Dominating the Dirt: America’s Top Mid-Size Off-Road Trucks of 2025 Unveiled
The American landscape, from the jagged peaks of the Rockies to the sprawling
deserts of the Southwest, calls to the adventurer. And for 2025, no segment answers that call with more fervent enthusiasm than the mid-size off-road pickup truck. This isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about conquering the terrain in between, transforming rugged trails into playgrounds, and proving capability where the pavement ends. As someone who’s spent a decade crawling, clambering, and blasting through every conceivable off-road environment in just about every rig imaginable, I can tell you this: the market for extreme mid-size trucks has never been hotter, nor more competitive.
Manufacturers have truly leaned into the “go anywhere” ethos, stuffing these pickups with advanced powertrains, sophisticated suspension setups, and an arsenal of off-road tech that would have been science fiction just a few years ago. But with so many compelling options, how do you separate the marketing hype from true trail-blazing prowess? That’s exactly what we set out to determine, putting the four leading contenders – the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor (with 2025 equivalent specs), the 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X, and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro – through the most rigorous gauntlet imaginable.
Our proving ground was Holly Oaks ORV Park in Holly, Michigan, a diverse 300-acre paradise of dirt, rocks, and challenging inclines that mirrors the toughest conditions you’d encounter in the wild. We didn’t just drive these trucks; we pushed them to their absolute limits in scenarios designed to test every facet of their off-road DNA: high-speed desert-style running, precision rock crawling, adrenaline-pumping hill climbs, and nerve-testing hill descents. Crucially, we also evaluated their on-road manners. Because let’s be honest, even the most hardcore off-roader spends a significant amount of time on asphalt, commuting or towing to their next adventure. The best off-road trucks marry formidable capability with daily drivability.
After countless hours behind the wheel, meticulous data logging, and spirited debates among our panel of seasoned experts, a clear hierarchy emerged. Here’s how these formidable dirt duelers stacked up:
The Contenders & Their Verdicts
2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X: Desert Dreamer, Mountain Crawler
Total Score: 524 / 750 points
When the 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X rolled onto the scene, it came with a “Desert Rated” badge and the promise of high-speed desert domination. And to some extent, it delivers, boasting a Fox internal bypass shock setup tuned for aggressive, fast-paced terrain. With an as-tested price of $66,905, it’s certainly positioned as a premium off-roader. However, after extensive testing, our conclusion is nuanced: despite its desert aspirations, the Mojave X retains much of the core Gladiator’s slow-speed rock-crawling spirit. It’s a compelling package for the right driver, but it has distinct limitations that placed it fourth in our rigorous comparison.
What Excels in the Mojave X:
The Gladiator Mojave X isn’t without its undeniable strengths, particularly for the seasoned wheelman. Its class-leading approach angle of 44.7 degrees is nothing short of phenomenal. As my colleague Aaron Bragman aptly noted, “The best approach angle here means you can get close to obstacles and not risk your front end.” This is a huge asset for technical off-roading, allowing drivers to tackle steep ledges and obstacles with supreme confidence, knowing the front bumper won’t become a casualty. For those serious about advanced off-road recovery gear or heavy-duty truck armor, that clearance is gold.
Furthermore, its low-range operation in 4-Low is truly exceptional. The Gladiator’s deep gearing combined with the well-modulated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivers precise throttle control that makes scaling challenging obstacles feel almost effortless. “It just climbs over with easily controllable throttle and minimal fuss,” Bragman observed. This analog feel, a hallmark of the Jeep brand, truly rewards an experienced driver who prefers to be deeply connected to the machine and the terrain. The Gladiator’s interior also champions this old-school philosophy, with a wealth of physical controls for climate, audio, and supplementary functions. In an era dominated by touchscreens, this tactile approach is a “welcome throwback,” as Brian Normile put it, making adjustments intuitive and keeping eyes on the trail. We also consistently praised its interior quality, which feels rugged yet premium, a testament to Jeep’s commitment to on-brand aesthetics and durable materials. For truck overland builds, this robust and practical interior is often a prime consideration. Finally, the Mojave X offers excellent hill-climb visibility, thanks to its low, narrow hood and a surprisingly effective forward camera view, aiding precise placement when cresting blind inclines.
Where the Mojave X Stumbles:
Despite its strengths, the Gladiator Mojave X showed significant weaknesses that impacted its overall score. Its Selec-Speed Control for hill descent was a consistent source of frustration. Unlike rival systems that offer smooth, controlled descents, the Mojave X’s system would frequently bring the truck to a jarring halt when only subtle inching was desired. As I experienced firsthand, “It would bring the vehicle to a halt when you just wanted to keep inching slowly down the hill and was very frustrating to use.” This lack of fine control can be genuinely unnerving on steep, technical descents and is a significant detriment for anyone seeking premium off-road suspension and control.
