Subaru Makes The Only Compact SUV That Can Actually Go Off-Roading

The Bronco Sport and Jeep Wrangler are small SUVs that are built to go off-road, but, by and large, any small SUV that isn’t a dedicated off-roader is likely to have a hard time on the trail. For instance, the entry-level 2026 Ford Escape starts you off with a 180-hp three-pot in front-wheel drive, with less than eight inches of ground clearance. Hardly an off-road beast.