Best 4x4 Trucks | 2026 4-Wheel-Drive Trucks Rated | CarBuzzAlthough pickup trucks are a firm favorite in the USA, the 4x4 truck is different animal altogether: one that takes your regular versatile pickup and turns it into an adventuring powerhouse. From massive diesel-chugging workhorses to small runabouts, there are 4WD trucks in every budget category, for every type of buyer.While many of these super-capable vehicles will never see a trail or a construction zone, it's still important to consider every part of a chosen model if the opportunity ever arises. To see how every model stacks up against each other, here's a list of our best 4x4 truck models to consider.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here.These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Ram 1500 The Ram 1500 is one of the most popular pickup trucks, and it's for good reason. You'll have to option in 4x4 capability on some road-focused trims, but it comes as standard on the luxury and performance models. You can finds the list below. The cheapest way to get 4x4 power on this Ram model comes at a price of $44,975, and that also gives you a 3.6L V6 engine and 305 horsepower. Maximum payload weight can be specced up to 2,360 lbs, and with an 11,610 lb towing capacity, this truck is ready to work. 4x4 Trims: Tradesman (optional) Express (optional) Warlock Big Horn (optional) Laramie (optional) Rebel RHO Limited Limited Longhorn Tungsten GMC Sierra 1500 Every trim of the GMC Sierra can be had with 4WD, and you'd expect that from an upmarket brand. Starting at $47k for the base trim with four-wheel-drive, you have two engine options, one a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder and a 5.3L V8 that produces 355 horsepower. Both are paired to a 10-speed automatic. The only option here is a 71.7 cubic foot bed which measures at 79.4 inches long. Even at the base level, you'll get keyless entry, automatic emergency braking, rear air vents and a rear vision camera. It might not be stacked at the base trim, but get a few options ticked and it becomes plush. Chevrolet Colorado The midsize truck market gets bigger every year, and the Chevy Colorado is a great choice in this competitive segment. The cheapest WT trim comes in at $37k with the 4WD box ticked, and that gives you 310 horsepower from a four-cylinder. That's a lot of power for the money, but inside, it's pretty bare and meant more for work than pleasure. Steel wheels and plastic bumpers aside, it's a capable truck that can tow up to 7,700 lbs and has lots of functions in the bed to make it more versatile. It may be smaller than a full-size pickup, but it's a compelling buy in a range of 4x4 trucks. Ford F-150 The default 4x4 truck for everyone. The Ford F-150 has multiple bed length options ranging from 5.5 feet to 8 feet, meaning there's a size for everyone, and with eight trim levels to choose from, you can customize it to your heart's content. Maximum available towing capacity comes at a huge 13,500 lbs, and torque tops out at 640 lb-ft, meaning this truck is unfazed when you load it up to the maximum 2,440 lbs. Ford says it's America's favorite truck of the last 49 years. There's even a Raptor model that gets a super-fast 5.2 L V8 and tuned dampers for attacking the scenery at full speed. 4x4 Trims: XL (optional) STX (optional) XLT (optional) Lariat Tremor King Ranch PLatinum Raptor Ford F-150 Raptor Speaking of the Ford F-150 Raptor, its silliness lends itself perfectly to this list. Trcuk 4x4 systems don't get more advanced than this, as it has been tuned for fast off-roading performance, backed up by FOX shock absorbers, an available 720-horsepower V8 engine and wide arches to remind everyone around you that you're quicker. Inside, heated seats are found all around, a heated steering wheel is standard and Raptor-unique designs are littered around. "All Raptor models are insane, and the Raptor R cranks that up even higher. It's amazing that Ford Performance has created such a complete package; you can literally drive away from the dealership and hurtle across the desert at 70 mph as comfortably as if you were on a rough freeway to a rock-crawling spot that normally requires modified or custom-built trucks to navigate."- Ian Wright, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz Chevrolet Silverado 1500 While you may have heard that Silverado models are about to be updated for the 2027 model year, that doesn't mean the current generation is any less of a good buy. Towing is rated at a massive 13,300 lbs, the payload capacity is 2,260 lbs and when you're not working, SuperCruise takes the stress of highway driving away. It was rated the most dependable pickup in 2025 by JD Power, and it has a diesel engine available that returns 28 mpg. 4x4 Trims: WT (optional) Custom (optional) Custom Trail Boss LT (optional) RST (optional) LT Trail Boss LTZ (optional) High Country (optional) ZR2 Toyota Tacoma The last thing you want is for one of your 4x4 trucks to break down on the job. The Toyota Tacoma is probably the car that has the least chance of that happening, as it has all the capability of a midsize truck mixed with legendary Japanese reliability. It's also one of the only hybrid options in this list, and that ups the power to 326 horsepower and the torque to an impressive 465 lb-ft. It's also the last remaining manual truck left on sale in America, so that deserves praise. 