For many American families, a beach trip is more than just a weekend getaway it’s an entire ritual. You load up the cooler, toss in the folding chairs, squeeze in the beach umbrella, and hope the sand toys don’t explode across the cargo area.
But the vehicle you take plays a bigger role than most people realize. Some SUVs are practically built for beach life, offering easy-loading spaces, salt-air-friendly materials, and drivetrains that won’t panic at the sight of soft sand.
Others, well, they’re great for school drop-off but turn into sunburn factories the moment you try to drive off pavement.
This listicle breaks down six SUVs that truly thrive in beach environments and six that tend to struggle once the pavement ends or the sand starts piling in.
Whether you’re hauling family to the Outer Banks, planning a Gulf Coast fishing trip, or cruising to California surf spots, here’s what separates the winners from the troublemakers.
SUVs Perfect for Beach Trips
For drivers who crave sun, sand, and surf, not all SUVs are created equal. A beach-ready vehicle needs more than just style—it requires capable traction on loose sand, ample cargo space for gear, and durability to handle salt, water, and sun-soaked adventures.
From rugged off-roaders to versatile family haulers, certain SUVs are designed to make beach trips effortless and fun, letting you focus on the waves instead of worrying about getting stuck. In this article, we’ll highlight the models that combine performance, practicality, and comfort, making them the ultimate companions for seaside adventures.
1. Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner may be aging, but its combination of body-on-frame strength, proven 4WD systems, and generous ground clearance make it practically allergic to getting stuck.
Its traction control settings aren’t just marketing the 4Runner’s “A-TRAC” mode distributes torque in a way that helps prevent wheelspin on loose sand.
The back window dropping into the tailgate is a bonus for beachgoers who want easy ventilation or need to slide in long items like boards or fishing poles.
And because Toyota designed the interior with utility in mind, the plastics and seat materials handle the salt, sunscreen, and wet towels without complaint.
2. Subaru Outback Wilderness
Technically a crossover, the Outback Wilderness earns its SUV reputation with capability that embarrasses many larger rivals. Deep sand is where its revised CVT tuning and extra-low gearing shine.
The Wilderness trim’s upgraded all-terrain tires, lifted suspension, and underbody protection are surprisingly beach-friendly for a unibody platform.
It also has a high roofline that helps with packing tall coolers or beach wagons. Families love its wide-opening rear doors and comfortable ride, which make long drives to Cape Cod or the Oregon coast less of a chore.
The Wilderness, as its name implies, is designed to be a tougher, more rugged version of the standard Outback, offering features and capability that set it apart.
The Wilderness distinguishes itself with significantly more black plastic on the exterior than the regular Outback. Almost the entire front end is left unpainted to resist scratches, and the black body cladding along the sides extends farther than before, emphasizing its off-road-ready appearance.
Subaru has also equipped the Wilderness with a new wheel-and-tire package. The 17-inch wheels come wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, and ground clearance increases from 8.7 inches on the standard Outback to 9.5 inches on the Wilderness.
Approach, breakover, and departure angles improve to 20 degrees, 21.2 degrees, and 22.5 degrees, respectively, all of which mark notable upgrades over the previous model.
To put this in perspective, Toyota’s rugged, body-on-frame Land Cruiser offers only 8.7 inches of ground clearance. While the Outback Wilderness doesn’t quite match the Land Cruiser’s approach and breakover angles, its off-road capability straight from the factory is impressive.
On paved roads, the previous Wilderness was a competent soft-roader but could feel sloppy and wallowy. Subaru has addressed this with a 42% increase in lateral stiffness in the Outback’s chassis, which should improve on-road behavior, though the true impact won’t be clear until testing later this year.
Tech enhancements across the Outback lineup benefit the Wilderness in particular. A new camera array, accessible via a shortcut button in the center console, provides multiple high-resolution views on the upgraded interior screen, making navigation of tight trails much easier.
X-Mode, Subaru’s stability control program, has also been updated to operate at higher speeds, allowing a touch more wheel slip for improved traction in deep mud, snow, or soft sand, giving drivers more finesse on challenging terrain.
