The fashion for crossovers, SUVs or SUVs has had a full impact on our market and the big losers have undoubtedly been off-road cars that have been losing ground in the market over time. Even so, this type of car has a very interesting market niche and there are many who still choose to buy them. That is why in this article we bring you a list of the best off-road or off-road cars that you can currently find on the market and that of course you can configure in our new car offers comparator to receive the best offers from official dealers. Remember that in 24 hours you will receive up to five quotes from official dealers, once you know the one that interests you, you will only have to use our chat and buy your vehicle at the price offered. Still haven't found out? Learn how it works .

[March update 2020] : If you are thinking of buying a 4 × 4 car , take a look at this article first. Below is a ranking of some of the most interesting SUVs that you can find on the market today, from the smallest, such as the Suzuki Jimny, to luxury models, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Best SUVs for sale in 2020 Suzuki jimny Dacia duster SEAT Ateca Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 4 Hyundai santa fe Skoda Kodiaq Toyota RAV 4 Land Rover Range Rover Defender BMW X5 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Suzuki jimny The Suzuki Jimny is one of the oldest 4 × 4 cars , having been on the market for almost 50 years. It is currently in its fourth generation and still retains the aesthetic traits of the SUVs of yesteryear. Very square shapes and lines and right angles. The interior has received a technological update, with a 7-inch screen and a multifunction steering wheel. The quality of materials has also improved. It only has a 102 horsepower gasoline engine, coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox with reducer. One of the few remaining authentic SUVs.

Dacia duster The Dacia Duster is one of our best-selling models and one of the  most economical off-road cars . The current generation received a facelift in 2018 that introduced a new 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, which delivers 125 horsepower and can be paired with an all-wheel drive system. In addition, it has LED lights, 17-inch wheels and a better finished and refined interior, with a 7-inch screen for the multimedia system, new climate control controls and better quality materials. It is spacious and has a 478-liter boot.

SEAT Ateca One of the star products of the Spanish brand and the one that started the path in the SUV segment for the Martorell house. The SEAT Ateca is starting to be a veteran, but it continues to maintain enviable sales figures. It has a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines, between 115 and 190 horsepower, with manual or DSG automatic transmission and the possibility of having all-wheel drive. To this must be added a spacious interior, a good 485-liter boot in the 4 × 4 version and up to five trim levels.

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 4 The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 is the plug-in hybrid version of the French compact SUV. In this case, with four-wheel drive. It is one of the last to hit the market, since it did so at the end of 2019. It has a 200-horsepower gasoline engine and a 110-horsepower electric engine, which reach a combined power of 300 horsepower. The battery is 13 kWh lithium-ion, which allows a range of 50 km, according to the WLTP cycle.

Hyundai santa fe The Hyundai Santa Fe is positioned in the segment of large seven-seater SUV, being one of the most interesting off-road cars on the market. The current generation appeared in 2018, with a radical change in design, much more modern and striking. The interior gains in technological equipment and habitability and has a 625-liter boot, using five seats. In the superior finishes, it includes electric and heated seats, leather upholstery and many driving aids. It can be chosen with two diesel engines of 150 and 200 horses, the latter with an optional all-wheel drive system and eight-speed gearbox, and a 185-horsepower gasoline engine and 4 × 4 traction.

Skoda Kodiaq The Czech brand debuted in the 4 × 4 car segment with the Skoda Kodiaq , a model that shares a platform with the SEAT Ateca and other Volkswagen Group models. It boasts one of the most spacious cabins, as well as the largest boot in its category, with 720 liters, using five of the seven seats. Mechanically, you can choose with two diesel engines of 150 and 190 horsepower or three gasoline engines, of 125, 150 and 180 horsepower. The more powerful versions can go with four-wheel drive.

Toyota RAV4 The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most important models of the Japanese brand and one of the creators of the segment of compact SUVs and off-road cars . In 2019 it launched a new generation, built on the new TNGA platform. Inside, he improved materials and habitability. It also stands out for a more complete technological equipment. This 4 × 4 car has the peculiarity that it is only available with a 218-horsepower hybrid powertrain and four-wheel drive. Approves an average consumption of only 4.5 liters.\

Rand Rover Defender Land Rover made a radical change in the new generation of the Defender, a 4 × 4 car that had remained almost unchanged in the aesthetic plane for decades, since 1948. Now it has a design that has little to do with the previous one, although it retains some elements such as round headlights, square shapes, and straight lines. It is available with two diesel engines, 200 and 240 horsepower, one 300 horsepower gasoline and a gasoline version with a mild-hybrid system, with 400 horsepower. Of course, it has all-wheel drive and offers remarkable off-road capabilities.

