2021 CarBuzz Off-Road Warrior Award Finalists Announced

Not all trucks and SUVs are created equal, and with different forms of off-roading being popular in the USA, CarBuzz has considered various nominees to find which is best off the beaten path. Taking hill-climbing, dune running, mudding, and rock crawling into account, these are the finalists for the Off-Road Warrior Award for 2021. 

Off-Road Warrior 

This category requires nominees to be capable of tackling the worst terrain without a fuss, and with a wide variety of off-roaders on the market, options are plentiful. Nominees included: 

• Ford Bronco

• Ram 1500 TRX

• Jeep Wrangler 4xe

• Ford Bronco Sport

• Ford F-150 Raptor

• Land Rover Defender V8

• Rivian R1T

From these esteemed nominees, the finalists are:

2021 Ram 1500 TRX

There’s more to the Ram 1500 TRX than just the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 under the hood. With 702 horsepower and capable design, the off-road experience gets even better the faster you drive it. It comes with 2.6-inch Bilstein Black Hawk adaptive performance shocks, 35-inch Goodyear tires, a Dana 60 rear axle, and a locking differential to help it navigate the toughest trials. A full-time 4WD system does duty, and there are Sand and Baja drive modes. And, as there’s less weight over the rear axle, serious enthusiasts can jump it and hurl it around, as well as enjoy a comfortable on-road driving experience.

2022 Rivian R1T

Seemingly the polar opposite to the old-school Ram TRX, the Rivian R1T Truck is everything that electrified capability should look like. Four electric motors combine to produce 800 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque, and since the latter is available instantly, you don’t need a transfer case. A locking differential is also a thing of the past. It may not have the Baja racing suspension, but there are other pros – it’s so quiet that you can adventure without disturbing the wildlife. As an added bonus, the extra storage available as a result of no engine means you can haul everything but the kitchen sink along, wherever you go.

2021 Ford Bronco

The redesigned Ford Bronco enters the fray and solidly takes on legends like the Jeep Wrangler. CarBuzz experts appreciate that you can have the best of both worlds with the Bronco, thanks to a contemporary suspension that makes it capable on road, and off. There are two engines to choose from, either a turbocharged four-cylinder or a turbo V6, and both are equally capable. Ford’s ‘Goes Over Any Terrain’ (GOAT) system is adept at managing whatever is happening out in the wild, and the Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials, Trail Control, Trail One Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist make off-roading easier than before. 

Qualifying nominees were subject to a week-long test drive. Winners will be announced on November 30, 2021. Full article available here: https://carbuzz.com/features/2021-carbuzz-award-finalists-off-road-warrior.  

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