Some Of The Most Notable Off-Road Vehicles In History

Off-road vehicles come in various shapes and sizes—ATVs, SUVs, military vehicles, DIY hobby vehicles—anything to get you through the mud and over the hills. Some are everyday vehicles while others are not suited for regular roads and are driven by enthusiasts off-track. Here are some of the best off-road vehicles in history.

Hummer H1

The classic Humvee (full name AM General HM) was in military service starting in the early 1980s. From 1992 to 2006, a version was adapted for civilian use: the Hummer H1. Noted for its size, pushing the boundaries of what could legally drive on public roads, the Hummer was a status symbol of sorts due to its power, price, and reputation.

Brian Snelson from Hockley, Essex, England, Wikimedia Commons

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep is an iconic military vehicle, famous for its Ikea-like flatbox shipping capabilities and its ubiquity (and reliability) during WWII. Its civilian popularity in the 1950s—mainly from surplus Jeeps shipped back to the US by returning GIs—gave rise to the idea that SUVs could be used in everyday life. Strangely, the classic Jeep design, with some modifications over the years, didn’t receive a name until 1987 when the Jeep Wrangler was born.

Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jeep Gladiator

After the classic WWII Jeep became popular in civilian life, the makers of Jeep tried their hands at Jeep trucks, sedans, and the Jeepster, a convertible passenger car. With varying degrees of success, it was decided to focus on the SUV market and maintain the classic Jeep image. In 1962, the Jeep Gladiator was introduced: basically a Jeep pickup truck.

Optimuspedia, Wikimedia Commons

Land Rover Defender

Inspired by the Jeep and other vehicles produced by manufacturer Willys–Overland Motors, the Land Rover was one of the earliest civilian SUVs introduced as an “off-roader” in 1948. By the 1980s, when SUVs were a crucial part of the automobile market, Land Rover introduced the Defender, mostly for the international market, with little traction in the US itself.

Thinkpins, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nissan Armada

As Japan began the economic rebound after its loss in WWII, car manufacturing was a big part of that recovery. Nissan introduced the Patrol as a military vehicle in 1951 and much like the Land Rover, it was inspired by the Willys-built SUVs. Soon after, Nissan pursued the civilian market with the Armada.

Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons

Nissan Frontier

By the 1970s, Nissan was an important player in the compact and midsize pickup market. The Nissan Frontier was introduced as an off-road pickup that is still being produced as the Nissan Frontier Pro4X.

Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons

Dodge Power Wagon

While Willys was producing military vehicles such as the Jeep, in 1945, civilian car manufacturer Dodge Chrysler produced the first SUV built by a civilian manufacturer after WWII. Under the Ram nameplate since the early 1980s, Power Wagons continue to be produced to this day.

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Toyota Land Cruiser

Like other Japanese car manufacturers, Toyota was part of the economic rebirth of Japan after WWII. Toyota introduced the Land Cruiser in 1951 and more than 10 million have been sold since. In 1958 the Land Cruiser was introduced to the US market, becoming Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in the US by the mid-1960s.

Guyon, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60/62

By the 1980s, the Land Cruiser was one of the key models in the SUV market. Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 and 62 were introduced and helped Land Cruiser transition into the luxury car market in the 1990s. Built for family use, the FJ60 and 62 anticipated the rise of the family SUV at the turn of the century.

Tennen-Gas, Wikimedia Commons

Toyota Tacoma

While Toyota’s Land Rover dominated the SUV market, the company entered the pickup market in 1972, with a model simply called Pickup. This was the primary Toyota pickup for the next several decades, a compact pickup that was a capable off-roader. It wasn’t until 1995 that the Tacoma name was introduced for Toyota’s pickup.

IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons

Chevrolet Blazer

The Chevy K5 Blazer seemed to be built to be the muscle car of SUVs. Its chiseled exterior was bigger than most when it was introduced in 1969. By the end of its run in 1994, the Blazer had decreased in size until it was replaced entirely by the Tahoe.

79k5driver, Wikimedia Commons

Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban dates back all the way to 1936 as a truck and utility vehicle, often used by delivery services and as emergency vehicles. In 1973, Chevrolet retooled its venerable Suburban for the off-road market and the Suburban is the longest continuously running nameplate in the US, running from 1936 to 1991.

Niels, Flickr

Jeep Wagoneer

Jeep was determined to expand its offerings and in 1963, they introduced the Wagoneer, the first full-size body-on-frame SUV. This vehicle proved to be so popular that it remained in production virtually unchanged until 1993.

harry_nl, Flickr

Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is legendary. Introduced as an off-road vehicle in 1966, the Bronco remained unchanged until 1977. A powerful full-sized vehicle, the Bronco is likened to the Ford Mustang, a youthful but powerful vehicle.

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

International Scout

International Harvester was known for its farm equipment and trucks, dating back to 1907. In 1961, they entered the off-road market with the Scout 80. Production lasted until 1980 and lately, there has been a resurgence of interest in the International Scout in the classic car market.

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jeep CJ-7

Once the only game in town, Jeep now faced growing competition, and it was felt that they needed to upgrade their classic Jeep CJ. The Jeep CJ-7 was introduced in the 1970s as a much longer version of the CJ emphasizing both utilitarian value with its cargo hold capabilities, without sacrificing passenger comfort.

English: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, Wikimedia Commons

Mercedes-Benz G-class

Regardless of their tainted histories during WWII, or perhaps because of it, German manufacturers tended to steer clear of associations with off-road vehicles. In 1979, Mercedes decided to try their hand with the SUV market with the G-class. With its start as a military vehicle, the Mercedes G-class remained unchanged until a new model was introduced in 2019.

