The workweek is nearly through, so you’re probably already daydreaming about heading to a cozy spot away from everyday stresses. You want to go camping, but you need the right car, truck, or, heck, even a van to suit your adventure needs.
Of course, choosing the right vehicle can make or break the experience. You need enough room for your tent, sleeping bags, cooler, and all the other stuff that somehow seems essential once you’re miles from home. Ground clearance and all-wheel drive can also come in handy if the campsite is down a rough dirt road.
That usually means shopping for a big SUV or pickup truck. But you don’t necessarily need one. These five vehicles make surprisingly great campers.
Ford Transit / Transit Trail
Cargo Space: 487.3 Cubic Feet
Output: 300 HP / 400 LB-FT
Ground Clearance: 6.5 Inches (Standard) / 6.7 Inches (Trail)
Starting Price: $53,795 (w/ EcoBoost V6)
Every camper sees the Instagram-ready couple and their Sprinter. It’s parked by a stunning lakefront campsite, the string lights perfectly illuminate the setting, and everyone smiles big for the camera. The truth behind those lying eyes hides the pain of the cost of entry, seeing a million examples of the same rig, and the fact that a gallon of diesel currently trades for the same price as your internal organs on the black market.
A Ford Transit, however, offers the same camp-spot superiority complex but boasts a lower cost of entry, a superior powertrain, and greater internal cargo height. Ford’s V6 EcoBoost can deliver up to 300 horsepower. You can opt for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. And there’s even a Trail version that has 6.7 inches of ground clearance and rugged tires.
Why Buy One? There’s a reason people sell “Not Another Sprinter” stickers in the overland community. With the Ford, your overall running costs should be lower than those of the Sprinter.
Read Our Review
Jeep Wrangler Willys
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Cargo Space: 72.4 Cubic Feet (Four Door)
Output: 285 HP / 260 LB-FT
Ground Clearance: 9.7 Inches
Starting Price: $47,630
There’s something to be said about simple setups when you’re camping. A ground tent, some food and drinks in a cooler, and something to keep the fire going. You enjoy nature, you tread lightly, and you get to do it in a vehicle that looks like it belongs out there.
A Wrangler Willys is essentially Rubicon-light. A rear locker means you can handle serious terrain, while the upgraded suspension and 33-inch all-terrain tires are happiest when you’re playing in the dirt. Jeep fits the Willys with sliders and underbody protection. But you can also outfit it with heated seats to keep you extra cozy if you camp in colder weather.
Why Buy One? In a world of ever-increasing complexity and a desire for stuff, the Jeep Wrangler Willys gives you 75 percent of the Rubicon experience for a lot less money to start.
Read Our Review
Rivian R1T
Photo by: Rivian
Cargo Space: 11.7 (Frunk) / 11.7 Cubic Feet (Gear Tunnel)
Output: 665 HP / 829 LB-FT (Premium, Dual Motor AWD)
Ground Clearance: 14.9 Inches (Max)
Price: $80,190
The Rivian R1T offers up to 420 miles of driving range, an air-suspension system that provides up to 15 inches of ground clearance, and the practicality of a pickup truck. This is a rig that rewards rooftop tent, camper shell, or tent campers alike, especially with all of its great storage features. You have plenty of room in the bed, and 11.7 cubic feet in both the frunk and the gear tunnel.
Rivian goes a step further thanks to its Camp Mode feature. Tell your truck you’re parked for the night, and it will auto-level to make sure your sleeping setup is perfect. The climate control can remain on if you sleep inside the truck. A Camp Courtesy feature turns off locking chimes and the larger exterior lights, while the puddle and mirror lights illuminate to help you see around your campsite.
Why Buy One? Electric adventure is becoming more accessible with longer driving ranges and more charging stations, and Rivian remains the most committed brand to full-electric camping.
Read Our Review
Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid
Photo by: Subaru
Cargo Space: 27.5 / 69.0 Cubic Feet
Output: 194 HP / 199 LB-FT
Ground Clearance: 9.3 Inches
Price: $41,970
Your needs are meager. You just need a spot to lay your head, a space to store a bit of gear and food, and enough off-road capability for fire roads and maybe a dash more in a pinch. The Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid has 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and almost 70 cubic feet of space when you fold the rear seats flat.
Bring a sleeping pad, your pillow, and a cooler full of food and beverages, and you’ve got a tidy one-person camping setup. But if your needs grow and you need more sleeping space, the roof rails can support a tent.
Why Buy One? The Forester Wilderness Hybrid means you can head off on far-flung camping trips in the middle of nowhere, with nary a worry about finding a place to fuel up.
Read Our Review
Toyota Sienna Woodland
Cargo Space: 35.5 / 75.2 / 101.0 Cubic Feet
Output: 245 HP / 176 LB-FT
Ground Clearance: 6.9 Inches
Price: $53,695
Did I really just suggest a minivan? Absolutely. Toyota added a Woodland trim to the Sienna, and it boasts a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. The 0.6-inch lift isn’t anything to write home about, but every little bit can help. Swap out the all-season tires for proper all-terrain rubber, and that figure could inch closer to, well, an inch.
Regardless, a minivan might be the butt of many vehicular jokes, but the truth is that they do what they do very well. And one thing the Sienna does well is take on as much cargo and gear as you can throw at it. Fold down the second and third row seats, and you have 101 cubic feet of storage. You could throw a quality sleeping pad in the back, and have a great space to lay your head for the evening.
Why Buy One? Sure, the off-road chops aren’t exactly there, but a Toyota Sienna can handle a fire road just as well as your overbuilt Toyota Tacoma. Plus, you’ll have a lot more fuel left in the tank thanks to that hybrid powertrain.
Read Our Review
More Than 100 Brands Are Coming To Paris. Here’s What To Expect
RIP: These SUVs Are Dead For 2027
Who Owns Who? Every Major Car Brand And Its Parent Company
The Best New Cars Coming Out In 2027
