There is a multitude of pickup truck options available on the American market, most of which claim to have some kind of off-roading ability. Some are offered with specialized packages, and some are excellent out of the box. With so much variety, our examination of the Best Off-Road Trucks for 2027 led us down a deep rabbit hole, but that’s why we’re here – to do the legwork and give you the best options. In this article, we’re going to talk about which trucks are best when the asphalt runs out and why, and although we can only have one winner, each truck you see here is impressive in one way or another.
Winner: Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Chevrolet
Our winner is the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, and it boasts DSSV Multimatic dampers shared with the Silverado ZR2, a factory three-inch lift, and unique looks thanks to a special front end, rear bumper, and fender flares. We’ve decided against awarding the ZR2 Bison because its ARB armor and accessories, while impressive, increase weight and make approach angles worse. The Colorado ZR2 had approach, breakover, and departure angles of 38.3, 24.6, and 25.1 degrees, respectively, with 10.7 inches of ground clearance.
Chevrolet
You also get front and rear locking differentials and Dana M190 front and Dana M220 rear axles. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four corners through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A Ford Ranger Raptor is quicker on sand, and a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon has the edge in climbing rocks, but the Colorado ZR2 blends the best of both as the Goldilocks choice in the mid-size off-roader segment. Anything smaller is not as capable, and anything bigger is too unwieldy.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Pros
- Excellent suspension articulation
- Relatively lightweight
- Sufficient power and efficiency from TurboMax engine, with strong low-end torque
- Advanced suspension comes standard
- Purposeful styling
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Cons
- Interior is cramped in the rear
- Material quality trails rivals like Nissan and Toyota
- Costs roughly $10,000 more than the Trail Boss
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Scores:
Off-road ability: 5/5
Durability: 4.5/5
Daily Usability: 4.5/5
Who’s It For?
The Chevy Colorado ZR2 is for the individual who wants a capable daily driver but also wants to go off-road without getting stuck. Other, more extreme trucks are only truly at home off-road, and better daily drivers exist, but this fills the middle ground beautifully and is the right size for most garages.
Recommended Trim
We think the ZR2 Bison is too aggressive for most, so save some cash and get the “regular” Colorado ZR2.
Runner-Up 1: Ford F-150 Raptor
Ford
Particularly on loose surfaces, few trucks have the off-road ability that the Ford F-150 Raptor boasts. It’s available with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 making 450 hp, but there’s also the Raptor R, with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 making 720 hp (both come with a 10-speed automatic). The F-150 Raptor has front and rear Fox Racing shocks with live valve technology, Trail Control that allows one-pedal driving, and selectable drive modes, including Slippery, Off-Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl settings.
Ford
The F-150 Raptor is the de facto choice for the desert runner, and it’s pretty capable on rocky surfaces too, but its size and relative lack of maneuverability compared to something like the Colorado ZR2 on tighter trails relegated it to second place. Still, it has locking electronic differentials, power-adjustable pedals so drivers of any size can find the perfect position, and heated and ventilated Recaro seats up front (heating only in the rear). In a nutshell, the Raptor is comfortable and capable, and its design commands attention, so it’s no wonder this is a popular choice all across America.
Ford F-150 Raptor Pros
- Powerful engines
- Incredible dune-bashing and jumping abilities
- Comfortable interior with loads of tech
- Great Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Fox suspension is remarkably comfortable, no matter the surface
- Supercharged V8 available
F-150 Raptor Cons
- F-150 Raptor is a big truck, bad for narrow trails
- Engines are thirsty
- Either F-150 Raptor variant is expensive
- Long-travel suspension negatively affects payload
Ford F-150 Raptor Scores:
Off-Road Ability: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Daily usability: 4/5
Who’s It For?
The F-150 Raptor is something of a status symbol, but it’s also for those who regularly leave the city and suburbs behind to launch their trucks into the air at high speed, with little else coming close.
Recommended Trim
While we’d love to recommend the insane Raptor R with its supercharged Predator V8, the regular Raptor does pretty much everything the R can do without the gas mileage penalty. We won’t advise against the Raptor R, but we do prefer the normal F-150 Raptor’s relative attainability and efficiency.
