The Top 5 Off-Road Electric Vehicles of 2025
Silent power meets rugged terrain: five trailblazing electric 4x4s are proving that battery-powered trucks and SUVs can conquer the backcountry, pairing instant torque and high-tech features with zero tailpipe emissions.
Electric vehicles are charging into even the muddiest and rockiest corners of the auto market. Once the domain of roaring V8s, off-road driving is now being revolutionized by EVs that deliver mountains of torque in eerie near-silence. Automakers new and old are racing to offer capable electric trucks and SUVs, recognizing that buyers want eco-friendly options that don’t sacrifice adventure. The result is a 2025 crop of off-road EVs that are as comfortable crawling over boulders as they are cruising the highway. These vehicles marry cutting-edge battery and motor tech with time-tested 4×4 hardware, showing how electrification is energizing the rugged SUV and pickup segment.
The benefits for off-road enthusiasts are clear. Electric motors provide instantaneous torque for climbing and hauling, with fine-grained control that can make traversing tricky terrain easier. Many of these EV adventurers come with adaptive air suspensions, “terrain mode” software, and even innovative tricks like tank turns and crab-walking capabilities. And because they produce no exhaust, they let drivers enjoy the sounds of nature on the trail (aside from maybe a sci-fi hum of an EV drivetrain). There are downsides too – notably high weight from massive battery packs and lofty price tags – but demand is growing fast. From California’s Rubicon Trail to the dunes of the Middle East, electric off-roaders are beginning to make their presence known.
Below, we profile five of the best off-road-capable EVs on sale in 2025, spanning purpose-built newcomers and electrified legends. Each is in production and globally available (no vaporware concepts here), and each brings a unique flavor to the emerging electric off-road scene. We’ll examine what makes them stand out – from range and power to suspensions and software – and why they matter in this pivotal moment for the automotive industry.
GMC Hummer EV
GMC’s Hummer EV reboots an off-road icon for the electric era – in characteristically extreme fashion. This massive pickup (and SUV) packs a battery roughly the size of a small pool and up to 1,000 hp of electric muscle, enabling outrageous feats like 0–60 mph in 3 seconds. Crucially, it hasn’t forgotten its off-road roots: the Hummer EV offers up to 15.9 inches of ground clearance via an air suspension (enough to ford over 2.5 feet of water), plus tricks like 4-wheel steering with CrabWalk mode that lets it move diagonally around obstacles.
If subtlety is what you seek, look elsewhere. The GMC Hummer EV – available as a crew-cab pickup or a slightly shorter SUV – is an exercise in electric excess, very much in the spirit of the original Hummer H1 and H2. It weighs over 9,000 pounds and spans nearly 7 feet in width, dominating any trail (or parking spot) it’s on. But GMC has harnessed that bulk with some truly advanced off-road tech. A highlight is the available Extract Mode, which uses the adaptive air suspension to jack the vehicle up by about 6 extra inches at the push of a button. In Extract Mode, the Hummer EV Pickup achieves that towering 15.9-inch ground clearance and ridiculous approach/departure angles (approach angle can exceed 49º) to climb over large boulders or out of deep ruts. This mode, combined with the Hummer’s Underbody Armor plating and standard 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires, makes it impressively hard to immobilize. As one dealer put it, “this behemoth of a truck offers a ground clearance of 11.9 to 15.9 inches and water-fording capability up to 32 inches” when fully raised – numbers that edge out even modified Jeep Wranglers.
Another party trick is the Hummer’s four-wheel steering system. At low speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees in phase with the front wheels, enabling the much-publicized CrabWalk. In this mode, the truck can drive diagonally – useful for navigating around tight switchbacks or lining up on a trail without multiple back-and-forth maneuvers. Even in normal operation, the four-wheel steer dramatically tightens the turning circle for such a long vehicle, making it more maneuverable on narrow trails. The Hummer EV also features multiple off-road drive modes (including an appropriately named Terrain mode) and one-pedal driving capability for precise control on technical obstacles. With its width and weight, it’s not an off-roader for faint of heart, but it can do things few other vehicles of any kind can.
