Best ute off-road

In this series, we're comparing utes off-road. Previously, we've written about the best utes for tradies as well as the top all-round ute.

Here at Finder, we painstakingly compare ute reviews to determine the general findings of motoring experts on a vehicle. This saves you time and helps you understand the pros and cons of buying a particular pick-up. But what if, after reading our guides, you're still unsure about which ute to buy?

We've put together key off-road features and measurements of the most popular utes to see which is the most capable when the road ends and the less-travelled stuff starts.

What to look for in a 4x4 ute

When you need to travel over rough terrain, what should you look for in a ute?

• High ground clearance. This is the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle (almost always the diff case) and the ground you're travelling on. The larger this gap, the easier it'll be to travel over heavily undulating terrain without catching the belly of your ute. When the ute grounds out, then you risk damaging critical mechanical components – not good if you're in the middle of nowhere. To offset a lower ground clearance, look for utes with bash/skid plates also called underbody protection. You can improve your ground clearance by fitting larger wheels/tyres to lift the body up, but if you go too far, the treads will start rubbing on the body when the suspension is compressed.
• Bash plates. Ground clearance is important because it prevents you from getting stuck. Bash plates can also help reduce this by making your ute slide over rocks and other hard stuff. A good quality skid plate is generally made from thick steel, though some are aluminium. If you're venturing into really extreme off-road situations, you'll want to make sure your engine sump, gearbox, transfer case, diffs and fuel tank have some protection from rocks or branches jutting out of the ground.

• Approach/Departure/Ramp angles. If you imagine drawing a line from the centre of the bottom of the tyre to the lowest point of the outer bodywork/towbar, when measured this gives your off-road angles. Approach tells you how steep a gradient you can tackle travelling forwards without damaging your front-end; departure is the steepest incline you can transition off without catching anything. If you picture a peak as a triangle, the breakover or ramp angle is the sharpest point you can travel over without clipping the apex on part of the underside of your vehicle. Ideally, you want the approach and departure angle numbers to be higher (picture a 90-degree angle, the closer to this figure you get, the better), while a higher ramp angle rating means you can go over more aggressive pitches without trouble. Bear in mind, these numbers are for low-speed movements, if you travel into a slope at speed, your suspension will compress and you could bottom out. These critical measurements are governed by ground clearance, overhangs and wheelbase. So, in theory at least, if you go for a ute with a shorter wheelbase, lifted higher from the ground and with minimal overhangs, you'll fair better off-road. Fun fact, a stock Hummer H1 can have a go at a 72-degree gradient.
• Overhangs. Generally, the shorter the overhang of your bodywork, measured from the centre line of your wheel to the outer extremity, the better. It means the bodywork and bumpers are lifted away from the terrain as much as possible, returning good approach and departure angles. If the car's components don't contact the ground, it lessens the chance of incurring damage.

• Tyres. Tyres are very important when off-roading. The majority of utes sell with road tyres. These give better fuel economy, higher-speed ratings and make less noise. But when you go off-road, mud quickly gathers in the treads, making them almost perfectly smooth. As a result, grip will be diminished. To combat this, manufacturers produce all-terrain and mud tyres. Specifically designed to clear mud, thanks to larger gaps in the treads and with aggressive tyre blocks, a good quality all-terrain tread will give you better grip and keep you moving when the ground gets soft and mushy. The downside is they'll wear quicker, be noisy and also sometimes affect the braking distances and handling when on tarmac. If your chosen ute brand doesn't offer more aggressive tyres from the factory, it's not a big job to purchase a set of five (you'll want a matching spare) and have them swapped over onto your stock rims.
• Snorkel/engine breather. These aren't just to make you look like you know what you're doing out in the bush, they protect your engine from accidentally sucking in a load of liquid or dust. If you plan on travelling through deep water or into dusty, arid environments, you'll definitely want a snorkel. A lot of the utes below have factory options, but for some, you'll need to go to an aftermarket parts supplier.
• Winch. Winches are incredibly useful if you get stuck, need to move large objects that are blocking your way ahead or need to get a trapped vehicle out of the mud. You'll also need a solid winch bumper and a selection of straps, rated shackles, pulleys and gloves if you're going to use a winch. Recovery kits are available with these all kept in a neat bag. Be very careful when using a winch, if the cable or rope snaps, it can be deadly!

