Off-road driving is one of the most fun things you can do in South Africa. If you have lived here your whole life, you probably take for granted the beauty and adventure of our varied terrain. For many people, vehicles that do well off-road are a necessity. You need bakkies and other durable vehicles (4×4/SUV) that will hold up well when you drive them off road. Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive options for people who want to buy cars and bakkies that are built for driving on rough terrain. These are the top 5 best off road vehicles in South Africa, whether you are buying them for work or for the sheer enjoyment of looking out through your windshield from the top of the Ouberg Pass.
Land Rover Defender
Our top 5 list begins with a bitter rivalry over the best (SUV/4×4). The Land Rover Defender has its outspoken partisans, as does the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The Land Rover Defender is known for its durability, making it a great choice for long road trips, or off-road trips, as the case may be. Some Australian bloggers crossed the entire continent, from Cairo to the Cape, in a Land Rover, and the Land Rover Defender is a descendant of the Range Rover that Ginger Baker drove across the Sahara Desert, from Algeria to Nigeria, in 1970. The Defender is very good at balancing on rocky terrain, thanks to its advanced computer system.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon gives the Land Rover Defender its stiffest competition. Its name suggests that it is ready to take on the world. It has become more and more popular in South Africa in recent years and is now one of the country’s leading (SUV/4×4) vehicles. Its striking appearance makes a statement, and it makes you feel like you are going places.
Suzuki Jimmy
Much like the best bakkies, the Suzuki Jimmy has room for two people and loads and loads of stuff. It is perfect for a camping trip with a buddy or an off road honeymoon. Don’t let its relatively small size fool you’; it is swift and nimble on mountainous terrain, and it can hold an impressive amount of stuff for its size. If you invest in a Suzuki Jimmy, you will soon be counting the top 5 road trips you have taken in it.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
When you buy cars or off road (SUV/4×4) vehicles, Toyota is always a good choice. They last a long time and are affordable and low maintenance. Their advanced suspension and stabilizers allow for a smooth, silent ride, which is really rare for an off road vehicle.
Ford Kuga 2.0TDCI
Rounding out the top 5 is another durable and affordable off road vehicle, the Ford Kuga 2.0TDCI. If you like the strength and bravado of American cars, then the Ford Kuga may be just right for you. It is one of the safest off road vehicles available on the market. The newest model of the Ford Kuga comes with numerous safety features, including a Blind Spot Information System, which makes it safer to drive both in traffic and in uncharted territory.
If you want to buy cars that will last you for many road trips off the beaten path, the vehicles in our top 5 are all excellent choices. There are plenty of bakkies and off road vehicles out there, but you want something durable and low maintenance that will give you a good return on your investment. Whichever vehicle you choose, we wish you many fun road trip adventures.