The Hummer EV’s specs are as gigantic as its presence. The flagship Edition 1 and 3X trims use a tri-motor setup (one front, two rear) good for an estimated 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of wheel torque – enough to chirp all four tires on pavement launches. Even the dual-motor versions churn out around 625 hp. The largest 212 kWh Ultium battery (buried in a double-stacked pack) gives the Hummer EV Pickup an EPA range of about 329 miles in real-world use, while GMC cites up to ~350 miles under ideal conditions. (The slightly shorter Hummer EV SUV has a bit less range, around 300–314 miles with its 20-module battery pack.) Thanks to 800-volt fast-charging, this beast can gulp down electrons at up to 350 kW, adding about 100 miles of range in 10 minutes under optimal conditions. Of course, all this comes at a steep price: the Hummer EV starts around $90,000 (when available – early models sold well above MSRP), and fully loaded models easily top $110k. Still, demand has far outstripped supply since its 2022 debut. Availability is mostly in North America; GM has delivered Hummer EVs in the U.S. and Canada, and a few have popped up in markets like the Middle East, but its sheer size likely precludes official sale in Europe’s tighter streets. For those who can manage its proportions (and expense), the Hummer EV offers an unmatched blend of off-road capability and sheer electric spectacle – truly a “supertruck” for the electrified age.
Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck looks like it drove straight off a movie set, but underneath the stainless steel skin lies a formidable off-road machine. It features adaptive air suspension giving up to 16 inches of ground clearance, an ultra-tough exoskeletal body, and a tri-motor powertrain on higher trims that targets 0–60 mph in under 3 seconds. Add in approach and departure angles on par with dedicated 4×4 rigs (approach angle can exceed 35º) and the Cybertruck is poised to be a true trailblazer – literally – once it hits dirt in large numbers.
Few vehicles have generated as much buzz as the Tesla Cybertruck, which finally began initial production in late 2024. With its sharp-edged, stainless steel unpainted body and armored glass windows, the Cybertruck is a radical departure from any traditional pickup – Tesla CEO Elon Musk unabashedly calls it “the vessel for an electric future.” But beyond the polarizing looks, Tesla did give the Cybertruck serious off-road credentials. The truck’s adaptive suspension offers multiple heights, including an Extract/Very High setting that lifts it to the full 16-inch clearance for off-road use. In this mode, testers have measured approach angles up to ~39–40°, breakover ~26°, and departure ~28° – impressive figures that mean the Cybertruck shouldn’t scrape its nose or tail on steep terrain. The suspension uses rugged air springs and adaptive dampers (reportedly sourced from Bilstein) with roughly a foot of travel, allowing it to soak up bumps and articulate over uneven ground. Complementing that is an advanced four-wheel drive system: dual-motor AWD is standard on launch models, while the range-topping trim (nicknamed “Cyberbeast”) sports three motors. Tesla even enabled a kind of rear steering (the rear wheels can adjust angle slightly) to tighten the turning radius – not quite a full crab-walk, but every bit helps given the truck’s notable length.
In typical Tesla fashion, the Cybertruck is packed with tech features that can aid off-roading. It has selectable drive modes (including Overland and Baja modes) that adjust ride height, traction control aggressiveness, and even allow on-the-fly torque bias adjustments between the front and rear motors. For tricky descents or ascents, it offers hill-hold and hill-descent control. And when it comes to fording water, Tesla claims a special Wade Mode will pressurize the battery and raise the suspension to let the Cybertruck drive through up to 32 inches of water – about as much as a lifted Jeep. Unlike some competitors, the Cybertruck’s drivetrain includes locking differentials (front and rear) for maximum traction, though early reviewers noted the software to engage them was not active at launch and awaited a Tesla OTA update. This kind of over-the-air tweakability is a hallmark of Tesla, and it could mean the Cybertruck’s capabilities expand over time.
On paper, the Cybertruck’s core specs are impressive for an off-road pickup. The dual-motor version is estimated to deliver around 325 miles of EPA range per charge, while the single-motor base model (due later) should get about 250 miles. Opting for the top tri-motor variant adds power at some cost to range – Tesla quotes roughly 320 miles for the performance-oriented Cyberbeast (or ~300 miles with the optional all-terrain tire package). Notably, Tesla plans to offer an add-on “Range Extender” auxiliary battery that can boost range to nearly 470 miles in the dual-motor trucks, an interesting solution for long expeditions. When it comes to torque and towing, the Cybertruck is no slouch: Tesla says even the mid-level AWD model can tow 11,000 lbs, and the tri-motor should comfortably exceed that. With ~845 horsepower on tap in tri-motor form, plus the instantaneous response of its electric motors, the Cybertruck promises both sports-car speed and work-truck strength. Initial pricing has the dual-motor versions around $80,000 and the tri-motor around $120k (founder editions cost more), putting it in competition with the Hummer EV and top-trim Rivians. Deliveries have started in the U.S. (a few dozen were handed over in late 2024), and Tesla aims to ramp up production through 2025 to meet hundreds of thousands of reservations worldwide. If the Cybertruck lives up to its billing, it could bring EVs deep into markets like ranching, construction, and of course recreation – places trucks like the Ford F-150 have long ruled. And it will do so with unapologetic futuristic flair, essentially forcing the off-road world to glimpse what a post-gasoline future might look like.
