7 best off-road vehicles for long-distance travel

Do you want to go on a road trip around Russia? Looking for a reliable SUV with good dynamics and comfort? iquality.techinfus.com/en/ studied enough forums and personal blogs of car enthusiasts to find the best copy for long distance trips. In the rating - only models tested in practice for any budget. The main thing that unites the participants is that they are all reliable and safe over long distances.
 
  Name
  Rating
  Nomination
1 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series 4.92
The most powerful engine
2 Land Rover Discovery 4.67
The most reliable
3 Nissan X-Trail 4.51
Buyer's Best Choice
4 Toyota Fortuner 4.39
The most indestructible suspension
5 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4.32
Best power reserve
6 Kia Mohave 4.29
Optimal combination of price and quality
7 UAZ Patriot 4.18
Best price

As practice has shown, for traveling long distances in Russia, the best car is a frame SUV. Unlike a crossover, it is not afraid of potholes, pits in the middle of the asphalt and rough terrain. Four-wheel drive, high ground clearance and stability on the road are the characteristics that make the SUV the most reliable vehicle. On unpredictable routes on a long journey, the so-called "jeeps" are best prepared for any difficulties.

Brand matters: which company to choose

The nameplate on the front grille of an SUV indicates the comfort, driving characteristics and cost of the car. We are talking about new cars for travel. Buying a car in the secondary market for long trips is not the best solution: reliability on the road largely determines the resource of each part. This indicator can be excellent only for one SUV - a new one.

In the primary market, there are two main price categories in which all-terrain vehicles for travel are usually chosen: premium class and mid-price segment. Elite SUVs are more positioned as a status attribute and provide the maximum level of comfort. Mercedes, Volvo, Lexus, Rover are serious and expensive brands, but of all the models, the English Rover copes best with heavy off-road.

The more affordable business segment offers the best value for money possible. The most practical brands are traditionally considered to be Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi. Among them, there was a place for the South Korean brand KIA - the car is distinguished by a good margin of safety and high-quality assembly. Of domestic SUVs, only UAZ turned out to be among the preferences of travelers. The Russian "all-terrain vehicle" seriously competes in price with all participants in the rating, but is inferior in quality and equipment.

How to choose an SUV for a trip to Russia?

In the Russian car market today there is a large assortment of cars with increased cross-country ability. When choosing a specific model for traveling long distances, first of all, pay attention to the following characteristics:

Spaciousness. On the road, they usually take a supply of food, things, various equipment.They often use a car for an overnight stay, so short-wheelbase SUVs are not an option for traveling. An additional advantage is the installation of a luggage box on the roof. If you plan to bring a bike, skis or surfboard with you, you will need the appropriate mounts.

exchange rate stability. It is important for high-speed traffic on the highway and in dirt road conditions. Another characteristic indicating the choice of a car with a long base.

Power reserve. Tank size and fuel consumption matter on long hauls. Since it is not safe and not very convenient to carry canisters with you, to increase the mileage without refueling, they choose a car with a large gas tank.

Engine's type. Gasoline engines have several features. Firstly, if you spend the night in a car with the engine running (cold), then if the wind direction is unsuccessful, carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. Secondly, when traveling in the northern regions of Russia far from civilization, refueling AI-95 (and even A-80) is much more difficult than diesel fuel. In addition, a gasoline internal combustion engine does not work well at low speeds, its traction characteristics are inferior to diesel units.

Transmission. Automatic means comfort and convenience. The manual gearbox is simpler and more durable, it is resistant to jerky loads and is ideal for tough off-road, overcoming swampy terrain or areas with deep snow.

Body structure. An SUV on a trip will be loaded to the eyeballs, and a body without a supporting frame will “play” in difficult areas. This, in the end, can lead to serious damage on the road.

Maintainability. The owner of a car for travel should be ready to repair on their own in the absence of service centers and evacuation services.From this point of view, the fewer electronic systems in a car, the more reliable it is on the road over long distances. The problem of choice lies in the fact that new SUVs are high-tech devices (with the exception of domestic brands) with many systems and sensors. In this case, it is better to give preference to a new car, the build quality and resource of which is beyond doubt.

