Best concept trucks & utility vehicles of 2016: Our 8 top picks

Most of these concepts actually came to fruition...nice.

Our best concepts of 2016 list this year is a bit different, focusing less on sexy sports cars and glossy exotics (though there’s nothing wrong with that).

Instead, lets take a look at the vehicles that will take us off the beaten path — whether it’s an upcoming production model sport utility or an off-roader none of us will likely ever own. This list of 8 includes the most popular on tractionlife.com the past year.

1 – Jaguar I-PACE Concept

The big auto shows this year showed up with some goods, including the I-PACE Concept unveiled at the LA Auto Show — Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle, and it’s an SUV.

Update: 2018 saw the I-PACE hit the market, here’s a full review at Car&Driver.

2 – Nissan Navara Enguard Concept

Nissan Navara EnGuard Concept Rescue Truck rolling
Nissan Navara Enguard Concept. Photo: Nissan

The Nissan Navara Enguard Concept unveiled at the 2016 Hannover Motor Show may be the future of rescue trucks; electric-powered and equipped with a drone, the base Navara pickup nameplate is familiar overseas, but definitely not this version.

3 – Mercedes-Benz X-Class Trucks

Mercedes-Benz is jumping into the truck-game as well, showing us their new premium X-Class lineup, powered by a V6 diesel and matted to a 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. The X-class may actually hit the market as soon as late 2017.

4 – RAM Rebel TRX Concept

As far as most-badass goes, we might give that honour to the RAM Rebel TRX Concept, claiming to be the world’s most powerful half-ton pickup ever produced.

Update: the new TRX is here; here are some off-road accessories for the new pickup.

5 – Subaru XV Concept

In contrast, the Geneva Motor Show brought us the least-badass vehicle, but an important one for the automaker nonetheless: the Subaru XV Concept, promoting Subie’s Dynamic X Solid design philosophy. We’re not sure what that means exactly, but we like it.

6 – Ford Bronco

Then there are rumours of a Ford Bronco hitting the market (is it still a rumour after Ford accidentally spilled the beans on a US-produced Bronco following Trump’s harsh words on OEMs leaving the country? Who knows). We digress. Either way, this Bronco concepts comes from the eager beavers at Bronco6G.com — a group dedicated to this iconic domestic sport utility.

Update: Indeed, the Bronco is finally here.

7 – Subaru VIZIV-7

subaru-viziv-7-suv-concept
VIZIV-7. Photo: Subaru

LA also hosted the debut of Subaru’s first, real full-size SUV: the VIZIV-7. With plans to hit dealerships early 2018.

Update: say hello to the new Subaru Ascent SUV launched in 2018.

8 – Jeep Crew Chief 715 Concept

Last but not least, the hardcore, US-Army fit Jeep Crew Chief 715 Concept that’s part Wrangler, part Kaiser Jeep M715 — paying homage to the army workhorse Gladiator offered back in the 1960s.

Update: Jeep’s pickup is back with the Gladiator.

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News Editor
News Editor
Bringing the latest news including release dates, pricing announcements, product updates. With some glossy concepts and special edition rides in the mix.