Top 10 Best Cars for Camping in Style
Are you an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time in the great outdoors? Do you dream of embarking on epic camping adventures but want to do it in style? Well, look no further! In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best cars for camping so you can hit the road and experience the wonders of nature without compromising on comfort.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting, these cars are guaranteed to enhance your camping experience and make you the envy of the campground. So, buckle up and get ready to discover the ultimate vehicles that combine practicality, functionality, and a touch of luxury, all tailored to meet the unique needs of outdoor enthusiasts like you. Let’s dive in and find the perfect ride for your next camping escapade!
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Camping in Style: A Growing Trend
According to a source, car camping is an affordable and comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors without investing in expensive camping gear. The article suggests car camping is becoming increasingly popular among campers, and there are many ways to personalize your outdoor experience.
One of the top camping trends for 2024 is the growing popularity of remote work-friendly camping trips, according to Campspot. This trend is also expected to continue in 2025, with more young explorers learning, exploring, experimenting, and discovering their favorite camping preferences and destinations.
These camping vehicles suit those who enjoy stealth camping, disbursed camping, urban camping, or glamping. It will help you save money on camping gear like camping cots and tents. Traveling this way also saves you money on hotels.
Another trend is the increasing popularity of pet-friendly camper van rentals, solar-powered generators, solar-powered camping lanterns, and upcycled and repurposed homes on wheels.
And if you are one of the many who have recently become victims of predatory landlords who are overly increasing the price of rentals, one of the best cars for camping might be just what you need to avoid paying rent.
10 Best Cars for Camping
Ford Bronco (2021-Present)
This car is perfect for off-roading and rock crawling. This car drives over any terrain, has removable doors, and has a stylish look. The Ford Bronco is an excellent car for camping enthusiasts. It has a spacious interior. The vehicle is designed for off-road adventures, making it perfect for camping in remote areas.
The Ford Bronco is one of the best cars for camping, with a removable top, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. LED headlamps help you see in harsh weather. You will never get stuck during excursions, making this one of the best cars for camping.
Subaru Outback Wilderness
The Subaru Outback Wilderness is an ideal crossover SUV for off-road camping, offering ample space and numerous accessories and upgrades that enhance camping comfort. It is highly regarded among camping enthusiasts as one of the best cars for camping.
The 2024 Outback Wilderness is designed with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, proven for its capability on both time and trails. This advanced feature ensures stability and evenly distributes power for superior traction in weather, road, or trail conditions.
The reinforced roof rails can support the weight of a roof tent, making this the perfect home on wheels.
Jeep Gladiator
This off-road pickup truck is ideal for camping enthusiasts who enjoy exploring remote areas. It offers a spacious bed and a built-in wifi hotspot that connects up to eight devices. The Gladiator is widely recognized as one of the top choices for camping. Its bed dimensions are as follows: 60.3 inches long with the tailgate closed, 81.3 inches with the tailgate open, 56.8 inches wide, and 17.5 inches high. The open tailgate lift-over height measures 34.8 inches, and the total bed volume is 35.5 cubic feet.
The Jeep Gladiator is an excellent choice for those who desire the advantages of SUVs and pickup truck designs. It comes with a standard 4×4, powerful torque, spacious seating, and extensive customization possibilities, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. With its impressive ground clearance, the Gladiator can easily navigate medium-sized rocks and trees. Utilizing a Jeep Gladiator with a camper shell and rooftop tent as an off-road residence provides improved mobility and flexibility, comfortable camping accommodations, protection from the elements, and enhanced safety and security.
Kia Carnival
- The Kia Carnival has a stylish exterior design that disguises its minivan shape with elements like a “reverse wing thingy” and sculpted doors.
- The Carnival offers much cargo space, with over 145 cubic feet maximum and 40 cubic feet behind the 3rd row.
- The Carnival provides a smooth, quiet ride and decent power from its V6 engine.
- Lower trims offer easy access to all rows, but the posh 2nd-row VIP lounge seats in higher trims hinder 3rd-row access. And doesn’t allow the 2nd-row seats to be folded down.
- Starting around $32k, the Carnival offers standard family-friendly tech like cabin intercom, rear seat entertainment, and driver assists, making it one of the best family cars for camping.