Runner-Up 2: Ram 2500 Power Wagon
Stellantis
If even the F-150 Raptor is too small for you, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is still the gold standard for heavy-duty off-road pickups. Under the hood is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 generating 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, and although the eight-speed auto feeds a part-time 4WD system, the Power Wagon gets front and rear locking differentials, solid axles, a 12,000-lb winch, Bilstein shock absorbers, underbody protection, and a class-exclusive electronically disconnecting stabilizer bar. Also now available by popular demand is a 430-hp 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output turbodiesel engine with a best-in-class base diesel torque rating of 1,075 lb-ft, and Stellantis has also added fifth-wheel gooseneck preparation for the first time, as well as a new 3.42 rear axle ratio. A 31-gallon fuel tank should deliver roughly 600 miles of range, and the Cummins option starts at $89,560 including destination.
Stellantis
Bigger tires would make the truck even better (33-inch rubber on 17-inch wheels is standard), but the Power Wagon is still remarkably agile over loose and challenging surfaces. Of course, its sheer size can be a compromise, but the HEMI has plenty of torque, and the truck is capable enough to make drivers look like off-roading heroes with ease. Climbing a cliff with a truck big enough to tow over 10,000 lbs is a weird but immensely cool sight, and that only adds to the Power Wagon’s appeal.
Ram 2500 Power Wagon Pros
- Reliable V8 power or monstrous turbodiesel available
- Plush cabin is suitable for families
- Rock-crawling and trail-busting abilities are greater than the size suggests
- Power Wagon is equally capable as a work truck, daily driver, or off-road toy
Ram 2500 Power Wagon Cons
- Payload is relatively poor due to suspension
- V8 is notoriously thirsty, with double-digit mpg figures barely achievable in the real world
- Ride can be stiff and bouncy on normal pavement
- Immense width makes parking a challenge, especially for urban garage spaces
- Pricing starts over $70,000
Ram 2500 Power Wagon Scores:
Off-Road Ability: 4/5
Durability: 4.5/5
Daily Usability: 3.5/5
Who’s It For?
The Ram 2500 Power Wagon is for the buyer who needs one heavy-duty vehicle that delivers a pleasant cabin, strong towing capacity, and impressive off-roading in one commanding vehicle. It’s a work vehicle and play truck in one, but it’s definitely not for shrinking violets.
Recommended Trim
The Power Wagon is a Ram 2500 trim, and it’s our choice. But if your budget can’t stretch to the Power Wagon, a 4×4 Tradesman (base) is still decent for most off-roading excursions.
Honorable Mentions
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota
The Toyota Tacoma has long been a cult favorite of the off-roading enthusiast, and with multiple trims and powertrains on offer for 2027 (228-326 hp/243-465 lb-ft), it’s still guaranteed to be popular. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain had some early reliability issues, but Toyota’s strong reputation still translates to great resale values. Towing and payload figures aren’t as impressive as some rivals, and the higher trims are expensive, but the Tacoma remains an attractive, durable, and affordable off-road pickup. We like the TRD Pro for its isolated internal bypass suspension and built-in trail cameras.
Ram 1500
Ram
More luxurious inside than many rivals, the Ram 1500 is a great daily truck that can also hold its own off-road. We particularly like the Ram 1500 RHO. It’s not as extreme nor as thirsty as the TRX SRT, yet it’s still happy to drive on jagged surfaces at speed, thanks to a 540-hp Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, Blackhawk e2 adaptive suspension from Bilstein, and a heavy-duty locking rear differential. It also looks aggressive enough to fool the uninitiated into thinking it might be a TRX, so there’s that.
Conclusion
There are several other trucks we could praise here, from the Ford Ranger Raptor to the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X, but our picks are arguably the best in their respective classes, and while most off-road trucks will satisfy most casual adventurers, our choices are the best for those who will take overlanding seriously and want to get the most out of off-road excursions on a regular basis.
About the author
Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog