Drive in Style with these Popular Off-Road Trucks

Social trends are always very evident in the world of fashion; the same is true for the automotive world. Over the past decade, it’s seemed like truck and SUV manufacturers have been pumping out more off-road designs than ever. Some are just paint and plastic nods to the real 4x4s, while others are bonafide desert runners. Off-road trucks are certainly the current trend, which means if you’re in the market, you have choices. Here’s a list of off-road trucks available now.

Chevrolet Silverado

Photo credit: Chevrolet

For 2022 Chevy is adding the ZR2 off-road treatment to its Silverado. Sporting front and rear e-lockers, a special facia and the Multimatic DSSV damped shocks (already found on the mid-size Colorado ZR2). ZR2 highlights include the following:

• Standard 6.2L V-8 mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission
• Uniquely tuned springs for maximum front and rear suspension travel
• Terrain Mode to allow one-pedal rock crawling
• 33-inch off-road MT tires
• Skid plate package and 31.8-degree approach angle

The unique bumper has removable end caps, and the dual exhaust has been lifted and ends before the rear bumper. The Silverado ZR2 is distinguished by a new black hood insert, a unique grille with integrated lighting and a “flow-tie” emblem.

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

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Chevrolet just released a teaser of the 2023 Colorado ZR2 Bison, an off-road ready truck built with unique American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) features. While the short video doesn’t show the whole truck, it previews elements of the underbody skid plates, badging and more. Full vehicle specs will be shared later this fall.

GMC Sierra AT4X

Photo credit: GMC

The GMC line has introduced the AT4X, the GMC version of the Chevy ZR2. Much of the underpinning are the same, however the designs are unique to GMC. AT4X is spread throughout the GMC lineup.

GMC Canyon AT4X

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For 2023 we get a new Canyon and along with that an AT4X version. This is meant to be a no-compromise, off-road, midsize truck. Some of the features a Canyon AT4X boasts include:

• A factory lifted, ultra-wide track
• Standard 33-inch MT tires
• Multimatic DSSV dampers
• Front and rear lockers
• Underbody skid plates
• AT4X-exclusive Baja drive mode

The Canyon AT4X’s factory-lift enables 10.7 inches of ground clearance standard and a 36.9-degree approach angle.

Ram TRX

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The Ram 1500 TRX is a very special desert racer. Its focus is to topple the Ford Raptor from its current position as the apex predator of trucks. It’s powered by a 702 hp supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 engine that will deliver a top speed of 190 km/h.
Even though the TRX is a 1500-series truck, it has more in common (frame-wise) with the 2500 model. For instance, the control arms and suspension links are wider and stronger, and the steering has been strengthened. The rear spring is huge at 23.6-inches-high. Ram uses Bilstein E2 remote-reservoir active dampers. Ram also employs its Active Terrain Dynamics control software with three accelerometers and four wheel-position sensors to know exactly where the shocks are and three-stage jounce bumpers.
It’s worth noting that the TRX is still a work-a-day truck. It has a payload capacity of 1,310 lb and a towing capacity of 8,100 lb.

Ford F-150 Raptor

Photo credit: Ford

Undoubtedly, Ford created this off-road craze with its 2009 introduction of the desert racing-inspired F-150 Raptor. Today, the third-generation F-150 Raptor takes the mechanical and technical aspects of the Raptor and adds enhanced connected technology. Its High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost engine now delivers better low-end torque, enables greater maximum towing and increased maximum payload capability. Its projected fuel range is 800 km. Plus, its active valve dual exhaust has a throatier engine sound. The Raptor R (a V8-powered Raptor) is coming later this year.

Ford F-150 Tremor

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The FX4, a long-standing 4WD package, has been joined by a new package called the Tremor. This version has been added to the F-150 and mid-size Ranger and will now also be an option on the compact Maverick.

