Best & worst cars review, best off-road

In this report: Overview; Ownership costs; Best & worst values; Best new vehicles under $25,000; Highest scoring American vehicles; Best & worst fuel economy; Best city/highway mpg; Best & worst acceleration; Best & worst in safety performance; Best & worst visibility; Highs & lows of testing; Most fun to drive; Best for comfort; Best off-road; Best & worst three-row vehicles; Hits & misses in redesigns

This article was featured in the April 2012 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine.

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Best off-road

Last reviewed: April 2012

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

At our Auto Test Center we have the ability to systematically evaluate the off-road capability of SUVs and 4WD pick up trucks. Ascending our "Rock Hill," a 23 degree slope of boulders set in cement, very quickly reveals differences in axle articulation, suspension travel, traction, approach and departure angles and more. It also presents a repeatable surface that does not change after successive runs.

This off-road situation may not the most extreme a dedicated off-roader can encounter. However, it is an honest simulation of a realistic rugged, rocky trail that one might encounter in the Southwest and other parts of the country, if the owner chooses to venture into the wild.

Our chart below lists the twelve most capable vehicles currently on sale. It shows that fancy off-road-oriented four-wheel-drive systems can help but aren't the final decider of off-road capability. While the Land Rover LR4 makes use of very sophisticated off-road electronics, it's matched by vehicles with rudimentary systems, like the in the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Best off-road

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