Top 7. UAZ Patriot

Rating (2022): 4.18
Accounted for Feedback, Drome reviews from resources: 6589
Best price

A budget solution for long-distance travel - UAZ Patriot is reliable, unpretentious and maintainable. The price does not compare with other participants in the rating, favorably differing from the cost of foreign cars by several times.

  • Average price: 1,117,000 rubles.
  • Country Russia
  • Volume (power) ICE: 2.7 l (150 hp)
  • Fuel type: gasoline
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 14/11.5/8.5 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 68 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 640/2415 l
  • Ground clearance: 210 mm

Domestic SUV in its value will give odds to any of the participants. Confidently behaves off-road, maintainable, but the fuel consumption is frankly too big. For traveling around Russia - a good option, as it does not attract attention. The roomy interior is spartan in simplicity, and the seats for long trips are not the most comfortable. The owner, going on a trip over long distances, must be prepared for sudden breakdowns. But there is still a positive moment in this - inexpensive spare parts and a car mechanic can be found in any locality. Despite the fact that the price-quality ratio has an imbalance inherent in the Russian auto industry, the car is in demand. In terms of popularity, the Patriot of all the participants is second only to the X-Trail.

Top 6. Kia Mohave

Rating (2022): 4.29
Accounted for 137 reviews from resources: Feedback, Drome
Optimal combination of price and quality

The South Korean Kia Mohave is distinguished by a balanced ratio of driving performance and reliability to the cost of a car.

  • Average price: 4494000 rubles.
  • Country: South Korea
  • Volume (power) ICE: 3.0 l (249 hp)
  • Fuel type: diesel
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 12.4/7.6/9.3 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 82 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 350/2765 l
  • Ground clearance: 217 mm

Kia Mohave is an SUV with an excellent price-performance ratio, a spacious interior and a large margin of safety. The endurance of the South Korean car is quite comparable with the indicators of the rating leader. A reliable three-liter turbodiesel works confidently in different modes, and the suspension is resistant to broken roads. On the highway, the SUV is distinguished by the sharpness of the steering wheel during lane changes and good acceleration dynamics. It is not inferior to a car in terms of modern filling - electronic assistants make driving safe and confident. At the same time, the owners note that due to the massiveness of the SUV (2.3 tons), it is better to be wary of outright off-road in Russia (despite the lower gear) and not take risks in vain.

Top 5. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Rating (2022): 4.32
Accounted for 3713 reviews from resources: Feedback, Drome
Best power reserve

High speed performance, economy and a decent fuel tank provided the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport III with the best power reserve. The SUV is able to cover 918 km without refueling. This is 118 km more than the performance of the most popular participant in the ranking.

  • Average price: 2652000 rubles.
  • Country: Japan
  • Volume (power) ICE: 2.4 l (181 hp)
  • Fuel type: diesel
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 8.7/6.7/7.4 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 68 l
  • Trunk volume (min/max): 430/2500 l
  • Ground clearance: 218 mm

Despite the mechanics, the diesel Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is quite economical and has a better range. It is capable of “swinging away” more than 900 km on any road without refueling. The car has established itself in Russia as a reliable and fairly unpretentious SUV with a rigid suspension. The large ground clearance ensures patency even on a cargo track on a primer. Sufficiently comfortable seats do not give the driver fatigue on long journeys. The car confidently holds the road, differs in maneuverability and high-speed qualities. Among the shortcomings - the fuel system is sensitive to bad diesel fuel, and in case of problems, spare parts will have to be ordered.

Top 4. Toyota Fortuner

Rating (2022): 4.39
Accounted for Feedback, Drome reviews from resources: 483
The most indestructible suspension

Toyota Fortuner II is famous for its suspension endurance and its resistance to operation in difficult conditions.