• Off-road bumpers. A bull bar is a good addition to an off-road ute as it gives you somewhere to attach spot lamps or fix a CB radio aerial. They can also deflect minor scrapes and dings as well as branches encroaching on your path. Some have integrated winch mounting locations as well as rated recovery/tow points.
• Rugged interior. You want a hard-wearing interior in your ute, so ditch carpet which will quickly be destroyed by abrasive grit in thick mud and go for something removable and made from tough rubber or vinyl. Then you can lift out your interior mats and give them a hose down, ready for your next trip.
• Electronic terrain modes. In the good old days, the driver was the one who manually operated the vehicle to get the best off-road performance. Nowadays, the driver receives assistance from a number of electronic systems such as hill descent control (where fitted), traction control and, on some utes, a terrain response system. If you're really serious about driving off-road, you'll want front and rear diff lockers to stop a wheel that's in the air from spinning and to keep you ploughing through sticky mud. A centre diff is even more useful, locking both axles together so they turn in unison.
• Gearing and transmission. A low-range transfer box is a must. It allows you to change the effective gear ratios of your car, reducing them so that the speed you're travelling at is less for the same engine revs. This helps with slow-speed manoeuvres but also gives you more control and is advantageous whenever you might lose grip in 4WD high. A low ratio will give a driver more control on hill descents too, where you'll make the most of engine braking. Again, having extra gears (the Ford Ranger has ten gears on some models) helps maximise the command you have over your vehicle, squeezing the optimum from the engine and augmenting traction.
• Suspension. Suspension plays a key role in a good off-roader. Long travel dampers help keep the wheels planted even when you get into cross-axle situations. Twin shocks cope with heat and corrugations better, lasting longer before they get wallowy. Independent suspension allows all four corners to conform to the ground underneath them. Soft suspension will be more comfortable off-road, while less flexible damping will see the body move around more when crossing gullies at an angle.
• Lighting. Having extra spot lamps and light bars can mean the difference between being forced to park-up and camp as dusk sets in or having the ability to drive on into the night.
• Equipment storage. Roof bars and racks are a great place to store things like bikes or even a roof tent and canopy. You can also stick your off-road jacks up there. Some off-roaders might feel comfortable putting extra fuel cans and spare tyres on the roof, though you'll need to make sure you're not unbalancing the ute and not exceeding the factory specified maximum weight. A rear canopy over the tub is great if you've got dogs you take off-roading since it stops them from jumping out and also extends the usable roof storage space.

A few words about off-roading

If you're an inexperienced off-road driver, you should consider taking a training course. It isn't just a case of point and shoot, poor technique will result in injuries or worse. Here are a few pointers to remember:

• Keep your thumbs out of the wheel. People have had their thumbs broken by allowing them to sit inside the outer rim of the steering wheel. When the wheel hits a rock or follows a rut, it can violently spin the wheel and send you into a world of pain. Instead, place your thumbs on the outer edge of the wheel pointing up, then if the wheel turns abruptly, your thumbs will slide along the outer edge, clear of the inner spokes/boss.
• Walk your line first. It's always wise to stop your vehicle safely and walk a route you want to take first. This way, you can look out for, and shift, any large rocks while plotting out a deliberate line to drive along. Ideally, you'd always travel in a convoy in case of mechanical failures. This way, there are others around to spot you as you travel over rough rocks and give directions. They can also help if you bury your ute in a thick slurry of mud.
• Do not underestimate water. Fast flowing water is a killer. It doesn't take much water to sweep someone off their feet or to shift a heavy 4x4. Water can be deeper than you think and contain unseen objects. Where safely viable, you should inspect a water crossing and check the depth before committing to wading through it.

