The Ford F-150 Raptor is the best off-road truck, with a 450 hp EcoBoost V6, Fox Live Valve shocks and 11.9 in of ground clearance from $79,005. The Ram 1500 RHO (540 hp) is #2 and the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, from $50,800, is #3.
Starting price: $79,005 MSRPGround clearance: 11.9 in with 35-in tires; 13.1 in with 37-in tiresEngine: 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6, 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torqueSuspension: Fox Racing Shocks with Live Valve Technology, 5-link rear with Panhard rodApproach angle: 30.7 deg with 35-in tires; 33.1 deg with 37-in tires
The F-150 Raptor pairs a 450 hp, 510 lb-ft 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6 with Fox Racing Live Valve shocks and a 5-link rear. Ford lists 11.9 in of clearance with 35-in tires and 13.1 in with 37-in tires, from $79,005.
Go ifThe most complete desert-running full-size truck
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #1 over #2: Its Live Valve shocks and 37-in tire option go beyond the RHO’s 11.8 in of clearance.
2
Ram 1500 RHO
Answrs VerdictThe power pick.
Starting price: $73,795 MSRPGround clearance: 11.8 inEngine: 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torqueSuspension travel: 13 in front and 14 in rearTires: 35-in off-road tires, 18-in beadlock-capable wheels available
The Ram 1500 RHO makes 540 hp and 521 lb-ft with 11.8 in of ground clearance, 13 in of front travel and 14 in of rear travel on 35-in tires, from $73,795.
Go ifThe most power and the longest travel in the class
Skip ifYou want a 37-in tire option
Why #2 over #3: Its 540 hp tops the Colorado ZR2’s 350 hp, though the ZR2 costs $50,800.
3
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Answrs VerdictThe best value off-road truck.
Starting price: $50,800 MSRPLift and tires: 3-in factory lift with 33-in MT tires on 17-in wheelsDampers: Multimatic DSSV dampersEngine: Standard 350 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torqueZR2 Bison clearance: 12.2 in ground clearance with 35-in OD MT tires and a 4.5-in lift
The Colorado ZR2 has a 3-in factory lift, 33-in MT tires and Multimatic DSSV dampers with 350 hp, from $50,800. The ZR2 Bison adds 35-in tires and 12.2 in of clearance.
Go ifSerious trail ability for the money
Skip ifYou need a full-size bed
Why #3 over #4: Its $50,800 price undercuts the Gladiator Rubicon’s $53,810.
4
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Answrs VerdictThe rock crawler.
Starting price: $53,810 MSRPGround clearance: 11.6 in (Gladiator)Angles: Up to 44.7 deg approach, 26 deg departure and 20.9 deg breakover (Gladiator)Tires: 33-in all-terrain tires standard on RubiconCrawl ratio: Up to 77:1 (Gladiator)
The Gladiator Rubicon rides on 33-in all-terrain tires, and Stellantis lists up to 44.7 deg approach, 26 deg departure and 11.6 in of clearance for the Gladiator; it starts at $53,810.
Go ifRock crawling and the steepest approach angle
Skip ifYou want a fast desert truck
Why #4 over #5: Its 44.7 deg approach angle is far above the Ranger Raptor’s 33 deg.
5
Ford Ranger Raptor
Answrs VerdictThe compact Raptor.
Starting price: $57,270 MSRPGround clearance: 10.7 in minimum runningEngine: 3.0L EcoBoost V6, 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torqueSuspension: 2.5-in FOX Live Valve shocks front and rearApproach angle: 33 deg
The Ranger Raptor has a 405 hp, 430 lb-ft 3.0L EcoBoost V6, 2.5-in FOX Live Valve shocks, a 33 deg approach angle and 10.7 in of running clearance, from $57,270.
Go ifA compact, fast Raptor for tight trails
Skip ifYou need to tow more than 5,510 lb
Why #5 over #6: Its $57,270 price undercuts the Silverado ZR2’s $77,200 in a smaller truck.
6
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2
Answrs VerdictThe locker-equipped full-size.