Navigator84, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer

Many military vehicles fail to make the jump to civilian use but remain popular with enthusiasts. The Pinzgauer was developed in the late-1960s. An Austrian vehicle, they were actually produced mainly in the UK and although a civilian line was never introduced, the Pinzgauer remains popular with enthusiasts.

ArToxHD, Wikimedia Commons

Unimog

Produced in West Germany starting in 1948, the Unimog was another military utility vehicle favored by aficionados. Never produced for the civilian market, the Unimog remains popular as both a utility vehicle and a recreational vehicle.

Qwerty242, Wikimedia Commons

Tatra

The Tatra company, based in Czechia, dates back to 1850 and produced the first factory-built gas engine vehicle in Central and Eastern Europe. They began producing trucks in 1898 and after WWII, their off-road military vehicles became iconic among Eastern Bloc vehicles. Like the Pinzgauer and the Unimog, the Tatra remains popular with off-road enthusiasts.

Jano Gallo, Wikimedia Commons

Peugeot 504

In the popular imagination, two vehicles seem to symbolize trekking through the grasslands of Africa (at least in nature films): the Land Rover and the Peugeot 504 pickup. Underwhelming in appearance, the Peugeot 504 pickup nevertheless is a rugged and well-built vehicle.

User:Mattes, Wikimedia Commons

Coot

The Coot was a four-wheel-drive articulated amphibious ATV built in the US from 1967 to 1985. First developed by 18-year-old Carl Enos Jr in 1964, the Coot was popular for farm work and recreational activities. They were produced until 1985 and in 2006 Columbus Industries Inc of Fairview, Illinois began to produce the Coot2.

I Found a Rare 1960s Coot ATV! Buying & Resurrecting This Vintage Off-Road Machine! by Welding and Wheeling

Sandrail

A Sandrail isn’t a make of vehicle, it’s an off-road vehicle specifically built for driving on sand. A similar vehicle is the dune buggy. Dune buggies are typically created by modifying an existing road vehicle (usually a Volkswagen Beetle) while Sandrails are built as a custom vehicle.

DukeDoG123, Wikimedia Commons

Volkswagen Country Buggy

Another remodel of the Volkswagen Beetle was the Volkswagen Country Buggy. Produced in Australia in the late 1960s, it was built from parts from existing Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetles) and Type 2 (Transporter, commonly called the VW Van or Bus). A derivative version was built until 1980 in the Philippines and called the Sakbayan.

http://www.carsaroundadelaide.com Ferenghi, Wikimedia Commons

Volvo L3314

Volvo’s military vehicle, the Volvo L3314, was first developed in the 1950s. Iconic during the Cold War period, it was produced through the late 1960s. The Volvo L3314 is a range of military vehicles produced by Volvo.

Steve Glover, Wikimedia Commons

Meyers Manx

The Meyers Manx was a dune buggy built by boat builder and surfer Bruce F Meyers starting in 1964. Built on the chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle, the roofless and windowless fiberglass-bodied vehicle was lightweight and suited for off-road driving, especially on sand.

Calreyn88, Wikimedia Commons

Renault Rodeo

Renault built a series of off-road mini-SUVs starting in 1970. Called the Rodeo, there were three generations built until 1987. It was a front wheel drive but could be modified as a four-wheel drive.

Matthias v.d. Elbe, Wikimedia Commons

Jeep Cherokee

There were two Jeep Cherokees: one based on a Fiat and in production from 2014 to 2023 and the Cherokee XJ, 1984-2001. The Cherokee XJ became one of the most sought-after SUVs due to its adaptability and engine options.

Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lamborghini LM002

For a short time, Lamborghini got into the SUV game, with a vehicle similar to the Humvee called the LM002. Built between 1986 and 1993, the LM002 was a limited run, with only 48 ever sold in the United States.

Kieran White, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mitsubishi Montero

The Mitsubishi Montero is known as one of the most rugged off-road vehicles. Also known as the Pajero, the Armada was available in the US from 1983 until 2006, and it attracted a large cult following.

Xavigivax, Wikimedia Commons

Suzuki Samurai

Starting in 1986, the Samurai was the first four-wheeled vehicle Suzuki sold in the US. Not the most powerful SUV, it remained popular due to its solid build and manual transmission. It was also smaller than most off-road vehicles.

Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner was introduced in 1984 and has been in continuous production. The popularity of the 4Runner is due to its ease of modification and being offered in a number of specialized off-road packages.

Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nissan Pathfinder

The original Pathfinder was renowned for its ruggedness. Introduced in 1986, it was a big favorite of off-road enthusiasts. More recent versions have sacrificed some of that ruggedness for the on-road market.

M.rJirapat, Wikimedia Commons

Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro

The Volkswagen Vanagon is an off-road van renowned for its capabilities. Most known for its camper variation, the Syncro, it rivals the VW Microbus as an iconic Volkswagen camper. Its off-road and on-road capabilities make the Syncro continuously popular.

Sam Beebe, Wikimedia Commons

Range Rover

By the late 1980s, the SUV and off-road markets were saturated and as one of the earliest companies to develop the SUV, Land Rover needed to embrace the larger capabilities and expectations. The Range Rover, introduced in 1970, has become one of the most popular off-road vehicles for those who truly seek off-road capabilities. 

However, in recent years, it's had its glowing reputation overshadowed by growing controversy. Many critique the environmental impact of Range Rovers, as they've become status symbols in big cities. There are also concerns over the quality of the car's build, with suspension issues being a common complaint among owners. 

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Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sources: 1, 2, 3