Words by Robert Everett
Introduction
College is an exciting period of life when all you want to do is enjoy the freedom and explore the world. Therefore, mobility is one of the top priorities, and the most popular means of transportation, as well as most practical, is by a car. Students more often travel in groups, in order to cut the expenses or for any other reason. If you always have a lot of people on your journeys and you like to go out into the wild for a weekend then you need a car that can endure the most challenging outdoor situations. As students more often than not, can't afford to buy the best 4x4 vehicles on the market the choice is rather limited.
The best affordable 4x4s
When the selection is narrow, one has to consider priorities. According to research, in more than 13 percent of the case, car accidents represent the cause of death among college students. Therefore, safety is the top priority which we need to take in consideration, not only with cheap off road cars but any other type of transportation. More than alcohol, college students tend to experience car accidents due to mobile phone use. It’s important to remember that, just like when you’re too tired to write your own paper and you decide to pay Edubirdie for essay writing services, it’s best to have someone else drive instead of you when you’re busy talking or making plans online while inside a vehicle. Now let’s take a look at those five beasts we have prepared for you.
FJ40
After 24 years of successful production, Toyota FJ40 went into legend in 1984, ultimately becoming one of the most iconic vehicles for enthusiasts all over the world. This is a durable piece of work which still rolls the mountain roads and deserts even though it’s been more than 35 years since the last model came down the production line. It won’t give you too much in terms of aesthetics, it’s not that kind of a ride, but it will keep you safe and provide a lot of comfort for you and your friends. It can work as a city ride and take you to the other side of the mountain at the same time.
Image by brett67 from Pixabay
Land Rover Discovery
The British off-road monster is one of the most iconic mid-size SUVs that the 90s era produced. It's extremely safe and stable even though from the outside it appears boxy and robust. The interior of the vehicle is utterly utilitarian which means you won't have too many distractions during your ride with as many as 6 other friends that can tag along with you for a ride off-road. The connection between college students and Land Rover Discovery grew even tighter when the famous car manufacturer started “4x4 in schools” challenge. This event inspires young people to take part in a worldwide competition where the winner is the team that creates a 4x4 radio controlled vehicle build to specifications.
Photo by Tom Pottiger on Unsplash
Subaru Forester
Another 90s star that made its way into the 21st century as an affordable SUV solution that works well both off-road as it looks and feels good in the city. Subaru Forester combines the luxury of providing optimal comfort for a reasonable price, which is not that typical for cheap 4x4 SUVs. There’s a lot of space for baggage, which makes Forester an ideal camping ride for you and your friends. You can’t fit more than five people inside, which is not as appealing as some other options on the market. Nevertheless, for those of you who need a lot of equipment and gear for research or logging purposes, this is a great choice.
Photo by Sam Manns on Unsplash
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
After more than 3 million units produced in the period between 1983 and 2001, this model is still very much a desired 4x4 off-road vehicle. Available in three and four-door version, this compact SUV is perhaps one of the most durable pieces of machinery dedicated for transport. Cherokee XJ is the first American off-roader with a fully integrated unibody design, making this model a moving fortress for anyone who rides inside. As it's built to endure a lot of stress, this is a perfect mountain getaway vehicle in the winter period.
Photo by Tobi from Pexels
Isuzu Trooper
Just like a real trooper, this one is built to take you anywhere and keep you safe at all times. Even though the first generation was just too basic, the second generation of this vehicle introduced more luxury and comfort, as well as engine power. Even though it’s not the most aesthetically appealing, its third-row bench design allows you to place six more people inside, or use the last bench to create a safe area for your pets, if you decide to take them along with you. Due to its price range and available features, this is perhaps one of the best used 4x4 affordable SUV solutions on the market.
Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels
Conclusion
As college students, it's difficult to balance social life, college, and work. Trips to nature and camping vacations with your friends and loved ones is a rare opportunity to blow off some steam and stay focused on getting your degree. As 4x4 vehicles are some of the most expensive massively produced automotive industry products, finding an affordable and secure solution is not easy. We hope that this article will help you find your next mechanical buddy and that you'll have the most memorable adventures together.
Author’s Bio:
Robert Everett is a freelance writer and car enthusiast who runs his own blog dedicated to automotive industry trends for college students. His work so far has included writing and editing for several high rated publishers. In order to write, Robert finds inspiration in the latest automotive events across the world.
Information sources:
https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.15288/jsa.1990.51.536
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3200/JACH.53.3.101-108