Yeah, Trail Rated is just another marketing term they use. Similar to Hemi for Dodge Trucks, Vortec and Duramax for Chevrolet, V-TEC for Honda, etc. Trail Rated basically means it's competent off-road, but it's not guarantee by any means. I've seen plenty of Jeeps stuck both in muddy fields and on rock climbing trails.
Anyway, if you want to go off-road be better off sticking with the "Big 3" of off-roading. That'd be most Jeeps (off-road capability of some of their newer models is questionable). Hummer lineup (though the H2 and H1 may be a bit large for certain trails.lol). Land Rover lineup (reliability has always been an issue for them).
That's not to say those are the only good off-roaders (The Mercedes G Class is very competent off road), but you can never go wrong with Hummer, Jeep, or Land Rover.
Hummer's are usually overkill for most. However, they have significant advantages vs all Jeeps and Land Rovers when it comes to approach, break-over, and departure angles due mainly to their massive ground clearance and spacing of their wheels so close to the edge of the vehicles. Unfortunately, their large size makes them unsuitable for certain types of terrain where space is an issue. Jeeps overall are probably the most friendly. And you'll have lots of help if anything does go wrong with your Jeep, in terms of people who know all about Jeeps. Range Rovers are very good, and the technology behind them is class leading. However, reliability issues, and the fact that not everyone is going to have a Range Rovers, means you may find your self stranded if you can't find someone to help you who knows a lot about Land Rovers.
If I had to pick specific models, I'd pick Jeep Grand Cherokee or Wrangler, Hummer H3, and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Anyway, if you want to go off-road be better off sticking with the "Big 3" of off-roading. That'd be most Jeeps (off-road capability of some of their newer models is questionable). Hummer lineup (though the H2 and H1 may be a bit large for certain trails.lol). Land Rover lineup (reliability has always been an issue for them).
That's not to say those are the only good off-roaders (The Mercedes G Class is very competent off road), but you can never go wrong with Hummer, Jeep, or Land Rover.
Hummer's are usually overkill for most. However, they have significant advantages vs all Jeeps and Land Rovers when it comes to approach, break-over, and departure angles due mainly to their massive ground clearance and spacing of their wheels so close to the edge of the vehicles. Unfortunately, their large size makes them unsuitable for certain types of terrain where space is an issue. Jeeps overall are probably the most friendly. And you'll have lots of help if anything does go wrong with your Jeep, in terms of people who know all about Jeeps. Range Rovers are very good, and the technology behind them is class leading. However, reliability issues, and the fact that not everyone is going to have a Range Rovers, means you may find your self stranded if you can't find someone to help you who knows a lot about Land Rovers.
If I had to pick specific models, I'd pick Jeep Grand Cherokee or Wrangler, Hummer H3, and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.