Best Off-Road & Off-Road Trucks & SUVs Under $20,000

Sure, you can buy an adventure truck or SUV for less than $20,000. But if you have more money, you can go to the next level of mobile adventure.
The following list contains used vehicles that seat at least four people, have a place to sleep, and a transmission that sends power to all four wheels. This combination allows you to go on an adventure together with friends and take a lot of equipment with you.
It also gives you a place to lie down, taunts harsh weather, and is capable of traversing most of the terrain you’re likely to encounter.
This list is not exhaustive – far from it. But it’s a great place to start looking for your next great adventure phone.
Also, be aware that some of the vehicles shown here have accessories, such as a camper, that can add a lot of value. Our price depends on the car.
A quality used car can take you on an adventure and back again. If you’re buying a used car, these 13 options are a great place to start. read more…
The Xterra is one of the few body-on-frame SUVs built for durability and off-road fun. While the Xterra isn’t a big SUV, it has plenty of room to sleep and carry your outdoor gear.
Price: You can pick up a premium 2014 PRO-4X with about 50,000 miles on it for less than $20,000.
Pros: A powerful V6 engine powers this rugged frame SUV. Driving with the optional six-speed manual transmission is even more fun. Durability and affordable low cost parts reduce the cost of ownership.
The bad: The interior feels a little cheap, the ride feels like a truck, and you can expect better fuel economy from the V6, as the all-wheel-drive Xterra only gets about 18 mpg.
Why Choose Exterra? A truly reliable vehicle for outdoor adventures under $20,000, the Xterra has everything you need in a fun and compact package.
The FJ Cruiser has only been in the US for seven years and is now a cult favorite. With their quirky looks, basic ergonomics and off-road prowess, these fun Toyota vehicles won’t drop in price that much.
Price: An early high mileage example in good condition would cost $15,000-$20,000. Models from recent years, 2012-2014, often sell well.
Pluses: Well behaved both on the road and off-road. The FJ Cruiser is a unique vehicle with timeless charm and Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
The Bad: The FJ Cruiser is a pickup truck that is gluttonous. It also has a cramped back seat and a small cargo area. Also, this car has more plastic inside and out than any other car.
Why choose FJ Cruiser? It’s fun, unique and quirky, with honest off-road ability and Toyota reliability. The FJ Cruiser enthusiast community is also second to none.
Even if you get off the beaten path and escape to your own personal paradise, cut your staff. The MINI Cooper isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when the theme of adventure is mentioned, but the Countryman is a roomy crossover with all the amenities you need. Its sleek appearance is matched by reliability, responsive handling and powerful engine power.
Equipped with the right tires and the right lift package, the All4 AWD is the perfect choice for adventures away from the hustle and bustle of highways and back roads. You can also sleep in it, although you need to consider your height and how much you want to stretch when you lie down.
Price: With a little searching, less used or older 2015 models can be found for under $20,000.
Pros: Distinctive style, comfortable driving performance, pleasant interior, comfortable seats. With proper care and maintenance, the MINI Countryman can go over 150,000 miles.
Cons: pay attention to the models of 2011-2013. Most Countryman crossovers have been reliable over the years, but major safety hazards have been reported including engine failure, loud brakes, exploding glass sunroofs, faulty seat belt alarms, and faulty airbags. However, the number of official complaints from 2010 and 2014 to 2020 has hardly decreased.
Why Countryman? Niche brand BMW offers unique styling that shows what you can do when you go beyond the typical options for a sub-$20,000 adventure car.
The Land Cruiser is arguably the most popular SUV in the world. It offers amazing features, reliability and durability. Because of this, it also has a high resale value, meaning you have to go back as much as 10 years to get a quality copy for less than $20,000.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive winter car, check out our selection of the best used snow cars. read more…
Price: You can find a decent 100-series Land Cruiser for less than $20,000, but most models will have over 100,000 miles on the odometer.
Pros: Permanent four-wheel drive and a standard center differential let you go anywhere.
Cons: The 4.7-liter V8 under the hood puts out plenty of torque, but it’s underpowered and underpowered. The third row seats need to be removed to make the most of the cargo space.
Why choose LC100? If you’re looking for a capable and reliable adventure vehicle under $20,000, look no further than the Land Cruiser.
Nothing stands in the way of a full-sized 5.9-liter Cummins turbodiesel three-quarter-ton American pickup truck. These trucks are capable of handling the toughest conditions, delivering decent fuel economy of around 15 mpg. There is even an option with a manual transmission.
Price: A well-chosen 2008 Quad Cab 4×4 diesel with less than 100,000 miles can cost upwards of $20,000, but higher mileage examples in reasonable shape can be found for less.
