4x4x5

Until around 15 years ago, buying an off-road vehicle meant accepting many compromises. Yes, it could tramp over tree-roots and pull itself through bogs, but on the road it would deliver sickness-inducing cornering, a bone-jarring ride and fuel economy that was celebrated by oil companies.

Yet it was for good reason that off-roaders were uncomfortable, unwieldy and thirsty: they required strong, suspensions, heavy transmissions, and a tall strong body in order to be able to deal with the really rough stuff. Soft-roaders (such as the BMW X5 and Toyota RAV4) offered most buyers just what they had been looking for.

Car manufacturers realised that most off-roader owners rarely ventured away from tarmac. Soft-roaders offered the butch style of the off-roader without its dynamic ineptitude or weight-adding hardware. People loved them – and still do. But there are plenty who still need something that can negotiate more than car park ramps and speed bumps.

So, if you've got your heart set on an off-roader, here is 4men's top 5, selected to cater for most tastes:

The fun choice

Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997–2006),
Dhs35,000-65,000 from used dealers/classifieds.
4.0-litre straight 6, 190hp

Good: Low weight, easily tuned, easy maintenance, good parts supply, strong image, soft top enhances back to basics driving experience, coil springs improve ride comfort over previous leaf-sprung YJ model.

Bad: Little practicality, noisy, especially with soft top on or with roof removed.

Off-road ability: 8/10
Performance: 6/10
On-road comfort: 3/10
Practicality: 3/10
Reliability 7/10
Ease of repair: 7/10

The all-rounder

Toyota FJ Cruiser (2006–current),
Dhs 121,000-133,000 from Al-Futtaim Motors (04-3106666, check online at www.toyotauae.com)
4.0-litre V6, 240hp

Good: Distinctive retro styling, practical with half-length 'suicide' doors, clever 4WD system with smart traction control system, Toyota reliability with proven mechanicals.

Bad: Styling not to everyone's taste, expensive compared to competition, could be lighter.

Off-road ability 8/10
Performance 7/10
On-road comfort 7/10
Practicality 7/10
Reliability 10/10
Ease of repair 8/10

The classic

Land Rover Defender (1982–current),
Dhs155,000-165,000 from Al Tayer Motors (04-3037070)
2.4-litre, 122hp

Good: Genes traceable back to 1948, easy to repair, incredible off-road capability, pre-dented aluminium panels don't rust and make parking worry-free, flexible interior, very strong towing ability.

Bad: Genes traceable back to 1948, reliability, interior very flimsy, no petrol engine available.

Off-road ability 9/10
Performance 4/10
On-road comfort 3/10
Practicality 8/10
Reliability 4/10
Ease of repair 9/10

High-value performer

Nissan XTerra (2007–current),
Dhs 96,000–116,000 from Arabian Automobiles (04-3390999)
4.0-litre V6, 291hp

Good: Keen pricing; strong performance; nice sounds from powerful, award-winning engine; great off-road; cabin and boot big enough for five.

Bad: Watch out for that leaf-sprung rear end in the wet (and the dry); styling a little too Tonka-like for some; automatic only; cheap interiors.

Off-road ability 7/10
Performance 0/10
On-road comfort 7/10
Practicality 7/10
Reliability 9/10
Ease of repair 6/10

The alternative

Daihatsu Taft/Toyota Blizzard (1974-1984),
price varies, classified, used-car market.
Various engine options

The Daihatsu Taft is a lightweight midget with real off-road ability, low range gearbox and a top speed of 80 kmh. Originally fitted with a puny 1.0-litre engine, this three-quarters size 4x4 is a favourite among the regulars at Big Red, where it regularly outpaces larger and more powerful competition up the daunting slope.

Off-road ability 8/10
Performance 2/10
On-road comfort 1/10
Practicality 5/10
Reliability 7/10
Ease of repair 9/10

The buyer's guide

For good off-road performance, the suspension should provide good ground clearance and enough travel to ensure that moving over uneven ground doesn't result in wheels flailing in the air. While sophisticated independent systems offer plenty of wheel travel, old-fashioned beam (solid) axles can take a heck of a bashing when the going gets tough.

Some of the hardware designed to aid off-road prowess may not be immediately obvious. You may need to do some homework to tell whether or not the vehicle you're considering includes:

• Off-road ABS: takes into account the fact that you're not on tarmac and allows a degree of wheel lock-up that can help you slow down when on loose surfaces.
• Skid plates/ underbody protection: This can mean the difference between taking an uncomfortable knock and watching the vital fluids drain from the bottom of your car.
• Overhangs: the shorter these are, the more manoeuvrable the vehicle is, and the less likely to dig its nose or tail in on big inclines. Also check the break-over angle – this determines how likely you are to get wedged atop a ridge or obstacle.
• A full-size spare wheel is a must.
• Axle/differential breathers allow wading through water to take place without water getting into the bits that should only contain grease.
• Some off-roaders may have differential locks: without these, any vehicle will naturally send torque to the wheel with the least grip – not much use in slippery conditions or if a wheel is in the air. Differential locks can make it possible to get out of trouble even when only one wheel is in contact with the ground.
• Engines need to have sufficient grunt – and just as important as power is torque. This is twisting force, which has a big impact on how able the vehicle is to pull you (or someone else) out of trouble.
• While medium-width tyres with aggressive treads work well in mud and when climbing over rocks, they're not optimal for the desert; you may wish to consider switching to wider wheels and tyres with a fairly light tread – these will help you 'skim' more over the sand.

Always remember

1. Don't over-deflate your tyres (they can pop off the rim).

2. Don't get all vehicles stuck trying to pull someone out of trouble.

3. In automatic vehicles, change gears manually to get engine braking and avoid unintentional upshifts that will lose you momentum.

4.Keep momentum and don't stop sideways on a dune.

Driving tips

OffRoad-Zone in Dubai has just opened their first driving centre in Jebel Ali. Raffi Hovnanian, co-founder and managing director has some advice for 4x4 enthusiasts.

1. Always look on the other side of the dune before going over it. Everyone in the car wears seat belts.

2. Never go off-roading alone. But don't follow too closely and remember, it's fine to drive at your own pace - you don't have to follow your more experienced friends.

3.New drivers can be heavy on the pedal but starting slow is best – for your wallet, your safety and your ego!

4.Additionally, keep your car in tip-top shape, take all the necessary kit (such as tow ropes, tyre gauge and air compressor) and bring plenty of food and water.

5.A fully-charged mobile phone is a must – and you should always tell someone where you're going and what time you expect to get back. Carry a GPS.

Off-roaders vs soft-roaders

Both are referred to as 4x4s or SUVs. It's usually impossible to tell when looking from the outside, so you're going to have to do a little investigation into what's under the skin. Here are a few things worth looking at:

• Selectable four wheel drive (via lever or dial) lets you keep the vehicle in four wheel drive. Soft-roaders may have automatic 4WD, also called All Wheel Drive (AWD), that engages four wheel drive when wheel slip is detected – but this system can be slow to react.
• Low-range gearing indicates the car is designed with off-road work in mind. It provides a second range of gears that allows for driving at far lower speeds (for example, top speed in the first may be only 10 kmh), letting you crawl over craggy surfaces, even when very slippery.