Toyota Hilux, Nissan Frontier and Duster pickups for ripio roads, Andean passes and Patagonian gravel - pickup in Salta, Mendoza and across Argentina.
Ruta 40 runs about 5,000 km along the Andes, with long ripio sections between Cafayate and Cachi, through the Puna highlands and across northern Patagonia. The Toyota Hilux is a pickup with part-time 4WD and low range, suited to the loose gravel, washboard corrugations and river crossings you meet on Cuesta del Obispo or the side valleys off Quebrada de Humahuaca. The Nissan Frontier is a pickup with part-time 4WD, offering similar ground clearance and the option to switch between two-wheel drive on tarmac and four-wheel traction when the surface deteriorates. For these stretches - and for the climb to Salinas Grandes at 4,170 m or the Paso de Jama road toward the Chilean border - a true 4x4 pickup is the practical choice.
Patagonian wind throws gravel against the sills and pushes crossovers sideways on exposed estancia tracks near El Chalten. The Ford Everest is a seven-seat SUV with 4WD and enough weight to stay planted, while the Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV with AWD versions that handle groomed dirt but lack the clearance for deep ruts. If your route includes only sealed Ruta 7 toward Aconcagua National Park, the El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier run of 80 km on tarmac, or the paved Circuito Chico loop of about 60 km near Bariloche, an all-wheel-drive crossover will suffice. The Renault Duster Oroch is a compact pickup available in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions; the 4x4 model adds clearance and traction for graded gravel, but still lacks low range for serious off-road work.
When you rent a 4x4 in Argentina through 4Drive, each listing states the drive type - part-time 4WD, AWD or 4x2 - and shows ground clearance and tyre specifications. You pay a booking advance online by card, then settle the balance at pickup using the method shown in your voucher: debit card, cash or credit card, depending on the specific vehicle. The local rental company in Salta, Mendoza or your chosen city hands over the keys, records any existing damage in the rental agreement and provides a contact number for roadside support. Crossing into Chile requires a written permit arranged in advance; add-ons such as a second driver, child seat or gravel-road waiver are priced separately and selected during booking.
Each model below has different transmission, drive and clearance attributes. Part-time 4WD lets you engage four-wheel traction only when needed, saving fuel on highways. Low range multiplies torque for steep climbs and river beds. AWD systems distribute power automatically but usually lack a low-range transfer case.
| Model | Type and Drive | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Hilux | Pickup, part-time 4WD with low range | Long ripio sections on Ruta 40, Puna crossings, steep estancia tracks and shallow river fords |
| Nissan Frontier | Pickup, part-time 4WD | Gravel stretches between Cafayate and Cachi, Los Cardones park roads, moderate altitude passes |
| Renault Alaskan | Pickup, 4WD | Mixed tarmac and graded gravel in northern Argentina, high-altitude routes to the Puna |
| Renault Duster Oroch | Compact pickup, 4x2 / 4x4 versions | Maintained dirt access roads to wineries in Valle de Uco, light gravel around Mendoza vineyards |
| Ford Everest | 7-seat SUV, 4WD | Family trips to Patagonian parks, sealed highways with occasional dirt detours, wind stability |
| Jeep Renegade | Compact SUV, AWD versions | Urban Salta or Bariloche with day trips on groomed gravel, short off-pavement stretches to trailheads |
Drive systems are not interchangeable labels. Each type has specific attributes that match different road surfaces and gradients in Argentina.
The Jeep Renegade AWD is a compact SUV with permanent all-wheel drive that splits torque between axles automatically. Ground clearance is around 200 mm, enough for groomed gravel and shallow ruts on estancia access roads near El Calafate. Tyres are usually road-biased all-season rubber. This setup suits sealed Ruta 237 from Bariloche to Villa La Angostura, the paved road to Tierra del Fuego National Park (12 km from Ushuaia) and the tarmac stretch from Puerto Madryn to Puerto Piramides on Peninsula Valdes (about 100 km). You cannot engage or disengage AWD; the system decides. No low range means steep, loose climbs will spin the wheels.
