Compact SUV as a Bug Out Vehicle?

R

RenegadeMonk

Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
254
I was wondering if anyone here has a specific vehicle for bug out situations (escape and evasion). Typically, 4X4s and SUVs are the norm for such vehicles, but what about Compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V or Hyundai Santa Fe?

With gas prices getting higher than ever, and the fact that I have a tiny driveway, a compact SUV may be a good alternative to a larger SUV. However, I have also been told that compact SUVs tend to have little off road capabilities. Are there any examples to support this claim?

-Mike
 
I got my wife Jeep Liberty, and its pretty compact. As far as off road capabilties go, I give it an A, I have taken that thing through some nast crap, and deep snow as well. No problem at all. You should see her face when I bring it back to her dripping with mud and crap. PRICELESS
 
If you want compact, get a dual-sport bike. That way, you can get one for the wife too. And maybe some for the kids. They're a blast, and good on gas.
 
I bought a used 2006 Jeep Wrangler with low mileage a month ago. I drove one in the service and I really love this vehicle. Simple, strong, easy to work on and parts everywhere. I have been driving a Dodge Ram 1500 Crew cab or something similar for years now while the boys where growing up. It was like driving around in your living room. The boys are grown now. :thumbup::cool:

The Wrangler is great. Much better gas mileage it handles great and I get around 350 miles on a tank of gas on the highway. That would allow us to easily get to our second house in NH without a fill up. As far as off roading, its a jeep. What more do I need to say.:thumbup:

KR
 
I am in the process of looking for a '85-86 Toyota 4runner, for this very purpose, 4cylinder means Good gas mileage...4x4 that is a big plus in the bug out vehicle...and room for family .+ I want it to look plain jane nothing to fancy,factory size tires ,factory height do not wanna stick out in a crowd ,parts available at most auto stores... plus it is a Toyota....
 
RenegadeMonk said:
I was wondering if anyone here has a specific vehicle for bug out situations (escape and evasion). Typically, 4X4s and SUVs are the norm for such vehicles, but what about Compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V or Hyundai Santa Fe?

With gas prices getting higher than ever, and the fact that I have a tiny driveway, a compact SUV may be a good alternative to a larger SUV. However, I have also been told that compact SUVs tend to have little off road capabilities. Are there any examples to support this claim?

-Mike
Click to expand...


Well, I guess the question is, where are you going? Does your BOL require a bunch of offroading to get to, or are you just concerned that the highways will be blocked and you'll have to pull around someone on a deep, muddy shoulder?

I have a 4x4 for a BOV but in all honesty I could probably make it all the way in in my mom's old corolla...but then I wouldn't have as much of my stuff with me!

If you don't have a BOL, then I would worry about that before the BOV anyway!
 
RenegadeMonk said:
I was wondering if anyone here has a specific vehicle for bug out situations (escape and evasion). Typically, 4X4s and SUVs are the norm for such vehicles, but what about Compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V or Hyundai Santa Fe?

With gas prices getting higher than ever, and the fact that I have a tiny driveway, a compact SUV may be a good alternative to a larger SUV. However, I have also been told that compact SUVs tend to have little off road capabilities. Are there any examples to support this claim?

-Mike
Click to expand...

I own something like one of these and I own what I call real SUV's.

I have found that the Four drive systems work fine on the compact suv's, as far as problems go, they do not have enough ground clearance and you hardly ever see people equipping their suv's with the tires that are needed for off road use. IMHO


If you run pavement and passable dirt roads they work great.:thumbup:

If you want speed for your bug out ride, take the 4X4 Mitsubishi Evo for a ride, they are a blast to drive and you will not get those dirty looks that I get for driving SUV's. :D
 
Mrs. Powernoodle's '08 AWD CR-V is a great vehicle for running around town, but I doubt that it could handle anything off road.

