The 10 Best Off-Road Vehicles You Can Buy Right Now

In light of the emmasculation of U.S.-market "trucks" over the last 20 years, Popular Mechanics has published a list of the 10 Best Off-Road Vehicles You Can Buy Right Now.  In their words,

Vehicles have gone soft lately as SUVs and pickups have prioritized fuel economy and comfort over all-out off-road capability. For most buyers, that's a good thing. But plenty of truck buyers still enjoy a romp in the mud, and these 10 rides are for them.

Naturally, as the pinnacle of off-the-dealer's-lot vehicular capability, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is found at the top of their list:

When a collection of hardcore off-road-duty parts came together in the TJ version of the Jeep Wrangler in 2003, it was as if every four-wheeler’s dream list of components had been built into Jeep’s most capable platform. And for more than a decade since, the Wrangler Rubicon has been the benchmark 4WD SUV.

Today’s Rubicon package adds hardware such as Dana 44 axles, a 4:1 transfer case for easy slow-speed crawling, and a swaybar disconnect system to free up the suspension when the Jeep needs additional suspension flex on the toughest trails.

From the article, it sounds as if the new Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition is a continuation of the 10th Anniversary Rubicon, with its upgraded bumpers, red tow hooks, and blacked-out trim.