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There’s one vehicle category that now dominates our roadways—the crossover SUV. They are essentially cars, lifted for better ground clearance and outward visibility. Crossovers are so widespread that drivers now take these family-friendly vehicles in search of adventure. That’s right, off-road enthusiasts are outfitting overlanding crossovers.
While these cars may not be suited for rock climbing or mudding, they can—when properly outfitted—take drivers far off well-traveled roads. Off-roading in a crossover becomes possible due to sophisticated traction, stability control systems, and long-lasting drivetrains. Besides, their interiors can be roomy and comfortable, making for pleasant journeys off the beaten path.
2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Some of the most popular rugged crossovers we’ve seen tweaked for overlanding duty include:
- Honda CR-V
This is basically a tall Civic, which is a good thing. Hot-rodders have been tuning the Civic for decades, so if you want extra power for overlanding in your CR-V, tuning parts are just a click away. - Honda Pilot
The Pilot is a bit larger, with more room for families and cargo. - Subaru Forester
Subaru has a long history of off-road rally racing success with its Impreza models, so taking any Subie off-road is a no-brainer. The early Forester was basically a tall Impreza, so many performance parts work well here. - Toyota RAV4
Toyotas are legendary for reliability, and the RAV4 is arguably the first modern crossover. Early models were available with a convertible rear roof section for open-air fun.
2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
These models have a reputation for durability and longevity, so they can handle the beating that overlanding can inflict. When building an overlanding vehicle, it’s worth considering a model with aftermarket support. The crossover overlanding niche is relatively new, but diligent search on eBay will uncover off-road specific gear.
Tires for Overlanding Crossovers
Traditional SUVs are commonly equipped with mud-terrain (M/T) tires before going off-road. These tires have large, widely-spaced tread blocks for moving through heavy terrain and mud. Unfortunately, these tires are often not well suited to a crossover, which usually has less power and room.
The good news is that tire makers have noticed the overlanding crossover trend. So they’ve started offering tires better suited for overlanding in sizes that work with crossovers. These tires are more rugged than tires designed for typical passenger cars. The beefier tires for crossovers have sidewall protection, deeper grooves, and tread blocks—but they are still comfortable for driving on the street.
Nitto Nomad Grappler
Here are three of our favorite rugged crossover tires:
Each of these tires has a long treadwear warranty, which is not always available with an off-road tire. Moreover, each one is stamped with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, meaning these are rated for improved traction in winter conditions.
Read this: How To Read the Side of Your Tire.
Here’s an expert tip: buy five tires, not just four. The space-saver spare tire included with most crossovers won’t be much good on the trail if you puncture a tire. So instead, securely mount a matching tire on a spare wheel in or on your crossover before hitting the trail.
Crossover Lift Kits for Greater Ground Clearance
ReadyLift’s RAV4 SST lift kit provides two inches of lift, to fit up to a 245/65-17 tire on a 17×8 wheel.
Another improvement owners make to their overlanding crossovers is to add a lift kit. A lift kit raises the body a few inches to provide additional ground clearance and give more room for larger, knobby tires. Take caution because a lift kit can detract from the on-road driving characteristics you appreciate in your crossover. ReadyLIFT markets SST Lift Kits for the Pilot, Forester, RAV4, and other popular vehicles.
Underbody and Mechanical Protection for Off-Roading Crossovers
RIVAL skid plates are laser-cut from deep stamped aluminum alloy or steel.
Wandering from the pavement means encountering many hazards, including sharp rocks. Your oil pan, radiator, and transmission can be vulnerable. Consider adding a steel or aluminum skidplate to the underside of your crossover before you head off-road. Speaking of transmissions, most crossover four-wheel-drive systems aren’t equipped with a low range. Most experts suggest adding a transmission temperature sensor to watch for potential failures when taking crossovers off-road.
Recovery Gear
No matter how rugged your crossover is, you can still get stuck in muddy terrain. So, stock your car with essential recovery gear, including a tow strap and off-road recovery boards. It’s also a bright idea to travel with a buddy in a second vehicle when off-roading. You’ll have peace of mind knowing someone can pull you out of a difficult situation.
Creature Comforts
While you might be overlanding to a luxury cabin, in most cases, you’re driving to get away from it all. So pack your crossover with a cooler, a tent, and chairs so you can spend an enjoyable evening by a campfire. A rooftop tent safely mounted to the roof rack gives you an even more comfortable platform to spend the night under the stars.
No matter the vehicle, there’s probably a way to take it off-road. That crossover in your driveway might just be your next overlanding rig.
