Does setting off to explore the country sound right up your street? Us too. Many Brits are now opting to drive around the UK rather than travelling abroad, and we’re not surprised.
Road-tripping at home lets you see more, spend quality time with your family, and really put your car through its paces. Today, we’re looking at the best cars for camping, covering which models can handle off-road driving the best, while also offering high levels of comfort on longer journeys.
When shopping for a car to take on an adventure, there are a few things to consider to get the best experience. These include storage space, comfort, durability, off-grid capabilities, and connectivity.
Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends or family, it’s important to have enough storage space for all the cargo needed for a camping weekend. From tents to food, would you rather fit it all in your boot, use a roof box, or take advantage of both?
Think about how much luggage you’ll be bringing along, and keep in mind that you might need extra space for things you pick up during the journey—especially if you have young children who suddenly decide they want to try bodyboarding on a spontaneous beach trip.
There’s no guarantee when the next service station will be on a long trip, making comfort key! Consider legroom, the ability to fold down seats, and the overall comfort of the seating itself, so you can drive wherever your heart takes you without ending up with sore knees or numb bums.
A car built for popping to the shops is very different from one meant for camping adventures. Build quality, practicality, and durability are essential for longevity. You don’t want to be dealing with rust after a few trips into harsh environments or through extreme weather conditions.
Cars That Fit Outdoor Gear Perfectly
If you plan to explore more remote locations, features like solar panels, power outlets, and GPS navigation are all safety features you can benefit from when venturing away from your usual driving routes. Connectivity is also an important factor.
After all, what’s a road trip without a soundtrack? With Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto, you can listen to your favourite songs and podcasts, as well as access your SatNav and virtual assistants via your smartphone to ensure you reach your destination safely.
Ford Kuga
The Ford Kuga strikes the perfect balance between space, comfort, and practicality, making it ideal for regular campers. It offers a spacious boot and the option to fold down the rear seats for even more room to store your camping gear.
With excellent fuel efficiency, you can cover long distances, enjoying the open road and stunning views, without worrying about when your next fuel stop will be. Ford seamlessly blends practicality with performance, ensuring the Kuga is ready for all road types and adventures.
The Ford Kuga stands out among family SUVs with one trait that sets it apart from most of its competitors: fun handling. It offers driving dynamics almost as sharp as the Ford Focus, combined with the practicality and style of an SUV. In other words, it gives you the best of both worlds.
The Kuga competes with other SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, and Seat Ateca, but none of them quite match the Kuga when it comes to delivering an enjoyable driving experience. Plus, an updated version of the Kuga is expected later this year.
We think the Kuga’s design resembles a Focus that’s indulged a bit too much (perhaps too much of that cake). The latest version is sleeker than its predecessors, featuring a large grille, sharp headlights, and elegant curves throughout.
Higher-spec models with larger wheels make a stronger impression, but even the lower trims with their smaller alloys look stylish.
Inside, the Kuga maintains the curvy theme, with a central touchscreen display taking center stage on the dashboard. The 8.0-inch screen is user-friendly and includes smartphone connectivity, and it’s nice to see the air-con controls remain as physical buttons.
The new Kuga is larger than the previous model, offering more interior space. While adults may have to squeeze to fit across the rear bench, there’s sufficient legroom and headroom.
The back bench slides to provide flexibility between legroom and boot space, and you can even opt for heated outer seats.
While the Kuga’s boot could be more spacious, it still offers enough room for suitcases, holiday gear, or a sizable weekly shop. It’s smaller than some of its rivals’ boots, even with the sliding rear seat, but it’s still quite functional.
There’s a wide variety of engine options to suit different needs, including petrol, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid models. If you have a short commute, the plug-in hybrid is a great choice for its electric range.
For a balanced option, a hybrid petrol version offers the best mix of economy and smoothness, while the petrol-only model works well for a mix of driving. Regardless of which Kuga you choose, it won’t break the bank when it comes to running costs.
No matter which variant you go for, you’ll appreciate the driving experience. With sharp steering, great grip, and solid performance, it’s a pleasure to drive on country roads.
In town, the Kuga’s good visibility and decent turning circle make navigating tight spaces a breeze, and it remains comfortable and quiet on the motorway.
The Ford Kuga is a significant improvement over previous models, and it offers great value, especially if you stick to the middle trim range. It’s comfortable, practical, and comes with plenty of features. The only downside is the slightly smaller boot compared to rivals.
Also Read: 5 Cars That Became Cult Favorites and 5 That Faded Fast
Hyundai Tucson
If you’re on the hunt for a compact SUV, the Hyundai Tucson is the car for you. Its all-wheel drive system provides impressive ground clearance, handling both on and off-road surfaces with ease.
Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, it strikes a perfect balance between performance and fuel economy, making it great for longer trips.
