Are Americans interested in off-roading?

America’s love affair with off-roading isn’t slowing down any time soon. A new study shows that nearly two-thirds of American drivers are interested in taking an off-road road trip – a huge jump from last year.

according to Hankook Tire’s latest gauge index survey, Most respondents say they would like to go on an off-road adventure. The study surveyed 1,000 randomly selected American drivers over the age of 18.

This number is significantly higher than last year’s study, with younger drivers leading the way. But Gen X and Baby Boomers are not far behind:

• 64% of Americans want to go on an off-road adventure (up from 34% last year).
• 74% of Gen Z respondents are interested in off-roading.
• 72% of the Millennial generation say they would like to get off the sidewalk.
• 57% of Gen

As expected, the majority of drivers surveyed said they would choose an SUV first (with plenty of options to choose from). Pickup trucks were the next best option, and a very small number of heroes actually called sedans.

With limited adventure EV options, gas still reigns supreme. As expected, most respondents still chose internal combustion:

• 52% of respondents would choose an SUV for off-road adventures.
• 36% said they would like to get a pickup truck.
• 79% of SUV buyers will choose a gas-powered model.
• 87% of pickup buyers prefer gasoline over electric.

The survey also revealed where Americans really want to go. From a longer perspective, wilderness trails were the most popular destination, with 45 percent of respondents choosing that option. Desert terrain came in second place at 17 percent, with younger drivers showing a greater appetite for sandy landscapes than older generations.

Motor1’s Opinion: The results are similar to what we’ve seen across the industry. Off-road-focused vehicles remain popular. Whether those vehicles actually see more dirt than the gravel parking lot remains to be seen, but the study is interesting nonetheless.