These Crossover AWD SUVs Just Competed in the Longest US Off-Road Rally. How Do They Measure Up for Daily Driving?

We were not all that surprised when the Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller, less boxy version of the Bronco with a 3 or 4-cylinder engine that generates 181 or 250 HP, won its class at the Rebelle Rally the last three years. Ford knows what they’re doing when it comes to off-roaders. 

For 2024, though, the Bronco Sport, priced from $30,000 to $40,000, is even more capable, both at the Rally and beyond. Ford helped the Rally team to customize their Bronco Sport with all the must-haves, and this inspired a new option for buyers: the Sasquatch Package can be added to upper trim models. This includes under-body skid plates, all terrain tires, reinforced bumpers that are customizable, trail cameras and better handling off road. You’ll have to bring your own wooo-hoooos, however.

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The Subaru Outback has been a staple in the Rebelle Rally field since the race’s start, and it’s no surprise. Anyone who’s driven a Vermont trail in mud season knows: Subaru is there for you. The brand’s very polished all wheel drive system is capable and experienced, and its agile size and responsive drive system make it a natural for almost any trail. 

A few modifications, or simply going with the Outback Wilderness edition for a bit more ground clearance and more off-road features, can do the trick on most off-road trails. The Subaru Outback, priced from $29,000 to about $43,000, offers two 4-cylinder engines that generate 182 or 260 HP and come  standard with off-road drive modes and hill descent control.  And it’s really, truly at home on the trial. I had the chance to drive it on a pretty rugged trail a few years ago and was really impressed—by the trail and by the Outback’s performance.

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Welcome to the fun side, BMW! Last year BMW competed for the first time in the X2 crossover and surprised everyone with a second-place finish—in a modified stock BMW X2. For 2024 the company is continuing the march toward off-road mastery by competing the track-worthy X3 M50. The X3, priced from $49,500 to $75,500, generates 255 to 473 HP. The M50 is the middle of this range, priced from $61,400 and generating 393 HP. 

But it’s the X Drive capability that puts the BMW X3 solidly in its field. We know BMW for its quick power and precise handling. But will its angular good looks hold up to blowing desert sands, both hot and freezing temperatures and rough trails? No doubt, the X3 has been modified a bit (but not too much) with all the necessities, from extra lights to all-terrain tires, for the Rebelle Rally. Buyers who want to off-road the X3 can do the same, or simply, drive it as in its other competitive spirit: Fast and masterfully, on the track or just pulling away from a traffic light.

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Kia is out to prove a lot with the Telluride: It can master family travel, daily school runs and all that our kids put it through. And, then, it can also compete on the off-road trail. Priced from about $36,000 to about $53,000 and generating 291 HP from the V6 engine, this is the fourth year that Kia has entered the Telluride in the Rebelle Rally.

For 2024, Kia has entered the X-Pro, not just the top of the line, but the most off-road worthy version of the Telluride, equipped with a few off-road upgrades, including a higher lift, all-terrain tires and skid plates. We got to take a stock version out on a trail when the X-Pro was first introduced and it’s surprisingly confident and capable. No doubt it’ll come through the Rally unscathed; in its stock state it’s capable to take on the hockey team carpool, which can be just as grueling a routine.

The Toyota RAV4 may be one of the most-loved SUVs on the road, chosen by drivers for its capability in snow, on hilly roads and rain-rutted dirt driveways, as well as its stellar reliability. But with so many off-road ready Toyotas, from the 4Runner to the Tacoma, Sequoia, Tundra and Land Cruiser, the RAV4 is sort of a dark horse and surprise contender among the competitors in the field. 

Which might just make us love the Toyota RAV4 even more. Priced from Just over $28,000 to about $40,000, Toyota offers standard gas-powered, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains generating from 203 to 302 HP. The TRD Off-Road edition is ideal for a rally like this, or any road that offers anything similar to off-roading— those rain-rutted, snowy, hilly roads. It’s outfitted with more capability and features for challenging routes and routines, but still comfortable and roomy.

The Honda Passport is the other dark horse in this group; upstaged by the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline on the off-road trail, we actually like the Passport more for its huge cargo space and capable V6 engine that generates 280 HP. We took the Honda Passport, priced from about $42,000 to about $48,000, out on the back roads of California a few years ago and were surprised at how comfortable and at home it feels out in the woods. Its high ground clearance and confident all wheel drive, as well as interior comforts, make it perfect for camping and trail riding. 

Honda Passport’s Trailsport trim add even more capability with all-terrain tires and off-road suspension. For anyone considering trails like those seen on the Rebelle Rally course, skid plates and extra exterior lights are a good idea, too, but for the daily drive in the 5-passenger SUV, the all-weather floor mats, leather seats and great safety features make it an SUV you’ll love all year any road.

We’ve long loved crossover AWD SUVs for the daily competence on any sort of road, especially the snowy, rainy ones. And for the lower price; generally, AWD adds about $1,500 to the price of a car, but 4WD can add double that or more.

And we love that more modern systems only use AWD when necessary, driving in 2WD by default unless the driver selects a terrain mode or the system senses slipping wheels. When the goal is to get home in a snow squall, that’s all you need to win that competition, though taking a place at the podium at the Rebelle Rally is a possibility, too.