“Off-road vehicle” covers machines that have little in common beyond leaving the pavement. A four-wheel-drive SUV and a pickup are road-registered vehicles that can also use trails. An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a side-by-side utility task vehicle (UTV, also called a recreational off-highway vehicle or ROV) is built for off-highway use and comes with its own rules on age, passengers and where it may be driven. This guide compares the four types by how they are built and how they are meant to be used, drawing on BFGoodrich’s 4×4 driving guide, safety guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the ATV Safety Institute (ASI) and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA). It does not recommend particular models. Off-road driving carries real risk of injury; whatever you choose, get training before tackling difficult terrain.
The four types at a glance
| 4×4 SUV | Off-road pickup | ATV | UTV / side-by-side | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public roads | Yes | Yes | CPSC: stay off paved roads; cross only where permitted by law | ROHVA: avoid paved surfaces; designed for off-highway use |
| Seating | Seat belts for all seats | Seat belts for all seats | Never more passengers than there are seats (CPSC) | Seat belts; never more passengers than designed for (ROHVA) |
| Who may drive | Licensed drivers | Licensed drivers | Under 16s: age-appropriate youth models only (CPSC) | ROHVA: 16 or older with a valid driver’s license |
| Cargo | Inside the cabin | Bed and payload rating | Small racks | Cargo bed on many models |
| Protective gear | Seat belts | Seat belts | Helmet and other protective gear | Seat belt, helmet and protective gear (ROHVA) |
4×4 SUVs and pickups: what the drivetrain does
For road vehicles, the drivetrain is the first thing to understand. BFGoodrich’s guide sets out the main systems:
- Part-time 4WD drives two wheels until four-wheel drive is engaged, and typically offers 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low. BFGoodrich advises using part-time 4WD only in off-road conditions, because without a center differential the front and rear axles cannot turn at different speeds on pavement, causing drivetrain wind-up.
- Full-time 4WD powers all four wheels at all times through a center differential, often with a center differential lock and High and Low ranges.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) usually drives mainly through one axle and sends torque to the other when sensors detect slip. BFGoodrich describes AWD as mainly intended for on-road use and able to handle only mild off-road conditions.
- Traction aids such as limited-slip and locking differentials, and electronic traction control, help send power to wheels that have grip.
Because systems vary so much, BFGoodrich repeatedly points owners back to the owner’s manual to learn exactly how their own 4WD and traction systems engage and when to use them.
Clearance and angles
Ground clearance and three angles decide which obstacles a vehicle can cross. BFGoodrich defines them: the approach angle is the steepest incline the vehicle can drive into without the front bumper touching; the departure angle is the same for the rear; and the break-over angle is the sharpest ridge it can cross without scraping the underside at its midpoint. Manufacturers publish these figures for many off-road models. Modifications change them: BFGoodrich warns that lifts, larger tires and new bumpers all affect a vehicle’s geometry, and that a lift raises the center of gravity and changes handling on and off road.
SUV or pickup?
The choice mostly depends on what you carry and how tight the trails are. Pickups carry loads in an open bed; SUVs keep cargo inside, and a shorter wheelbase, where a model has one, helps on tight trails. Either way, check the maximum load for occupants plus cargo in the owner’s manual and on the tire and loading label, usually inside the driver’s door, because gear, passengers and accessories all count toward it. See 4×4 SUVs and off-road trucks.
ATVs: rules that come with the machine
ATVs are ridden, not driven, and their safety rules reflect that. CPSC’s ATV safety guidance lists these key points:
- Get hands-on training from a qualified instructor.
- Never ride with more passengers than there are seats.
- Stay off paved roads, and never ride on public roads except to cross where permitted by law.
- Riders younger than 16 should drive only age-appropriate youth models, never adult models.
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
CPSC reports that ATVs were involved in more than two-thirds of the off-highway vehicle deaths it recorded for 2018 to 2020, and that nearly 300 of those deaths were children under 16. For families, the ATV Safety Institute says every ATV made by its members carries a warning label with the manufacturer’s minimum age recommendation, and offers a readiness checklist to help parents judge whether a child is ready to learn. Its advice on the label is blunt: find it, know it, enforce it. More in ATVs.
UTVs and side-by-sides
UTVs seat driver and passengers side by side with a steering wheel, seat belts and roll protection, which can make them feel car-like. ROHVA’s driving tips stress that they are not cars and not toys:
- Always fasten your seat belt, wear a helmet and other protective gear, and keep all parts of your body inside the vehicle.
- Avoid paved surfaces; these vehicles are designed for off-highway use.
- Drive only in designated areas, at a safe speed, and use care when turning and crossing slopes.
- Never drive one unless you are 16 or older with a valid driver’s license.
- Never carry more passengers than the vehicle is designed for, or a passenger too small to sit properly in the seat.
- Read and follow the operator’s manual and warning labels, and take a driver course.
Never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in a UTV or anything else. See UTVs.
Matching a vehicle to how you will use it
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want one vehicle for commuting and weekend trails | 4×4 SUV or pickup with low range |
| Carry heavy gear, tow a trailer or camp from the vehicle | Pickup, within its payload and towing ratings |
| Ride designated OHV areas you can trailer to | ATV or UTV, with training and protective gear |
| Want to bring a passenger off-highway | A UTV with a passenger seat, or an ATV designed for a passenger |
| Are buying for a young rider | Only an age-appropriate youth model, matched to the warning label |
Whatever you choose, tires make a large difference to what the vehicle can do; see tires and suspension. Used vehicles need a careful inspection for trail damage; see vehicle selection.
Before your first trail
- Read the owner’s or operator’s manual sections on 4WD, traction controls and off-road use.
- Take a training course: ASI offers ATV rider courses and ROHVA a driver course for side-by-sides; for SUVs and trucks, look for an off-road driving course from a club or training provider.
- Start on easy, legal trails, ideally with an experienced driver in a second vehicle.
- Learn your vehicle’s limits gradually; BFGoodrich suggests practising judging your clearance by parking near a rock or ledge and looking at it from outside.
All vehicle guides are under off-road vehicles, and driving techniques under off-road driving.