Ford Ranger Tremor

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The Tremor Off-Road Package on the Ranger creates an off-road-ready factory-built truck. Ranger Tremor features:

• Lifted suspension with off-road tuned FOX 2.0 monotube dampers and rear piggyback reservoirs
• Specially tuned front coilover and rear leaf springs
• 32-inch Continental General Grabber all-terrain tires
• Six-switch auxiliary power pack to manage accessories including winches, light bars, and air compressors

Ford Maverick Tremor

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Ford’s new Maverick Tremor is available on XLT and Lariat series trucks and includes:

• 1-inch lift for greater ground clearance
• Exclusive Trail Control
• Unique off-road-tailored front and rear suspension
• Advanced all-wheel drive with four-wheel-drive lock
• 2.0L EcoBoost engine

Distinctive Tremor design cues include blacked-out Ford logos, headlamps and taillamps, signature Tremor Orange tow hooks, an updated fender vent and a new grille. The Tremor Appearance Package offers an even bolder look.

Nissan Frontier PRO-4X

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Frontier is new this year and offering a unique Canadian-only model called the Frontier King Cab PRO-4X with a 6-foot bed. Some features include:

• Shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes
• 4-wheel limited-slip system
• Electronic locking differential
• Bilstein off-road shock absorbers
• Underbody skid plates.

The cargo bed utility includes available factory-applied spray-on bedliner and the Utili-track Channel System with its three “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed. In addition, four fixed bed tie-down hooks help secure gear.

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

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For 2022 Tundra itself is new. Looking at these bullet points, you’ll see that this Tundra is now as up to date as any of its competition.

• New 3.5L V6 twin-turbo engine makes 389hp and 479 lb-ft of torque
• i-Force MAX powertrain option punches that up to 437hp and 583 lb-ft of torque
• Max tow rating is increased to 12,000 lb.
• Available 14-inch touchscreen highlights the new Audio Multimedia system
• 12.3-inch instrument panel display is available
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 active safety is standard on all trim levels
• Interiors are completely updated with new materials and designs

The TRD Pro version is fitted with 2.5-inch FOX internal bypass shocks. It also gains a stabilizer bar, red painted suspension parts, TRD aluminum front skid plate, underbody protection and all-terrain Falken tires.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

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Tacoma will have a generational update next year. However, it continues to offer it’s 4×4 versions now. Some features include:

• Five-person double cab and a five-foot cargo bed standard
• TRD Remote Reservoir Suspension Kit
• TRD-tuned front coil springs with Fox Racing Shocks (adds a one-inch lift and progressive-rate rear leaf springs)
• TRD Pro quarter-inch thick aluminum skid plate
• Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar-reinforced tires
• TRD-tuned stainless steel exhaust

Rigid Industries has added LED fog lights, colour-keyed mirrors, door handles, rear bumper, black bezel headlamps and tail lamps.

Jeep Gladiator

Photo credit: Jeep

Jeep Gladiator by its very nature is an off-road ready truck. Frankly, it exists because of this off-road trend. Gladiator’s body-on-frame design offers four doors on a stretched frame 31 inches longer than the Wrangler. The wheelbase is also 19.4 inches longer and the rear axle and suspension setup borrows heavily from the Ram 1500. The Gladiator has 11.1-inches of ground clearance complemented with an under mounted spare tire that is tucked up above the rear axle.

Gladiator is available with the same trim packages as the Wrangler (Sport S, Overland and Rubicon) and it’s progressively more aggressive in the off-road arena as you move up to the Rubicon. Gladiator/Rubicon trucks come with:

• Rock-Trac 4×4 system with a “4LO” ratio of 4:1
• Dana 44 axles
• Tru-Lock electric front- and rear-axle lockers
• Trac-Lok limited-slip differential
• Sway-bar disconnect.

The truck has standard front and rear tow hooks, skid plates and steel bumpers that are winch-ready from the factory. The Rubicon version comes with 33-inch off-road tires giving it up to 30-inchs of water fording ability.