The 22 Best & Badass Off-Road Adventure Vehicles of 2017

Over the past year, we have picked our favourite off-road vehicles and adventure machines, from recreational to serious off-the-grid beasts.

When you start losing hope in humanity, the current state of government is letting you down, or the daily 9-5 grind is taking its toll, what do you do? You leave. Shut off your devices, ignore the mass media and their fear-mongering, stop reading the clickbait headlines, forget all the hoopla, and just take off.

But going off-the-grid requires the right vehicle (and the right attitude, like adventurer Mike Horn and his G-Wagon). And while you don’t necessarily need a Corvette-powered Defender, a personal tank, or an insane Sprinter van to recharge, if you’re looking for more than just fresh air, we both know any of these adventure vehicles will add a few extra days (or weeks) to any excursion.

Project Viper Defender 130

Project Viper Defender 130 rear rolling
Project Viper Defender 130

Rolling on huge 20″ custom wheels and powered by a 430-hp Corvette engine, the Project Viper Defender 130 is what custom SUVs are all about.


Ripsaw EV2 Personal Tank

Ripsaw EV2 Personal Tank
Ripsaw EV2 Personal Tank

Everyone needs a tank, right? The Ripsaw EV2 personal tank by Howe and Howe Tech might just be the answer. But expect 6+ months to get one.


The Tinger Track ATV: A Supreme Off-Roader

Tinger Track ATV in the forest with hunter holding rifle
Tinger Track ATV

There is nothing wrong with traditional ATVs and their wheels, but should they not get you where you want to go, try hopping on a Tinger Track ATV instead.


Lamborghini Aventador SV Speedboat

Lamborghini Aventador SV Speedboat sideview
Lamborghini Aventador SV Speedboat

An unexpected family incident “regrettably” forces the sale of this incredible Lamborghini Aventador SV speedboat at $2,199,000 US.


The 760hp X-Raid by Ares Design

ares design x raid g63 suv front
The 760hp X-Raid by Ares Design

Based on the G63 off-roader, the X-Raid by Ares Design will traverse cliffsides and reach 250km/hr on the highway for nearly US$700k.


Valhalla 4×4 Camper

Valhalla 4x4 Camper front profile
Outside Van Valhalla 4×4 Camper

Not happy with your Sprinter van? Make it a Valhalla 4×4 camper. Portland-based Outside Van specializes in converting the Mercedes Sprinter into a drool-worthy, tricked-out camper.


A 608-Horsepower Porsche 918 Spyder Off-Road Concept

Porsche-918-Spyder-off-road-concept
Porsche 918 Spyder Off-Road Concept

Designer Rain Prisk imagines what the Porsche 918 Spyder would look like for anyone looking to play in the wild with a crazy 608-hp rocket.


Shelby Baja Raptor

2018 shelby baja raptor front
Shelby Baja Raptor

Shelby unveils its latest off-road creation: the new $116,815 US Baja Raptor, which will receive major upgrades to the suspension, power, and looks.


The Surgo Mountain Rescue Vehicle

Surgo Mountain Rescue Vehicle rear
The Surgo Mountain Rescue Vehicle

Watches to vehicles, the Warsaw, Poland-based design team 2sympleks creates the ultimate rescue machine – The Surgo.


The Arkonk 1991 SHACKLETON Defender D110 Adventure Edition

1991 SHACKLETON Defender D110 Adventure Edition by Arkonik exterior 17
Arkonk 1991 SHACKLETON Defender D110 Adventure Edition

UK-based Arkonik specializes in Land Rover Defender; their latest is the 1991 D110-Series SHACKLETON Adventure Edition.


The Zebra Boat by Designer Dimitri Bez

Zebra Boat
The Zebra Boat by Designer Dimitri Bez

Zebra Boat, an electric, wooden creation for the seas with room for 8 to 10 friends, comes from designer Dimitri Bez.


Velocifero Mad

velocifero mad
Velocifero Mad

Velocifero Mad is a hybrid of a mini-scooter and an electric bike. It offers six models and five motor options.


The Bollinger B1 Sport Utility Truck

bollinger-b1 front
The Bollinger B1 Sport Utility Truck

Bollinger B1, the world’s first all-electric, AWD, sport utility truck amid sustainability hype.


The New Rezvani Tank

rezvani motors tank military car front profile
The New Rezvani Tank

US$178,000 Tactical Urban Vehicle by Rezvani built for any off-road and on-road challenge, with thermal night vision.


Volkswagen’s Super-sized California XXL Concept

Volkswagen California XXL concept rear
VW California XXL Concept

The California XXL Concept, unveiled at IAA, is a larger version of the existing California camper van based on VW’s Crafter platform.


Bentley Continental GT Rally Edition

Bentley Continental GT Rally Edition front
Bentley Continental GT Rally Edition

Bentley Continental GT Rally Edition, initially built for National Geographic’s “Supercar Megabuild” show, mixes luxury with dirt.


The 630-hp Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet SUV

Mercedes-Maybach G 650
Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet SUV

The first off-roader by Mercedes-Maybach, the 630-hp V12-powered Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet SUV, limited to 99 units, goes on sale in fall of 2017.


Patriot Campers LC79 Super Tourer

Patriot Campers Supertourer LC79 Landcruiser 79 Series rear
Patriot Campers LC79 Super Tourer

Patriot Campers takes Toyota’s Land Cruiser series to a new level with the highly customizable LC79 Super Tourer.


2017 Nissan Titan PRO-4X Project Basecamp

Nissan TITAN XD PRO-4X Project Basecamp
Nissan TITAN XD PRO-4X Project Basecamp

2017 Nissan TITAN XD PRO-4X Project Basecamp for the backcountry debuts at Overland Expo 2017 WEST in Flagstaff, Arizona.


Chevy Colorado ZR2 Off-Road AEV Concept

Colorado ZR2 AEV SEMA concept rear
Chevy Colorado ZR2 Off-Road AEV Concept

Built for SEMA with help from Michigan-based American Expedition Vehicles, this Colorado ZR2 is built for uncompromising adventure seekers.


Arkonik’s COLUMBUS D110 Defender

Arkonik COLUMBUS D110
Arkonik’s COLUMBUS D110 Defender

Arkonik’s COLUMBUS D110 Defender is ready to haul all that gear. It is equipped with a 2-inch lift kit, 16-inch Kahn wheels, and a roof rack.


2017 50’ Marauder GT R Boat

2017 50’ Marauder AMG
2017 50’ Marauder GT R Boat

Celebrating ten years of partnership and AMG’s 50th anniversary, the 2017 50’ Marauder GT R is a marvel from Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing.

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Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.