Toyota HiLux

Overhangs (Front/rear)	928mm/1,234mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~216mm (Rogue)
Wheelbase	3,085mm
Nationwide dealers	310
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg (or 3,200kg for auto models)
Wading depth	700mm
Fuel tank	80 litres
Turning circle	Not listed
Suspension	Heavy-duty suspension available with underbody package on Hi-Rider HiLuxs
Underbody shielding	Yes, on Hi-Rider models
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering available
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,415mm x 1,885mm x 1,815mm
Wheel arch protectors	Rugged, Rugged X
Rock sliders	Rugged, Rugged X
Recovery points	Rugged, Rugged X
Snorkel	Rugged, Rugged X
Reversing camera	Pick-up models
Rear diff-lock	SR models and upwards
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	Pick-ups from the SR double-cab upwards
Terrain dial	No dial or button, but various separate systems
Comments	Toyota has a huge number of dealers, which should reduce the distance new parts have to travel for crucial repairs. Also, an 80-litre fuel tank is impressive, giving you a decent off-road range before you have to dip into your jerry cans.

* Rugged and Rugged X models have 1,087mm and 1,082mm overhangs respectively

Ford Ranger

Overhangs (Front/rear)	1,000mm*/1,245mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~232mm (XLS), rest 237mm
Wheelbase	3,220mm
Breakover angle	24/25° depending on model
Approach angle	28/29° depending on model
Departure angle	21-28° depending on model
Nationwide dealers	197 (as of 2014)
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	800mm
Fuel tank	80 litres
Turning circle	12.7 metres
Suspension	Raptor model has performance suspension
Underbody shielding	Ranger Raptor has bash plates
Rubber matting	On XL Rangers
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,382mm x 2,163mm x 1,815mm
Wheel arch protectors	Optional flares
Rock sliders	Aftermarket option
Recovery points	Aftermarket part available
Snorkel	Optional accessory
Reversing camera	Pick-up models
Rear diff-lock	Electronic diff
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	Yes
Terrain dial	No dial or button, but various separate systems
Comments	Ford offers an optional CB radio with antenna kit, an LED light bar and a bull bar, among other things from the factory.

Mitsubishi Triton

Overhangs (Front/rear)	Not listed/Not listed
Ground clearance (worst model)	~205mm (GLX)
Wheelbase	3,000mm
Breakover angle	25° (some 24°)
Approach angle	27.5°-31°
Departure angle	22°-23°
Nationwide dealers	200+
Towing capacity	Up to 3,100kg
Wading depth	500mm
Fuel tank	75 litres
Turning circle	11.8 metres
Suspension	Some have heavy-duty suspension
Underbody shielding	Yes
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering available
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,305mm x 1,815mm x 1,780mm
Wheel arch protectors	Aftermarket
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Aftermarket
Reversing camera	Pick-up models
Rear diff-lock	GLX+ and upwards
Dual ratio transfer box	4x4 models
Downhill assist	GLS Premium
Terrain dial	Super Select II
Comments	The Triton has some unique features that make it on-paper a decent off-roader. Multi-around view could be useful when navigating tight gullies. A factory bull bar, LED light bar and all-terrain tyre option round out the equipment.

Holden Colorado

Overhangs (Front/rear)	Not listed/Not listed
Ground clearance (worst model)	~215mm
Wheelbase	3,096mm
Breakover angle	22.1°
Approach angle	28.3°
Departure angle	23.1°
Nationwide dealers	207
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	600mm
Fuel tank	76 litres
Turning circle	12.7 metres
Suspension	Coil spring, leaf spring rear (heavy-duty option as part of Xtreme pack on Z71)
Underbody shielding	All models have sump guard, Z71 has stage 1 underbody protection. Farmer pack adds stage 1-3 bash plating.
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering available
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,362mm x 1,872mm x 1,800mm
Wheel arch protectors	LS-X models and up
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Up to 1,500kg
Snorkel	Factory option
Reversing camera	Yes
Rear diff-lock	DuraGrip system with LSD
Dual ratio transfer box	4x4 models
Downhill assist	Hill descent control
Terrain dial	Part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Comments	Factory packs quickly add up.