The engine remains the same 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with a CVT and all-wheel drive, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Wilderness also gains ladder-style roof rails rated for an 800-pound static load (220 pounds while moving) and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, plenty for hauling small boats or other gear.
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is expected to go on sale later this year, starting at around $42,000. Full driving impressions will follow, helping to determine whether it represents a meaningful upgrade over the previous Outback.
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3. Ford Bronco
The reborn Ford Bronco was practically designed for coastal environments especially areas where beach driving is permitted, like North Carolina’s Hatteras Island.
With G.O.A.T. modes, a disconnecting front stabilizer bar (on some trims), and an available Sasquatch package, the Bronco conquers soft sand with ease.
The removable doors and roof bring open-air ocean cruising to a new level, while marine-grade vinyl upholstery means you can climb aboard with wet clothes and not worry about mildew.
The Bronco also offers a tailgate-mounted table perfect for a beach lunch setup.
4. Kia Telluride
While not an off-roader in the traditional sense, the Telluride is a beach-trip hero for a different reason: comfort and practicality.
With one of the most spacious third rows in its class, a huge cargo area, and a refined cabin that’s easy to clean, this SUV handles the “load and lounge” aspect of coastal vacations beautifully.
Its available AWD system isn’t meant for hardcore dune climbing, but it’s more than capable of navigating sandy parking lots, beachfront home driveways, or compacted-sand access routes.
Families traveling to Florida or the Carolinas appreciate its smooth highway ride and upscale feel for the price.
The Kia Telluride is a rewarding SUV to drive, offering a well-balanced combination of power, stability, and comfort. Its V6 engine delivers responsive performance, though acceleration remains average for a three-row SUV.
Our Telluride sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, roughly matching the performance of competitors like the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade. Braking performance is strong, allowing the Telluride to come to a stop quickly, and the brakes are easy to modulate for smooth and consistent stops.
Steering is light and effortless at parking-lot speeds, while it weights up naturally when navigating turns. The Telluride remains stable through corners and shows minimal body roll, contributing to a composed driving experience. The engine’s fuel-saving stop-start system is also noteworthy for its smooth and quiet operation, enhancing efficiency without detracting from drivability.
Inside, all Tellurides are equipped with a suite of collision-avoidance and mitigation systems, along with adaptive cruise control that operates down to a full stop. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and USB ports are distributed throughout all three rows, although only one port can transmit data.
The optional wider infotainment screen, available on EX trims and above, is visually sharp and features a navigation system with several useful tools.
Our SX test model included additional features such as the head-up display and rear-seat intercom, both of which add convenience and functionality.
The upgraded 10-speaker sound system impressed with its clarity and volume. However, the turn-signal camera display in the gauge cluster was less remarkable; it is small, low-resolution, and largely redundant given the standard blind-spot monitoring system.
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee (4×4 models)
The Grand Cherokee 4×4 trims especially the Trailhawk are impressively capable on sand thanks to Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system, which includes a Sand/Mud mode that adjusts throttle sensitivity and wheelspin.
Good ground clearance and a solid approach angle help prevent the front bumper from digging in during soft-sand transitions.
The cabin is comfortable enough for long highway legs to the coast, and its materials hold up well against sand infiltration. Add the option of a big panoramic roof, and you get the perfect mix of rugged and relaxing.
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6. Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
If you need to haul a large family, tow a boat, or bring half of your beach house essentials with you, the Tahoe Z71 offers everything in XXL proportions.
This trim brings a lifted suspension, a skid plate, and all-terrain tires surprisingly important when navigating soft sand around lakes and coastal beaches.
The Tahoe’s wide cargo area is a dream for those bringing canopy tents, multiple coolers, or fold-flat loungers.
While it’s huge, its low-end torque and stable AWD setup keep it from floundering in sandy sections. It’s the SUV version of a beachfront apartment: roomy, dependable, and ready for any group adventure.
SUVs That Struggle in Sandy Conditions
Not every SUV is built to handle the challenges of loose sand and beach terrain. While some models glide effortlessly over dunes, others can quickly get bogged down, leaving drivers frustrated and stranded.