The Toyota Hilux and Nissan Frontier use part-time four-wheel drive: a lever or dial switches from 2H (rear-wheel drive on highways) to 4H (four-wheel traction for gravel) and sometimes 4L (low range for steep gradients). Ground clearance exceeds 220 mm. When you shift into 4H on the ripio section of Ruta 40 between Cafayate and Cachi, both axles lock, giving equal torque front and rear. On sealed roads you must return to 2H to avoid binding the drivetrain. This system is the standard for long-distance gravel travel in northern Argentina and Patagonia, where stretches alternate between tarmac and ripio.
The Toyota Hilux includes a two-speed transfer case: 4L multiplies engine torque by roughly 2.5 times, dropping top speed to around 60 km/h but allowing controlled crawling up Cuesta de Lipan or through muddy river crossings after rain. Low range is essential when you climb the switchbacks of Cuesta del Obispo toward Los Cardones National Park or descend loose scree on side tracks off Quebrada de Humahuaca. The attribute "low range = yes" in the listing confirms that the pickup can handle gradients above fifteen per cent without stalling or overheating the clutch. Models without this feature - such as the Renault Duster Oroch 4x4 - rely on first gear alone, which may not provide enough torque for sustained steep work.
Ground clearance is the vertical distance from the road surface to the lowest point of the chassis. The Ford Everest offers around 225 mm, the Toyota Hilux up to 235 mm. Higher clearance prevents the differential or sump from striking rocks on rutted Puna roads. Tyre choice matters as much as clearance: all-terrain tyres with an open tread pattern grip loose gravel and shed mud, while highway tyres skate over washboard and puncture easily on sharp stones. When you collect your rental, check the spare tyre, jack and wheel brace; many ripio stretches run fifty kilometres between fuel stations, so a flat tyre needs immediate attention. YPF, Shell and Axion stations dot major routes, but carry a reserve can if heading into remote areas like Iruya or the high valleys near Paso de Jama.
These roads and tracks demand either true four-wheel drive or at least high clearance and robust tyres. Each route has specific surface conditions, altitude and weather challenges.
This 160 km stretch follows the Calchaqui Valley through ripio that alternates between firm gravel and deep washboard. The Toyota Hilux is the workhorse here: part-time 4WD switched to 4H handles the corrugations, and ground clearance clears the occasional rock spill from the canyon walls. You climb through red-rock gorges, cross several dry river beds and pass adobe villages where fuel is not always available. In summer thunderstorms can flood low crossings within an hour; the local rental company will note restricted routes in your agreement if heavy rain is forecast. Expect average speeds of forty to fifty kilometres per hour. The section is accessible year-round, but winter frosts make morning departures safer when the surface is still firm. A Nissan Frontier or Renault Alaskan will manage the route equally well, while a crossover like the Jeep Renegade AWD would struggle with the deeper ruts near Molinos.
Cuesta del Obispo is a paved mountain pass that climbs from the Lerma Valley to 3,500 m, then continues on gravel through Los Cardones National Park before descending to Cachi. The sealed switchbacks demand careful braking - the gradient reaches twelve per cent - and the gravel section beyond Piedra del Molino includes loose stones and narrow shoulders. A 4x4 pickup with low range is recommended for the descent: engage 4L to use engine braking and avoid overheating the brake discs. The Ford Everest, a seven-seat SUV with 4WD, provides enough weight and torque for the climb but lacks low range, so drivers must rely on first gear and frequent stops. At altitude the air is thin, reducing engine power by roughly fifteen per cent; turbo-diesel models cope better than naturally aspirated petrol engines. The park entrance is free, and there are no fuel stations between Salta and Cachi, a distance of about 160 km.
Ruta 52 climbs from Purmamarca through the Cuesta de Lipan switchbacks to 4,170 m, then drops onto the white salt flats of Salinas Grandes. The road is paved but exposed to crosswinds and occasional ice in winter. A 4x4 is not strictly necessary for the tarmac, but if you take side tracks onto the salt pan - where tour operators park for photographs - ground clearance and four-wheel traction prevent the vehicle from sinking into soft brine patches. The Toyota Hilux and Nissan Frontier both handle the altitude and the optional off-road detours. Afternoon clouds roll in quickly; visibility can drop below fifty metres, and the white surface reflects glare that makes depth perception difficult. Sunglasses and a full fuel tank are essential. The distance from Purmamarca to the salt flats is roughly sixty-five kilometres; from there you can continue west toward Paso de Jama or return via the same route.
