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For Utah road trip and dirt roads.

Been told these are the 3 in the class I've booked, and that if I call ahead, I might be able to register a choice.

Read a few reviews, and they all seem to be genuinely capable off road, not so hot on road, all seem to have some question marks over reliability.

Any thoughts? Experience? Hints, tips, facts or rumours?

Are there some which have 2x4 models I might end up with? Or any which definitely only come in 4x4? That might swing it.

Cheers!

SUBARU

If you're renting, be sure to get insurance. I'd be real careful w/ any of those choices off road. They will be fine on dirt groomed roads and not much more. Also make sure they give you chains, most likely they'll come w/ some street tires which will just spin on anything frozen or if you happen to get stuck in a mudhole. I'd pick the smallest body vehicle so you won't end up w/ as many scratches down the side if you really plan on taking it anywhere significant. The Grand Cherokee is the weakest of the Jeep models for offroad, especially if it is a newer model year w/ whatever they call their fake 4x4 system now. They are nothing like the older CJ models. Highlander and Pathfinder are also soccer mom 4x4. If you don't think you'll need 4x4 the 2x4 will be cheaper to rent too. Either way have a fun time!

Go with a light color if your gonna be in the thicket. Scratches won't look as profound as a darker color. Tex that man lesbian never gets old.

When are you going? In the winter they are all fine. If you are actually wheeling on dirt or muddy roads then scratch the highlander, no low range. The other two are probably pretty similar in terms of stock capability without any offroad packages or locking diffs.

Like mnt rider said, the jeep has no low range unless you upgrade to the 4x4 package. It's great in the snow though.