BMW X5

In 2019, the fourth generation of the BMW X5 arrived , the great off - road vehicle of the Bavarian brand. Design changes mainly affected the larger grille and more angular headlights. Inside, habitability increased, with the option of incorporating seven seats. It has a very complete standard equipment that can be completed with endless options. It can be chosen with two diesel engines, 265 and 400 horsepower, and a gasoline engine, 340 horsepower. All are associated with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

There are perfect tools for moving heavy loads. A winch pulls them horizontally and a hoist lifts them vertically. You don't have to be the incredible Hulk. A cable is wound or unwound on a drum and allows loads to be raised or lowered. There are portable, fixed, manual, electric or hydraulic. 

Important features

Mechanical

Electric

Hydraulic

Capacity and load

Speed

Cable

Winch, hoist, elevator ... Let's clarify concepts

A winch is a machine that is used to lift and move loads from one point to another by towing them. This machine consists of a winch that turns and wraps around a cable from which the load is held. Later we will see how the different operating systems give them the ability to handle more or less heavy loads and not only tow them, but also raise them.

A hoist is a set of pulleys with a fixed group and a mobile group with an endless chain or cable used to lift heavy loads.

When choosing elements to move loads, it is relatively easy to get confused because it can also appear named as elevators . These consist of a motor driven by a control that turns the winch where the cable that pulls up the load is wound.

Maximum load capacity of a winch

Winch capacity is the maximum load it can pull. The capacity or feed force is expressed in kilos and the nominal pulling force is specified for the first layer of rope on the winch drum, which corresponds to the amount of force it needs to produce to move an object . The more turns of cable that are wrapped around the drum, the lower the resistance of the winch. It is calculated that the loss of force for each cable turn is 13%.

ATTENTION: This capacity is usually given for rolling loads with a perfectly horizontal cable. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a greater capacity than the loads to be moved , taking into account both the loss of power during winding and the non-horizontality of the cable and the possible friction of the load . It is advisable to calculate a capacity 50% higher than the weight to be towed. If you want to use the lifting load winch -the hoist-, check well that the capacity is not expressed in rolling load.

Traction speed ... and what is that?

For a certain power, the traction speed and the loading speed must be taken into account. A heavy load will be towed slowly . Therefore, it is not surprising that the towing speed of a load is low with a very fast winch . Generally, a loaded winch works at 1.5 meters per minute . To be faster than average you will need to have a more powerful motor, which will instantly translate into higher power consumption. Attention if you are using it with the car battery!

Types of winches

There are different types of winches : manual or driven by an external power source:

Manual winches

They are the simplest. They have a modest pulling capacity (up to two tons the largest) and the only source of energy they receive is your own arms. Perfect for construction work and for lifting small loads . Highly recommended for developing forearms!

Electric winches

They can be connected to a car or truck battery (12V or 24V), or to the electrical network (220V). They have a higher capacity than mechanical winches and are affordable. The problem is that they overheat while working. The energy dissipated in the form of heat is proportional to the square of the intensity consumed (expressed in amperes). In other words, this means that a winch without a thermal fuse (also called "overload protection") runs the risk of getting burned if towing too heavy a load. To prevent this risk, it is best to choose a winch with a much higher capacity than you need. Also, an electric winchit can draw more than 400 amps at 12V (400 A). If the winch is connected to a vehicle, it is essential that the battery is in good condition, fully charge it and leave the vehicle running during and after use. You also have to allow time for it to cool down, so the winch can only be used intermittently. Attempting to lift or pull a load without pausing it runs the risk of damaging it.

Mechanical winches

They are equipped with a heat engine (gasoline). They are heavier and more expensive than electric ones although they allow continuous work . To connect them to a vehicle they need a specific installation. They cannot be easily transferred from one vehicle to another.

Hydraulic winches

They are connected to a hydraulic circuit that drives the drum. They offer the same robustness and performance as the mechanical ones. Its installation on a vehicle requires the intervention of a specialist. It is essential that the hydraulic circuit to which it will be connected has sufficient flow and pressure to operate it. In general, we can find winches that work with a circuit of 120 to 160 bars for a flow of between 45 and 60 liters per minute. These hydraulic winches are reliable and offer better performance (load, speed) than mechanical and electrical ones, although they are heavier and more expensive.