Iruya is a mountain village reached by a forty-kilometre gravel spur off Ruta 9. The track drops through hairpin bends with a crumbling outer edge and no guardrails; oncoming traffic forces one vehicle to reverse to the nearest passing bay. A pickup with part-time 4WD and high clearance is the safe choice: engage 4H on the descent and use low range if rain has loosened the surface. The Renault Duster Oroch 4x4 version can attempt the route in dry weather, but the lack of low range means clutch slip on the steepest sections. Other side valleys - such as the track to Coctaca or the path toward Cerro Hornocal - require similar clearance and traction. These routes are impassable after heavy rain, when rivers cut across the track and mud can trap lighter vehicles. The rental agreement will list any restricted roads, and the local company contact in your voucher can advise on current conditions.
Ruta 52 continues west from Salinas Grandes to the Chilean border at Paso de Jama (4,200 m). The Argentine side is paved as far as Susques, then becomes graded gravel with volcanic scree and sand drifts. The altitude is punishing: mornings bring frost even in summer, and afternoon wind gusts exceed sixty kilometres per hour, throwing small stones against the windscreen. A 4x4 with robust tyres and a full-size spare is non-negotiable; the Hilux and Frontier are standard choices for this route. Fuel is available in Susques and Purmamarca, but nowhere in between - a distance of roughly one hundred and forty kilometres. Crossing into Chile requires a written permit from your rental company arranged at least one week in advance; without it, Argentine border police will turn you back. The permit states the vehicle registration, your name and the allowed border crossing. Add this service during booking; it costs extra and cannot be added at pickup.
El Chalten sits at the foot of Fitz Roy, surrounded by estancias with rough access roads that lead to trailheads and lakeside viewpoints. The tracks are dirt and gravel, rutted by spring melt and scoured by constant wind. A 4x4 pickup or the Ford Everest SUV provides the ground clearance and stability these routes demand; the Jeep Renegade AWD will scrape the sump on deeper ruts. From El Calafate you can drive north toward Lago Viedma or south to Perito Moreno Glacier (80 km, paved). The gravel Ruta 40 north to Tres Lagos and beyond is long, empty ripio with occasional roadworks and no services for over one hundred kilometres. Patagonian wind is strong enough to push a crossover into the opposite lane; a heavier pickup tracks better. Check tyre pressure daily - gravel heats tyres and causes slow leaks. Carry a tyre gauge, a pump and a patch kit.
Ruta 7 from Mendoza to the Chilean border is paved and well maintained as far as Puente del Inca and Los Penitentes ski resort (about 180 km). The road climbs through the Uspallata Valley, passing the turn-off to Aconcagua National Park (Laguna de Horcones, 2,950 m). In summer the tarmac is clear, but winter snow and ice make the higher sections treacherous; chains or snow tyres are compulsory from June to September. A 4x4 is not essential for the paved highway, but if you plan side trips on park service roads or estancia tracks in Valle de Uco (about 100 km south-west of Mendoza), a pickup or AWD SUV adds margin. The Ford Everest and Toyota Hilux both handle the altitude and occasional unpaved detours. TelePASE electronic tolls operate on autopistas near Mendoza; on Ruta 7 toward the mountains, toll booths accept cash and cards. Fuel stations cluster in Uspallata; beyond that point, services are sparse until the border.
Ripio demands different techniques from sealed highways. Speed, tyre pressure and fuel planning all shift when you leave tarmac behind.
Not every 4x4 in Argentina is available without a deposit. The conditions depend on the specific vehicle, the rental company and the coverage you select during booking.
