10 Affordable New Off-Road Vehicles Under $50,000

There are as many reasons why Canadians would want an affordable off-road vehicle. There are the weekend warriors seeking recreational fun, as well as practical daily drivers who must navigate challenging driving conditions throughout the year.

Purchasing an off-roader at a low price also allows for potential modifications to support more extreme off-roading adventures.

With the average new vehicle in Canada costing around $65,000, we've compiled a list of new vehicles that aren't afraid to leave the pavement, but with starting prices under $50,000. Listed prices don’t include destination fees or taxes, so ensure you budget extra for that.

2026 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab Short Box WT 4WD

For those who are budget-conscious, the base 2026 Chevrolet Colorado WT 4WD mid-size pickup truck, with prices starting under $44,000, is a capable and affordable off-road option.

You can always opt for the pricier trims, such as the $57,000 Z71 and the $64,000 ZR2, which offer dedicated off-road hardware, including specialized dampers, larger tires, and more advanced terrain modes. However, with its standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and a turbocharged engine, the base Colorado Crew Cab Short Box WT 4WD is quite capable for typical off-roading. It is also about $11,000 less than the base version of its GMC Canyon corporate cousin.

The "WT" stands for Work Truck, and it lives up to its name. Its body-on-frame chassis offers a reasonable 20.1 centimetres (7.9 inches) of ground clearance. If you're looking for more protection, underbody skid plates are a $1,655 option. The standard turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine, which produces 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a combined city and highway fuel consumption rate of just 12.4 L/100 km.

Even when not off-roading, the Colorado proves its worth by handling day-to-day truck duties with ease. Its sizable bed and class-leading towing and payload capacities make it a practical and reliable choice for your daily tasks when you're not heading off the pavement.

2025 Ford Bronco Base 2-Door

When Ford resurrected the Bronco badge in 2021, it was one of the most hotly anticipated new vehicles in recent memory. Designed to compete directly with the Jeep Wrangler, even the Bronco’s base two-door trim is an extremely capable (and affordable) off-roader, with a starting price under $50,000.

You can opt for the $11,275 Sasquatch package, which adds 17-inch black beadlock wheels, 35-inch all-terrain tires, electronic-locking front and rear axles with a 4.7 final drive ratio, a high-clearance suspension and fender flares. Or the hardcore $116,000 Raptor trim. However, with a chassis based on the body-on-frame Ford Ranger mid-size pickup truck, the base Bronco's generous ground clearance and standard 4WD will get you through most trails with ease without any upgrades. Its standard Terrain Management System, featuring a quintet of G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes, helps drivers navigate various off-road terrains.

The two-door Bronco comes standard with a multi-piece, removable hardtop, but multiple optional soft-top designs are available. Unique, too, is the base Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission. It comes standard with a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel consumption of 13.4 L/100 km.

2025 Ford Ranger XL Supercrew

If you need four doors and an open bed for cargo in your next off-roading vehicle, for about $8,000 less than the Bronco, you can get the mid-size pickup truck it's based on: the Ford Ranger XL Supercrew. While the Bronco might have some advantages in off-road performance, the base Ranger XL is no slouch, offering a balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability.

As part of the fifth-generation Ranger, the base XL comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. It's powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s less powerful (270 hp, 310 lb-ft) than the version used by the Bronco but more fuel-efficient (11.5 L/100 km). An electronic-locking rear differential axle is a $550 option.

The Ford Ranger XL Supercrew offers a touch of luxury in its mid-size pickup truck design. As part of the fifth-generation Ranger, it features a high-quality interior, a comfortable ride, and excellent driver-assist features.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT

If you don't need the inherent ruggedness of a body-on-frame chassis, a properly equipped all-wheel drive (AWD) unibody vehicle like the Santa Cruz compact pickup truck can still satisfy many drivers’ off-roading needs.

Hyundai entered the truck market in 2022 with the introduction of the Santa Cruz. Based on the unibody Hyundai Tuscan compact SUV, when equipped with its off-road-oriented XRT trim, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is priced around $48,000. It offers a capable, yet not extreme, off-road vehicle suitable for unpaved roads, campgrounds, and light trails. It also comes with Drive Mode Select, which includes dedicated Sand, Mud, and Snow modes to optimize performance on different terrain. There's lots of ground clearance — up to 22 centimetres (8.6 inches) — and the XRT trim adds off-road goodies like increased approach angles, front tow hooks, and all-terrain tires.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, with a fuel consumption rating of 11.1 L/100 km. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard, delivering quick and smooth gear changes whether you're driving on the road or off.

2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport

Off-roading has been mission one since the first Civilian Jeep (CJ) was produced in 1941. Based on the 4WD reconnaissance vehicle used by the U.S. military during the Second World War, the current Wrangler is a direct descendant and remains an excellent, capable, and iconic off-road vehicle, especially for those who prioritize trail performance over daily driving comfort.

For the majority of off-roading enthusiasts on a budget, the base two-door Wrangler Sport mid-size SUV will fulfill your needs. For under $43,000, it features a robust 4WD system, a six-speed manual transmission, and a 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine rated at 285 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque, and a combined fuel economy rating of 12.5 L/100 km.