Starting price: $77,200 MSRPLift and tires: 2-in factory lift with 35-in MT tiresDampers: Multimatic DSSV dampers paired with jounce shocksLocking differentials: Front and rear e-lockersApproach angle: 33.5 deg with the off-road cut front bumper
The Silverado ZR2 has a 2-in factory lift, 35-in MT tires, Multimatic DSSV dampers with jounce shocks, front and rear e-lockers and a 33.5 deg approach angle, from $77,200.
Go ifA full-size truck with front and rear lockers
Skip ifYou want a sub-$75,000 price
Why #6 over #7: Its $77,200 price undercuts the Sierra AT4X’s $82,700.
7
GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X
Answrs VerdictThe premium diesel.
Starting price: $82,700 MSRPLift and tires: 2-in factory lift with 35-in MT tiresDampers: Multimatic DSSV and Multimatic Jounce Control dampersEngine: Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torqueOff-road tech: Baja drive mode and underbody cameras
The Sierra 1500 AT4X has a 2-in lift, 35-in MT tires, Multimatic DSSV and jounce dampers, Baja mode and a 305 hp Duramax diesel, from $82,700.
Go ifA diesel off-roader with underbody cameras
Skip ifYou watch price closely
Why #7 over #8: Its 35-in tires go beyond the Trailhunter’s 33-in tires.
8
Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter
Answrs VerdictThe overlander.
Starting price: $63,750 base MSRPTires: 33-in tires on 18-in wheelsSuspension: Old Man Emu 2.5-in forged monotube shocks with external remote reservoirsPowertrain: i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged hybrid, up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torqueProtection: High-clearance front bumper, rock rails and ARB steel rear bumper
The Tacoma Trailhunter has Old Man Emu 2.5-in monotube shocks, 33-in tires and up to 326 hp from the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, from $63,750.
Go ifOverlanding with factory-fitted gear
Skip ifYou want published ground clearance figures
Why #8 over #9: Its $63,750 price and overland gear edge the TRD Pro’s $64,750 for camping.
9
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Answrs VerdictThe Baja Tacoma.
Starting price: $64,750 base MSRPSuspension: 2.5-in FOX Internal Bypass QS3 shocksPowertrain: i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged hybrid, up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torqueFront bumper: Standard high-clearance front bumper that improves approach angle
The Tacoma TRD Pro has 2.5-in FOX Internal Bypass QS3 shocks and a high-clearance front bumper, with up to 326 hp from the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, from $64,750.
Go ifA Baja-style Tacoma with FOX shocks
Skip ifYou want the Trailhunter overland gear
Why #9 over #10: Its 326 hp and FOX shocks go beyond the Frontier’s 310 hp for fast trails.
10
Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
Answrs VerdictThe budget pick.
Starting price: $42,190 MSRP (4x4 short bed)Ground clearance: 9.8 in at the rear differentialAngles: 32.3 deg approach and 23.0 deg departureEngine: 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torqueEquipment: Bilstein shocks and steel skid plates for the transfer case and fuel tank
The Frontier PRO-4X has Bilstein shocks, steel skid plates, 9.8 in at the rear differential, a 32.3 deg approach angle and 310 hp, from $42,190.
Go ifThe lowest price with real off-road gear
Skip ifYou want 33-in tires from the factory
How we ranked these
We ranked each truck on the off-road hardware its maker publishes (suspension, tires, lift, lockers, clearance and angles), then on starting price. Ground clearance is shown only where a maker publishes it. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best off-road truck in 2027?
The Ford F-150 Raptor: a 450 hp 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6, Fox Live Valve shocks and 11.9 in of ground clearance with 35-in tires, from $79,005.
What is the cheapest off-road truck on this list?
The Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, from $42,190 with Bilstein shocks and skid plates; the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 starts at $50,800.
Which truck has the most horsepower?
The Ram 1500 RHO, with 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque from $73,795.
Which truck has the steepest published approach angle?
The Jeep Gladiator, at up to 44.7 deg; the Silverado ZR2 lists 33.5 deg and the Ranger Raptor 33 deg.
Ground clearance (as published) at a glance
Nissan Frontier PRO-4X9.8 in
Ford Ranger Raptor10.7 in
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon11.6 in
Ram 1500 RHO11.8 in
Ford F-150 Raptor11.9 in
Ground clearance (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
