FACTORY BACKED

THESE OVERLANDING TRUCKS AND SUVS WILL GET OUT AND BACK WITHOUT DESTROYING YOUR WARRANTY

- CHRISTIAN SEABAUGH

For many overlanders and off-roaders, modifying their SUV or truck is half the fun—I know this full well, as I’ve watched as my wife turns her Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid into a light-duty overland expedition rig. But modifying any vehicle (not to mention assuming you know better than a team of highly skilled automotive engineers) can be risky, especially if you plan on heading off the beaten path.

At worst, a poorly chosen part could break, leaving you stranded a long hike from the nearest pavement. At best, you might destroy the way your vehicle drives. With that in mind, here’s a list of MotorTrend’s picks of the best new overland vehicles.

All of these trucks and SUVs are ready for overland travels right off the lot, and we’ve tried and tested each one on the trail. We’ve also kept in mind prices, factory options, and payload capacities. After all, a vehicle that’s good off-road but can’t haul your rooftop tent and gear is of little use. Here’s what we came up with:

2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

BASE PRICE: $44,490

PROS: Tremendously versatile—at home on the highway, running the Baja, and rock crawling. AEV Bison package is appealing.

CONS: Cabin is spacious but feels cheap; diesel fuel economy should be better.

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has proven itself to be a capable overlander multiple times, including on our journey across the Trans-Labrador Highway and on the infamous Mojave Road. We love its standard MultiMatic DSSV dampers, which provide exceptional manners both on the road and off it, and its electronic full-locking front and rear differentials for low-traction situations, which is an increasingly rare thing in factory vehicles.