Best Family Cars With Off-Roading Vibes
Obsessed with the look and feel of an off-roading car? You’re not alone.
The rugged look of an all-terrain vehicle has become really popular over the past few years. These off-roading cars just have that cool factor the typical car on the road doesn’t have. Their rugged exteriors – usually with fresh edges, colors, and shapes – give them an overall vibe. The only problem? These off-road cars are not family-friendly.
With what these cars are built to do (climb mountains, race through the woods, etc.), there are a many interior sacrifices made that families need for the daily drop-off and pick-up. Fortunately, a lot of manufacturers have caught on that people love off-roading capabilities, and have implemented it into their more family-friendly options.
So, let’s dive into what makes an off-roading car so cool, but more importantly, family cars I’ve tested and love with the off-roading features for weekend trips.
Kelly, What Makes A Car Have "Off-Roading Vibes"?
A car with "off-roading vibes" has a rugged, tough exterior that gives an overall cool factor. Everything about the exterior of these cars feels fresh - from the headlights and grill to the body lines and trunk shape. It's giving ADVENTURE.
If we're talking about the best all-terrain vehicle that could still manage a family, it's likely a truck, Toyota 4Runner, or Jeep Wrangler. These cars could haul you through the middle of the forest but still manage a smaller family.
While I’m no off-roading expert, I’ve received many questions for car considerations that can go and do off-roading trips, but still work for a family. If this is the case for the family car you’re interested in, here are a few featuresto consider:
Off-roading features I recommend for all cars (especially family cars):
All-Wheel Drive (AWD): This allows the car to send power to all four wheels at the same time. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is great too, but 4WD is mostly found in trucks or the Jeep Wrangler
Off-Roading Tires: These tires have deep treads to provide more friction on rough surfaces like mud, gravel, sand, or loose dirt. They also allow a vehicle to run smoothly on rocks or boulders. Normal all-season tires or all-terrain tires offer little help off-road.
Ground Clearance: A lift kit can provide extra ground clearance to help prevent hitting obstacles.
Underbody Protection: Skid plates (aka bash plates) protect the lower part of the vehicle from rocks and other debris that could cause damage.
Locking Differential: This feature locks the axle shafts together so the wheels can turn at the same speed, which helps the vehicle get out of ruts and mud.
Spoiler Alert: Most Off-Roading Vehicles Are NOT Family Cars - And That's Okay!
With a true off-roading car, most of the time the space, tech, amenities, etc., are not built for the daily haul of a family. These cars are designed to handle tough terrains, not to provide the comfort and convenience a family needs for daily activities.
Fortunately, many manufacturers realized how many people love off-roading cars and put in capabilities for weekend trips. Now not all of them could haul up a mountain, but there are great options equipped to handle school runs and various terrains.
Kelly, What Makes A Good Family Car?
I wish I could point to one specific vehicle and say “This is the perfect family car!” but that’s just unrealistic. Every family looks different, so their car does too.
While every family has different priorities, here is a general list of what I consider to make a solid family car that will be able to keep up with whatever you throw at it:
Overall look and feel of the car
Driver luxuries like infotainment, storage, and cupholders
Second-row space and versatility for passengers and car seats
Placement of anchors for car seat installation
Third-row access
Third-row space + legroom
Trunk space
Gas mileage
Overall Value
Availability (some cars are harder to find than others)
If you're curious to see a complete breakdown of what I consider the top features for families and why, check out my post: Best Cars for Families.
Best Family Cars For Off-Roading Vibes
Here’s a list of family-friendly cars I’ve tested and love that have that rugged, off-road look and feel.
Ford Bronco
Out of all the cars on this list, the Ford Bronco is for sure the most off-roading friendly. With Ford’s motto “Built Tough and Built Wild” they packed the Bronco with absolutely everything you need for an adventure in the mountains, forest, desert, etc…
Equipped with a solid 4x4 powertrain and Terrain Management System, the Bronco allows you to go over, around, or through just about anything. Steel bash plates are available to protect vital components like the fuel tank, engine, and transmission, which I recommend depending on what kind of driving you’re doing.
The High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) System gives you better control and a smoother ride when driving off-road. Plus, the off-road hero switches on the dashboard make it easy to activate important features like locking the front and rear wheels for better traction, making tighter turns with Trail Turn Assist really simple.
