7 Off-Roading SUVs You Should Consider Buying Used

If you're keen on traveling over dunes, toughing it through mud, blasting through dirt trails, going over gravel roads, leaping snow mounds, or fording water, then having high ground clearance is essential. For those living in Rio Arriba County, there are plenty of off-road opportunities throughout the region—and if you're looking for used cars for sale near Dulce that cater to off-roading, we have some SUVs that you might enjoy. We've compiled a short list of some of the best SUVs that you might want to consider purchasing used for enjoying off-road activities.

#1. Ford Bronco Raptor or Everglades

The Bronco Raptor is a top-of-the-line variant of the Ford Bronco, and it's jam-packed with the kind of high-end off-road capabilities you would expect from a Bronco. If you were shopping for a used SUV that had great ground clearance and are willing to get the best that the brand has to offer, a Bronco Raptor is the way to go. It has a ground clearance of 13.1 inches thanks to the massive 37-inch tires, which also allow for water fording up to 37 inches. Combined with the improved wheel travel and suspension articulation with the HOSS system, the Bronco Raptor makes for the ultimate off-road vehicle.

However, the cost of a Bronco Raptor might be a bit much for some drivers. Thankfully, the Bronco is still very capable with the other trims on offer, which provide impressive ground clearance. For instance, you can expect up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance with the Bronco Wildtrak and up to 11.7 inches of ground clearance with the Bronco Everglades; thus, there are plenty of options when it comes to high-end ground clearance for the Bronco, both in the two-door and four-door formats.

#2. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Practically every generation of the Jeep Wrangler is a good bet for off-roading, but the JL generation, in particular, is worth it if you're shopping for a used Wrangler because it's modern enough to come with a lot of great amenities but still affordable enough to help you save a lot of money. Practically every trim gives you great ground clearance that is 10 inches or above, but some trims offer even more ground clearance, especially with specific packages attached.

The Wrangler Rubicon with the Xtreme 35 Package comes with 35-inch mud-terrain tires and a ground clearance of 12.9 inches. You can clear over a foot's worth of obstacles from the ground up to the bottom of the chassis, giving you plenty of room to maneuver the Wrangler, even on the most uneven of terrain. Even if you don't opt for the Xtreme 35 Package, the Wrangler Rubicon is still a great option for ground clearance, given that the base Rubicon features 10.8 inches of ground clearance, so you can comfortably travel off-road with ease.

#3. Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland or Trailhawk 4xe

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been popular over the years as an SUV that is both rugged and luxurious. It might seem like those characteristics are on opposing sides of the SUV spectrum, but Jeep has managed to buck trends and offer drivers something convenient and lavish yet rugged and highly capable, thanks to its performance and suspension. It should come as no surprise that, for great ground clearance, a Grand Cherokee should be one of the vehicles on your shopping list.

The Overland and Trailhawk 4xe are the two best trims you should consider from the WL generation of the Grand Cherokee for great ground clearance. These trims provide the highest ground clearance that the SUV is capable of at 10.9 inches. If you're into hybrid vehicles, the Trailhawk 4xe is a great option if you're looking for a used SUV, while the more traditional Overland provides you with all of the necessary features and functions you could want for outdoor travel and adventure.

#4. Ford Expedition Timberline

The fourth generation of the Ford Expedition will make for a good pick for an SUV that has lots of convenience features, cabin tech, and driver assistance features. But the most important aspect of this Expedition is that its Timberline trim provides excellent ground clearance.

The Expedition Timberline comes with Control Trac four-wheel drive, electronic limited-slip differential, and premium off-road front and rear shocks. The real highlight, however, is that the Timberline comes with an improved ground clearance over the standard trims, topping out at 10.6 inches, so you can travel to remote off-road locations while being able to deal with obstructions and uneven terrain with relative ease. Whether you're going camping, rock climbing, or up hillsides, you can get there confidently in a Ford Expedition Timberline.

#5. Toyota 4Runner TRD Trims

The fifth and sixth generations of the Toyota 4Runner offer some impressive ground clearance with the TRD trims, especially the TRD Pro, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Off-Road Premium. For the fifth-generation models, which are available in abundance as used models, you can get up to 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Combined with the suspension and V6 powertrains, this gives you a good mixture of performance and off-road capabilities for Dulce drivers.

If you're looking for a little extra clearance out of the 4Runner, the sixth generation improves its overall off-roading capabilities thanks to the redesigned exterior, featuring a high-clearance front bumper. This affords you up to 10.1 inches of ground clearance for elevated trail runs, better performance in the desert, and more capable water fording. A used 4Runner is perfect for those looking for a spacious, durable, versatile SUV that is very affordable and gives you great ground clearance.

#6. Subaru Outback Wilderness

If you're interested in an all-around useful midsize SUV that isn't too hardcore but still has great off-road features, then the Subaru Outback would be a good investment for you. The sixth generation of the Outback sees a good blend of modern tech and high-end safety features. Its Wilderness trim comes with all-terrain tires, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and a max ground clearance of 9.5 inches.

While the Outback may not have the same level of clearance as some of the other larger or more rugged SUVs on the list, it still has good enough ground clearance to easily make its way through the wilderness—hence the name of this trim! The other trims of the Outback also still have good ground clearance, as even those not entirely geared toward off-roading still manage a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. But if you want to get the most out of the Outback's off-road capabilities in Dulce, then a Wilderness trim is the way to go.

#7. Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

Not everyone is going to be in the market for a large, rugged, adventure SUV. Some shoppers may be more interested in something small, nimble, and great at saving fuel while also equally capable of traveling off-road. The third-generation Subaru Crosstrek is the perfect solution for Dulce drivers in the market for an affordable subcompact SUV that has a lot of rugged utility—and if you're looking for good ground clearance, the Crosstrek Wilderness fits the bill.

The combination of all-terrain tires, a Boxer engine, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and a sturdy suspension enables the Crosstrek Wilderness to achieve a 9.3-inch ground clearance. This opens up an opportunity for shoppers to acquire a low-priced, performance-driven, off-road-themed subcompact SUV that is very capable yet respectful of their finances. It's a win-win situation for drivers wanting a moderate off-road vehicle that also doesn't burn a hole in their wallet.