Not Just For Soccer Moms: 25 Awesome Trucks and SUVs

Face it, the vast majority of SUVs you see out there are wimpy soft-roaders piloted by soccer moms who think they're cool and the vast majority of pick-up trucks are spotless grocery-getter piloted by Southern boys who are just inexplicably attracted to pick trucks.

If one looks though, one can still find a real truck or SUVs; a vehicle that was meant to accomplish things, no matter what the terrain. These are the AWD behemoths that are actually cool.

25 Ass-Kicking Trucks And SUVs.

Manly Engine: 4.0L V6

Why it Kicks Ass: When the Explorer first came to be, it was little more than a truck with an extended roof and some additional seats. That means that it had all the capability of a truck while offering the comfort and luxury of a modern SUV.

Manly Engine: Not really.

Why it Kicks Ass: Aside from the ridiculously dangerous plastic seats in the bed, the BRAT is a fantastic platform for an off-roader or rally raid car with a little modification.

Manly Engine: A 4.1L I6 and to a 5.7L V8.

Why it Kicks Ass: It's just as good at beach cruising as mountain climbing.

Manly Engine: 5.4L Supercharged V8

Why it Kicks Ass: This slammed and supercharged Ford truck can do a 0-60 in a little time as a Maserati GranTurismo. Unlike the Maser, it can also tow a boat or carry a load home from the lumber yard.

Manly Engine: 6.6L AMC V8

Why it Kicks Ass: Back before some marketing executive came up with the term "Sport Utility Vehicle" Jeep was making an awesome off-roader with day to day versatility.

Manly Engine: 3.7L Super Hurricane I6

Why it Kicks Ass: Hood space on a truck is nothing more than wasted bed space. People like the look of a hood, but people who don't give a shit about aesthetics and just want to get things done appreciate this truck.

Manly Engine: 405hp 4.8L V8

Why it Kicks Ass: It was built to celebrate the Cayenne's victory in the Transsyberia rally, in which the Cayenne proved to all of us automotive journalists that it does have a right to exist. As such, it was a nearly race ready Cayenne festooned with rally lights. That's bad ass.

Manly Engines: A variety of gas and diesel I6s.

Why it Kicks Ass: Think of it as the Japanese equivalent to the Land Rover Defender. Before it was a (still capable) soccer mom's ride of choice, the Land Cruiser was a military patrol vehicle that was a common sight in the Phillipines.

Manly Engine: Just about every engine Mercedes has made.

Why it Kicks Ass: It has some truely massive tires and has been used as everything from a camper to a molbile military hospital.

Manly Engine: 3.77L I6

Why it Kicks Add: Army Jeep! If you need more than that consider the fact that it's a big, militarized pick-up called "Gladiator."

Manly Engine: A 400hp/800ft-lb of torque 6.7L Diesel V8.

Why it Kicks Ass: What task can't be accomplished with a humongous truck and 800 ft-lbs of torque?

Manly Engine: A variety of big-ass V8s over the years.

Why it Kicks Ass: It's a German military off-roader with a luxurious Mercedes interior and looks that say "let's invade Poland."

Manly Engine: Too many to list, but they all got the damn job done.

Why it Kicks Ass: It's the quintessential American off-roader. It's hard to get more off-roading ability for one's dollar than the Wrangler.

Manly Engine: 4.3L Turbocharged V6

Why it Kicks Ass: Most of the vehicles on this list are here for off-roading and military heritage; the Syclone is here because GMC decided that this truck deserved to be a race car that could do 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, like a Ferrari 360 Modena.

However, we do find the spelling to be offensive.

Manly Engine: 2.5L Air-Cooled Four-Pot

Why it Kicks Ass: It's awesome that an air-cooled military 6x6 than can be had as a pick-up, soft-top transport, 5-door wagon, or portable workshop was simply available for civilian purchase.

Manly Engine: Go for the diesel.

Why it Kicks Ass: Top Gear didn't just drive one to an erupting volcano, but the presenters also took an old one and driving it down a flight of stairs, crashing it into bits of Bristol, leaving it in the sea for a few hours, driving it through a shed, hitting it with a wrecking ball, dropping an RV on it, setting it on fire, and placing it on a 240ft apartment building as it was being demolished; the mechanic, with no spare parts and only simple tools, managed to drive the thing away.

Manly Engine: 6.3L V8, a 3.8L I6, or a 5.7L Hemi V8

Why it Kicks Ass: It's called "Power Wagon." Back in the day it was a powerful military truck; today it's a off-road special for the Ram 2500 that can only be had with a massive Hemi.

Manly Engine: A variety of big-ass V8s over the years.

Why it Kicks Ass: It's a German military off-roader with a luxurious Mercedes interior and looks that say "let's invade Poland."

Manly Engine: 3.5L V8

Why it Kicks Ass: British forces used these to get around quickly all over the world. The fact that you can use one to get your surfboards to the beach is just awesome.

Manly Engine: Some big American V8s.

Why It Kicks Ass: There's no better way to crawl over some boulders with your bandana wearing golden retriever after eating a hamburger and quarterbacking a football team. AMERICA!

Manly Engine: 6.5L V8 Turbo Diesel

Why it Kicks Ass: It's the gigantic military predecessor to the poser Hummer H2. This is the kind of vehicle that you invade other countries with, whereas the H2 was the kind of vehicle that you invade Wal-Mart with.

Manly Engine: 411hp 6.2L V8

Why it Kicks Ass: This is a truck that was designed to tackle sand dunes and the Arizona desert at 85mph, that has turned out to just be incredibly capable in just about every circumstance.

Manly Engine: 550hp Land Rover Supercharged V8

Why it Kicks Ass: The engine makes 700 ft-lbs of torque, the suspension is derived from a Dakar racer, and the fuel tank holds over 100 gallons. That is not a typo.

Manly Engine: 730hp V8

Why it Kicks Ass: Just look at the Picture.

Manly Engine: A good old Chevy V8.

Why it Kicks Ass: It's probably the most capable off-roader ever built. Just look at the amount of suspension travel in the picture. It's absurd.