Why AWD SUVs Are Terrible at Off-Roading

When it comes to off-roading, not all vehicles are created equal. Many car manufacturers market their all-wheel-drive (AWD) SUVs as “off-road capable,” but the reality is that most of them are poorly suited for anything beyond a well-maintained dirt road. If you’re serious about tackling rugged terrain, an AWD SUV is not the best choice. Here’s why:

1. AWD Is Not 4WD

One of the biggest misconceptions is that AWD and four-wheel drive (4WD) are the same. They are not. AWD systems are primarily designed for on-road traction, automatically distributing power between the front and rear wheels to improve stability in rain, snow, or light gravel. True 4WD systems, found in vehicles like Jeep Wranglers and Toyota 4Runners, have low-range gearing and locking differentials that provide better control on steep, rocky, or muddy trails. AWD simply lacks these crucial features.

2. Lack of Ground Clearance

Most AWD SUVs are built with urban drivers in mind, meaning they prioritize comfort, fuel efficiency, and handling over rugged capability. As a result, they often have lower ground clearance than true off-road vehicles. Low clearance means you’re more likely to get stuck or damage your undercarriage when navigating over rocks, deep ruts, or fallen branches.

3. Weak Drivetrain Components

Unlike off-road-ready 4WD vehicles, AWD SUVs are generally built with lighter-duty components. They lack skid plates to protect vital parts like the oil pan and transmission, and their suspension systems aren’t designed to handle extreme articulation. This means that when faced with obstacles like deep mud or uneven surfaces, AWD SUVs are more likely to suffer mechanical failures or get stuck.

4. No Locking Differentials

A key feature of a true off-road vehicle is its ability to lock the differentials, ensuring that power is evenly distributed to all wheels. Most AWD systems use open differentials, meaning if one wheel loses traction (such as on ice, mud, or loose dirt), the system will send power to that wheel instead of the ones with grip. This is a major disadvantage when attempting to crawl over obstacles or traverse slippery inclines.

5. Street Tires Aren’t Made for Off-Roading

Most AWD SUVs come equipped with all-season or highway-terrain tires, which are optimized for comfort and fuel efficiency on paved roads—not for gripping loose dirt, mud, or rock. True off-road vehicles are fitted with all-terrain or mud-terrain tires that provide better traction in challenging conditions. Without the right tires, even the best AWD system is useless in deep mud or on steep, loose terrain.

6. Limited Suspension Travel

Suspension travel refers to how much a vehicle’s wheels can move up and down to maintain contact with the ground. Off-road trails are full of uneven surfaces, and vehicles need long-travel suspension to keep their tires planted for traction. AWD SUVs, built for road comfort, have limited suspension travel, meaning they can lose contact with the ground more easily, reducing their ability to move forward in tricky conditions.

7. No Real Recovery Points

When you take a vehicle off-road, there’s always a chance of getting stuck. Real off-road vehicles have strong recovery points—built-in tow hooks and frame-mounted attachment areas designed to handle the stress of being pulled out of deep mud or over obstacles. Many AWD SUVs lack proper recovery points, making them difficult (and sometimes dangerous) to tow out of sticky situations.

While AWD SUVs are generally not built for hardcore off-roading, some models are capable of handling light off-road conditions like gravel roads, dirt trails, and mild inclines. These vehicles often have features like increased ground clearance, all-terrain drive modes, and decent approach/departure angles. Here are some of the best AWD SUVs for light off-roading:

Compact & Midsize AWD SUVs for Light Off-Roading:

1. Subaru Outback – Symmetrical AWD, X-Mode, decent ground clearance (8.7 inches).
2. Subaru Forester – Similar to the Outback, with a rugged Wilderness trim available.
3. Toyota RAV4 Adventure/TRD Off-Road – AWD with Multi-Terrain Select and 8.6 inches of clearance.
4. Mazda CX-50 – AWD standard with an off-road mode and slightly raised ride height.
5. Ford Bronco Sport – AWD standard, GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes, and a Badlands trim with better off-road chops.
6. Honda Passport Trailsport – AWD system with torque vectoring, slightly improved suspension.

Larger AWD SUVs for Light Off-Roading:

7. Toyota Highlander AWD – Offers Multi-Terrain Select for light off-road capability.
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee (AWD variants) – The standard AWD versions (not 4WD) can handle dirt roads and mild trails.
9. Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp Edition – AWD with slightly higher ground clearance and all-terrain tires.
10. Hyundai Santa Fe XRT/AWD – Has a rugged design and AWD with terrain modes.

Luxury AWD SUVs with Light Off-Road Capability:

11. Volvo XC60/XC90 with AWD – Higher ground clearance, decent AWD system, but not for heavy trails.
12. Land Rover Discovery Sport – AWD with Terrain Response for light off-road driving.
13. Audi Q5 with Quattro AWD – Good on slippery roads but not built for serious trails.
14. Lexus RX 500h AWD – Some off-road capability, but mainly designed for comfort.

Conclusion

AWD SUVs might be fine for light off-road use, like navigating a gravel driveway or handling snow-covered streets, but they are far from ideal for serious off-roading. If you want to venture into rough terrain, a true 4WD vehicle with high ground clearance, locking differentials, and off-road tires is the way to go. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck, stranded, or facing expensive repairs from taking an AWD SUV where it was never meant to go.

So, before you believe the marketing hype, consider where you actually plan to drive. If your adventures involve anything more than a dirt road, leave the AWD SUV at home and invest in a real off-road machine!

What do you think? Leave a comment below.