“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Well… at least paved ones. Doc’s DeLorean from Back to the Future may have had a few more bells and whistles, but Chad Robertson, GM Certified Sales & Leasing Consultant at Ryan Auto Mall, showed us a few vehicles that have us excited to get on the road — or rather off-road.
“There’s something exciting about knowing that you have a car or truck that can take you on that trip and get you to more places without worrying about what the roads will be,” says Chad. “Taking away those nerves if your car will make it on a gravel or more rocky road or if your suspension can take it.”
Having a vehicle built for off-road adventures is your ticket to reconnecting with nature, recharging, and prioritizing your mental and physical health. So, now you can road trip to that romantic, remote getaway you’ve heard such great things about, to the beautiful hiking spot your friend recommended, or cross another National Park off your bucket list.
“The Chevy Tahoe Z71 is great for packing up the whole family,” Chad says. “It can comfortably seat four to six people and easily haul a boat or camper. A Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner are also great choices for a good all-around SUV with off-road and towing capabilities. Naturally, pickups like the Silverado and F150 with a full cab that fits four to five people are great for towing and packing in all your gear for whatever adventure you’re going on.”
“The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Ford Bronco are your true, classic off-road vehicles. We’re seeing a shift in the market where customers are jumping on those traditional models and retro, boxier styles.”
No matter which style calls to you, Chad recommends in any off-road vehicle, you’ll want to ensure it has:
- High ground clearance for uneven terrain
- Underbody protection like a skid plate
- Beefier suspension and shocks
- An aggressive tread pattern for the tires, which allows better traction
- Locking differentials that enable all your wheels to have power, helping you get momentum if you’re stuck in a rough spot
On the tech side, all these vehicles are equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can easily connect your phone for navigation. “If you’re in a remote spot with no connection, most brands will also have built-in driver safety assistance subscriptions like OnStar for emergencies,” explains Chad. “These models also have advanced camera systems with HD picture and wide-angle lenses, allowing you to see more angles and views, making navigating unfamiliar and rougher terrain easier.”
Another new tech is the crab walk. “The GMC Hummer has this capability which allows you to drive diagonally or ‘crab walk.’ It’s a new feature I could see eventually trickling down to off-road vehicles. It would be a pretty cool and useful tool to have off-roading.”
And while these vehicles are perfect for those camping trips and off-road adventures, they’re also great for those slightly less exciting trips to the grocery store or the office. “The new off-road vehicles ride really well on highways. They’re great all-arounders that give you a quiet and smooth ride,” says Chad. “Plus, the higher ground clearance is great for potholes and driving over snow drifts, there’s better visibility, and these types of vehicles hold their value better over their lifetime.”
So, ready to recapture your wanderlust and well-being?! Chad and the team at Ryan Auto Mall can help you take the road less traveled. https://www.ryanautomall.com/
There’s something exciting about knowing you have a car or truck that can take you on that trip and get you to more places.