  • Average price: 3,189,000 rubles.
  • Country: Japan
  • Volume (power) of the internal combustion engine: 2.7 l (166 hp)
  • Fuel type: gasoline
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 13.6/9.3/10.9 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 80 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 621/1934 l
  • Ground clearance: 225 mm

On this frame SUV, you can safely climb into the most remote corners of Russia. There is no doubt about the cross-country ability of the Toyota Fortuner. The car is able to ford rivers, climb mountains and feels confident on sand dunes. To get stuck somewhere, you still have to try. A reliable and powerful turbocharged unit never overheats - it does not care about any loads. The seven-seater cabin is easily transformed, providing enough space for a sleeping bag and luggage at the same time. On the track, the SUV is quite stable and shows good high-speed dynamics.At the same time, the owners note a noticeable difference in fuel consumption in comparison with other participants in the rating. With a tank of 80 liters without refueling, Fortuner will cover 730 km.

Top 3. Nissan X-Trail

Rating (2022): 4.51
Accounted for 18708 reviews from resources: Feedback, Drome
Buyer's Best Choice

The most popular SUV in the market. Last year, 7,625 new cars were sold in Russia, which is several times higher than the demand for other rating participants.

  • Average price: 2092000 rubles.
  • Country: Japan
  • Volume (power) ICE: 2.0 l (144 hp)
  • Fuel type: gasoline
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 9.4/6.4/7.5 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 60 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 565/1996 l
  • Ground clearance: 210 mm

Going on this SUV on a long journey is a pleasure. The interior is ergonomic and comfortable, a roomy trunk and seat transformation allow two people to spend the night without unloading their luggage. The engine consumes fuel very modestly in highway mode - at one refueling, the X-Trail is capable of covering 930 km on highways. When going down the dirt road, owners appreciate such advantages as excellent handling and high ground clearance. But in difficult off-road conditions, the reliability of the suspension is questionable. There is also a lack of power in the mountain passes. Many believe that a 3-liter internal combustion engine would be better for the Nissan X-Trail. At the same time, the ideal balance of price and quality is maintained, which makes the SUV the most popular choice for travel.

Top 2. Land Rover Discovery

Rating (2022): 4.67
Accounted for 1593 feedback from resources: Feedback, Drome
The most reliable

Land Rover Discovery is characterized by high reliability of all vehicle components.The margin of safety and durability more than cover the high price.

  • Average price: 6629000 rubles.
  • Country: UK
  • Volume (power) ICE: 2.7 l (150 hp)
  • Fuel type: diesel
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 8.3/6.5/7.2 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 77 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 1231/2500 l
  • Ground clearance: 220-283 mm

Spacious and comfortable SUV designed for long trips. A versatile interior with the possibility of transformation (no hands - everything is servo-driven and remotely!) is great for traveling, as it is able to provide accommodation for two passengers without unloading the trunk. Intelligent driver support services will make even the busiest route easy and carefree. Separately, it is worth noting the best running characteristics - Discovery has no equal both in the mountains and on the sand. Nothing is known about the breakdowns of the new car either - even 15-year-old Land Rovers are considered quite reliable cars. Despite the balance of price and quality, the cost frankly scares off many buyers.

See also:

Top 1. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series

Rating (2022): 4.92
Accounted for 3562 feedback from resources: Feedback, Drome
The most powerful engine

The eight-cylinder turbocharged engine of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series develops 249 hp. This is the best indicator in the ranking.

  • Average price: 7972000 rubles.
  • Country: Japan
  • Volume (power) ICE: 4.5 l (249 hp)
  • Fuel type: diesel
  • Consumption (city/highway/combined): 12/9.1/10.2 l/100km
  • Fuel tank: 93 l
  • Trunk volume (min / max): 909 l
  • Ground clearance: 230 mm

A serious advantage of the Land Cruiser 200 over long distances is a powerful turbodiesel.The off-road vehicle easily overtakes “uphill” (there is a switch to a sport mode), it is stable and manageable at high speed. Comfortable interior and soundproofing are worthy of praise - on the road you can have a conversation in a low voice. Despite 8 cylinders, the consumption is frankly pleasing, and the fuel tank increased to 90 liters gives a cruising range in mixed mode up to 880 km. The car is hardy and reliable, if it receives timely maintenance of the proper level, it is unlikely to let you down on a long journey. The premium SUV also has a downside - its cost, which not everyone can afford.

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Attention! The above information is not a buying guide. For any advice, you should contact the experts!

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