Nissan Navara

Overhangs (Front/rear)	Not listed/Not listed
Ground clearance (worst model)	~217mm (RX)
Wheelbase	3,150mm
Nationwide dealers	89
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	600mm
Fuel tank	80 litres
Turning circle	11.8-12.4m (depending on iteration)
Suspension	Double front wishbones, rear five-link suspension
Underbody shielding	Aftermarket parts available
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering available, rubber mats optional
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,120mm (5,255 on some) x 1,850mm (not including mirrors) x 1,790mm
Wheel arch protectors	On N-TREK Navaras
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Aftermarket
Reversing camera	Available on all pick-up models
Rear diff-lock	Limited slip diff on 4WD models, electronic locking rear diff on SL, ST, ST-X
Dual ratio transfer box	On 4x4 models, yes
Downhill assist	ST-X and up
Terrain dial	No dial or button, but various separate systems
Comments	360° could be useful when off-roading for spotting branches, rocks and other damaging objects. 360° view can be affected by the add-on bumpers though.

Isuzu D-MAX

Overhangs (Front/rear)	905mm/~Up to 1,295mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~225m
Wheelbase	3,095mm
Nationwide dealers	156
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	800mm
Fuel tank	76 litres
Turning circle	12.6m
Suspension	Double-wishbones front, leaf-springs on rear
Underbody shielding	Front steel bash plate, 4x4s have sump, transfer box plus fuel tank protection
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering available, rubber mats as an accessory
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,295mm x 1,860mm (not including mirrors) x 1,785mm
Wheel arch protectors	Fender flares as a factory option (heavy-duty side rail factory option)
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Factory fitted rated tow hooks, up to 2,850kgs limit
Snorkel	Factory option
Reversing camera	Available on all pick-up models
Rear diff-lock	No (Aftermarket airlocks for sale)
Dual ratio transfer box	On 4x4 models, yes
Downhill assist	Yes
Terrain dial	Terrain Command
Comments	Isuzu's optional side rail protection is unique among factory fitted options, apart from on the Toyota LandCruiser 70.

Toyota LandCruiser 70

Overhangs (Front/rear)	Not listed/Not listed
Ground clearance (worst model)	~230mm
Wheelbase	3,180mm
Breakover angle	Not listed
Approach angle	Not listed
Departure angle	Not listed
Nationwide dealers	310
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	700mm
Fuel tank	130 or 180 litres
Turning circle	14.4 metres
Suspension	Front coil springs and radius arm, rear lead springs
Underbody shielding	Aftermarket available
Rubber matting	Optional all-weather mats
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,230mm x 1,870mm (not including mirrors) x up to 2,115mm
Wheel arch protectors	Some models have over fender flares
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Standard
Reversing camera	Aftermarket available
Rear diff-lock	Optional on some
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	No
Terrain dial	Has Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Comments	Single-cab models have a five-star ANCAP rating. Looks like an older vehicle, but boasts some of the more modern comforts. It's a stout and robust vehicle, with a crazy huge fuel tank.