The Wrangler Sport is fundamentally an excellent off-roader. Credit goes to its high ground clearance along with high approach, breakover, and departure angles, which allow it to climb steep inclines and descend without hitting the front or rear bumpers. Everything from the low and narrow hood to the placement of interior controls has been refined over the years to make the quintessential Jeep even easier to drive off-road. Also noteworthy: the base model features a removable cloth top and doors.

2025 Jeep Compass Trailhawk

With the cancellation of the Renegade and Cherokee a few years ago, the Compass is now Jeep's smallest and most affordable off-roader. For those who find the Wrangler's ruggedness too much, the Compass offers a more civilized alternative for around the same price.

Despite being a unibody compact SUV, the $43,000 Trailhawk trim transforms the Compass into an affordable off-roader that doesn't compromise on daily driver comforts. It earns Jeep's famous Trail Rated designation, a mark of off-road capability backed up by Jeep's Selec-Terrain system, a 1.0-inch factory lift, and increased ground clearance for improved rock and snow clearance. Additionally, the vehicle features the Active Drive Low 4WD system, which includes a Low range and a 20:1 crawl ratio for enhanced low-speed control. You’ll also find skid plates for protection, tow hooks for recovery, and all-terrain tires.

The Jeep’s sole engine is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, delivering 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Notably, it boasts a fuel economy of just 8.8 L/100 km, making it a relatively efficient off-roader.

2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4

Despite the more expensive $53,000 dedicated off-road PRO-4X trim offering some serious equipment, the base Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV 4x4, with its more affordable starting price point under $49,000, is a highly capable mid-size pickup for light to moderate off-roading.

The base Frontier SV may not be a hardcore rock-crawler, but its size and durable body-on-frame design make it a versatile option for adventures that blend on-road and off-road use. The standard Active Brake Limited Slip feature provides added traction on mixed surfaces, and the truck's respectable ground clearance of 19.6 centimetres (7.7 inches) helps navigate uneven trails and rocky paths.

The 4WD Nissan truck features a single powertrain option: a 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine rated at 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness

Similar to Jeep's Trailhawk trim, Subaru's Wilderness models are designed to handle a variety of off-road conditions, from cottage trails to snowy ski lodge roads. Like its larger Outback sibling, the compact Crosstrek is more of a wagon than an SUV, delivering a unique blend of versatility and capability.

With a starting price of under $39,000, the Crosstrek Wilderness offers an affordable entry into the world of off-road vehicles. It boasts 23.6 centimetres (9.3 inches) of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a unique version of Subaru's Dual-Function X-Mode AWD system (with settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud to automatically adjust the vehicle's systems for optimal traction in various conditions), along with a modified rear differential reduction gear ratio for improved off-road capability over other Crosstrek trims. There are also underbody skid plates and front and rear approach angles designed to help the small Subaru climb over obstacles.

For the 2026 versions, Subaru is upgrading the Crosstrek engine. Last year's 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has been discontinued, which means every model now comes standard with the formerly optional 182-hp and 178-lb-ft four-cylinder engine. It's paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), sips fuel at a rate of 8.8 L/100 km, and features an oil cooler to support a towing capacity of up to 1,588 kilograms (3,500 pounds).

2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness

About 30 years ago, Subaru pioneered the off-road wagon concept with the original Outback. For 2026, Subaru gives the seventh-generation Outback a comprehensive overhaul inside and out.

The returning Wilderness trim continues with the turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft (also available on XT trims). Like its smaller Crosstrek sibling, the Outback Wilderness is equipped with a flat-four cylinder engine paired with a CVT. The standard AWD features a revised X-Mode system, now accessible via a switch on the steering wheel. Ground clearance remains at 24.1 cm (9.5 inches) for the Wilderness. Exterior changes over other Outback versions include additional underbody protection, as well as greater approach, departure, and break-over angles compared to the rest of the Outback lineup. As before, the Wilderness rides on meaty all-terrain tires mounted on larger wheels, and the suspension now features electronically controlled dampers.

Based on a price of around $45,000, the redesigned 2026 Outback is expected to go on sale in late 2025, with the Wilderness trim arriving in early 2026.

2025 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab SR5

Similar to its Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier rivals, the Toyota Tacoma's body-on-frame design makes it inherently suitable for most off-road excursions — even if you can only afford the base model.

With a starting price starting under $49,000, the Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab SR5 comes well-equipped for venturing off pavement. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine. It's rated at 278 hp and 317 lb-ft, with a fuel economy estimate of 10.3 L/100 km. It is part of a powertrain that includes an eight-speed automatic transmission and part-time 4WD, which is electronically controlled and features a dual-range transfer case for navigating various terrains.

Toyota says off-road capability is a particular focus for this latest Tacoma. That claim is backed up by a long list of factory TRD off-road packages that can be added to the base SR5 trim, ranging from a low of $3,680 to a high of $ 11,836, where components like off-road tires, underbody protection, and more advanced suspension systems are available.