You’ll also drive in style, as the Tucson features a modern and comfortable interior with plenty of space to store everything you need for an off-grid adventure.
If the name “Hyundai Tucson” brings to mind Tucson, Arizona—home to vast frontiers and cowboys—then you’re not far off. The Tucson is engaged in a fierce competition with many other sharp-shooting family SUVs, and it needs to be quick on the draw to outpace its rivals in this highly competitive class.
To give it an edge, Hyundai offers Tucson buyers a variety of petrol engine options, including three hybrid variants (note that there’s no longer a diesel choice).
Additionally, the Tucson has recently undergone updates, featuring a more user-friendly dashboard, revised suspension, and tweaks to the exterior, including a redesigned grille.
But is that enough? After the dust settles, is the Hyundai Tucson the ideal family SUV to cruise off into the sunset in, or will you prefer to leave it parked in the driveway?
With a spacious and user-friendly interior, a cavernous boot, and a wide range of engine options, the Hyundai Tucson is certainly worth considering.
While some buyers may prefer the more composed ride and handling balance of the Kia Sportage, the Tucson’s slightly softer setup will suit many. The entry-level petrol engine is the best choice for private buyers, while the PHEV is the smarter option for company car users.
It features a well-made, user-friendly interior and plenty of space for both passengers and luggage, though it is slightly more expensive than some competitors and lacks sliding rear seats, which some rivals offer.
The base engine for the Hyundai Tucson is the 159bhp 1.6 T 160 petrol, which comes with a manual gearbox and can reach 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds.
This is comparable to the Nissan Qashqai DIG-T 158. For those looking for more performance, there is an upgrade option to a seven-speed automatic gearbox with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, which slightly improves acceleration and offers a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
The next step up is the 212bhp 1.6 T 215 Hybrid, which has a battery large enough to provide short bursts of electric power in stop-start traffic. This hybrid delivers plenty of power for overtaking, with a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds in our tests, just beating the Kia Sportage Hybrid (7.1 seconds).
At the top of the range, the 1.6 T-GDI Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Tucson delivers 249bhp and an official electric-only range of 43 miles. This is one of the best ranges for a PHEV family SUV, with the Ford Kuga and Kia Sportage closely following behind.
The Tucson PHEV is smooth to drive in EV mode, although its performance is similar to the Hybrid. However, the six-speed automatic gearbox can be a little slow to downshift when you need a burst of acceleration.
Nissan Qashqai
Comfortable, efficient, and smooth—that’s just a few of the benefits you’ll experience when exploring the UK in the Nissan Qashqai. Like all good cars for camping, the Qashqai offers ample space for extra cargo, and this one is no exception.
With a boot capacity of 430 litres, it can accommodate even large cooking stoves and tents. Additionally, its advanced security features provide complete peace of mind, no matter where you are.
The sales charts don’t lie: UK buyers love the Nissan Qashqai, and there’s no doubt that this mid-size SUV, built in the northeast, is an even more attractive option following its mid-life facelift.
The Qashqai now offers sharper looks, improved technology, and a higher quality feel in the cabin after the recent updates.
There wasn’t much wrong with the previous model, but the latest changes have certainly enhanced its appeal. In one of the most competitive sectors of the car market, the Qashqai stands out not by excelling in any one area, but by offering consistency across the board.
It’s good to drive, efficient, practical, well-equipped, and competitively priced. While it may not be a class leader, its lack of significant weaknesses gives it an edge over the competition.
The Nissan Qashqai is a staple in the popular mid-size SUV segment, not just in the UK and Europe, but globally.
It offers five doors, five seats, a decent-sized boot, and a range of popular mild hybrid and hybrid powertrains. While not cheap, the Qashqai is also not priced like a premium vehicle, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.
Pricing for the Qashqai starts just above £30,000 for a mild-hybrid Acenta Premium model, with top-spec versions, such as the Tekna+ with the full hybrid system, or the 154bhp mild hybrid with four-wheel drive, costing just under £43,000.
While the higher-end models can be expensive to tax due to their pricing surpassing the £40,000 mark, the Qashqai remains comparable to its rivals in terms of price, fuel efficiency, tax, and performance.
Although the Qashqai isn’t the largest mid-size SUV, it offers a quality interior that doesn’t rely too heavily on distracting touchscreens. The infotainment system is present, but most of the major controls are operated via easy-to-use buttons and dials, keeping the cabin user-friendly.
Economy figures range from around 44mpg for the front-wheel drive mild hybrids to the mid-50s for the e-Power full hybrid.
The e-Power system is an innovative hybrid setup where the combustion engine acts as a generator to supply power to the electric motor driving the wheels.
Driving this version is similar to driving an electric car in terms of smoothness, though it can’t run on electric power alone for long before the engine needs to kick in. For those seeking a true electric car experience, the Nissan Ariya would be a better option.
