The intimidating world of overlanding is enough to deter anyone from getting into this lifestyle. Social media has showcased countless behemoth-like rigs with lifted aftermarket suspension, tricked-out caps, and rooftop tents that offer better outfitting than your average inner-city apartment. It does have the ability to turn you away, to stop you from trying, but it doesn’t need to be that way. You don’t need to spend a fortune to start enjoying the overlanding lifestyle. All you need is a car with a bit of ground clearance, packing space, some roof load capacity, and you’re able to be set on your way to unlock that inner weekend warrior.
Let’s break it down, and provide some options for a compact or subcompact vehicle type, where affordability is key and compromise is not a bad thing. All of which are hovering around the $30,000 benchmark. Barring some exceptions, and given the likelihood that these cars will spend most of their lives on the road rather than off, four-wheel drive may not be the best option, especially when considering MPG figures, so areasonably priced compact SUVmay be the way to go
Here are five easy and affordable options that won’t break the bank if you’re looking to get into overlanding:
5Hyundai Kona
The Kona may be the smallest option on our list, but it also may be the easiest to look at. All-wheel drive is also available on all models, as well as an EV version. However, for overlanding, we’re still a considerable distance away from sustainable charging infrastructure.
We’re not saying charging the wild is an impossibility, as many have attempted to solve, but it’s a little impractical at this point. Two engine options exist with the 2.0 Atkinson 4-cylinder and the range-topping 1.6-Turbo GDI 4-cylinder offering 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, and in the ground clearance department, 8.1" is the clearance with the all-wheel-drive option over the 6.7 inches that comes with the front-wheel drive. The Htrak All-wheel-drive system, found on some models, may be the diamond in the dirt here (Puns were intended), given the ability of the system to distribute torque between the front and rear wheels so you could get the best of both worlds of grip and fuel efficiency.
4Chevrolet Trax
On the Subcompact side, with a ground clearance of 7.3 inches, you might be lacking in this department compared to others, but again, it’s coming down to what you want to do. And where the clearance is lacking, the trump card could be that the Trax is the most affordable option with a starting price tag of $21,600. With a dynamic roof load capacity of 220 pounds, you could do a fair deal.
While everyone may not be fond of the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, which produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque through a 6-speed automatic, the fuel economy, especially when not driving with all the rooftop accessories, is the redeeming factor. There are no all-wheel-drive options in the range. However, again, with momentum across the trickier terrain, you could get away with a lot. Sure, it’ll take some practice, but that’s where the fun lies. Additionally, if you’re a small family of two, along with a dog or two, this is a sensible option.
3Subaru Forester
The only dedicated all-wheel-drive option on the list, and one we feel was purposely built for the contents of this article. The comparison topping 8.7" ground clearance is backed up by the rich history of rallying, the trademarkSubarubadge comes with. A 2.5-liter Boxer 4-cylinder motor is mated to a Lineartronic CVT transmission, so don’t expect the fire-breathing attributes of the STI of days gone by. Instead, you’re getting a much more sophisticated package.
Given the permanent all-wheel-drive option that brings a slightly higher MPG rating, and considering this is an affordability discussion, this may see the Forester ruled out, but it is a worthy final option. There is, however, a hybrid option here that offers 35 MPG, which may be its redeeming factor. Plus, it’s a Subaru. Their DNA is off-roading. And if that doesn’t get you over the line, there’s the 14 more horsepower you’re getting from the increased electric power mode, which could see you scaling some steeper inclines with a little more ease, and we could all deal with a “little more ease” in life.
2Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is a no-nonsense vehicle that competes in the highly competitive compact/subcompactSUVsegment. Sufficient space, comfort, and ability are its trump cards. A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder motor that produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque is not going to blow your hair back, but it will get the job done. While most of the offerings across the range are front-wheel-drive only, there is an all-wheel-drive option. We would opt for the LE base model, as many features will not be needed where you’re headed—options like 19" Alloys, panoramic roofs, and leather trimmings. Instead, we’d suggest taking the base and spec in what you’d need like a 360-degree camera, for navigating off-road obstacles, and budget the spare cash for additional bolt-on gear.
On all models, you get 8.1" of ground clearance, and on the TRD Off-Road and Woodland packages, you get 8.6 inches. You get the idea that Toyota is on the same wavelength as us. With a roof weight rating of between 176 pounds of dynamic load (when the car’s in motion), you may easily get away with a lighter-spec rooftop tent, a shadow awning, and one or two extra accouterments. We know you’d like some appropriately colored Jerry cans, as they look badass. For the first time in 2024, after 50 years of the Ford F-150 sales dominance, the RAV4 exceeded it in numbers. That has to tell you something about their value proposition. Check out theCorolla Cross Hybridas an extra option here.
1Honda CR-V
We couldn’t have a list with Toyota’s RAV4 without including its closest rival. Could we? Manufacturers have been taking hatchbacks and regular cars and raising the suspension profile, labeling them crossovers. TheHondaCR-V is not that, but rather, like the RAV4, it is a dedicated, purpose-built SUV, not a hatchback on stilts. That will translate well for easy off-road driving.
With two engine options, the 1.5 turbocharged engine and a hybrid 2.0-liter Atkinson cylindered variant paired with two electric motors, frugality is the order of the day. All-wheel drive is available for both engine options, and the transmission utilizes a Continuous Variable Automatic (CVT) transmission. However, it is worth noting that this transmission is not always favored for off-roading. Again, this is not a deal-breaker given the overlanding challenge-light approach. What is cool is ‘snow mode’ for improved traction, and here’s the kicker: it works on sand too. Fancy that?
$24,550
$21,600
$29,995
$29,550
$30,100
147
137
182
203
190
132
162
176
184
179
54
54.1
74.4
69.8
76.5
6.7"
7.3"
8.7"
8.1"
8.2"
31
30
29
28
220
165
Like most things in life, before you overinvest in something you may end up not liking, it’s best to dip your toes in before over-committing. As you progress and graduate to the next level, you’ll quickly realize what you’re lacking and make the appropriate adjustments when on a budget. In the world of overlanding, spending is easy, and it could run away from you, given the almost limitless options you could get in the vehicle customization world.
It’s a cautionary tale, so the best approach is to start small and gradually build up. Sell and upgrade if necessary, and never be that person with all the gear and none of the ideas. Sometimes less is more, especially when you’re starting in the game. SmallerSUVs are leveraging technology and capability and have a lot of potential, punching above their weight. So, if the bigger, more expensive cars can do it, why can’t the smaller ones join in on the fun at less of the cost?
