I thought I should add...IF toyota made a off road track for a 4runner to excell on...I would bet my ^$%(&(^ that the discovery would have major issues on many sections. The offroad track at Land Rover was made too....MAKE THE LAND ROVER LOOK GOOD...not to show the many weaknesses it now has. I was just like many of you before I rented that discov., remember how legendary the Land Rover name is off road...times have changed and while the Range Rover might still have some off road prowess...the discovery is weak at best. IMHO.

 

Yep, no question. Still kinda wish I'd kept mine, but I've said that about, oh, a half-dozen vehicles I've owned that've become desirable classics.

 

My first thought was to vote for the Discovery, but then I thought about the question and applied every possible off road situation and came up with the 4Runner on top.

The Discovery was designed to be a true off road machine. It originally gave up some of the creature comforts of most modern SUV's in place of great off road design. Truth is, I could take a Runner anywhere that a Discovery could go. Any terrain that is going to stop a 4Runner, is probably going to halt a Rover's forward movement as well.

Where the 4Runner won out for me was reliability. The Land Rovers have terrible repair histories. They have about the worst designed motor of all time. If I were in a situation, far from civilization, and I had to trust my truck to get me home...I'm taking the one that is going to start every time...


The 4Runner!

 

i was sure the 4runner would win with this crowd but im glad to see people giving props to the discovery. And I agree with all the comments about the shortcomings of the disco. Thanks for all the responses im glad i went with my yota then.

 

Wait, Wait, Wait a minute!

There is another "Noel" in the forum? I was looking at the quote about the Land Cruiser and thinking "I didn't type that". But I do agree with all that "New Noel" has to say. Must be the name that makes him so smart.


Oh, one more thing that I can't believe no one else brought up.

Landrover is owned by FORD!

 

that would explain the reliability.....i didnt think about that.

 

Ford also owns Jaguar and Aston Martin, FWIW. I don't think they will muck up any of these marques. (If they're smart)

 

troopers arn't bad offroad.

my grandfather has one. it's pretty rugged.

4runners are better though.

 

I'd hate to be the guy that picked the durango!

 

you gotta be kidding me . this is a toyota forum, of course 4Runner is gonna be number one. also, it is a great stock wheeler, but so is the Discovery. but none of the others come close to 4Runner. explorers, blazers, and durangos are garbage...no flex or locker or ground clearance.

 

what about the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, or Jeep Grand Cherokee, if I didn't have a Yota that would be my choice I think.

 

I chose the Disco since the question was about stock, off road ability. Solid axles, CDL (until recently), amazing ETC and HDC, overbuild chassis and suspension.... good stuff. The Discovery certainly has it's shortcomings, especially on road and in the build quality area, but they really are stellar off the beaten track.

2 years ago, my wife got me a gift certificate to the Land Rover off Road Driving School in Manchester, VT. Five hours with those guys and you become a believer.

Still, when I bought my own 4WD, I bought a 4Runner, albeit a straight axled one. I just can't handle the mechanical needs, the high costs, or the crazy parts prices of a Land Rover right now.

 

4RUNNER!!!

Even though the 2003's are ugly as sin, I will remain true to my breed! I love 4Runners and Land Cruisers, I will probably never own another kind of 4x4.

 

The Disco is definetly capable off-road. But which vehicle has the best overall mechanical reliability?

Getting stuck in mud or on whoopty do's is one thing, but getting stuck mechanically is another story.

I'll take the Toyota for not leaving me in the middle of nowhere. (head gasket recall complete, of course )

 

I didn't see anything above but did anybody point out that explorers have independent rear suspension now? at least, I think all of them do, I was behind one last night laughing since now they need a 4 wheel alignment $$$. what a piece. I guess that's why nobody chose it,

 

Yeah, it's sad that everything is going FIS (fully-independent susp.).

My father-in-law has a '93 Exploder ( ) and that thing is actually impressive. There are a few years of the Exploder that do make capable off-roaders. The have the same feel as a Jeep Cherokee.

Last year he got a 2002 Exploder...that thing is a grocery-getter if I ever saw one.
It's nice 'n' fancy, but not my taste.

He went from 2 solid axles to FIS...he has yet to take it on rough roads like he did with the last one.

Jim

 

my mom has one of those Buick Rendezvous and I think it is more offroady than the explorer. haha just kidding but I think it would be a close fight. haha.

 

don't the early year exploders have twin i-beam up front, not a solid axle....and come with biga$$ 225/60/15s or some variation???? Doesn't sound very off road worthy to me. :confused:

 

What about the new VW Touareg? Locking diffs, adjustible ride height, and maybe at V-10 T-Desiel??

 

I dunno what year that would be. But my father-in-law's was a solid axle for sure.

Jim