We American consumers probably are partly to blame for our boredom. Here in the States, we get the automotive industry's leftovers, designed by committee, double and triple-checked by bean-counters, subsidized by federal money.

It's no wonder why Mercedes doesn't sell Unimogs here anymore. Die-hard fans of the cultish 'Mog know it as the unique diesel truck with the funny name that can go anywhere, climb just about anything and last for years without showing its age.

There's no easy way around it: Unimogs put Hummers, Jeeps, Land Rovers and other beasts of burden to shame. They have mechanical gear reduction at all four wheels, clear higher ground than the original military-grade Hummer (no, not the little Hummers that soccer moms drive). And the 4x4 units are capable of climbing 42% grades and higher with ease. That's highly impractical, you may say, but not if your office is in the middle of the jungle.

So for the fifth year in a row, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog has taken the title of the best off-road vehicle by OFF-ROAD magazine. Voted in the 2009 special-purpose category, the 'Mog comes in all shapes and sizes, including the cute U20, launched last year.

Mercedes tried to start up a mainstream 'Mog craze in North America back in 2003, selling several dozen U500s through Daimler's heavy-duty Freightliner division before calling it quits a few years later. When they were offered new, they retailed for about $90,000. But don't worry, if you are itching to drive one, you can still find plenty of good used 'Mogs out there at the Unimog Exchange. Happy Mogging!

--Tudor Van Hampton

Photo: Daimler AG