Exploring Off Road Adventures Electric Vehicles for Outdoor Enthusiasts

The 8 Best Electric Off-Road Vehicles for Outdoor Adventure

Prior to the turn of the millennium, the idea of a fully-electric off-road vehicle was practically unheard of, however, as EV technology has rapidly progressed over the last two decades, advancements in range, power, and weight reduction have collectively made battery-powered powertrains increasingly conducive to all-terrain use. The major technological leaps and bounds witnessed over the last few years alone have ultimately now culminated in a rapidly expanding segment of go-anywhere EVs the latest and greatest of which well be counting down today in this guide to the best electric off-road vehicles currently available.

In addition to counting down our picks for the most capable and noteworthy models presently in production, well also be exploring the myriad of unique benefits and drawbacks associated with electric off-roaders, as well as a handful of the most important factors to consider when shopping for one. So, whether youre interested in a battery-powered workhorse or an all-electric all-terrain thrill machine, this comprehensive guide has you covered.

The Best Electric Off-Road Vehicles

All-Terrain EV Shopping 101

The Ten Main Areas To Consider When Buying An Off-Road EV

While electric off-roaders share a great many similarities with their petrol-powered counterparts, there are a handful of elements that are unique to the EV segment. Directly below, well briefly touch on the top ten most crucial factors to take into account before pulling the trigger on your purchase.

Weight: One definite drawback to electric cars, motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles, is the immense weight of their battery packs. While this problem is somewhat mitigated by the immense power these machines produce, its still very much worth reviewing the curb weight of any electric off-roader, as this one metric will play a significant role in any models performance and driving characteristics.

Power: Electric and gas-powered engines both have their own respective strengths and weaknesses, however, one area where EVs undeniably have petrol-fed powertrains beat is in the immense power the former group produces. More specifically, EVs tend to generate incredible amounts of torque which is made all the better by the fact that said torque is delivered instantly, rather than only being accessible at a certain point in an engines powerband/rev-range. This ample low-end power also plays a massive role in why EVs lend themselves so well to off-road use.

Speed & Performance: Factors such as a vehicles curb weight and power figures do provide some sense of real-world performance capabilities, though it still helps to have access to other metrics such as top speed and acceleration times figures that are routinely advertised by marques.

Off-Road Capabilities: On top of speed and performance, straight-up off-road capabilities are another extremely important area to review, as this gives an informed sense of a vehicles all-terrain abilities. As such, youll want to explore a given models ground clearance, suspension travel, how steep of a hill it can climb, and its approach, break-over, and departure angles.

Range & Charging: One definitive downside to EVs is their limited range. It is worth mentioning that advancements in EV battery tech have unlocked some impressive range figures, with autonomy thats comparable to gas-fed engines. Unfortunately, EVs still have the drawback of not being able to quickly be refilled like a regular gas engine, requiring what are often lengthy charging times albeit this too is quickly changing. As such, its imperative to review a given models real-world off-road range, as well as its charging time.

Protection: Unlike driving on paved roads or the tarmac of a racetrack, driving off-road opens a vehicle up to all manner of possible damage and harm. Knowing this, a great many of todays manufacturers have opted to bestow their respective electric off-roaders with a host of crash protection in the form of skid plates, bull-bars, roll-cages, and other items to fortify the engine, frame, and cabin of a vehicle.

Passenger Seating & Storage Space: Side-by-sides and other all-terrain vehicles are sold in a variety of different seating configurations. This includes everything from single-passenger models, to two-seaters to four-seaters to six-seaters. Whats more, some models are largely devoid of storage space while others feature ample room for storing cargo and gear. Quite a few models on the market also sport exterior racks and mounts for externally carrying additional gear.

Running Gear: Just like with any other type of high-performance machine, the performance and handling of an electric off-roader is largely owed to a vehicles running gear. As a result, youll likely want to look into the components an all-terrain EV has been outfitted with, such as its suspension setup and braking hardware.