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is a pioneering electric pickup that blends serious off-road hardware with long-distance electric range. An adjustable air suspension allows the R1T to raise up for 14.9 inches of ground clearance, letting it clamber over obstacles and even wade through 3 feet of water. With quad-motor all-wheel drive available (one motor per wheel), it can deliver over 1,000 horsepower and pinpoint torque distribution for outstanding traction on difficult terrain.
Rivian’s R1T made waves as one of the first electric pickup trucks on the market, and it remains one of the most off-road-capable EVs you can buy. Roughly the size of a mid-range crew cab truck, the R1T was engineered from the ground up for adventure. It features standard all-wheel drive (dual-motor in base form, or an optional quad-motor setup) and an adaptive air suspension that can self-level and adjust ride height on the fly. In its highest Off-Road setting, the R1T’s suspension gives it that towering 14–15 inches of clearance, plus steep approach and departure angles to clear steep ledges. Rivian also outfits the truck with underbody skid plates and tow hooks, and it offers dedicated off-road drive modes (for sand, mud, snow, etc.) that tweak the truck’s responses for different surfaces. The result is a truck that MotorTrend said “proves that the perfect off-roader can be electric,” thanks to its combination of instant torque and clever chassis tech.
Despite all this rugged ability, the R1T doesn’t skimp on the fundamentals. Its battery options provide excellent range – the 2025 update introduced a new Max battery pack that can exceed 400 miles on a charge (about 420 miles at best). Even the standard Large pack delivers around 300+ miles of EPA range in real-world use, so R1T owners can venture far down remote roads before worrying about charging. And when it is time to recharge, the R1T supports DC fast charging and Rivian is building out its own Adventure Network of high-speed chargers near popular outdoor destinations. In terms of power, the quad-motor version cranks out a whopping 1,025 hp, launching the truck 0–60 mph in as little as 3 seconds on pavement. That power can be invaluable off-road too – with each wheel controlled independently, the R1T can claw its way up slippery rocks where lesser 4x4s might struggle.
Rivian also infused the R1T with a lot of ingenuity aimed at outdoorsy users. The truck sports a signature “Gear Tunnel” – a cargo passthrough between the rear seats and bed – for stashing gear like skis, camping supplies or recovery equipment securely. The lockable frunk (front trunk) provides additional weatherproof storage. You can even outfit the R1T with accessories like a slide-out camp kitchen that fits in the Gear Tunnel. Inside, the five-seat cabin is modern and tech-centric, yet durable and easy to clean after a muddy outing. Starting around $72,000 in the U.S. for the dual-motor version, the R1T is positioned as a premium truck, but its combination of capabilities and well-thought-out features give it strong value against both electric and gasoline rivals. It’s currently sold in North America (with Rivian eyeing expansion to Europe) and has quickly become a favorite of adventure travelers who want to tread lightly. The R1T’s successful launch has even prodded legacy automakers to step up their EV truck game – a testament to how this upstart has helped define the electric off-road genre.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV (G 580)
The G-Class, Mercedes’ off-road icon, enters the electric age with the 2025 G 580 4MATIC – and it hasn’t lost its mountain-goat pedigree. This all-electric G-Wagen packs four motors (one per wheel) for true torque-vectoring 4×4 performance, churning out a combined 579 hp and 859 lb-ft. It retains a ladder frame and low-range gearing, enabling feats like climbing a 100% grade and fording 33.5 inches of water – all while delivering an estimated 239-mile EPA range on battery power alone.
