Kentucky is a pretty good place to own an adventure vehicle.

We have mountains to the east, lakes throughout the state, miles of back roads, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, off-road parks—and plenty of beautiful places where pavement isn't necessarily part of the plan.

But here's the thing:

You don't have to spend every weekend crawling over rocks to enjoy owning an adventure vehicle.

For many people, a Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Gladiator, Subaru Wilderness, or similar 4x4 is simply fun to own.

At Richmond Car & Truck Center in Richmond, Kentucky, that's one reason we love finding and selling these vehicles.

They're interesting.
They're capable.
And unlike another ordinary crossover, they make you want to go somewhere.

If you're shopping for a used adventure vehicle in Kentucky, here are some of our favorite choices—and what you should know before buying one.

What Is an Adventure Vehicle?

There's no official definition.

For us, an adventure vehicle is something that combines everyday usability with the capability to take you beyond your normal routine.

That could mean:

Exploring Kentucky back roads
Driving in snow and bad weather
Heading to the lake
Camping
Hiking
Kayaking
Hunting or fishing
Towing a small camper
Traveling to the mountains
Taking the top off and enjoying a summer afternoon
Or simply driving something that has some personality

Some adventure vehicles are serious off-road machines. Others are comfortable AWD vehicles that give their owners additional capability and confidence.

The right adventure vehicle depends on your adventure.

Jeep Wrangler: The Original Adventure Vehicle

It's hard to have this conversation without starting with the Jeep Wrangler.

The Wrangler has become an icon because very few vehicles offer the same combination of personality, capability, customization, and open-air driving.

Depending on year and configuration, used Wranglers can offer:

Two-door or four-door configurations
Removable tops
Removable doors
4WD
Strong aftermarket support
Off-road-oriented packages
Multiple engine choices
Manual or automatic transmissions
Tremendous customization potential

For serious off-road capability, Wrangler Rubicon models are particularly desirable.

But here's something we tell shoppers:

Don't assume you need a Rubicon.

If your adventure consists primarily of camping, gravel roads, snow, trails, kayaking, or weekend trips, a Wrangler Sport, Willys, Sahara, or another configuration may provide everything you actually need.

Buy the Wrangler that fits your lifestyle, not simply the badge with the most equipment.

Ford Bronco: The Wrangler's Serious Rival

When Ford brought the Bronco back, it didn't build another ordinary SUV.

It went straight after the Wrangler.

And that's great for used adventure-vehicle buyers.

The Bronco combines serious off-road capability with modern technology, distinctive styling, removable roof options on many models, and an enormous range of configurations.

Depending on the Bronco, shoppers may find features such as:

Advanced 4x4 systems
Terrain management modes
Removable doors
Removable roof panels
Available locking differentials
Larger off-road tires
Trail-oriented technology
Sasquatch packages
Serious ground clearance

A Bronco can work just as well parked outside a restaurant in Lexington as it does heading toward a trail in Eastern Kentucky.

And that's part of its appeal.

Jeep Gladiator: Wrangler Personality With a Truck Bed

Can't decide between a Jeep and a pickup?

That's essentially the reason the Jeep Gladiator exists.

The Gladiator combines much of the Wrangler's personality and off-road capability with the usefulness of a pickup bed.

That makes it particularly interesting for people carrying:

Camping equipment
Mountain bikes
Kayaks
Hunting gear
Tools
Coolers
Outdoor equipment

Like the Wrangler, Gladiators are available in several configurations ranging from everyday 4x4 pickups to serious off-road machines.

The Gladiator isn't necessarily the right truck for everyone.

But for the right owner?

There really isn't much else like it.

Toyota 4Runner: Legendary Simplicity and Capability

The Toyota 4Runner has developed an incredibly loyal following, particularly among people who want a rugged SUV they can keep for a long time.

Used 4Runners also tend to remain highly desirable.

Depending on year and trim, shoppers can find configurations ranging from comfortable daily drivers to serious adventure-oriented models such as TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro.

One of the 4Runner's greatest strengths is versatility.

You can commute in it Monday through Friday, load it with camping equipment Friday night, and head somewhere completely different Saturday morning.

That's exactly what an adventure vehicle should do.

Toyota Tacoma: Adventure With a Pickup Bed

The Toyota Tacoma belongs in the conversation for many of the same reasons as the 4Runner.

It's manageable enough to use every day but capable enough to become a serious recreational vehicle.

TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models are especially popular with outdoor enthusiasts, but even other 4WD Tacoma configurations can make excellent adventure trucks.

The Tacoma also has one of the largest aftermarket communities in the truck world.

If you're dreaming about racks, tents, lighting, recovery equipment, larger tires, or an overlanding setup, chances are somebody has already built exactly what you're imagining.

Subaru Wilderness: Adventure Without Giving Up Everyday Comfort

Not everybody needs a body-on-frame 4x4.

That's where vehicles such as the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, Forester Wilderness, and Outback Wilderness become really interesting.

Subaru's AWD system, useful ground clearance, practical interiors, and Wilderness packages make these vehicles excellent choices for people whose adventures involve:

Camping
Hiking
Snow
Gravel roads
Mountain roads
Kayaking
Cycling
Long-distance road trips

They're also generally easier to live with every day than a more dedicated off-road vehicle.

For the person who spends 90% of their time on pavement but wants confidence when the pavement ends, a Subaru Wilderness can be a fantastic answer.

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and GMC Canyon AT4

Want something a little different?

