When you think of the sexiest cars of all time your mind is probably initially drawn to the Lamborghinis, the Ferraris and the Bugattis of this world. But spare a thought for the humble boxy workhorse that is the 4×4. Traditionally, these are not vehicles that were built to be aesthetically pleasing. They were built for function over fashion – to be rugged beasts that could take on any terrain without breaking a sweat.
But there are still a few notable exceptions, where the designers allowed some mechanical beauty to shine through the brawn. So, without further ado, here are five of the best-looking 4x4s of all time.
Land Rover Defender
Now hear us out. It might be a common sight on many farms and country estates across the country but there is something undeniably grand about the classic Land Rover Defender that just screams “elder statesmen.” With a decent suspension lift and a few aesthetic modifications, it can even be altered to look even more imposing. This is before we even begin to mention the latest iteration of the Land Rover Defender released in 2019 which is about as beautiful as it’s possible for such a naturally boxy vehicle to be.
Jeep Wrangler
There is no vehicle on earth that screams 4×4 quite like the Jeep Wrangler. There are dozens of iterations to choose from here but they all share a similar design principle – bigger is better. If you’re really into pushing your vehicle to its off-road limits but still want something that is going to make jaws drop, the Wrangler is always a safe option.
Suzuki Jimny
When it comes to lightweight off-road vehicles, Suzuki is pretty much the king. With its ladder-frame chassis and a total weight of just over 1100kg, the Jimmy is arguably the peak of the brand’s “small but capable” ethos. Best of all, it looks incredibly unique. There is perhaps no other 4×4 on the market that could be referred to as “cute” but take one look at a Jimny and you won’t be able to deny its charms. Unfortunately, it was withdrawn from sale in the UK last year but there are rumours it could be returning as a commercial vehicle.
Toyota FJ40
Like a slightly more sophisticated version of the Jimny, this little number has been appreciating in number for years now and with good reason. It’s an elegant and classic little knock around that can become a real beast with the right upgrades. It’s also famously reliable. That’s Japanese engineering for you though. Yes, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a great 4×4 but it’s the FJ40 that’s the real special model that will still be worth as much in 20 years as it is today.
Bentley Bentayga
A new kid on the block, this absolute beast of a supercar is the first-ever 4×4 made by the luxury car giant and it’s an absolute beauty. If you’re into that sort of thing. It might set you back as much as two top-tier Range Rovers but what you’re getting with the Bentley Bentayga is something completely unique. This is a car that is as powerful and luxurious as it is powerful and it’s surprisingly capable of going off-road too. You might need to take out a second (or third) mortgage to afford one though!
Image: Teddy Leung / Shutterstock.com