Benefits: RAM has the power, durability and reliability for miles of adventure. The 5.9-liter turbocharged inline-six engine produces 305 horsepower and a whopping 610 lb-ft of torque. A properly equipped Cummins Dodge Ram 2500 is rated to tow more than 13,000 pounds. The owners say the seats are so good that a full-size memory foam mattress can fit inside the Mega Cab. Second-row passengers enjoy reclining rear seats and executive-class legroom. Quad Cab is the best choice if you prefer to haul cargo or drive mostly short distances.
Cons: Parts for large trucks, especially diesel ones, are expensive. While you should generally have fewer issues when they do occur, they can be very expensive. The automatic transmission on these trucks is their weakest component, so look for a six-speed manual version if you can.
Why memory 2500? This full size diesel powered Cummins truck can take you, your friends and all your outdoor gear to the places of your dreams.
Bonus: Installing a vegetable oil fuel system on these trucks is relatively simple and inexpensive, saving significant fuel costs while protecting the environment.
The GX shares the same foundation as the mighty Land Cruiser Prado, a world-famous off-roader proven to be reliable and off-road. This sub-$20,000 adventure car offers Land Cruiser quality, 4Runner suspension, and Lexus luxury.
Price: From $16,000 to $20,000, you can get a pristine example of a football mom with low mileage and a good service history. You can even find specials for as little as $10,000, though these are becoming less and less common.
Pros: The interior of the GX is a really great place to hang out. The platform is off-road tested and offers good interior space and cargo capacity.
The Bad: For that matter, it looks ugly or not durable at all. For some parts, you have to pay Lexus prices. Premium gas is a must, and don’t expect good fuel economy from this heavy-duty, V8-powered, all-wheel-drive luxury SUV.
Why GX470? It’s a testament to Toyota’s reliability, durability and off-road capability combined with Lexus style and comfort.
A double cab with a 381bhp i-Force V8 is perhaps the best configuration for this truck. A strong frame, three cab sizes, three cab lengths and three engine options put the second-generation Tundra in line with three large pickups.
Prices: Prices for the tundra are all over the map, so you should check them out. You should be able to find a 2010 or newer model with less than 100,000 miles on the odometer for less than $20,000.
Bonus: You get the performance of a full-size truck in a rugged and reliable Toyota chassis. It has plenty of seating, plenty of beds to sleep in and haul gear, and enough power to move this big truck. The Husky’s power rating and 10,000 pounds of towing capacity also make for a highly skilled workhorse and off-road vehicle. In addition, it is not uncommon for a well maintained Tundra to have over 400,000 miles on it. Owners say the Tundra lives up to Toyota’s reputation for reliability, they appreciate the way it rides, and it doesn’t look like a typical full-size truck.
Cons: The Tundra is by no means a small truck. Expect the car to have a hard time fitting into some of the narrow aisles and tight parking spaces. Regardless of which powerplant you choose, you can expect around 15 mpg. The rear suspension is designed to carry or tow heavy loads, so driving on an empty truck can be a bit bumpy. Ergonomics aren’t the best, with too many controls on the center console and too far away from the driver.
Why tundra? Toyota does a great job with performance, operability, road behavior, and available features and equipment. Made in the USA and ready for adventure, this half-ton pickup truck with three-quarter-ton haulage and 3/4-ton power is made in the USA.
If a “small” indestructible pickup is right for your adventure, there’s no better option in the US market than the Taco. Open any adventure city in America and I’m sure you’ll find Tacoma on every street.
Price: Prices vary by region, but you should be able to find a 2012 4×4 Access Cab and TRD Offroad package in good condition but high mileage for less than $20,000.
Pros: Build quality and durability have proven themselves over time. Stock, this truck is quite capable of overcoming off-road. With minor suspension tweaks, its off-road performance has become legendary.
The bad: When you buy any Toyota 4×4, especially the ever-popular Tacoma, you pay what’s called the “Toyota tax.” Inline-fours and V6s were underpowered. So you may need V6 power even if you lose a few mpg. Watch out for frame rust as Toyota is recalling 2005-2010 models to replace faulty frames.
Why choose Tacoma? You’d be hard-pressed to pull into the parking lot of any adventure spot other than the old Outback and find a more ubiquitous vehicle. The reason is that this pickup truck keeps moving when no other vehicles are present and it can handle most of the driving conditions that the average backpacker might encounter.
Bonus: If you can get the Tacoma TRD version, you’ll get an optional rear diff lock that takes this truck’s off-road capability to the next level.