The last feature I thought was really cool and wanted to mention was an interior water management system to clean up after the mud. Now I’ve never taken a car out to go mudding, but it sounds cool with this option.
Honda Passport
Honda really worked on the exterior of the Passport to give it some more edge - I love it! It’s designed to be an off-roading capable vehicle, but I wouldn’t say it’s as capable as the Bronco. This is one of my all-time favorite family vehicles as well.
With a V6 engine and all-wheel drive, it’s ready for various terrains, especially with its all-terrain tires and optional larger wheels. The off-road-tuned suspension allows for a smoother ride over rough surfaces, and its high towing capacity means it can handle whatever gear you bring along. This means you could tow a boat or small trailer if you love weekend adventures.
Inside the Passport, you get practical features like underfloor cargo storage and WiFi hotspot capability, plus leather seats that come standard for added comfort. Overall, I love the Passport and cannot say enough good things about it as a family car.
Nissan Pathfinder (Rock Creek Edition)
The Pathfinder’s Rock Creek trim adds a rugged, off-road-inspired look compared to the standard model, while still offering a family-friendly interior. Though it has fewer technical off-road features than some other trims, it provides a "light" off-roading experience.
To help you navigate challenging terrain, the Intelligent Around View® Monitor with Off-Road Mode offers enhanced visibility. This system displays multiple camera angles on your touchscreen, allowing you to maneuver around rocks and obstacles with greater ease and precision, making tackling rock gardens feel effortless.
The Rock Creek trim also stands out with its unique exterior features, including a distinctive grille design, LED foglights, and a tubular roof rack. Across all trims, the 2023 Pathfinder features a V-Motion grille, a front skid plate, and bold side panel molding.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L takes everything great about the standard Cherokee and adds even more versatility – most notably, a third row. This extended version offers extra space for passengers and cargo, making it an excellent choice for families. With its longer wheelbase, the Grand Cherokee L not only provides more room, but allows for flexibility if you want to haul things in the trunk.
I would classify this more like a Honda Passport over a Ford Bronco in terms of its off-roading capabilities. That being said, I can’t complain much because that third row is a top family car feature.
Kia Telluride (X Pro)
The 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro is a solid choice for families who want a vehicle that’s ready for both everyday driving and off-road adventures. It comes with a powerful 291 hp V6 engine and can tow up to 5,500 lbs, making it capable of handling your gear for weekend getaways. The self-leveling rear suspension and Tow Mode with trailer stability assist help make towing smoother and more stable.
The Telluride X-Pro has increased ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles, which can be useful for uneven terrain. All-terrain tires come standard which I love to see. Plus, it has all-wheel drive.
Safety is also a key feature of the Telluride. It was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2024, which makes this car really competitive in its class. Overall, the Telluride X-Pro is a versatile option for those who want a bit of off-roading capability in their family car.
Land Rover Defender
Luxury is an understatement! While The Land Rover Defender might seem too expensive to take off-road, it’s actually built for off-roading. Most important to mention, it has seven seats so you get a third-row as well!
This SUV is designed to handle tough conditions like mud, sand, snow, and deep water. With it’s ground clearance, it easily clears obstacles, and has a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches means you can drive through water if that’s up your alley. The Defender's approach, breakover, and departure angles mean you can climb over rocks, hills, etc… if you decide to. It’s 118.9-inch wheelbase is an off-roading feature I highly recommend as well.
Last thing I wanted to mention, the Terrain Response System automatically adjusts the vehicle’s settings based on the terrain, and a 360-degree camera system provides a full view around the car for better maneuvering. For a car this expensive, features like this make the price tag feel a little more worth it.
Ready To Be The Coolest Car In The Pick-Up Line?
I’ll say it: off-roading cars are THE cool car on the road. I love the rugged appeal of these cars and am so excited manufacturers have caught on and started to create exteriors to match this vibe. As more and more cars come out, I know we will start to see a lot of popular cars refreshed with this more off-roading look. Luckily, there are already some great family cars out now that have all-terrain and family-friendly features to match.
Do you like the vibe of an off-roading car? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest when it comes to family cars, check out my recent posts:
