4x4 - what makes a good off-roader?

Several factors are at play, gearing, torque, traction control, power, difflock/ diff slip even tyre pressures and vehicle weight

All depends what you want to do with it. Lockable diffs (three) is probably the most useful for seriously slippery stuff.

And on some surfaces, narrower tyres are better than the fashionable sexy wide ones so popular with the "school run" set. It used to be amusing to see the old Panda 4x4 out-performing traditional landies even with their diff locks in competitive mud.

The landrovers were considerably heavier than the Pandas , and are far more versatile, if you want a vehicle thats specifically designed for munching through mud you need a tracked vehicle , very little will stop them fitted with the correct tracks .

People tend to forget 4 wheel drive vehicles are designed for all terrian multirole use so compromises have to be made

I went to an off-road show some years ago. It was possible to be driven around a course in various 4x4's. There were long queues for the Land Rover and Range Rover trips.; a guy was standing forlornly alone by a Kia Sportage, so I asked for a go. The route was quite demanding; sometimes the Rangy had to roll back and have another go at the worst bits. The Sportage went round without a problem, even though it was dragging its underside on the ground for about half the route. I was very impressed by its capabilities, and had I ever needed that type of vehicle, it would have been on my shortlist.

Chris

But would fall apart over a rough road. Or get stuck with with a full load of passengers.

The Hop Farm in Kent used to have a 4x4 assault course that anyone could try their own vehicle around. I took a Series 3 Petrol 109inch Station wagon land rover (absolutely standard and on remoulds), it went round the whole thing with out a single stop or retry and I had no real off road experience. Meanwhile range rovers and others were being pulled out of trouble (by an ancient land rover) The r-rovers seemed to be prone to leaving bumpers and things behind them too.

It depends.

Some softroaders are closer to off roaders in their design, others are just sold for the look. Many are only 2WD and hence are as good off road as a saloon car, or at least as a saloon car with the same ground clearance.

I'm not aware of any huge difference in off-road ability between the CRV and the Forester. Much of a muchness IMO, although the Honda driveshafts look thin and spindly so it may not be as robust as the Forester.

Permanent 4x4 SUVs are limited by the design decisions made. For example some Hyundais have a bias towards being front wheel drive (more power to the front wheels) which makes them behave like front wheel drive cars with a bit of grip at the rear. Others have the split of power going to the rears which will make them similar to a rear wheel drive with a tendency to uselessly spin one rear wheel unless they have lockable or limited slip diffs and most don't. More recent models have complicated electronics and can reduce the torque on one wheel if it is losing grip and can shuffle the available torque around in an attempt to keep going.

None of them, IMO, as good as an old fashioned rear wheel drive when on road with 4x4 off road that operates with no front/rear diff and lockable front and rear diffs. Some modified Land Rovers and big crude Yank tanks are like this, only specialist vehicles have that setup as factory fit.

My preference for rough, tough and off-road ability at the moment is the Santander 4x4 that is based on a series III Land Rover but with parabolic springs and an Iveco turbo diseasel. Ugly as sin but very capable off road and just tolerable on road.

These 4x4 are bought for many other reasons than off roading, in fact many have fancy bodywork and bumpers which are vulnerable for off roading. I guess there is also a trade off between comfort and off road ability. Possibly people buy them because they think they are more sturdy in a collision, and like the high driving position. The downside is the extra cost of fuel. The best diesel mpg you get is only equal to mediocre salon cars. I don't like cheap 4x4, unless from above 50k range; but is no better on-road than a 30k ordinary car.

That is the majority. Very few indeed are used off road.

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

As a keen walker, I am happy with that fact. ;-)

Some off-roaders you can get with FWD only. Saves fuel and weight. But the name is then a misnomer. However, our eyes have gradually become used to the off-roader styling as a viable city limousine rather than a tractor. It is weird; see e.g. the new 180mph Bentley off-roader.