Cabin & Comfort: Though theyre all built for off-roading, all-terrain EVs can hugely differ in terms of how comfortable and well-appointed some cabins are compared to others, with some machines being incredibly spartan, with open-air mil-spec-esque setups while others take inspiration from modern luxury cars with fully-sealed, ultra-plush interiors brimming with creature comforts.

Extras & Add-Ons: Though pretty much every vehicle on our list is fairly capable in its stock form, a decent number of manufacturers do offer optional add-ons and upgrades. This includes everything from extra battery packs to solar charging awnings to available onboard cameras and off-road GPS systems.

Daymak Dune Buggy 3000

Why It Made The Cut

• An ultra-affordable all-electric buggy offering decent off-roading prowess & excellent bang for your buck.

A modern, skeletonized take on a Meyers Manx-style machine, the Daymak Dune Buggy 3000 is just about as spartan and barebones as an off-road EV can get, consisting of just an exposed frame, suspension, wheels, a pair of seats, and little more. Weighing just 550lbs at the curb, the Dune Buggy 3K offers a 25-mph top speed, a range of around 25 miles, and the ability to climb hills of up to 30 degrees. Kicked along by a 3,000-watt motor drawing from a 60-V 50-Ah lead acid battery, Daymaks Dune Buggy 3000 also features a multi-function LED display, three USB charging ports, adjustable race bucket seats with multi-point harnesses, LED headlights, and dual 13 front and dual 19 rear coil gas shocks.

Weight: 550LBsPower: 4HPRange: 25 MilesPrice: $7,999

Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic

Why It Made The Cut

• A fully-electric UTV providing impressive workhorse capabilities & the ability to traverse rough terrain.

First unveiled in late 2021, the Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic is a fully-electric workhorse as well as what the brand calls a Utility Task Vehicle. Requiring 70% less servicing than petrol-powered UTVs, the RANGER XP Kinetic is powered by an interior PMAC motor that was developed in collaboration with Zero Motorcycles and puts down an industry-leading 110hp and 140ft-lbs of torque, affording it a 2,500-lb towing capacity and an industry-best 1,250-lb haul rating. Riding on 29 eight-ply Pro Armor X-Terrain tires, the RANGER XP Kinetic has also been outfitted with a full-body skid plate, 10 of suspension travel, 14 of ground clearance, and steel push bumpers all as standard. Alongside the base model version known as the Premium Polaris also produces an Ultimate version of the UTV that starts at $37,499.

Weight: 1,730LBsPower: 110HP & 140FT-LBsRange: 45 MilesPrice: $29,999

The Little Car Company x Tamiya Wild One MAX Buggy

Why It Made The Cut

• A full-sized road-legal recreation of an iconic 1980s EC buggy with genuine hardcore off-roading capabilities.

From Micro Machines to G.I. Joes, the 80s were packed with iconic kids toys, one of the coolest of which was the Tamiya Wild One RC car. Nearly four decades after its debut in 85, the remote control car company has partnered with The Little Car Company to deliver a full-size, road-legal, fully-drivable version of the RC car in the form of the The Little Car Company x Tamiya Wild One MAX Buggy. Spanning 141.7 in length, boasting a 74.8 track and tipping the scales at only 1,102lbs, this drivable kids toy offers some genuinely impressive off-road chops with a long-travel off-road suspension setup with Bilstein dampers, 10.62 of ground clearance, and approach, break-over, and departure angles of 34.1, 28.4, and 50.8. Offering a top speed of just over 60mph, this EV off-roader also boasts a rear-wheel drive setup and eight removable battery packs with a collective 14.4kWh capacity that together offer around 125 miles of on-road range or approximately 70 miles of off-road autonomy. Other highlights include a full suite of crash bars, auxiliary lighting, Maxxis Bighorn all-terrain tires, top-shelf Brembo brakes, and an interior with a Sparco steering wheel, a carbon fiber trim package, and Cobra bucket seats.