4x4 Trims: SR (optional) SR5 (optional) TRD Sport (optional) TRD Off-Road Limited TRD Sport Hybrid TRD Off-Road Hybrid Limited Hybrid TrailHunter "Much like its larger sibling, the Tundra hybrid, the Tacoma i-Force Max is positioned for buyers who want the most performance with the best possible fuel efficiency. It may not be necessary for every truck owner, but we are happy to see Toyota innovate with proven technology. The idea of a hybrid pickup may sound blasphemous to traditionalist truck owners, but we promise you won't be disappointed if you give it a try."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz Nissan Frontier The Nissan Frontier is another midsize 4x4 truck, showing the segment is well and truly still alive. This one looks slightly more traditional than its rivals inside and out, with big buttons, plastic along the front and no silly light bars to blind other drivers. That'll definitely appeal to some people, as modern trucks can get too complicated when everything is buried in a touchscreen. There's not much to say about the powertrain, as it's powered by a naturally aspirated V6 that is smooth but less capable than other trucks in this class. 4x4 Trims: S (optional) Dark Armor (optional) SV (optional) Pro-4X "It's not the cheapest mid-size truck, but the Frontier does give buyers a lot for their money, including a standard V6 engine with 310 hp. At the higher end, there are trucks with more features and newer technology, but they typically cost thousands more. If old school trucks are your vibe, the Frontier is a charming option."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster As a newcomer to the 4-wheel-drive trucks game, the Ineos Grenadier Quartemaster has a lot to prove. It's heavily inspired by the legendary Land ROver Defender that's present on every farming field in the UK, and with a deliciously simple interior, it tries to continue the old-school roots into the modern age. It's expensive at a healthy $76k, but for that price there's standard 4WD, heated seats and even heated windscreen wipers. Want iconic looks in your 4WD truck? The Grenadier is definitely a great choice. Characteristics Of Four-Wheel Drive Trucks While many cars come with all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive is the domain of trucks and a select few SUVs. A number of other elements are needed, too, for a vehicle to be classified as one of the best 4-wheel-drive trucks. Most brands take the basic recipe and add some of their own flavor, but here are the qualities you can expect each model to exhibit: Power: Though not as essential in heavy-duty tow trucks, a good powertrain can help 4x4 trucks confidently challenge the great outdoors and come out on top. A good V6 is generally sufficient to get the job done, but you will find the occasional V8. Diesel options are also welcome, as they deliver plenty of low-down torque for climbing hills with ease, and they offer marginally better fuel efficiency. Drivetrain: Naturally, 4WD is an essential component, but it’s not the only part. In order to handle all-terrain activities like mudding, the proper transmission and drive modes are essential. A low-speed transfer case is a big help, and a rear-locking differential ensures that every wheel gets the power it needs to overcome tricky terrain. Ruggedness: This is about more than just looking the part, which is a given in this segment. Large wheels and a lifted frame are commonplace and serve to make these pickups visually appealing. However, the practical implications of the raised ground clearance include the ability to go further off-road, which is essential in a camping or adventure vehicle. Economy: Trucks get some of the worst mpg figures in the world, and the added weight of 4WD only makes matters worse. Luckily, large fuel tanks are customary so that you can venture quite far afield without fear. However, they are not cheap to run, and since 4WD models cost more than 2WD, this only adds to the overall cost. What To Consider When Buying 4x4 Pickup Trucks Since new 4x4 trucks are quite a big investment, you want to be sure you’re getting your money’s worth. After all, a versatile SUV like the Ford Bronco might be all you need. Here are some of the pros and cons of the classification to consider: Pros Respectable power from V6 and V8 engines Most 4x4 trucks have some degree of off-road ability Snow and mud on the road need not concern drivers Can double up as a safe and reliable daily driver Cons Some of the worst fuel economy figures More mechanical parts mean more maintenance Not as comfortable on the road as a sedan or SUV What does 4x4 mean on a truck? Essentially, it is a system that sends power to all four wheels evenly to enhance handling and traction on less than ideal surfaces. While the concept is the same AWD, your average 4WD pickup will exhibit better confidence in even the most extreme situations. This is because the 4x4 system locks the front and rear drivetrains together to share power equally, whereas AWD only sends additional power to any axle when the system deems it necessary. Which is better for trailering: 2WD or 4WD? It is actually the 2WD variants of most trucks that sport the top-rated towing capacities. This is because 4WD adds a lot of extra weight while the GVWR of the truck remains unchanged. That being said, 4WD delivers one of the most reliable towing experiences, thanks to the ability to handle any road conditions without losing composure.Sources: Ram, Toyota, Ford, Ineos, Nissan, Chevrolet, GMC