IMG00268.jpg
 
If that's whatcha got, then it's your BOV...I have an older Suburban and a mid sized Nissan Pathfinder (older also) and given the choice I opt for mass. If I knew I'd be heading off the pavement, I'd go for the smaller Pathfinder.

I don't see why the smaller CRV's wouldn't work. Great for zipping in and out of the fleeing masses.

I once had a 4 banger '86 Nissan 4x4 p/u. 5 speed....Best vehicle I ever owned.
 
here's my "COMPACT" ride...:o it's a 97' toyota rav-4... it gets great gas mileage, but is just a little on the small side for our family/lifestyle... we have to have th box on pretty much everytime we camp.... the space is pretty limited, compared to my old SUV..:( if i put my 100 lb. dog in the back i have no room for anything else...:thumbdn: but it gets the job done...:D

IMG_1895.jpg
 
Darnit, do I get to trot out my Pajero again? :D
I'm getting around 23-24 MPG on diesel with my Pajero, which a 7-seater (currently 5-seater) at around 4200 lbs. It's basically a Montero with higher available options than you could get in the USA, and full factory skid-plated. Very capable offroad, even though I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet. Big enough to take my wife and toddler to Costco and still bring the stroller. :thumbup: Sorry guys, Canadians only for this one. USA only allows 25-year-old imports! We get 15, so mine's a 1992. Imported/shipped/registered it with 94K km for under $8000 CDN all-in.
paj1.jpg
 
I would argue that without a tow winch to pull your vehicle out of spots that are really steep or deep, you're not really well protected in all types of terrain.

Thoughts?
 
Agreed, and if you're cheap like me, a manual come-along can slowly bail you out, if you think it would be the exception rather than the rule (getting stuck that is).
[reminder to self: get one of those ordered ASAP]
 
Yes and no...I don't bother with a winch but I do have a turfer head and a hundred feet of cable...think of it as a come-along on steroids. I could pull my truck out of a ravine with that thing, whether I had battery power or no.
 
texastonydobbs said:
I am in the process of looking for a '85-86 Toyota 4runner, for this very purpose, 4cylinder means Good gas mileage...4x4 that is a big plus in the bug out vehicle...and room for family .+ I want it to look plain jane nothing to fancy,factory size tires ,factory height do not wanna stick out in a crowd ,parts available at most auto stores... plus it is a Toyota....
Click to expand...

+1 on the Toyota 4runner.
The best compact/midsize SUV I have ever driven. It's my dream vehicle since I was 10 years old. IMO, the older generation 4Runners are better BOV than the 2002+ models. Its the perfect size for me, just enough to fit my family and some camping stuff and just the right size to squirm your way through traffic. When equipped with a TRD charger, it almost like a V8 but not too much gas guzzler.

DSC03623.jpg
 
How about one of the new FJ Cruisers?
Seems very capable off road, not too huge. Put a box or rack on top.
Plus, it is a Toyota. Have y'all seen the torture test Top Gear did of the Hilux (Tacoma) ? They soaked it in water, blew a building up under it, and it still worked with a little one-man tinkering.
I trust Toyota.
(Don't know how it performs off road, but that funny-looking Honda Element is interesting)
 
Toyota 4runner or pick up are great for off road. If you dont mind something small and no family check out the old Suzuki Samorai.. Its not heavy duty but so small and light that it would go anywhere with no problems....
 
The Isuzu Rodeo/ Honda Passport seems capable too, anyone here has one?

The new FJ Cruiser is really nice, but I would prefer the old FJ as a bug out vehicle due to it's simplicity. I prefer to stay away from the newer models that is run primarily by computer chips.
 
I have a 92 22RE toyota pic up with 4x4, front and rear detroit lockers, 31" tires, winch and such with a top ready to go. Mileage is decent about 20 in the city. Easy to work on, and fix on the trail. Mine has 325K miles and is still running like a top.

Planning on moving on to an older 4 runner. What is mileage like for you guys who own them?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top