Best Cars for Off-Roading in India 2024

The top-level options for off-roading aficionados in India are more than enough. The crew is led by flagship off-road machines such as the Toyota Fortuner and Jeep Wrangler. Essentially, these SUVs are designed to handle the most extreme landscapes with mighty engines, high ground clearance, and a long list of safety and comfort features.

We explore further in this review to present to you the specifications, features, and price details of these mean off-road machines so that you choose the best for your adventurous drives.

Toyota Fortuner: Specifications and Features

Engine and Performance

It is powered by an inline-4, 2.7L, DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i with a maximum power rating of 204 PS at 3400 rpm and 245 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The machine is complete with a 5-speed manual transmission and RWD configuration-meaning the vehicle will handle difficult terrain. The Fortuner has an 80L fuel tank capacity, which is pretty good for long off-road trips without making many stops to refuel.

Safety Features

The feature list to ensure safety on the Toyota Fortuner is long and helps this vehicle gain a 5-star NCAP rating for safety. The key safety attributes include 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, and hill assist. Further, there is a tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera for added safety, along with speed-sensing door locks and a child safety lock, thus making it one of the safest options in its segment.

Comfort and Interior

Comfort is not sacrificed in the Fortuner. Front ventilated seats, automatic climate control, and rear AC vents equip the vehicle so that the cabin environment is pleasant. Cruise control adds convenience to driving, supplemented by keyless entry, electrically adjustable seat facilities, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat. Leather upholstery and a multifunctional steering wheel enhance comfortable luxury features.

Dimensions and Measurements

Where the length of the Toyota Fortuner is 4795 mm, its width is 1855 mm, and ground clearance is 225 mm. High on ground clearance, and with a double wishbone suspension system at the front, with stabilizers, it suits uneven surfaces. And off-road adventure can be actually a saucy idea. As the SUV comes with ample boot space of 296 liters and seating for seven passengers, family outings are not a problem either.

Price 

The price of the Toyota Fortuner in India starts from ₹39.32 lakh and goes up to ₹60.50 lakh for the top model. Major rivals include models like MG Gloster, Jeep Meridian, and Toyota Hilux-all of which, sans a few, are genuinely capable off-road SUVs.

Jeep Wrangler: Engine and Performance, Specifications and Features

Engine and Performance

Mechanically, the Jeep Wrangler gets a 2.0L turbocharged engine making 266.30 bhp at 5250 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. The SUV gets an 8-speed automatic transmission with AWD configuration for better control and power distribution on tricky trails. It comes fitted with an 81-liter fuel tank, which is good enough to give decent range for long off-road journeys.

Safety Features

While the Jeep Wrangler doesn’t have the best NCAP rating, the car is fitted with safety features like ABS with EBD, traction control, hill descent control, and emergency brake light flashing. The automobile is also mounted with a reverse camera and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Wrangler has 4 airbags with ISOFIX child-seat mounts to keep the family safe on the off-road journey.

Comfort and Interior

Inside, the Wrangler is all about utility and comfort: it is equipped with automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and rear AC vents. It has an electronically adjustable seat arrangement for the driver and passengers and a multifunctional steering wheel. Other convenience features include a start/stop button, paddle shifters, and a 12v outlet to charge devices during long trips.

Dimensions and Measurements

The Jeep Wrangler has an overall length of 4882 mm and a width of 1894 mm, while having a very impressive wheelbase of 3008 mm. It will have a ground clearance of 214 mm to deal with all rocky trails or for that matter muddy paths. And not to forget, it will offer 897 liters of boot space, which is more than adequate for any storage requirements on a camping trip or an off-roading adventure.

Price and Alternatives

The Jeep Wrangler has a price range of ₹79.56 lakh to ₹84.27 lakh in India. However, there are a few alternatives to Jeep Wrangler such as the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5, and Volvo XC60 that offer almost similar off-roading capabilities in the premium segment.