For decades the G-Class (or “G-Wagen”) has been synonymous with go-anywhere luxury, from Saharan dunes to Alpine snow. Now Mercedes-Benz has reinvented this legend for the EV era without diluting its character. Externally, the electric G 580 looks much like its combustion cousin – boxy silhouette, upright windshield, and even a spare tire hanging off the rear door. Underneath, however, it’s a different beast. Instead of a thundering V8, there’s a 116 kWh battery pack integrated into the ladder frame. And instead of driveshafts and locking diffs, four individually controlled electric motors directly power each wheel. This setup effectively gives the electric G torque-vectoring AWD and even the ability (in theory) to perform a “tank turn” by spinning left and right wheels in opposite directions – a trick Mercedes has demoed in prototypes, echoing what Rivian showcased on its R1T. Power is abundant: around 579 horsepower in this initial G 580 model, which launches the hefty SUV from 0–60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Critically, the electric G maintains a two-speed transfer case (with a low-range gear) to multiply torque for crawling. With the instantaneous response of its motors, this G can scramble up rocks with practically no throttle lag, a boon for delicate off-road maneuvers.
Mercedes ensured the off-road stats remain impressive. Ground clearance is about 9.8 inches in standard mode – on par with a stock petrol G550 – and the suspension is fully independent front and rear (a change from the solid front axle on old G’s) for improved on-road comfort without compromising trail capability. The G 580 is built to tackle extreme angles and sideslopes; it’s rated for up to a 35-degree lateral tilt and can climb or descend slopes of 45 degrees (100% gradient) without losing footing. Thanks to clever packaging, the EV battery is mounted low but sealed and protected, enabling a water fording depth of 33.5 inches (85 cm) – essentially the height of the wheels. In testing, it even floors quietly through nearly three-foot-deep water, something few luxury SUVs would dare. Mercedes also gave it a “Transparent Hood” camera system, which stitches camera views to let the driver virtually see the terrain directly under the front of the vehicle – extremely useful when cresting hills or navigating obstacles you’d otherwise be blind to. And while the G’s hefty weight (estimated around 6,800 lbs) and brick-like aerodynamics do impact efficiency, Mercedes engineers still managed to target roughly 220–250 miles of real-world range on a charge. (In European WLTP testing it’s expected to score around 430–480 km.) DC fast charging is supported at rates over 200 kW, so topping up from 10% to 80% might take about 30–40 minutes on a high-power station – not bad for an electric “tank.”
Where the electric G truly shines is in blending old-school charm with new-age tech. The interior is as plush as you’d expect for a G-Class starting north of $160,000 – sumptuous leather, real wood and metal trim, and the latest dual-screen Mercedes MBUX infotainment system. Yet it’s also built to get dirty: the G 580 with EQ tech comes standard with underbody armor, side rock sliders, and a roof rack, anticipating that owners might actually take it off the beaten path. Early reviewers who rode in prototypes noted that the EV has an eerily quiet ride on trails, broken only by the synthesized “G-ROAR” sound feature that can emit a throaty rumble through speakers for those missing an engine note. As a nod to tradition, Mercedes even gave the EV a simulated gearshift sound when switching the transfer case, preserving a bit of mechanical theater. The first units of the electric G-Class are expected to reach customers in late 2024 and into 2025, initially in Europe and the U.S., with limited production. Competition in the luxury electric off-road space is slim – its main rivals are likely the Rivian R1S and the upcoming Range Rover EV – but the G 580’s blend of pedigree and performance may set it apart. For the well-heeled adventurer who wants to traverse mountain passes in silence and style, this electric Geländewagen might just be the ultimate ride.
Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S takes the R1T’s electric off-road formula and packs it into a family-friendly SUV. It shares the pickup’s quad-motor AWD option and air suspension, allowing this seven-seat SUV to achieve the same lofty 14.9-inch max ground clearance and tackle tough trails with ease. Despite seating for seven and luxury appointments, the R1S is a true body-on-frame adventurer – one that boasts up to 410 miles of driving range (with the largest battery) to venture far off-grid.
Think of the R1S as the R1T’s adventure-ready sibling – one with an enclosed SUV body and third-row seating. Rivian developed the R1S on the same platform as its truck, meaning the SUV inherits the robust off-road hardware that makes the R1T shine. In fact, with its shorter wheelbase, the R1S can be even more nimble on tight wooded trails. Approach and departure angles are excellent (thanks to minimal overhangs), and like the truck, the R1S can wade through about three feet of water and traverse surprisingly extreme side slopes without drama. Rivian offers an optional underbody shield package for the R1S to protect the battery pack when clambering over rocks. There are also accessories like an integrated roof rack and even a bespoke Rivian rooftop tent – underscoring that this EV SUV is aimed squarely at overlanding enthusiasts and active families.
