One of the best choices for drivers keen on buying a boxy car is the 2023 Lexus GX, which offers a comfortable driving experience on and off the road.
Drivers have also spoken highly about the iconic Jeep Wrangler and how it’s the perfect choice for outdoor trips given its history, seeing use in World War 2.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2023 model is another excellent choice for drivers interested in finding a boxy vehicle for their offroad adventures.
Boxy vehicles have a lot more in common than their looks, often rocking excellent offroad capabilities coupled with powerful performance that lets them tow and haul heavy cargo. Since there are so many options, it’s difficult to narrow down which vehicles you should take if you’re keen on going on an outdoor adventure.
Here are 10 of some of the best boxy cars of 2023 if you’re keen on traveling off the beaten path in favor of traversing rockier, wilder terrain.
2023 Lexus GX
The 2023 Lexus GX, like most boxy vehicles, offers roomy interiors and excellent offroad performance, making it the perfect partner for an outdoor adventure. Image credit: Lexus USA Newsroom.
The 2023 Lexus GX, like most boxy vehicles, offers roomy interiors and excellent offroad performance, making it the perfect partner for an outdoor adventure. Thanks to its size and make, this vehicle offers a pleasant, comfortable driving experience all around.
However, despite the many benefits the Lexus GX has to offer, it has some issues with its acceleration, making it feel sluggish to drive at times. In addition, the fact that its tailgate swings to the side makes it difficult to open in tight spaces.
Engine Specs: 4.6-liter V8
Curb Weight: 5,192 lbs
Max Towing Capacity: 6,500 lbs
Power: 301 hp
Torque: 329 lb-ft
2023 Jeep Wrangler
Arguably one of the most iconic boxy cars is the Jeep Wrangler. This vehicle has roots that go back to World War 2. Image credit: Edmunds.
Arguably one of the most iconic boxy cars is the Jeep Wrangler. This vehicle has roots that go back to World War 2. Allied soldiers used the Wrangler frequently for its ability to drive over almost every kind of terrain and carry troops and cargo without much trouble. Its unique shape and iconic looks make it instantly recognizable. Its excellent offroad performance is hard to match, and the fact that it has a convertible top makes it very attractive.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is another iconic offroad vehicle with a boxy look, but what makes this vehicle so attractive is its powerful performance and tremendous offroad capabilities. Image credit: Edmunds.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is another iconic offroad vehicle with a boxy look, but what makes this vehicle so attractive is its powerful performance and tremendous offroad capabilities. As a testament to its timeless look, its appearance hasn’t changed much over the past four decades.
Despite its many strengths, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class unfortunately comes with some downsides. While its performance is excellent, drivers have remarked that it’s difficult to get out of and it doesn’t have a lot of storage space. It also doesn’t handle too well when driving on pavement since it was designed with offroad use in mind.
Engine Specs: 4.0-liter V8
Curb Weight: 5,554 lbs
Max Towing Capacity: 7,000 lbs
Power: 416 hp
Torque: 450 lb-ft
2023 Rivian R1S
If you’re looking for a boxy, outdoorsy vehicle that runs on an electric engine, the 2023 Rivian R1S might be one of the best. Image credit: Edmunds.
If you’re looking for a boxy, outdoorsy vehicle that runs on an electric engine, the 2023 Rivian R1S might be one of the best. This vehicle is as powerful as it is stylish, rocking a unique look with a beefy electric engine that can provide enough power for it to go over 300 miles before needing to be recharged.
On top of that, one of the biggest strengths of the Rivian R1S is its consistently stellar performance. It’s even capable of accelerating from 0-60mph within 3 seconds thanks to its powerful electric motors.
Engine Specs: Electric
Curb Weight: 6,915 lbs
Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Power: 421 hp
Torque: 494 lb-ft
2023 Land Rover Defender
Another boxy car worth investing in is the 2023 Land Rover Defender, one of the most effective and efficient offroad vehicles. Image credit: Edmunds.
Another boxy car worth investing in is the 2023 Land Rover Defender, one of the most effective and efficient offroad vehicles. This ride in particular is known for the many quality-of-life features it offers such as its air suspension and adaptive damping, both of which smoothen out drives over potholes and other uneven terrain.
However, one downside that many drivers have complained about is its poor fuel economy, though that’s to be expected with a vehicle as large and bulky as the Land Rover Defender. This means it’s expensive to drive since it burns through a lot of fuel relatively quickly.
While the 2023 Chevy Express might not be as versatile as some of the other vehicles on the list, it’s significantly cheaper relative to its size, power, and performance. Image credit: Edmunds.
While the 2023 Chevy Express might not be as versatile as some of the other vehicles on the list, it’s significantly cheaper relative to its size, power, and performance. It’s also worth mentioning that the Chevy Express might not seem like the best option for an outdoor adventure, but many drivers modify it to give it excellent offroad capabilities.
Even if you put modifications aside, the Chevy Express is a great choice for long-distance drives with lots of passengers, namely road trips with friends or family.
Engine Specs: 4.3-liter V6
Curb Weight: 6,331 lbs
Max Towing Capacity: 9,200 lbs
Power: 276 hp
Torque: 298 lb-ft
2023 Toyota 4Runner
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is a generally well-received and well-liked vehicle known for its offroad capabilities and helpful safety features. Image credit: Toyota USA Newsroom.
Last but certainly not least is the 2023 model of the Toyota 4Runner – a generally well-received and well-liked vehicle known for its offroad capabilities and helpful safety features. Its boxy frame gives it a rugged aesthetic that many drivers look for in their offroad vehicles, making it a popular choice for more adventurous people.
Despite its many benefits, it’s worth mentioning that the Toyota 4Runner is not a perfect vehicle. Many drivers have also remarked that its fuel economy is quite poor despite its excellent performance.
Engine Specs: 4.0-liter V6
Curb Weight: 4,750 lbs
Max Towing Capacity: 5,00lbs
Power: 270 hpTorque: 278 lb-ft
How to Get Replacement Parts Compatible With Your Vehicle
All vehicles, boxy or not, need fully functional components to operate. If any of your vehicle’s auto parts become inoperative or malfunction in any way, its performance will be drastically reduced. To prevent this from happening, drivers must remain vigilant and replace bad parts as soon as possible. This can be tricky since not every component is compatible with every vehicle.
Fortunately, finding auto parts designed to work with your car is easy with the help of CarParts.com.
The best part? You don’t have to take one step outside your home. Simply download our mobile app or check out our website. Use our vehicle selector and input your vehicle’s exact year, make, model, and engine. This way, you can easily find auto parts designed for your vehicle.
We only source our auto parts from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Each item in our catalog is carefully selected by a team of professionals to guarantee quality and reliability. You won’t have to worry about your new auto parts failing you any time soon.
Don’t hold off on replacing inoperative components. Browse our collection now at CarParts.com.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
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