Perhaps its most glaring physical limitation is its poor breakover angle (20.9 degrees), the worst in our test, a direct consequence of its long wheelbase. On our rock crawl and even undulating terrain, the underside would frequently grind and bump, robbing confidence and reminding us that this “desert runner” is still prone to hanging up where shorter vehicles would clear. This long wheelbase also contributed to its poor high-speed off-road performance. Its solid front axle, while robust for crawling, felt clumsy and the steering vague at higher speeds, making it the “hardest truck to control through the whole course,” according to Normile. On the pavement, this translates to imprecise on-road steering, with the Gladiator tending to wander, requiring constant corrections.
Further criticisms included uncomfortable front seats—overly firm with minimal bolstering—which severely impacted long-distance comfort, particularly given the already cramped backseat. The modest 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 also felt underpowered for a truck of this size and capability, struggling to get up to highway speeds and leaving little in reserve for passing maneuvers, especially for those considering heavy-duty truck hauling. Lastly, attempts at dynamic maneuvers like jumps revealed a chassis that simply wasn’t tuned for airborne antics. “When the Gladiator landed, it landed hard, inducing a wince from me and killing its momentum,” Normile recounted, highlighting a fundamental mismatch with its “desert runner” branding.
2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: Hybrid Power, Technical Hurdles
Total Score: 527 / 750 points
The redesigned 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro arrived with immense anticipation, promising a new era of capability for the segment’s perennial sales leader. With its innovative 326-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid powertrain and unique IsoDynamic front seats, it’s a bold departure. Priced at $66,410, it aims to deliver a blend of performance and advanced technology. The TRD Pro performed admirably on higher-speed courses, demonstrating its “go-fast” intentions, but some puzzling design choices and an overly sensitive accelerator pedal ultimately hindered its overall ranking in slower, technical off-road scenarios.
What Shines in the TRD Pro:
Toyota’s investment in camera views for off-roading is immediately evident and highly effective. The large multimedia screen offers exceptional forward visibility, proving invaluable during challenging hill climbs and precise rock crawling. “The largest screen real estate gave me the best forward camera view,” Normile remarked, a sentiment echoed by Bragman who called it “maybe the best camera system here for rock crawling.” This feature alone significantly lowers the barrier to entry for novice off-roaders and enhances confidence for veterans.
The TRD Pro truly excels in high-speed off-road performance. Its suspension, featuring Fox shocks, maintains impressive stability and control, second only to the Ranger Raptor. This makes it a genuine contender for those who enjoy bombing down fire roads or traversing sandy washes. “Stability and control throughout the course were second to the Ranger Raptor, demonstrating why the TRD Pro is the ‘go-fast’ member of the Tacoma lineup,” Normile confirmed. On the street, the gas-electric hybrid powertrain’s immediate responsiveness is a standout. The abundant torque and quick transmission downshifts make for an eager and fun-to-drive experience, with ample power for passing on the highway. This is a significant factor for performance mid-size trucks that also need to serve as daily drivers. The IsoDynamic front seats, with their unique shock absorber system, genuinely minimize body motions during aggressive off-roading, keeping the driver planted and reducing fatigue. Finally, the TRD Pro produces a surprisingly satisfying exhaust note, adding to the thrill of aggressive driving, sounding “like I was driving a muscle car for the dirt,” as Normile enthusiastically put it.
Where the TRD Pro Misses the Mark:
Despite its innovations, the Tacoma TRD Pro is plagued by several drawbacks, particularly in slow-speed, technical situations. The touchy accelerator and brake pedals in 4-Low and Rock modes were universally criticized. The throttle proved “bizarrely jumpy and very, very difficult to modulate,” requiring a two-foot driving method to maintain smoothness over rocky obstacles, which is far from ideal for precise rock crawling. This inherent lack of finesse makes serious technical wheeling more challenging than it should be. Compounding this issue was the TRD Pro’s tire slippage, with its Falken WildPeak A/T AT3W tires lacking the traction of the competition, particularly at the peak of our slippery hill climb. For those considering best truck tires for mud or extreme terrain, this is a noteworthy limitation.