On the road, the dual-motor R1S and the mighty quad-motor R1S both deliver exhilarating acceleration – up to 850 hp with the Tri-Motor configuration or 1,025 hp with the Quad-Motor, identical to the truck. That means 0–60 mph as quick as ~3 seconds in a three-row SUV, should you need to outrun a mountain goat. More practically, all that power lets the R1S tow around 7,700 pounds or carry a full load of passengers and gear up steep grades without strain. Perhaps more impressive for an SUV of this size is its range: with the newly available Max battery pack, the R1S can travel up to 410 miles on a charge, putting it among the longest-range EVs on the market. Even the mid-tier Large pack (around 330 miles EPA) provides plenty of buffer for a weekend of camping and off-roading. And like the R1T, the R1S can fast-charge at rates adding roughly 140 miles in 20 minutes, making long road trips to national parks feasible.
Inside, the R1S blends luxury and utility. The interior materials have a premium feel (Rivian pitches it as an adventure-luxe brand), and the tech is cutting-edge – though some reviewers note the absence of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as a downside. The second and third rows fold flat, turning the R1S into a cavernous cargo hauler when needed. One neat trick for camping: the R1S has a “Camp Mode” that can auto-level the suspension on uneven ground, so you can sleep inside without rolling into your companions. Such touches show how Rivian has tried to anticipate the needs of outdoor explorers. Starting around $78,000 in the U.S. for the base dual-motor model, the R1S is positioned against high-end petrol SUVs (like the Land Rover Defender and Lexus LX) – and it has quickly proven that an EV can keep up with those stalwarts off-road. The R1S is currently only in North America, but global interest is high. As one of the few three-row electric SUVs with serious off-pavement chops, it’s carving out a niche of its own in 2025.
Conclusion
In 2025, the frontier of off-road driving is being redrawn by electricity. These five EVs – Rivian’s innovative pickup and SUV, GMC’s behemoth Hummer, Tesla’s sci-fi truck, and Mercedes’ reborn icon – highlight the breadth of approaches to making a competent off-road vehicle without a drop of gasoline. They arrive at a time when demand for adventure vehicles is high, but so is the urgency to reduce emissions. By delivering trail-ready capability along with the efficiencies of EVs, they represent an inflection point for the auto industry.
There are still challenges to overcome. Weight remains a concern – battery packs make most of these EVs heavier than their gas counterparts, which can be a liability in mud or soft sand. Long-distance range under strenuous off-road conditions (think low-speed crawling or using accessories at camp) can shrink quickly, and recharging far from the grid is a hurdle that will require creative solutions (portable solar? trailhead chargers?). Furthermore, the high purchase prices of these first-generation off-road EVs mean they are out of reach for many enthusiasts for now. As technology improves and scale increases, we can expect more affordable electric 4x4s and longer-range batteries to follow.
Yet it’s remarkable how much has been achieved already. In a span of just a few years, electrics have proven they can do practically everything hardcore off-roaders demand: rock-crawl, ford water, handle extreme angles, tow heavy loads, and go the distance into wilderness (with some planning). And they do so with unique advantages – instantaneous torque that makes technical driving easier, quiet operation, and fewer moving parts to break or maintain (no oil changes before hitting the trail!). Manufacturers are also leveraging software updates to continually improve performance after purchase, something unheard of in traditional 4WDs.
The best off-road EVs of today provide a compelling glimpse of the future: one where adventurers can enjoy nature with a lighter footprint, and where capability doesn’t come at the expense of sustainability. As charging networks expand into remote areas and next-gen batteries push range higher, the old objections to electric 4x4s are steadily being eroded. In the meantime, the early adopters piloting R1Ts over Moab slickrock, Hummer EVs through swampy trails, or quietly cruising a Cybertruck under the desert stars are living proof that the electrified off-road revolution is well underway. The terrain ahead is challenging – but as these vehicles show, the path forward is clear and the torque is always there when you need it.
Sources: The information in this article is based on manufacturer specifications and independent reviews, including Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book, MotorTrend, and official press releases, among other sources.