Factors like weight distribution, traction control, and tire design play a huge role in determining which SUVs excel and which falter when the pavement ends. In this article, we’ll explore the SUVs that, despite their rugged looks or off-road claims, struggle to maintain control and momentum in sandy conditions, helping drivers make smarter choices before heading to the shore.
1. Honda Pilot (FWD models)
The Honda Pilot is a fantastic family hauler for everyday use, but Front-Wheel-Drive trims do the vehicle no favors in deep sand.
The weight distribution and traction limitations mean the front tires can easily dig themselves in, especially if you stop mid-slope.
Its mud-and-snow mode helps a little, but without AWD, the Pilot becomes a “wait-for-the-tow-rope” kind of situation. Even with AWD, the Pilot’s smooth, comfort-oriented tires aren’t ideal for loose surfaces.
2. Nissan Rogue
The Rogue has many strengths fuel economy, comfort, and a surprisingly plush interior but beach driving is not among them.
Its ground clearance is modest, the AWD system is reactive rather than proactive, and the CVT doesn’t handle sudden torque delivery well on loose terrain.
Even something like pulling out of a soft-sand beach parking area can lead to frantic wheelspin. The interior is not the easiest to vacuum out once sand gets into the carpet fibers.
The Nissan Rogue remains one of the roomiest compact crossovers available today. Passengers will find ample space to stretch out in both rows, along with numerous clever storage solutions.
Despite being 1.5 inches shorter in length compared to the previous generation, the Rogue still offers a generous cargo area. Beyond its spaciousness, we were particularly impressed with the high-quality materials used in the top-tier Rogue Platinum we tested, giving the cabin a refined and upscale feel.
When it comes to driving enjoyment, however, the Rogue falls short compared with rivals like the Honda CR-V. The new three-cylinder engine provides strong low-end torque, making everyday driving effortless, but overall acceleration isn’t particularly quick.
On the positive side, the Rogue demonstrates good body control on winding roads and delivers short stopping distances from 60 to 0 mph.
During a 270-mile road trip, the seats remained comfortable, even for an editor with a sensitive back, and fuel economy and driving range were consistent with segment norms, though not class-leading. While we wished for a bit more passing power, the Rogue proved to be a capable and comfortable road-trip companion.
All 2022 Rogues come equipped with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged inline three-cylinder engine featuring Nissan’s variable compression ratio technology and a redesigned CVT.
The new engine produces 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, representing gains of 20 hp and 44 lb-ft over the previous 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, giving the Rogue improved efficiency and responsiveness in everyday driving.
3. Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade is extremely comfortable, but it’s tuned for pavement rather than shoreline conditions. Its AWD system struggles in deeper sand compared to rivals, largely due to programming that reduces wheelspin too aggressively.
That sounds good for efficiency but becomes a problem when your tires need controlled slippage to move through sand. Meanwhile, the Palisade’s plush materials like its suede-style headliner make it less beach-friendly when you’re tracking in saltwater, sunscreen, or crushed shells.
The Hyundai Palisade is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can manually shift the transmission using steering-wheel-mounted paddles, though the gearbox shifts smoothly on its own, with only minor busy shuffling of ratios when climbing hills.
Front-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, while all-wheel drive is optional on SE, SEL, and Limited trims and comes standard on the top-tier Calligraphy. Every Palisade includes a robust transmission cooler, trailer pre-wiring, and sway control, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with the dealer-installed trailer hitch.
We tested an all-wheel-drive SEL, and it delivered adequate, if not exceptional, results on the test track. The Palisade accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and required 182 feet to stop from 70 mph.
4. Mazda CX-9 (and CX-90 base models)
Mazda’s SUVs shine on highways and winding roads, but they quake at the sight of soft sand.
The CX-9 and early-trim CX-90 models favor sporty handling over loose-surface traction, and their stability control systems intervene too quickly, often killing momentum the worst thing that can happen in sand.
Ground clearance is also on the lower end for midsize SUVs. Add a narrow cargo opening, and loading gear like beach wagons or surfboards can feel like playing real-life Tetris.