Weight: 1,102LBsPower: N/ARange: 124 MilesPrice: $42,800

Vanderhall Brawley GTS

Why It Made The Cut

• An exotic go-anywhere EV merging sports car performance w/ an off-road wheel-set & suspension package.

After spending its first half-decade in operation producing retro-inspired three-wheeled roadsters, Utahs Vanderhall Motor Works has more recently ventured into the off-road EV market with the ultra-luxurious and ridiculously capable Brawley GTS. The top-of-the-line GTS-spec Brawley sports a sealed cabin with an onboard air filtration system, heating, air conditioning, a Bluetooth-enabled sound system, and four full-size diamond-stitched leather seats with four-point harness. This electric off-roader is propelled by an in-wheel quad motor setup that makes 404hp and 480ft-lbs of torque. Not only does the machine offer class-leading energy density thanks to the use of cutting-edge NMC pouch cells, but it also boasts a range of up to 200 miles and can receive an 80% charge in under an hour (when using a DC fast charger). And, with a 90-degree approach angle, a 76 track, 18 of ground clearance, 22 of suspension travel, and 18 Wheels shod in beefy 35 all-terrain tires, the Brawley GTS can take on just about any terrain. Whats more, this model also gets a myriad of drive modes including a dedicated off-road mode, as well as counter-phase four-wheel steering, and the ability to crab walk and rotate in place.

Weight: N/APower: 404HP & 480FT-LBsRange: Up To 200 MilesPrice: $49,950

Volcon Stag XR

Why It Made The Cut

• An American-made EV combining the off-roading capabilities of a SxS w/ a UTVs workhorse capacities.

Though the company is still in its infancy, Volcon has quickly become one of the leaders in the EV Powersports space with a growing range of high-tech and extremely competent electric off-roaders. The Texan brands Stag is a high-performance side-by-side thats capable of delivering some serious thrills while still being able to serve as a bonafide workhorse. Powered by a 107-kW motor, the range-topping Volcon Stag XR produces class-leading power figures with up to 185hp and 265ft-lbs of torque on tap, all of which is sent to the ground via an advanced all-wheel-drive system resulting in a top speed of 80mph, a 1,550lb payload capacity, and a 2,000-lb towing capacity. Equipped with EV components from General Motors, the vehicle draws from a 42-kWh battery that offers a range of over 100 miles and requires a recharge time of only six hours, too. Other noteworthy elements include multiple drive modes including on-demand four-wheel drive, seating for four, 26.7 cubic feet of bed space, a 64 track, and a fully-connected, tech-laden cockpit with two TFT displays, a pair of onboard action cameras, and connectivity to the Volcon smartphone app.

Weight: 2,600LBsPower: 185HP & 265FT-LBsRange: 100+ MilesPrice: $58,999+

Alpha Motor Corporation NIGHTWOLF

Why It Made The Cut

• A stealthy, high-performance EV pickup with a built-in solar array & ability to act as a mobile power bank.

Utilizing a body-on-frame construction, the Alpha Motor Corporation NIGHTWOLF is a rugged go-anywhere, road-legal EV thats based on the California-based startups previously-unveiled WOLF platform. This new up-specced, overland-focused trim level is offered in a single motor RWD version and a dual-motor AWD-spec which offers a range of between 250 and 275 miles per charge. In addition to being able to serve as a mobile power station, the rig is also capped off with a solar panel array that feeds a battery pack that can add another 15 to 20 miles of range per day. Sporting a stealthy matte black-on-black finish, the electric off-roader features a slew of off-road upgrades and aftermarket items that all come standard from the factory. Inside this all-electric pickup truck, you also get a digital drivers display, a wide format central display, and a Bluetooth-connected sound system, plus the trucks 72 bed has been fitted with a camper shell that comes as standard. The entire vehicle provides you with 43 cubic feet of storage space not including the additional real-estate provided by the roof racks.

Weight: N/APower: 285HPRange: 275 MilesPrice: $60,000 (Approx Est)

Wolfgang Thundertruck

Why It Made The Cut

• A wildly-advanced & wildly-high-tech EV off-roader w/ extreme off-roading abilities & an optional 66 module.

