For decades, off-road enthusiasts have debated which SUV reigns supreme. Today, the modern trail-ready lineup includes four dominant players: the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Lexus GX550. Each has its own personality, strengths, and loyal fanbase. At Lifted Trucks, we see all four come through our stores, often in highly customized forms, and every model has something unique to offer.
Whether you’re headed into the mountains, exploring the desert, cruising city streets, or building the ultimate weekend overlander, this guide breaks down what makes each SUV special and which one fits your lifestyle best.
Jeep Wrangler: The Iconic Trail Machine
The Jeep Wrangler has long been considered the benchmark for off-road capability. It’s the only vehicle in the segment with solid front and rear axles, removable doors, and a heritage that stretches back to the original Willys. Modern Wranglers offer advanced tech like selectable lockers, sway-bar disconnects, and 35-inch tire capability straight from the factory, especially in trims like the Rubicon. The Wrangler’s unique strength is mechanical simplicity paired with extreme articulation. For drivers who want pure, old-school trail performance and modular customization, the Wrangler still delivers the most traditional off-road feel on the market.
Ford Bronco: The Modern Off-Road Innovator
When Ford revived the Bronco, they didn’t just resurrect a legend—they engineered one of the most versatile off-road SUVs available today. The Bronco brings removable doors and roof panels like the Wrangler, but adds independent front suspension for better high-speed stability, a trail-turn assist feature, a stabilizer-bar disconnect that works under load, and factory Sasquatch packages offering 35-inch tires. Trims like the Badlands, Wildtrak, and Bronco Raptor elevate capability even further. The Bronco’s strengths are comfort, technology, and variable terrain performance. It’s perfect for drivers who want the fun of a Wrangler with the refinement and innovation of a modern SUV.
Toyota 4Runner: The Proven, Bulletproof Platform
The Toyota 4Runner has built a massive following thanks to its reliability, durability, and long-term ownership value. While it doesn’t have removable doors or the rock-crawling hardware of a Rubicon, the 4Runner offers exceptional dependability, a body-on-frame design, and proven off-road packages like TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. It’s more spacious and more comfortable than Jeep and Bronco in everyday use, making it ideal for families, overlanders, and weekend adventurers. The 4Runner’s strengths are longevity, simplicity, and versatility. It’s the SUV you buy if you want something you can drive for 300,000 miles and still trust on the trail.
Lexus GX550: The Luxury Overlander’s Dream
The new Lexus GX550 blends refinement, power, and off-road capability at a level few SUVs can match. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, it features a twin-turbo V6, full-time 4WD, advanced driver technology, and optional trims like the Overtrail and Overtrail+ that directly target the premium overland market. With available 33-inch tires, multi-terrain select, and an interior that rivals luxury sedans, the GX550 is a modern evolution of a Toyota Land Cruiser mindset. The GX550’s strengths are comfort, power, and expedition-level capability. It’s the choice for drivers who want a high-end SUV that excels on the road, excels off the road, and looks incredible doing both.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
All four of these legendary SUVs bring unique strengths, meaning the right choice depends on how you drive and what you plan to do.
For the off-road purist: Jeep Wrangler
For modern capability and versatility: Ford Bronco
For reliability and long-term value: Toyota 4Runner
For luxury adventure and overlanding: Lexus GX550
All four benefit from suspension upgrades, wheel and tire enhancements, performance tuning, and accessory packages—and that’s where Lifted Trucks shines. Whether you want a tastefully lifted GX550, a Sasquatch-equipped Bronco, a TRD Pro-inspired 4Runner build, or a Rubicon ready to conquer Moab, we know how to bring out the best in each platform.
Find Your Next Adventure SUV at Lifted Trucks
Lifted Trucks carries one of the nation’s largest selections of custom, lifted, and adventure-ready vehicles, including Wrangler, Bronco, 4Runner, and GX models across multiple trims and build levels. Every SUV we sell is inspected, perfected, and elevated to deliver maximum performance and style. Explore our nationwide inventory today and discover the model that matches your next adventure. Your dream build is waiting at Lifted Trucks.