Don't overlook the adventure-oriented midsize trucks from Chevrolet and GMC.

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is particularly impressive because it's more than an appearance package. It's designed with real off-road capability in mind.

The GMC Canyon AT4 and AT4X take a similar idea in a slightly different direction.

These trucks can offer an excellent combination of:

Pickup utility
Off-road capability
Manageable size
Modern technology
Everyday comfort

For someone who doesn't want a full-size truck but needs more utility than an SUV, midsize adventure trucks deserve a serious look.

Nissan Frontier PRO-4X

The Nissan Frontier PRO-4X sometimes gets overlooked—and that's exactly why we like talking about it.

It's a traditional midsize pickup with real 4x4 capability and an off-road-oriented package.

On the used market, a Frontier can sometimes represent an interesting alternative to a Tacoma, particularly for buyers trying to maximize what they get for their money.

And sometimes the vehicle everybody else overlooks is where the value is.

Lexus GX: The Adventure Vehicle in a Suit

Here's one buyers don't always think about.

The Lexus GX.

It looks like a luxury SUV because it is one.

But underneath that comfortable interior is a vehicle with legitimate 4WD capability and a platform that has developed a strong following among overlanding and adventure enthusiasts.

A used GX can be an interesting choice for someone who wants:

Toyota-family durability + real 4WD capability + luxury + adventure potential.

It might not look like the obvious choice sitting beside a modified Wrangler.

That's part of what makes it cool.

Which Used Adventure Vehicle Is Best?

There isn't one.

We'd break it down with something like this:

If You Want...	Start Looking At...
Open-air fun	Jeep Wrangler / Ford Bronco
Serious off-road capability	Wrangler Rubicon / Bronco off-road configurations
Jeep capability plus a bed	Jeep Gladiator
Long-term SUV versatility	Toyota 4Runner
Adventure pickup	Toyota Tacoma
Comfortable AWD adventure	Subaru Wilderness
Midsize off-road truck	Colorado ZR2 / Canyon AT4
Alternative midsize 4x4	Frontier PRO-4X
Luxury + adventure capability	Lexus GX

But specs only get you so far.

Drive them.

A Wrangler feels different from a Bronco.

A 4Runner feels different from a Subaru.

A Gladiator feels different from a Tacoma.

Part of choosing an adventure vehicle is discovering which one makes you turn around and look at it again after you park it.

We think that matters.

What Should You Check When Buying a Used Adventure Vehicle?

This category requires a little more attention than an ordinary used crossover.

Why?

Because some adventure vehicles have actually had adventures.

When we're evaluating one, we want to understand its history and condition.

Pay particular attention to:

Vehicle history
Previous accidents
Undercarriage condition
Evidence of off-road damage
4WD system operation
Suspension condition
Tires and unusual tire wear
Steering
Fluid leaks
Aftermarket modifications
Lift kits
Oversized tires and wheels
Electrical modifications
Signs of towing or hard use

Modifications aren't automatically bad.

A properly installed quality lift, wheels, tires, bumpers, or other accessories can make a vehicle more desirable to the right person.

Poorly installed modifications are a completely different story.

How the work was done matters.

Is It Better to Buy a Stock or Modified Jeep, Bronco or 4x4?

There's an argument for both.

A stock vehicle gives you a clean starting point and allows you to build it exactly the way you want.

A properly modified vehicle can save thousands of dollars if it already has the wheels, tires, suspension, accessories, or equipment you planned to add.

Our advice?

Don't buy modifications just because they're there.

Buy good modifications that fit what you want to do with the vehicle.

A $5,000 accessory package isn't worth $5,000 to you if you don't need it.

Adventure Vehicles Make Great Used Vehicles

There's another reason we like this category at Richmond Car & Truck Center:

Used can make a lot of sense.

Adventure vehicles can get expensive when purchased new—particularly once you start adding off-road packages, larger wheels and tires, upgraded trim levels, technology, and accessories.

Buying used can let someone step into a better-equipped Wrangler, Bronco, Gladiator, 4Runner, Tacoma, Subaru Wilderness, or other adventure vehicle without absorbing the entire cost of buying new.

And sometimes the previous owner has already paid for the accessories you wanted anyway.

That's worth looking for.

Find Your Next Adventure Vehicle in Richmond, Kentucky

At Richmond Car & Truck Center, we don't want our inventory to look like every other used-car lot.

We intentionally search for vehicles that are interesting, desirable, useful, and sometimes just plain cool.

Adventure vehicles are a big part of that.

We look for Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Gladiators, Ford Broncos, Toyota 4Runners, Toyota Tacomas, Subaru Wilderness models, off-road trucks, 4x4s, specialty SUVs, and other vehicles built for people who want to do more than commute.

Our Richmond, Kentucky location makes us convenient for adventure-vehicle shoppers throughout Lexington, Berea, Winchester, Nicholasville, Georgetown, and Central Kentucky.

And every RCTC retail vehicle is prepared with our commitment:

Buy With Confidence.
Completely Serviced.
Safety Inspected.
Professionally Detailed.

Plus:

NO DOC FEES. EVER.

Whether your next adventure is a trail in Eastern Kentucky, a weekend at the lake, a camping trip to the Smokies, or simply taking the top off your Jeep and enjoying a Kentucky back road—the vehicle is part of the adventure.

Come see what we've found at Richmond Car & Truck Center in Richmond, Kentucky.

Making Friends. Selling Cars. The Right Way.