The Wolfgang Thundertruck is almost certainly the most unique and innovative model on this list. The off-road EV is able to do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and features roof storage pods, a deployable solar awning, and a deployable drone that relays typographical info back to the Thundertrucks holographic display. Offering approach and departure angles of 48 degrees and 82 degrees respectively, the truck offers a standard 400-mile range and is powered by a dual motor setup that generates 800hp and 800ft-lbs of torque. Wolfgangs inaugural offering also features an incredibly sleek design, with futuristic bodywork and equally futuristic-looking wheels. The most interesting aspect of the Thundertruck, however, is undoubtedly its available 66 upgrade, which adds an extra axle and set of wheels, allowing the truck to up its torque to 1,200ft-lbs and horsepower to 980, while also boosting its range to a whopping 560 miles per charge. The 66 module also upgrades the Thundertrucks towing capacity from 7,500lbs up to 11,000lbs.

Weight: 6,120LBs (or 7,560LBs)Power: 800HP & 800FT-LBs (or 980HP & 1,200FT-LBs w/ 66 Module)Range: 400 Miles (or 560 Miles)Price: $70,000

Potential Motors Adventure 1

Why It Made The Cut

• A pint-sized overlander that offers impressive amenities & go-anywhere capabilities.

Comparable in size to a UTV or SxS with a narrow track of just 64, the Potential Motors Adventure 1 is a pint-sized off-roader and overlander that crams an impressive amount of amenities and go-anywhere capabilities into a compact package. Sporting a wheel-base of just 105, this model features very respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles of 40, 45, and 29, respectively. Generating 604hp and 737ft-lbs of torque while still delivering a 100-mile range, the Adventure 1 packs an advanced dual-motor setup with independent torque control that sends to an all-wheel drive system. Affording 9.84 of travel, this go-anywhere rig features an ultra-advanced AI-asisted beyond active-suspension setup that constantly monitors and adapts to whatever terrain the vehicle is negotiating. Offering more than 88 cubic feet of space, the cabin of this compact rig comes loaded with 10.5 gallons of integrated water storage, a propane backup generator, an integrated full-size bed, and a built-in modular slide-out kitchen with a two-burner propane stove, sink, prep counter, and fridge.

Weight: 4,000LBs (Approx Est)Power: 604HP and 737FT-LBsRange: 100 MilesPrice: $136,000

Honorable Mention

Desert Runner Runner-Up

While it didnt make our list of the best eight models on the market, there are a few other noteworthy machines worth considering when looking for a battery-powered off-roader. Below, well highlight one of these machines.

Graft UTV XC.24

Why It Made The Cut

• A single-seater, go-kart-inspired electric off-roader w/ thrilling rally-style performance & driving characteristics.

Just like the Polaris RZR RS1 and Hondas old-school Pilot, the Graft UTV XC.24 is a single-seater side-by-side that was designed to fit inside the bed of a standard pickup truck. Built around a 4130 Chromoly steel frame with a competition-grade roll-cage, the UTV XC.24 features four independent motors that generate 105hp & 147.5ft-lbs of torque all of which is sent to the ground via a four-wheel drive system with electronics differentials. Alongside boasting rack and pinion steering, this off-road-ready performance go-kart also sports three-way adjustable suspension with billet A-arms and uprights that offer 7.87 of suspension travel front and back. Other details include multiple battery pack options, a touchscreen display, an ultra-low center of gravity, Sparco race seats with multi-point harnesses, and a roof spoiler with an integrated LED light bar.

Weight: N/APower: 105HP & 147.5FT-LBsRange: N/APrice: TBD

The Best ATVs For All-Terrain Thrills & Work Duties

Interested in checking out a selection of the latest and greatest off-roaders that arent limited to vehicles of the EV variety? Then be sure to cruise on over to our guide to the best ATVs available right now for a curated list of ten more, ultra-capable go-anywhere machines.