communities went all abuzz with excitement. It's still hard to believe that the Wrangler is only in its fourth iteration, which only makes sense because the name went into usage in 1986 on a vehicle that drew heavily on its predecessors.

But despite more comfortable on-road driving characteristics, improvements in the way of creature comforts and some nods to Wranglers gone past (like easily removable doors and a revised grille), the JL has proven to be a problem on the trail. Unfortunately for Jeep, the many off-roading and overlanding streaming channels have fully documented issues like engine failures and even spontaneous combustion.

The JL and its truck sibling, the Gladiator, are also getting pretty expensive, especially in Rubicon trim. So for anyone who wants a cheap, used off-roader that isn't going to catch fire at any moment, keep scrolling for 8 SUVs that are tougher than the Jeep Wrangler. On the flip side, we cover 8 more that just can't keep up.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: MITSUBISHI MONTERO
via YouTube
In the United States, the Jeep Wrangler may reign supreme as the best off-roader on the market during any given era, but the rest of the world knows that that's simply not true.

Instead, probably the greatest off-road vehicle of all time is the Mitsubishi Montero, which has dominated the Dakar Rally over the years under the Pajero nameplate.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: TOYOTA 4RUNNER
via Pinterest
When it comes to tough, rugged off-roading, getting up a steep hill or climbing over a boulder might seem like the be-all, end-all goal. But getting home reliably is equally as important, which is why the Toyota 4Runner holds its value unlike many other cars on the market.

Plus, with plentiful aftermarket mods available, anything the Wrangler can do, the 4Runner can do better – and it won't catch on fire, either.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
via IH8MUD Forum
The Toyota 4Runner's big brother is the Land Cruiser, which just looks perfectly set up for overlanding in the picture above. Japanese engineering during the 1990s was at an all-time high (though today, the J70 model is still built for the rest of the world). These are bigger rigs that can haul more people and gear more reliably than pretty much any Wrangler.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: ISUZU TROOPER
via CATUNED Off-Road
Another often forgotten Japanese 4x4 is the Isuzu Trooper. In many ways the true competitor to the Montero/Pajero, the Trooper has slightly boxier styling and all the great off-road features anyone could want. Plus, they're cheaper than dirt, which makes them a great option for anyone looking to replace their recently conflagrated Wrangler.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: HONDA PASSPORT
via Top Speed
Honda couldn't just sit around and let the likes of Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu take over the SUV market during the 1990s. The Passport was Honda's entrant into the emerging sector, with styling that has become a cult classic to this day. Plus, as usual, these were Hondas engineered and built to the highest standards.

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TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: ISUZU RODEO
via Pinterest
The Honda Passport has a twin sibling in the form of the Isuzu Rodeo. Basically the same vehicle inside and out, the Passport and Rodeo both make excellent platforms for off-roading rigs, especially given that they'll run for approximately forever with little in the way of maintenance or repairs, unlike the Jeep Wrangler.

10
TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: NISSAN PATHFINDER
via Autowise
Nissan jumped into the late-1980s SUV ring with the Pathfinder, a stellar truck that can pretty much take anything the world can throw at it without breaking a sweat. Though it might resemble the Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo from afar, check out those rear door handles – what else could be more perfectly 1980s?

9
TOUGHER THAN A WRANGLER: INFINITI FX45

via 4x4projects
When it comes to reliable and rugged off-roaders, there's no arguing that 1990s-era Japanese products are typically the best of the best. But there are a few exceptions, including the spectacular Infiniti FX45, which debuted for the 2003 model year.

With an aluminum V8 and an all-wheel-drive system shared with the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R, all at bargain-basement prices these days, a used FX45 is always a good idea.

8
CAN'T KEEP UP: JEEP CHEROKEE

via CarGurus
The Jeep Wrangler might inspire some would-be off-roaders to hit the trail, but that has as much to do with Jeep's history as anything else. And Jeep's history has been mostly great, until the modern era took rugged 4x4 vehicles and turned them into overcomplicated, electronic gremlins.

Case in point is the 2014 Cherokee, which is basically a front-wheel-drive minivan with a bit of an upgrade – and don't ask about transmission problems.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: ACURA MDX

via MDXers
Acura might be the luxury division of Honda, but there seems to be a widening gap between the two brands. Acura has tried to build a successful luxury SUV for decades now without hitting on a major success. A few people have even taken their MDX off-roading, which from pics of problems, seems like a terrible idea.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: KIA SPORTAGE

via YouTube
Kia might be world-renowned for offering 10-year warranties on its vehicles, but there's still a reason these Korean cars sell so cheap. Case in point is the first gen Kia Sportage, which did, surprisingly, offer four-wheel-drive. But no one should go out and buy a used Sportage for pennies on the dollar, because they'll just get disappointed in every way.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: VOLVO XC90

via YouTube
Volvo's automotive design has taken a major step up since the days of brick-like sedans and wagons (though fans might argue otherwise). Unfortunately, the Swedish firm seems more interested in looks and creature comforts than actual performance and reliability, as evidenced by Consumer Reports' terrible grading. Also, it’s supported by the still above from a video of an XC90 – which is shod in "Mud & Snow” tires – struggling to move on little more than wet grass.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: JEEP RENEGADE

via autoevolution
Another misguided adventure undertaken as part of Fiat Chrysler's unfortunate ownership of Jeep is the Renegade. The attempt to create a hip, cool-looking little SUV simply failed – from the design to the actual engineering, it was more of a crossover than anything else. Imagine getting high-centered at an event that's specifically supposed to show off the Renegade's capabilities.

3
CAN'T KEEP UP: BMW X5

via autoevolution
BMW might have helped to pioneer the concept of the luxury SUV with the X5 and the earlier years might now be available for cheap on the used market, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to buy one. BMW owners who love the way their cars and SUVs drive on the tarmac have to live with constant overheating and cooling problems, which doesn't make for a great time when heading out on the trail.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

via Land Rover Forums
Few SUVs on the used market can claim the kinds of depreciation stats that the unfortunate Land Rover Discovery has earned. The photo above just about sums up Disco ownership, which proves the old saying that anyone buying a British car had better buy two, since one will be in the shop at any given time.

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CAN'T KEEP UP: VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

via Reddit
On paper, the Volkswagen Touareg sounds wonderful. With a turbodiesel V10 engine, up to three fully locking differentials, and optional air-lift suspension that can raise the rig up to eight inches, what's not to love? Well, it turns out that anything more than routine maintenance requires an engine drop, plus electrical gremlins plague the Touareg constantly.

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