Do You Really Need the Off-Road Trim?
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Like hiking boots or mountain bikes, the "go anywhere, do anything" appeal of off-road vehicles can’t be denied. While the desire for adventure and the increased availability of off-road trails and events are factors in the growth of dedicated and purpose-built off-road vehicles. Right on cue, automakers have stepped in by offering off-road trims for their more road-friendly sports utility vehicles (SUVs), but not everyone wants or needs extreme capabilities.
These trims combine features like standard all-wheel drive (AWD), larger wheels, all-terrain tires, raised ride heights, plus plenty of distinctive exterior trim and paint. They get outdoorsy names and badges (Ford's Timberline, Honda's Trailsport, Jeep's Trailhawk, Nissan's Rock Creek, and Subaru's Wilderness, for example) that mimic the aesthetic and some of the added capability of a dedicated off-roader. But before you opt for the off-road trim, do you actually need it?
Off-Road Vehicle Versus Off-Road Trim
Today's SUVs can be broadly categorized into truck- or car-based models. Dedicated off-road vehicles, like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, and Toyota Land Cruiser, use body-on-frame four-wheel-drive (4WD) platforms, making them heavier and less fuel-efficient than their car-based counterparts. When driven briskly on pavement, they typically also have stiffer rides and sloppier cornering, trade-offs for the increased trail capability.
Most of these purpose-built off-roaders can handle challenging off-pavement excursions with ease. For example, even the base Wrangler gets Jeep's Trail Rated designation, indicating it has been designed to “operate under a variety of difficult off-road conditions identified under five categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording (crossing a body of water).”
The other category of modern SUVs is the car-based crossover (sometimes referred to jokingly as “soft-roaders”). They don't have the extreme capabilities that off-road enthusiasts are looking for, but most people won’t need something that hard-core anyway.
This is where an optional off-road trim comes into play. For buyers who want the better fuel economy and road manners offered by car-based crossovers, these trims can add off-road capabilities to vehicles that would otherwise spend most of their life being driven on smooth paved roads.
What Are the Benefits of Adding an Off-Road-Trim?
Choosing an off-road trim is a decision to enhance your crossover's off-road capability. These trims often come equipped with features like a locking differential for the AWD system, crawl control that holds the crossover at a low speed while descending hills, and AWD systems with selectable multi-terrain modes, providing improved traction and control in challenging driving conditions.
Many off-road trims have increased ground clearance, which can be beneficial when navigating rough terrain or deep snow. Case in point: ground clearance increases from 22 centimetres (8.7 inches) to 24 cm (9.2 in) on the Wilderness trim of the Subaru Forester compact SUV. It also gets raised bumpers with increased approach and departure angles to help drivers manage steep divots on the trail.
Some off-road trims may feature thicker skid plates that offer better underbody protection against damage from rocks, debris, and impacts.
Not all off-road trims are created equal. Some offer only the looks of an off-roader, with little or no functional improvements that will make your cruiser more capable.
The Honda Passport TrailSport is an example of off-road chic versus function. It adds many off-road visuals, like a rear bumper with a "skid garnish" (not a skid plate), orange Trailsport logos, contrast stitching on leather seats, and black roof rails. There are also different “highway terrain" tires with more aggressive sidewalls. If you need more capability, ensure you get a trim with functional upgrades and not just visual ones.
How Often Do You Plan To Drive Off-Road?
Like adding an optional trim level or equipment package to any vehicle, smart car buyers must honestly ask themselves how often they’ll need the added off-road capabilities before opting for an off-road trim. Especially considering the higher price tag these trims can cost, it’s a big commitment for something you won’t necessarily use often.
With a starting price of just over $41,000, the Wilderness trim on the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek compact SUV is about $9,000 more expensive than the base Convenience trim, which already comes standard with the automaker’s symmetrical full-time AWD.
Ultimately, your driving habits and preferences determine whether you really need an off-road trim. If you regularly venture off paved roads and enjoy challenging terrain, an off-road trim offers distinct advantages like increased ground clearance, better suspension, and sometimes features like crawl control, which can be crucial for navigating rugged terrain.
However, if you mostly drive on paved roads or if the toughest terrain you’ll encounter is a gravel path, you can save money and enjoy better on-road comfort with the standard trim, which will likely be able to handle a lot more situations than you think.
