The Rise of Off-Road Trim Levels

In 1996, something revolutionized the automotive landscape: Toyota introduced a weird little SUV-shaped thing called the RAV4. It shared structural and mechanical pieces with the Corolla, Camry and Celica, but the name stood for “Recreational Active Vehicle with four-wheel drive,” even though base models are front-wheel drive and those that power all four wheels are actually all-wheel drive. 

Toyota was not the first automaker to try to corral consumer enthusiasm for the Jeep Wrangler and redirect it toward something more practical and comfortable for daily use. Suzuki had tried with the Samurai and General Motors’ Geo division with the Tracker. Arguably, the closest vehicle in concept was the Jeep Cherokee, which by 1996 was over a decade into its production run. Like the RAV4, the Cherokee used car-like unibody construction that helped make it more comfortable on pavement, though it was still an off-roader at heart. 

The magic of that first RAV4, though, was that it combined the space and visibility of an SUV with — thanks to its Corolla and Camry bits — the fuel economy and comfortable ride of a car. It was an immediate hit. Honda copied the blueprint for its CR-V in 1997. Ford debuted the Escape shortly thereafter and was followed by, well, everybody. Fewer than 30 years later, nearly every automaker on the planet builds SUVs — including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. Even McLaren has one in the works.

Last year, all but one of the 10 bestselling vehicles in the U.S. was a pickup or an SUV — led, appropriately, by the Toyota RAV4. Not even environmentalists can resist the urge: The bestselling Tesla is the Model Y crossover. Now that SUVs are the dominant species on the planet, automakers are looking to make theirs stand out. Many are doing it by getting in touch with the form’s rough and ready roots.

Off-road Trim Level Design Cues

Off-road trim levels are the latest attention grab among SUVs. They’re sold under names that evoke the outdoors, from the general terms like Wilderness or Adventure, to oddly-specific biomes like Woodland, Rock Creek. The Korean brands have latched onto the extreme implications of the letter X, with Kia’s X-Pro and Hyundai’s XRT. They usually incorporate scuff-resistant lower-body cladding, with even station wagons like the Audi A4 Allroad, Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic All-Terrain and Volvo V60 and V90 Cross Country adorned with a ring of black plastic around the bottom of the vehicle’s body.

But that is where off-road trims splinter into various approaches. They might be available in an exclusive color, usually a sandy beige or olive green, upholstered in a likewise earthy shade of brown or green. If the wheels aren’t bronze, they’re probably black or a darker gray than the rest of the lineup. Black mirror housings and exterior badging are also common.

Common Features for Off-road Trim Levels

2025 Hyundai Tucson XRT (Source: Hyundai)

For some vehicles, such as the Hyundai Tucson XRT, the automaker tosses in some more-rugged bumpers –  and that’s it. Plus, maybe some roof rails, in case the black wheels don’t let everyone know you totally have a kayak at home. (Hyundai’s Santa Fe XRT is more serious, boasting 1.3 inches more ground clearance than other trim levels.)

All-terrain tires are an easy upgrade on the manufacturers’ behalf and are nearly ubiquitous on off-road trims. That’s where the RAV4’s off-road kit ends. It’s worth noting that all-terrain tires, which feature softer rubber compounds and knobbier tread blocks, typically take a toll on fuel economy. The RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road forfeit two mpg in the city, while the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition drops three mpg in the city and highway and two in combined ratings. 

Interestingly, while the non-hybrid RAV4 Adventure and TRD trims boast increased ground clearance, the hybrid Woodland Edition’s approach and departure angles — which measure the steepness of an obstacle the vehicle can navigate without damaging its bumpers — are lower than those of other RAV4 hybrids.

2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Edition (Source: Nissan)

Another easy add-on is hill-descent control, which is low-speed off-road cruise control. The Nissan Rogue and Pathfinder Rock Creek Editions check that box and also include a 360-degree camera system. Usually used for parking, these cameras have an Off-Road Mode that works at higher speeds than most such systems do to allow the driver to keep an eye on nearby obstacles while off-roading. The Pathfinder also has water-repellent seating.

Kia offers two levels of off-road trim on its SUV lineup: X-Line and X-Pro. On the Sorento, the X-Line trim is purely superficial, while the Sportage X-Line gets a locking center differential — a serious bit of off-road gear that ensures the front and rear axles receive power in low-traction situations — and the Telluride X-Line sits slightly higher on a taller suspension. On all three SUVs, the X-Pro includes the same upgrades, plus all-terrain tires mounted to smaller wheels, allowing for a taller sidewall to cushion off-road impacts. Off-road driving modes, such as those included on the Sportage X-Pro, are another common feature of such trims. They provide drivers with different traction- and stability-control settings to optimize grip on various surfaces such as mud, sand and rocks.

Off-Road Trim Levels with the Most Capability

Buyers who intend on testing the capabilities of their off-road trim will want to consider a vehicle less focused on cosmetic upgrades and more on the mechanical. Honda’s Trailsport package is available on the Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline. In addition to all-terrain tires and a suspension retuned for off-road control, the Trailsport includes a skid plate, a hefty metal shield that protects vulnerable components like the engine oil pan from damage that could be inflicted by rocks or other obstacles.

Perhaps the most surprisingly comprehensive of the current crop of off-road trim levels is Subaru’s Wilderness. Available on the Crosstrek, Forester and Outback, the Wilderness features each model’s most powerful engine — better for climbing steep hills — a raised suspension, a skid plate, an upgraded all-wheel-drive system and a transmission that can be locked into a lower gear ratio for improved low-speed control. It is less surprising to find all of the same pieces on a Jeep; the Compass Trailhawk includes all of the same equipment.

Shopping for an off-road SUV?

Today’s off-road scene is its own little microcosm of the diversity present across the new-car market. If you’re shopping in this space with intent to explore, buy more capability than you plan on using. A standard navigation system is of limited use when your SUV is stuck.

Start your journey off the paved path today by checking out our Top Off-Road SUVs and Trucks.

The post The Rise of Off-Road Trim Levels appeared first on TrueCar Blog.

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