With three rows of seating and a long list of features designed to meet the needs of a growing family, the 2018 Mazda CX-9 stands out as one of the most appealing and best-looking large crossovers on the market. But the CX-9 isn’t just about style; it also delivers an engaging and enjoyable driving experience.
The CX-9 provides what most SUV buyers truly want: a high level of comfort and refinement, generous interior space, and modern connectivity features. In its top Signature trim, the CX-9 even rivals luxury brands such as Audi or Volvo in terms of look and feel, making it one of the most upscale offerings in its class.
On the road, the CX-9 drives exceptionally well, it responds quickly to throttle inputs and remains agile and composed when taking corners, making it a pleasure for both daily driving and spirited runs.
Stylistically, the CX-9 is a standout among family SUVs. Its body design avoids the safe, middle-of-the-road approach seen in many competitors, instead offering a clean, windswept look with sharp lines and well-proportioned dimensions.
Inside, the cabin complements the exterior with high-quality materials, including leather, aluminum, and rosewood accents, depending on the trim level. Safety and connected tech features are plentiful, ensuring both convenience and peace of mind for families.
The CX-9 does make some compromises, however. With about 72 cubic feet of cargo space when the second- and third-row seats are folded, it isn’t the most cavernous in its class. Additionally, the third row is less accommodating than some rivals, such as the Honda Pilot. These trade-offs are largely a result of Mazda prioritizing design and driving dynamics.
Despite these minor limitations, the CX-9 delivers a well-rounded package that makes it one of the best three-row SUVs available, combining style, comfort, and driving enjoyment in a single, cohesive package.
5. Volkswagen Tiguan
The Tiguan’s available 4Motion system is better than FWD competitors, but the SUV still suffers from limited clearance, long front overhangs, and tires that aren’t suited for sand.
Its turbocharged four-cylinder is prone to delayed throttle response, which can leave you bogged down as the sand shifts under you. The interior is a highlight, but unfortunately, the fabric seats in lower trims love to trap sand.
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan features an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, but its performance is merely average. Turbo lag is noticeable, and the engine produces a coarse, grainy sound under acceleration. The outgoing Tiguan had been powered by a well-regarded 2.0-liter turbo inline-four, but the new version falls short in nearly every respect.
While the updated engine loses 16 horsepower and gains 14 lb-ft of torque, the extra torque combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission cannot match the acceleration of the previous generation.
The transmission is hesitant to downshift, and the turbo lag makes the Tiguan feel sluggish off the line and somewhat lethargic in city driving. Volkswagen’s decision to replace the beloved previous engine with a less powerful and less refined unit has resulted in predictably disappointing performance.
In testing, the Tiguan struggled to keep pace with the top competitors in the compact SUV segment. Ride quality remains comfortable and compliant, which will appeal to most drivers, but the tradeoff is reduced precision during spirited driving.
Front-wheel-drive models we tested were easily unsettled by uneven pavement, while all-wheel-drive variants handled Michigan’s rough and cratered roads noticeably better, highlighting the benefits of the 4Motion system in challenging conditions.
6. Buick Enclave
The Enclave’s main weakness on the beach lies in its weight and tire setup. It’s a heavy SUV equipped with comfort-biased tires and an AWD system built for slippery pavement, not dunes.
In soft sand, that combination leads to slow digging and poor forward momentum. Owners who accidentally take it onto loose surfaces often report the vehicle bogging down quickly unless momentum is kept perfectly steady.
Add in a low front fascia that can scrape onto sand shelves, and it’s better suited to beach town cruising than beach-side parking.
The difference between a relaxing beach trip and a stressful, shovel-filled rescue often comes down to the vehicle you choose.
SUVs with strong ground clearance, smart traction control, and beach-friendly interiors make the entire experience easier from packing up at home to rinsing off the sand at day’s end.
Meanwhile, models tuned purely for comfort and daily driving tend to hit their limits the moment they transition from pavement to powder-soft sand.
Whether you’re planning a surf weekend, a family vacation, or a fishing expedition along America’s coasts, choosing the right SUV ensures that your memories stay focused on the waves, not the recovery gear.