The much-touted IsoDynamic seats, while effective, come at a severe cost: a tight backseat that is “almost impossible for any length of time” for adult passengers, as Bragman lamented. This severely impacts the truck’s practicality as a family or adventure vehicle. Furthermore, the interior quality felt underwhelming for a truck pushing into the mid-$60,000 range. The abundance of “plasticky” and “cheap-feeling, hollow-sounding, hard plastic trim” was a common complaint, raising questions about its long-term durability and value, especially compared to luxury off-road vehicles. The multimedia system’s integration also felt disjointed. While the large screen is beneficial for cameras, most crucial truck systems are relegated to “fussy gauge cluster and steering-wheel controls,” making them less intuitive to manage than if they were on the massive central display. This extends to the instrument panel interface, which suffered from unintuitive menus, hindering quick adjustments. Lastly, while the digital gauges show tilt and inclinometer readouts in off-road mode, they’re too small to be genuinely useful at a glance, a critical oversight for real-time trail feedback.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Desert Stormer, Pavement Cruiser
Total Score: 629 / 750 points
The arrival of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor (with 2025 equivalent pricing of $60,730) brought the full-size F-150 Raptor’s high-speed off-roading DNA to the mid-size segment, and it did not disappoint. This truck is a masterclass in blending ferocious off-road capability with surprisingly refined on-road manners. It was designed to fly across deserts, and it does so with an unparalleled level of comfort and composure, making it our top pick for dynamic, high-speed off-road driving and the best to drive on paved roads. For those prioritizing performance truck suspension and a thrilling driving experience, the Ranger Raptor makes a powerful case.
What Defines the Ranger Raptor’s Excellence:
The Ranger Raptor truly shines in high-speed off-roading, where its wide-track suspension, Watts-link rear setup, and Fox Live Valve shocks work in perfect harmony. “Steering and handling are superb for this type of environment,” Normile enthusiastically declared. It carves sweeping corners with precision and devours rough terrain at speeds that would unsettle other trucks, offering an intoxicating blend of control and confidence. This chassis is a testament to Ford Performance engineering and makes it a dream for those who frequent open trails or desert washes.
Under the hood lies a formidable 405-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, an absolute powerhouse in this segment. Whether on a steep hill climb or passing on the highway, this engine delivers. “Ample power and easy modulation of that power let the Ranger Raptor deliver more oomph when needed to get over the hill,” Normile noted. On pavement, its “linear, predictable power, responsive nature, and lots of torque” (Hanley) make it a joy to drive, cementing its position as a true premium performance truck. Its hill descent system also proved to be one of the best, easing the truck down steep grades “steadily and smoothly,” according to Hanley, allowing the driver to focus on steering.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the Ranger Raptor delivers exceptional on-road ride comfort. In its Normal setting, the Fox suspension effortlessly soaks up imperfections, providing a level of composure and feedback that the other trucks simply couldn’t match. “The Ranger Raptor’s suspension doesn’t beat up occupants while providing a level of feedback and control the other trucks lack,” Normile observed. This makes it an incredibly livable daily driver. The seat comfort was also a unanimous hit among our editors, with supportive yet plush chairs that were “preferred for longer drives.” Finally, its ability to smoothly land jumps without drama, maintaining momentum into subsequent corners, underscored its superior chassis tuning for aggressive driving. For those seeking advanced off-road technology that truly performs, the Raptor delivers.
Where the Ranger Raptor Could Improve:
Despite its many virtues, the Ranger Raptor isn’t entirely without fault. The large, prominent side steps were a consistent point of contention. While they might look aggressive, “Those big side steps are not helpful in any way,” Bragman stated, as they frequently got “torn up on the rock obstacles.” Given the truck’s ample ground clearance, they are largely unnecessary for ingress and egress and become a liability off-road, hindering ground clearance and potentially requiring custom truck fabrication for removal or replacement.
The portrait-style 12-inch touchscreen, while large, proved less ideal for displaying external camera feeds. Its vertical orientation meant a “small viewing area for the external cameras” compared to the horizontal layouts of its rivals, which is a drawback for precise rock crawling where visual input is critical. The transmission gear selector also drew criticism for being unintuitive, with testers frequently confusing buttons, leading to awkward shifts. Lastly, while the front seats are comfortable, some editors noted a lack of lateral bolstering in the bottom cushion, which could be an issue during aggressive off-road maneuvers despite the supportive backrest.
2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison: The Undisputed King of Crawl
Total Score: 643 / 750 points
If there’s one truck that embodies the spirit of conquering the impossible, it’s the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. This isn’t just an off-road truck; it’s a purpose-built beast, developed in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). With its colossal 35-inch mud-terrain tires, towering 12.2 inches of ground clearance, and an arsenal of hardened components, the ZR2 Bison was truly the monster truck in our stable. It dominated the slow-speed, technical off-road tests, securing emphatic wins in rock crawling, hill climbing, and hill descending. For anyone serious about extreme off-road truck builds or overland builds, the Bison sets a new benchmark. It’s expensive, starting at $64,915, but it absolutely earns its premium.
What Makes the ZR2 Bison Unstoppable:
The ZR2 Bison’s rock-crawling capability is simply unparalleled. The advantages of its massive 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires were immediately apparent, providing incredible traction, superior damping over large rocks, and contributing to its best-in-test ground clearance. “The advantages of 35-inch tires on the Colorado quickly become clear — in ride quality over the steps, in damping over large rocks and in adding to the truck’s test-best ride height,” Bragman observed. Combined with front and rear locking axles and Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) shocks, it made light work of obstacles that would stop others dead.