- The Carnival’s interior provides eight seats in most trims, with a removable center seat in the second row that turns into a small table.
- The Carnival is one of the best cars for camping as a stealth van.
- The VIP lounge second-row seats slide forward and back and have leg rests and power adjustment controls for maximum comfort.
- The cabin layout could be improved with more storage space and a better-positioned shifter.
- Available driver assistance and technology features include blind spot monitoring, safe exit assist, a 360-degree camera, and an intercom to talk to rear passengers.
- The Kia Carnival provides a maximum of 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space when the 2nd and 3rd-row seats are folded down, making it one of the best cargo volumes in its class.
Ford Transit
The Transit Trail van comes with a lot of car camping features making it one of the best cars for camping. An available roof vent circulates fresh air, helping to get rid of orders, reduces humidity and condensation, and prevents mildew from forming.
You can easily convert a Ford Transit van by yourself or by having one of the numerous Ford Pro Qualified Uplifters do the work.
Subaru WRX
If you are minimalist and don’t need much room, the Subaru WRX is an excellent car for camping. It is a four-wheel drive, all-terrain sports car with ideal gas mileage of 26 MPG on the highway and 19 MPG in the city.
The Subaru WRX also has a large trunk with enough space to fit two large suitcases. If you fold down the back seats, you have a total cargo area of 12 cubic feet.
Sleep comfortably when folding down the back seats by laying out an air mattress with sleeping bags. Or you can add a roof rack to pack more gear, like a tent or rooftop tent.
The versatility of this car makes it one of the very best cars for camping.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a sport adventure vehicle. It has a large bed in the back that can store camping gear, bikes, and other equipment like camping stoves.
The car’s all-wheel-drive system can easily handle medium-level requirements, such as to an out-of-the-way campsite or cottage. The car’s maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. with trailer brakes (maximum 1,650 lbs. if the trailer doesn’t have them), while the payload can go as high as 1,614 lbs.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz’s all-wheel-drive system and ability to tow a camper and store gear make it one of the best cars for camping.
Land Rover Defender
The Defender has the most robust and most durable body ever created by Land Rover, with 3x the torsional rigidity of body-on-frame design. It underwent Land Rover’s most rigorous testing regime, with robust steel subframes and added front underbody protection.
The wheels range from 18-22 inches to suit different terrains. All-season and off-road tires are designed to withstand harsh conditions. The interior uses durable materials like grained leather seats with canvas-inspired textiles, rubber flooring, and flush sills for easy cleaning. Exposed structural surfaces have a highly durable textured powder coat finish, adding to the vehicle’s ruggedness.
Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is one of the very best cars for camping. Its spacious interior has options for heated leather seats and an extendable sliding rear cargo deck with an under-floor storage compartment.
The vehicle is designed for off-road adventures. Its full-time 4-wheeled drive or part-time 4-wheel drive on select models will get you to those secluded places to enjoy privacy and comfort and capture those viral Instagram photos and videos of the great outdoors.
The Toyota 4Runner also has a roof rack that can be used to store camping gear, bikes, and other equipment. This car is very spacious. I owned 2 of them in my life, and they were comfortable, safe, and reliable.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the absolute best car for camping. This camper van has a spacious interior with all the amenities.
The van has various accessories that make camping much more comfortable, such as a refrigerator, sink, stove, and wet bath. These campers come with large beds so you can have lucid dreams and get your beauty sleep.
You can usually find used Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans for sale at places like RVTrader.com.
Conclusion
Choosing the right car for camping is crucial. It can make all the difference in ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience. Whether you prefer the ruggedness of the Ford Bronco or the versatility of the Subaru Outback Wilderness, there are plenty of options to suit your camping style.
The Jeep Gladiator offers off-road capabilities and ample storage space, while the Kia Carnival provides a spacious and luxurious camping experience. The Ford Transit is an excellent choice for those needing extra room. If you’re looking for a mix of adventure and practicality, the Subaru WBX and Hyundai Santa Cruz won’t disappoint.
And for true off-road enthusiasts, the Land Rover Defender and Toyota 4Runner are the go-to options. Lastly, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter is the ultimate choice for those who desire a mobile camping experience with all the amenities. So take your pick from these top 10 best cars for camping in style and confidently embark on your next outdoor adventure. Happy camping!
