A crossover offers several advantages that make it similar to an SUV. There’s the higher driving position that offers better visibility, better ground clearance, and more cargo space. But is it as capable as a real SUV? We tell you how you can figure out whether your crossover can handle off-road adventures.
Trail Check
All crossovers can handle dirt roads and even a light rocky trail. They have enough power and ground clearance to tackle these with ease. But what if the trail gets more intense? We don’t recommend you head off the road into the unknown. Only go off the road if you know exactly what lies ahead. If there are steep inclines and declines, thick mud, slush, or large rocks, you run the risk of damaging your crossover or getting stranded. In case you get caught out in the rain, it’s going to get really difficult for you to drive back. Even hardcore off-road SUVs take hours to navigate slush and muck.
Equipment Check
Serious off-roading requires all-wheel drive. If your crossover isn’t equipped with it, we recommend you stay on the road as much as possible. You should also check what the lowest point of your vehicle is and measure how far off the ground it is. If you’re driving off-road, you should remember where that low point is and avoid obstacles that could hit it. It’s also likely that you’re going to be driving on street tires and not off-road tires. You also won’t have locking differentials, tow ropes, or a winch that could get you out of tricky situations.
Ideally, you should stay on the road with your crossover. Basic dirt roads, rutted roads, trails with small rocks may be traversable with your vehicles. But most crossovers aren’t built to handle real off-road driving. If you do attempt it, you may damage your vehicle or even get stranded. You may not even have cell service out in the wilderness. So if you do decide to try off-road driving, make sure you go along with someone who has experience in this area. They’ll be your backup and ensure that they come along in their own off-road capable vehicle armed with tow ropes, straps, and the necessary paraphernalia required to get you out of a tight spot