Its hill descent control was equally impressive. The sheer grip of the 35-inch tires combined with a meticulously tuned hill descent system made steep descents a low-stress affair. “The big 35-inch tires helped the Colorado ease over the top of our hill descent with no issue, and they offered supreme grip on the way down,” I noted. Similarly, hill climb performance was exceptional, with the Bison cresting even the toughest inclines with ease, thanks to its superior ground clearance and excellent breakover angle.
Beyond its physical attributes, the ZR2 Bison stands out for its off-road tech usability and overall user interface. Chevrolet has struck a masterful balance between physical controls and touchscreen functionality. “The Colorado is the easiest to put into various off-road modes and to activate its various systems thanks to simplified controls and a big horizontal display screen with outstanding graphics,” Bragman remarked. The screen technology itself is top-notch, with a bright, vivid customizable digital instrument panel and a responsive, intuitive Google Built-In infotainment system. Apple CarPlay integration was seamless, enhancing the driving experience. Crucially for technical off-roading, the underbody cameras are a game-changer, making wheel placement incredibly precise and boosting driver confidence in challenging terrain. For those investing in advanced off-road technology, the ZR2 Bison delivers tangible value.
Where the ZR2 Bison Faces Trade-offs:
While the ZR2 Bison dominates off-road, its focus on extreme capability does come with some compromises for daily driving. The massive 35-inch mud-terrain tires that make it so formidable on the trail contribute to a “bouncier, floatier ride on pavement” than some competitors. While better than the Gladiator, it’s not as precise as the Tacoma or Ranger on asphalt, suffering from “vagueness and slow responses” in handling, as Bragman noted. This is a common trade-off for heavy-duty off-road tires, but it’s worth noting for city driving.
Predictably, its extreme setup also means that higher-speed off-roading isn’t its strong suit. The Bison “struggled at higher speeds,” with its higher center of gravity and less compliant suspension tuning at speed limiting confidence and pace. This was the only off-road test it didn’t win outright, highlighting its distinct preference for slow, technical maneuvers over desert blasting. Another practical consideration is that its 35-inch tires and heightened stance make it tough to get in, even for taller drivers. A driver’s-side grab handle would be a welcome addition to assist entry and exit. Finally, a significant oversight for such a capable truck is the absence of a rearview camera mirror. With the bed-mounted full-size spare tire severely obstructing the conventional rearview, “Driving on the highway with almost no rear view never felt safe,” Normile commented, making this a critical area for improvement and potentially requiring truck accessories for off-roading that offer alternative rear visibility solutions.
Final Verdict: Choosing Your Adventure Partner for 2025
The 2025 mid-size off-road truck segment is a vibrant battlefield, with each contender offering a unique philosophy and compelling capabilities.
The Jeep Gladiator Mojave X is for the purist, the experienced off-roader who values an analog, connected experience and excels in approach angles and low-speed finesse, despite its on-road compromises and frustrating hill descent tech. It’s a capable rig for truck overland build enthusiasts who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, or rather, the undercarriage dusty.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro showcases Toyota’s push into hybrid power, offering exhilarating on-road performance and impressive high-speed off-road prowess. Its advanced camera system is a boon, but the finicky throttle, questionable interior quality, and cramped backseat make it a truck that sometimes feels like a work in progress, struggling to balance innovation with execution in the most critical off-road scenarios. It’s an interesting choice for those seeking eco-friendly off-road vehicles without sacrificing power.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is the undisputed champion of high-speed off-road performance and remarkable on-road comfort. Its powerful twin-turbo V6 and sophisticated Fox Live Valve suspension make it a joy to drive aggressively off-pavement and surprisingly refined on it. If your adventures involve bombing down Baja-style trails or simply want a genuinely fun, capable truck for any terrain, the Raptor is a phenomenal choice, representing exceptional value in performance truck financing.
But for the ultimate in all-around technical off-road dominance, our expert panel unanimously crowned the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison as the best mid-size off-road truck of 2025. Its monstrous 35-inch tires, class-leading ground clearance, and an impeccably integrated suite of off-road tech make it an unstoppable force on rocks, hills, and challenging trails. While its on-road manners are a compromise, and entry requires a bit of a climb, the sheer confidence and capability it inspires when the going gets tough are unrivaled. For the enthusiast who lives for the toughest trails and seeks advanced off-road technology that simply works, the ZR2 Bison is the clear king.
Ultimately, the “best” truck always comes down to your specific needs and adventurous spirit. What trails are calling your name? What kind of challenges do you seek? This lineup of 2025 mid-size off-road trucks offers an incredible range of choices, each ready to write the next chapter of your off-road saga.
Ready to embark on your next great adventure? Explore these incredible machines and discover which one aligns with your vision of conquering the American wilderness. The trails are calling – will you answer?
