What’s Best for Overlanding: SUV or Pickup Truck?
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When shopping for a robust overland platform, you have two categories to pick from: SUVs or pickup trucks. I had the opportunity to test drive a 2025 Toyota 4Runner and a Tacoma in the overland-ready Trailhunter trim, which allowed me to explore the pros and cons of SUVs versus pickup trucks for overland travel.
One of the first questions you should ask yourself is where you plan to travel and with whom. The passenger capacity and available payload of a four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle are critical factors to consider, as these features cannot be modified once you take delivery of your vehicle. Most other stuff can be addressed by the aftermarket. As for off-road capability, do you need a hard-core off-roader or simply a robust 4WD platform that has reasonable off-road capability and is still comfortable as a daily driver? From two-door SUVs to heavy-duty pickup trucks, making a final decision can feel overwhelming. To help you narrow it down, consider the following criteria.
Passenger Capacity and Comfort
The passenger capacity of an SUV is one of its main advantages. A few SUVs can be configured with three rows of seating to accommodate a family of travellers. As for comfort, a long-wheelbase platform will improve comfort when travelling long distances on the tarmac. For the best of both worlds, a full-sized SUV will be the way to go. However, if you have fewer than five passengers, a pickup truck will be just fine, but it may be a bit tight for the passengers in the back of a mid-sized pickup. If your preference is still for a pickup, you may need to consider upgrading to a full-size model for the added room and comfort provided by its longer wheelbase. If you choose a heavy-duty pickup, however, the ride will likely be stiff unless you’re carrying a heavy load.
Payload and Towing Capacity
The specific payload capacity of a 4WD vehicle is listed on the vehicle’s B-pillar and must not be exceeded for safety reasons. The available payload is for passengers, gear, and, if towing, the tongue weight of the trailer is to be considered as well. For those criteria, the pickup truck may be the way to go, especially if you need to tow a heavy load or carry a camper, as pickup trucks usually have a better payload and towing capacity than SUVs (unless you upgrade to a full-sized SUV, at which point the numbers can become closer). SUVs have an advantage when it comes to carrying equipment in the cargo area – they provide a dust-free environment for your gear, which is a bit more challenging to control in a pickup truck. In comparison to a pickup with an open box, an SUV will also provide more security for your gear. In hot weather, if, like many overlanders who go on extended trips, you carry a 12V fridge/freezer, it will use less energy when the fridge is installed inside the cargo area versus a pickup box. It’s the same thing if you only carry a cooler with ice; if your vehicle’s air conditioning is running, it will help keep your cargo area cooler. On the other hand, a pickup box may be a crucial feature for you if you need more vertical space for cargo.
Sleeping Accommodations
Both platforms can accommodate a rooftop tent, which only requires a few accessories for its installation. If you travel solo, an SUV has the added advantage of its cargo area, which can be used as a sleeping platform if you want to take the minimalist approach. Still, you need an SUV with a level cargo floor (although there are many aftermarket options to create an interior sleeping platform). Sleeping inside a vehicle provides better protection from environmental hazards and from potential human threats. I like the extra security offered by sleeping inside an SUV, as you can easily jump into the driver’s seat and drive off if needed.
For more than one traveller, a rooftop tent will provide extra room. With an SUV, your roof’s carrying capacity will limit the size and weight of the rooftop tent that you can safely carry on your vehicle. You’ll have to consult your owner’s manual and verify the roof’s dynamic weight capacity (the maximum load you can safely carry when the vehicle is moving). The static weight capacity is not always provided, but it is much higher to accommodate the extra weight of people sleeping in the tent. You can definitely feel the difference when driving around with a roof load such as a rooftop tent on an SUV, so it's essential to keep the weight as low as possible.
There are numerous aftermarket accessories available to accommodate a rooftop tent over a pickup box. Considering that a pickup box is designed to carry a load, it provides a better platform for a rooftop tent setup. A pickup box can also accommodate various types of campers; thus, the pickup platform provides you with more options for your sleeping arrangements.
If you want to keep things simple for occasional trips, consider a ground tent, as you don’t need a rooftop tent or a fancy camper to go on an overland adventure. A rooftop tent is cool, but that cool factor may wear off quickly after a few uses in real life. There are pros and cons to using a rooftop tent or a camper, and it will require a substantial investment to purchase one.
Off-Road Capability and Durability
A 4WD vehicle with a shorter wheelbase, such as a mid-size SUV, will have better manoeuvrability on the trails and a better breakover angle. However, while a two-door SUV will provide better off-road performance overall, its payload and passenger capacity will be limited. Regardless of whether you opt for an SUV or a pickup, many overlanders upgrade their vehicle’s suspension and install bigger tires to gain more ground clearance and to improve their vehicle’s breakover angle. A smaller 4WD vehicle checks more boxes, as when the trail gets narrower, a full-sized SUV or pickup will be an issue, especially if you care about your vehicle’s paint and don’t want to pinstripe it too much. In terms of durability, a vehicle with a 4WD platform is more robust than an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle, such as a crossover or a compact pickup truck.
Fuel Economy/Range
Many variables can impact your fuel economy and range, so there is no clear winner between the SUV and pickup truck platforms in terms of these criteria. While you can easily carry extra fuel in a pickup box, in an SUV, you’ll need a roof rack or other exterior accessories to transport that extra fuel in jerry cans, as they cannot be safely stored inside a vehicle.
Aftermarket Support
Many overlanders like to personalize their vehicle with accessories, so the aftermarket support available for your vehicle of choice may be something else to consider. Many manufacturers – including Toyota – are now going all in on overlanding to capitalize on this popular trend, but ultimately, choosing the best 4WD vehicle for overlanding is a personal decision.