Mazda BT-50

Overhangs (Front/rear)	919mm/Up to 1,226mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~200mm (XT)
Wheelbase	3,220mm
Breakover angle	25° (some 24.4°)
Approach angle	27.2°-28.2°
Departure angle	26.4°-28.4°
Nationwide dealers	134
Towing capacity	Up to 3,500kg
Wading depth	800mm
Fuel tank	80 litres
Turning circle	12.4 metres
Suspension	Front double-wishbones with coils, rear axle with leaf springs
Underbody shielding	Yes, on 4x4 models
Rubber matting	Vinyl floor covering, rubber mats available
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,365mm-5,373mm x 1,850mm (not including mirrors) x 1,821mm
Wheel arch protectors	Optional (apart from on Boss model)
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Optional accessory
Reversing camera	Yes
Rear diff-lock	Locking rear diff on Freestyle and up
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	Yes, hill descent control (HDC)
Terrain dial	Variety of systems
Comments	Some of the Mazda BT-50s have a locking rear diff, sat-nav with off-road maps and various other off-road potential boosting features. It's also cool to see the Boss adventure pack that brings various adventure kit like a bull bar and driving lights. The BT-50 shares a platform with the Ford Ranger.

VW Amarok

Overhangs (Front/rear)	898mm/Up to 1,259mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~226mm (TDI400)
Wheelbase	3,095mm
Breakover angle	23°
Approach angle	28°
Departure angle	23.6°
Nationwide dealers	106
Towing capacity	Up to 3,000kg
Wading depth	500mm
Fuel tank	80 litres
Turning circle	12.95 metres
Suspension	Front double-wishbones with coils, rear axle with leaf springs
Underbody shielding	Yes, on 4x4 models
Rubber matting	Rubber mats in cab
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,254mm x 2,228mm x 1,834mm
Wheel arch protectors	Optional (apart from on Boss model)
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Aftermarket
Reversing camera	Yes
Rear diff-lock	Electronic and mechanical diff lock
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	Yes, hill descent control (HDC)
Terrain dial	Off-road mode
Comments	A well-reviewed 4WD system, underpinned by renowned German engineering. The gearing also seems very favourable for off-roading.

RAM 1500

Overhangs (Front/rear)	905mm/~Up to 1,295mm
Ground clearance (worst model)	~235m
Wheelbase	3,569mm
Nationwide dealers	52
Towing capacity	Up to 4,500kg
Wading depth	N/A
Fuel tank	98 litres
Turning circle	13.9m
Suspension	Twin shocks, double-wishbone at front, rear five-link with twin dampers
Underbody shielding	Aftermarket available
Rubber matting	Rubber floor covering
Measurements: external (L, W, H)	5,817mm x 2,017mm (not including mirrors) x 1,917mm
Wheel arch protectors	Aftermarket
Rock sliders	Aftermarket
Recovery points	Aftermarket
Snorkel	Aftermarket
Reversing camera	Available on Laramie
Rear diff-lock	Anti-spin diff
Dual ratio transfer box	Yes
Downhill assist	No
Terrain dial	Traction control
Comments	The Ram 1500 should handle gravel roads and mud, but it's a heavy and large beast.

Which ute is the best off-road?

From research, it would appear the three best-selling utes are also very competent off-road vehicles. The Ford Ranger is highly rated, thanks to its impressive wading capability, powerful yet frugal diesel engines and modern ten-speed box. The HiLux fares well too as does the Triton with its Super Select II terrain response system. The 70 Series LandCruiser is also rated highly and the Mazda BT-50 is based on the Ford Ranger, so it should be able to take care of itself off the bitumen. Car reviewers also favourably rated the Volkswagen Amarok, specifically the V6 model (some even say it is the best off-road).

At the end of the day, very few ute owners spend more than even half of their time off-road. You need to weigh how well the 4x4 copes with on-road, day-to-day travelling against its abilities off the paved road network. You also have to factor in things like value for money, fuel economy, passenger comfort, equipment levels and servicing fees. Remember, if you do a lot of travelling off-road, all manufacturers will consider this a harsh working environment and you'll need to service your ute more frequently, with shorter distance intervals.

One of the best things about owning a ute is if you want to improve its ability off-road, you can relatively easily modify it. Installing suspension lift kits, larger tyres, underbody protection and a winch will see you travelling to places you'd never think possible.

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