Each listing on this page carries a label showing whether a deposit is required. Some Toyota Hilux and Nissan Frontier pickups come with coverage that waives the security hold on your card; others require a temporary block. The block amount, the excess (franchise) and the payment method for the balance are all stated in the vehicle description and confirmed in your voucher. You pay a booking advance online by card when you reserve; the remaining amount is settled at pickup using debit card, cash or credit card, depending on what the local company accepts for that model. Details appear in the payment-methods section of your voucher. For more on how we handle payments, see our payment methods page.
Even without a deposit, the rental agreement signed at pickup lists prohibited activities: racing, towing, driving under the influence and sometimes specific off-road areas. Ripio roads such as Ruta 40 or Cuesta del Obispo are allowed and considered normal use. Extreme off-road tracks - boulder fields, deep mud or unsignalled river crossings - may void coverage. Read the restrictions in your voucher before departure and ask the rental company representative if you plan any unusual detours. Damage caused by prohibited use is your responsibility, regardless of the deposit waiver. The company contact number is printed on your voucher; call if weather or road conditions change during your trip.
Common questions about renting a pickup or SUV with four-wheel drive in Argentina. For broader topics visit our main FAQ page.
Long sections of Ruta 40 are ripio - loose gravel with washboard corrugations. A Toyota Hilux or Nissan Frontier pickup with part-time 4WD and high clearance is the practical choice for stretches between Cafayate and Cachi or through northern Patagonia. Sealed portions near Bariloche or south of El Calafate can be driven in a standard car, but the surface changes without warning, and gravel resumes for tens of kilometres. If your itinerary includes any unpaved stretches, select a 4x4 pickup.
Some pickups and SUVs in Salta allow payment of the balance by debit card or cash, as stated in the listing and confirmed in your voucher. You pay the booking advance online by card during reservation; the rest is settled at pickup. If a deposit block is required, check your debit card limit and ask your bank to raise it temporarily. The rental company may accept a cash deposit instead, but that depends on the vehicle and the company policy. All conditions appear in the voucher you receive after booking.
Part-time 4WD lets you switch between two-wheel drive on highways and four-wheel traction on gravel; the Toyota Hilux and Nissan Frontier use this system, often with a low-range option for steep climbs. AWD is permanent all-wheel drive that distributes torque automatically; the Jeep Renegade and some Ford Everest models have AWD without low range. For ripio roads and high mountain passes, part-time 4WD with low range is stronger; AWD suits lighter off-pavement work and groomed gravel.
Yes. Crossing any border with a rental vehicle requires a written permit from the rental company, stating your name, the vehicle registration and the allowed crossing point. Arrange this service at least one week before pickup; it costs extra and cannot be added at the last minute. Without the permit, Argentine border police will refuse to let you leave the country. The permit is attached to your voucher and must be carried in the vehicle together with the rental agreement.
Ruta 7 to the park entrance at Laguna de Horcones is fully paved and accessible in any vehicle. A 4x4 adds safety margin for winter snow and ice, but summer visitors can manage with a standard car. If you plan to explore unpaved side roads in Valle de Uco or estancia tracks near Uspallata, a pickup or AWD SUV is recommended. Snow chains or winter tyres are compulsory from June to September on the higher sections of Ruta 7.
Each add-on service - second driver, child seat, GPS or Chile crossing permit - is priced separately during the booking process. The costs vary by rental company and vehicle. We do not publish fixed amounts because they change seasonally and differ between cities. You will see all fees before you confirm the reservation, and they appear again in your voucher.
You need a valid driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP), though some companies accept a foreign licence alone if it uses Latin script. Bring a payment card for the balance and, if a deposit is required, a card with sufficient available limit. The rental agreement is signed at pickup; the company checks the documents, records existing damage and provides emergency contact details. Carry your voucher, licence, IDP and passport in the vehicle at all times.
Use the search box at the top of this page to compare Toyota Hilux, Nissan Frontier and Ford Everest pickups and SUVs. Filter by no-deposit options, select your pickup city - Salta, Mendoza, Bariloche - and confirm your dates. You will see ground clearance, drive type and payment methods for each vehicle. Free cancellation applies to most bookings; details appear in the listing.
Looking for a broader range of vehicles? Browse all rental cars in Argentina or read our guide to how 4Drive works.