The perfect SUV for every adventure

Good for hauling lots of gear.

The Avalanche (starts at $36,110) combines the best attributes of a crew-cab pickup and an SUV. The key design element is the midgate, a foldable bulkhead and removable rear window that separates the cabin from the bed. With the midgate up, the bed is 5 feet, 3 inches long. Fold the midgate down and you lose the back seat, but you gain a cargo area more than 8 feet long that could carry a kayak or a snowmobile. A locking, watertight bed cover keeps low-profile gear secure and out of sight. Chevrolet also offers an optional, form-fitting sport tent and air mattress for the bed.

Video: 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche

Good for towing really big trailers.

If your adventure requires getting a large boat to the launch ramp or a four-horse trailer to the trailhead, this three-quarter-ton Suburban 2500 (starts at $42,500) is ready for the job. Its 130-inch wheelbase, 352-horsepower engine and 9,600-pound towing capacity are unmatched in the SUV class. Plus, it can seat nine people and, with the rear seats removed, offers 137 cubic feet of cargo space. Fuel economy peaks at about 17 mpg and gets worse when a heavy trailer is on the hitch, so it's a good thing the tank holds 39 gallons of gas.

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Good for adventures with dogs.

A urethane floor covering that can be hosed down and water-resistant seat upholstery make any Element (starts at $20,525) a dog-centric environment, but add the Dog Friendly package and you can tote Fido in style. Designed to transport dogs up to 80 pounds, the package includes a kennel enclosed in high-strength netting and secured in the cargo area. It is equipped with a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water bowl, an extendable exit/entry ramp, a rear ventilation fan and special rubber floor mats. The floor also makes the Element great for hauling any gear that's wet or dirty, and with the rear seats removed, there's 75 cubic feet of cargo space. Woof!

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Good for rolling retro.

Essentially a reincarnation of the original Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, the Icon FJ (starts at $105,000) retains the vintage look of that 1960s cult classic but replaces the body, engine, drivetrain, wiring, seats, suspension and steering with modern components. A fuel-injected 350-horsepower GM V8 engine lurks under the hood, and coil suspension front and rear offers 12 inches of travel for super off-road capability. The aluminum body is finished in a durable Teflon-polyester powder coat. Each Icon FJ is built on a genuine pre-1976 Toyota frame, so it retains the original vehicle identification number and is not subject to emissions testing. Offered in short, long and truck wheelbase lengths.

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Good for getting to the end of the trail.

The Wrangler Rubicon (starts at $29,565) is the ultimate off-road Jeep, and is probably the most capable regular-production SUV available. With 10.2 inches of ground clearance, 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires, rock rails to protect the sills, locking front and rear differentials and a 4:1 low range, the Rubicon can tackle the most challenging trail obstacles. The 4-door Unlimited Rubicon (starts at $32,745) is a little less agile but offers 86 cubic feet of cargo space when the second-row seats are folded. The Wrangler is noisy and almost primitive by modern standards, but that's part of the fun. And it looks great with a little mud on the fenders.

Compare: Wrangler Rubicon vs. Nissan Xterra vs. Ford Escape

Good for arriving in style.

Sliding behind the wheel of a Range Rover (starts at $79,275) is like settling into a posh club — even the top of the dash is covered in Belgravia leather. Yet this is a vehicle with an off-road pedigree that dates back to 1948, when Land Rovers went on safari and fought wars. The Range Rover can still go just about anywhere. Turn a dial and the Terrain Response system adjusts power delivery, suspension and electronic systems to achieve maximal traction and control. With 11 inches of ground clearance, 375 base horsepower and a new off-road guidance system, you could trek unruffled over moor and dale.

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Good for intimidating nature and the neighbors.

The Mercedes G550 (starts at $104,000) simply has presence. It is tall, narrow and slab-sided, and its exposed door hinges and flat windshield are hints to its military pedigree. Inside, you'll find Mercedes quality and plenty of burl walnut and black leather. Drive it, and you'll feel indestructible. The 5.5-liter V8 engine offers 382 horsepower and, with locking differentials and full-time all-wheel drive, the G-wagon can climb grades of up to 36 degrees and remain stable on lateral inclines of up to 24 degrees, riding on suspension that's designed first to be rugged.

Compare: Mercedes-Benz G550 vs. Porsche Cayenne vs. Land Rover Range Rover

Good for stowing gear on the roof.

Kayaks, snowboards, bikes. Carry it all with the Xterra (starts at $29,500), a no-nonsense compact SUV that's off-road capable and comes with a host of clever design details that make it a snap to load adventure gear. The roof rack has aerodynamic cross rails and is compatible with Yakima rack systems available directly from Nissan. The rack also incorporates a covered gear box with a drained bottom that's perfect for toting home damp wetsuits. Steps in the rear bumper make it easy to reach the roof. Inside, a sliding track system holds tie-down cleats or a bike rack when the back seat is folded.

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Good for an adventure base camp.

Part SUV and part RV, the Sportsmobile 4WD (starts at $85,000) is an off-road-capable van conversion. Crank up the top and you've got 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom and bunk space for two. The most popular interior includes a stovetop, refrigerator, sink, dinette and a second berth. Based on a Ford E-350, the Sportsmobile 4WD has a heavy-duty, trail-rated 4-wheel-drive system with 10 forward gears. The Ultimate Adventure package adds off-road bumpers, a winch, auxiliary lighting, roof racks and other extras. Offered with gas or diesel power.

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Good for driving around the world.

Where there's trouble in the world, it seems, you'll find the Toyota Land Cruiser (starts at $65,970). From the desert to the jungle, Land Cruiser reliability and durability are respected by everyone, from missionaries to paramilitaries. Full-time 4-wheel drive with low-range gearing is now augmented by Crawl Control, which lets you select a desired speed as low as 1 mph to maintain a constant speed over hilly terrain. Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System automatically loosens the front and rear anti-roll bars to allow greater wheel articulation off-road. A 381-horsepower V8 engine moves the Cruiser smartly down the highway and contributes to a tow rating of 8,500 pounds.

Bing Images: Toyota Land Cruiser

Veteran moto-journalist and Wisconsin-native Charles Plueddeman has been driving, riding and testing automobiles, motorcycles, boats, ATVs and snowmobiles for more than 20 years. He is a regular contributor to Boating Magazine and Outdoor Life, and his product evaluation articles have appeared in Popular Mechanics, Men's Journal, AutoWorld, Playboy, Boats.com and many other national publications and Web sites.

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