Are You Unsure What To Look For In Your First 4x4?

Whether you love their look, or your lifestyle requires a sturdier vehicle, making the switch to a 4x4 can be incredibly exciting. It can also be pretty daunting. After all, this is an entirely new class of vehicle and, if you’re used to road-based offerings, it can seem like a different language.

Luckily, this new world of cars isn’t as complicated as you might think. Whether you’re prepping for a wild road trip, or simply need a practical ride for a rural life, looking for your first 4x4 is as simple as considering three key things. Which, as it happens, is what we’re going to look at today!

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# 1 - Levels of off-roading

As you may be starting to realise, there’s a whole world of difference between 4x4s. Really, though, these differences come down to one simple consideration – your desired level of off-roading. At their most basic level, your off-roading levels will likely look like this – 

1. Dirt road exploring: Dirt roading requires a 4x4 with a high ground clearance to ensure visibility and keep your vehicle’s underbelly free from scrapes. Top choices here include the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler.
2. Overlanding: Overlanding into the wilderness requires a vehicle like the Toyota Tundra or the Subaru Outback. These vehicles with low range can make easy work of dirt, sand, and rock.
3. Rock climbing: Off-roading doesn’t get more extreme than rock climbing, which requires both high ground clearance and low range. This means you’ll need a rugged 4x4 like the INEOS Grenadier, which is highly customisable with assistance from quality INEOS Grenadier dealers. Most importantly, look for reliability, simplicity of design, and crucial features like high traction.

# 2 - It’s all about size (sometimes)

The growing 4x4 market is home to vehicles of all sizes. By understanding the size of 4x4 you need, you’ll be able to significantly narrow down your choices. Largely, you’ll want to think about things like the boot space you require, the scope of spaces in which you’ll be using your vehicle and just general lifestyle practicalities. If you need something small and nifty, you can’t go wrong with something like the Suzuki Jimny. If you need to lug a load of equipment around with you, then boot space like the 1740 litres of the larger Jaguar F-Pace should probably catch your eye.

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# 3 - Think features

While it might not be necessarily helpful to say, customisation is the best way to get the 4x4 you need. The Grenadier is a great example of the power of being able to kit out a 4x4 according to usage, but any new owner should consider things like all-terrain tyres, towing capabilities and whether or not a bull bar would be useful. As you might imagine, all of this can get pricey, but buying second-hand could see you getting more features for less buck. Or, if money isn’t an issue, then work with a brand like INEOS that are willing to create the 4x4 of your dreams.

The 4x4 market is soaring. Get ready to fly by keeping these pointers close throughout your search for an entirely different class of car.