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Best 4WD SUVs for Power and Versatility: 4 Models to Compare

A criteria-led shortlist of the 2025 Ford Bronco and Lexus GX and 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser and 4Runner, with key drivetrain, trail, and towing details to check by trim.
Entry141 Date Time5 min MechanicCarCody Team
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There is not enough consistent, current evidence to honestly rank ten 4WD SUVs here. This US-market shortlist covers four 2025 and 2026 model-year SUVs with relevant manufacturer-published drivetrain, trail, or towing specifications: Ford Bronco, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota 4Runner, and Lexus GX. The right choice depends on the exact trim and whether you prioritize technical trails, everyday use, or towing.

How to choose a 4WD SUV

Start with the configuration, not the nameplate. Four-wheel drive does not guarantee low range, locking differentials, trail-focused suspension, or the same towing capacity across a model line. Check the exact model year, grade, powertrain, and equipment you would buy. The figures below are manufacturer specifications, not independent comparative test results.

  • For difficult trails: Look for low range and relevant hardware such as a locking rear differential or stabilizer disconnect. Confirm that the specific trim includes it.
  • For mixed road and trail use: Consider whether the system is part-time or full-time 4WD and how often you will drive on pavement. Do not assume the two systems are interchangeable.
  • For towing: Compare the exact trim and required equipment. A model-line maximum is not a promise that every version can tow that amount.
  • For daily practicality: Compare passenger and cargo layouts, fuel economy, and ride characteristics for the precise configuration. The specifications summarized here do not establish a cross-model comfort ranking.

Four 4WD SUVs to consider

2025 Ford Bronco: trim variety for trail-focused buyers

Ford lists the 2025 Bronco as a 4×4, with substantial differences in equipment by trim. Depending on configuration, Ford cites up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance, water-fording depth up to 33.5 inches on listed trims, and towing up to 4,500 pounds. These are trim- and performance-configuration-dependent maximums, not base-model guarantees. The Badlands includes a stabilizer disconnect; Sasquatch and Raptor configurations add specialized hardware. Check Ford’s 2025 Bronco specifications for the version you are considering.

2026 Toyota Land Cruiser: full-time 4WD and hybrid power

Toyota’s available 2026 model-year information describes a turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, full-time 4WD, and Multi-Terrain Select modes for mud, dirt, and sand. Toyota’s off-road overview showed a $57,600 starting MSRP and estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway when accessed; both price and economy figures can change and should be confirmed for the current model and configuration. The manufacturer’s 2026 Land Cruiser announcement is the relevant model-year source; consult current specifications before relying on details not shown here.

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2026 Toyota 4Runner: multiple drivetrain choices

The 2026 4Runner is offered in 2WD, part-time 4WD, and full-time 4WD configurations, depending on grade and powertrain. Toyota says 4WD versions have a two-speed transfer case with high and low range. TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter grades have an electronic locking rear differential. Toyota lists a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds; that is a manufacturer maximum, so verify the exact trim and equipment. Toyota identifies 33-inch all-terrain tires on the TRD Off-Road. See Toyota’s 2026 4Runner announcement.

2025 Lexus GX: full-time 4WD and the shortlist’s highest cited tow figure

The 2025 GX has standard full-time 4WD and a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 rated by Lexus at 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Lexus lists towing up to 9,063 pounds for Premium, Premium+, and Overtrail+; the Overtrail is listed at up to 9,096 pounds with its standard tow hitch receiver. Overtrail and Overtrail+ have a standard one-inch lift for 2025, minimum running ground clearance of 9.84 inches, and an electronically controlled locking rear differential. Confirm grade-specific figures and equipment in Lexus’s 2025 GX specifications.

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How the four compare on the evidence available

Model and year 4WD system and low range Trail hardware and clearance Maximum cited towing
2025 Ford Bronco Ford lists 4×4; low-range details are not stated in the cited source. Up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance depending on configuration; Badlands stabilizer disconnect; specialized hardware on Sasquatch and Raptor configurations. Up to 4,500 lb, depending on trim and performance configuration.
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Full-time 4WD; low-range specification not stated in the cited material. Multi-Terrain Select modes for mud, dirt, and sand; clearance and locking-differential details are not stated in the cited material. Not stated in the cited material.
2026 Toyota 4Runner Part-time or full-time 4WD depending on grade and powertrain; Toyota says 4WD versions have high and low range. Electronic locking rear differential on TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter; TRD Off-Road has 33-inch all-terrain tires. Comparable clearance figures are not stated here. Up to 6,000 lb; exact capacity depends on configuration.
2025 Lexus GX Standard full-time 4WD; low-range details are not stated in the cited source. Overtrail and Overtrail+ have an electronically controlled locking rear differential and 9.84 inches minimum running ground clearance. Up to 9,096 lb for Overtrail with standard tow hitch receiver; up to 9,063 lb for Premium, Premium+, and Overtrail+.

The available specifications do not establish a complete comparison of front and center locking differentials, approach and departure angles, passenger or cargo capacity, or daily-road comfort across all four. Treat those as items to verify on the exact vehicle rather than infer from a trim name or a model-line maximum.

Which one fits your priorities?

  • Choose the Bronco as a candidate for trail-focused equipment variety if you are comparing trims such as Badlands, Sasquatch, or Raptor. The cited figures vary by configuration, so match the hardware and towing rating to the specific build.
  • Consider the Land Cruiser if full-time 4WD and a hybrid powertrain are priorities. Confirm current pricing, fuel economy, and the detailed equipment list for the model year and trim offered.
  • Compare 4Runner grades carefully if you want a choice among 2WD, part-time 4WD, and full-time 4WD, or need a cited 6,000-pound maximum tow rating. The locking rear differential is limited to specified grades.
  • Put the GX on the list for towing and full-time 4WD if its grade-specific tow rating fits your needs. Its highest cited figure requires an Overtrail with the standard tow hitch receiver.
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What to verify before buying

  1. Identify the exact model year, trim, powertrain, and drivetrain; do not compare a model-line maximum with another vehicle’s base configuration.
  2. Confirm whether the vehicle has part-time or full-time 4WD and whether it includes a two-speed transfer case with low range.
  3. Check for locking differentials, stabilizer disconnects, tire size, and other trail equipment on the actual build sheet.
  4. For towing, verify the manufacturer’s capacity for that exact configuration and the required hitch or other equipment. Also confirm that the vehicle and trailer combination meets your needs.
  5. Review current passenger and cargo specifications, fuel economy, and pricing directly with the manufacturer or dealer, since they vary by configuration and can change by model year.

For replacement all-terrain tires, the 2026 4Runner TRD Off-Road’s cited 33-inch tire equipment is not a universal fit recommendation. Confirm tire size, load rating, wheel fitment, and vehicle trim before purchasing.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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