When it comes to performance and driving experience, the Qashqai is comfortable and quiet, but not the most exciting SUV to drive.
Its performance is adequate for most buyers, and it offers an all-wheel-drive option. However, the CVT can sometimes feel unresponsive at low speeds, and some models with larger wheels can ride a bit more firmly.
While it’s not one of the most engaging SUVs in its class, the Qashqai’s focus on comfort and refinement will be more appealing to the majority of customers. On its launch in 2021, the third-generation Qashqai was 60kg lighter than its predecessor, despite being stiffer and safer.
The car features a torsion-beam rear suspension in most models, although top-spec versions with 20-inch alloy wheels come with a more sophisticated multi-link suspension setup.
The standard suspension handles smaller bumps reasonably well, but the more advanced setup on higher trims helps improve ride quality, especially when dealing with potholes.
Although the Qashqai does exhibit some body roll when pushed hard, it remains gradual and controlled. The steering, while light and lacking in feel, is direct enough to make the car feel nimble during quick direction changes.
Kia Sorento
For those wanting to bring their friends and family along on their explorations, the Kia Sorento is another great option.
With three rows of seats, the Sorento comfortably fits everyone—and then some. Its towing capabilities and strong performance on all types of terrain, including rough and rugged landscapes, make it the perfect companion for camping trips.
Natural selection doesn’t only apply to animals; it’s also influencing the world of SUVs. Diesel-powered seven-seaters are becoming increasingly outdated, and the Kia Sorento is evolving to stay ahead.
Rather than simply opting for a petrol engine, Kia has used its expertise in electrification to offer the Sorento with both regular hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options.
While you can still get a diesel version, all variants come equipped with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox as standard.
To further adapt and avoid extinction, the Sorento underwent a mid-life facelift, which brought updates to its looks, interior, and pricing.
Despite these changes, the Sorento still faces tough competition from premium rivals like the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Mercedes GLB, as well as more mainstream alternatives such as the Skoda Kodiaq.
The Kia Sorento is an excellent seven-seat SUV, offering exceptional practicality. Though it’s not the cheapest in its class, it delivers fantastic value for those who prioritize space and usability.
The hybrid (HEV) model will suit most buyers, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is a strong choice for company car drivers, and the diesel version remains ideal for those who need to tow. For most, the entry-level trim, known as the “2,” is the best option.
The Sorento stands out for being one of the more spacious seven-seaters at this price point, boasting a massive boot and a high level of equipment.
However, it is priced above many mainstream rivals, and its hybrid engine isn’t as fuel-efficient as that of the Honda CR-V. Additionally, while well-built, the Sorento’s interior quality doesn’t quite match up to similarly priced premium competitors.
Performance-wise, the Kia Sorento delivers a solid driving experience. The diesel engine is great for towing, and the steering is well-weighted, providing a comfortable and stable ride, particularly on motorways.
However, the PHEV rivals, like the Land Rover Discovery Sport, offer a smoother ride. While the Sorento’s refinement is good, it isn’t quite as polished as some of its competitors.
The Sorento HEV, with its 212bhp, delivers respectable performance, reaching 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds.
While there’s a slight delay between pressing the accelerator and the car accelerating, it’s not enough to be bothersome. The car accelerates well when overtaking or reaching motorway speeds.
The PHEV, with a larger 13.8kWh battery and a more powerful 248bhp electric motor, offers even more punch, completing the 0-62mph sprint in 8.8 seconds—just over a second slower than the Land Rover Discovery Sport PHEV.
The Sorento PHEV can run up to 34 miles on electric power alone, which is similar to the Discovery Sport, though less than the 70-mile range of the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV.
If you’re someone who frequently tows, the diesel 2.2 CRDi version is the best choice. It has a towing capacity of up to 2,500kg, making it an excellent performer in towing tests and the Tow Car Awards. The diesel engine also provides plenty of low-end torque, making it ideal for everyday driving as well.
MINI Countryman
You might think MINI cars are only for city driving, but that’s not the case. The MINI Countryman is designed with the countryside in mind, offering agile handling and an impressive 400 litres of cargo space.
Whether you’re traveling through the city or navigating tight spaces, the Countryman is up for the challenge. This car is a great option for those who want the traditional charm of a MINI, combined with added off-road capabilities.
The Mini Countryman C, the entry-level model, is equipped with a 168bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine that powers the front wheels and offers more than enough performance for most buyers.
It’s effortless to drive at lower speeds and provides ample mid-range power when acceleration is required.
During testing, we achieved a respectable 0-60mph time of 8.4 seconds, which outperformed the Volvo XC40 B3 (8.7 seconds) and the VW Tiguan eTSI 150 (9.0 seconds) on the same day.
For those seeking a quicker ride, the Countryman S offers a 215bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with four-wheel drive (Mini refers to this as ALL4), reducing the 0-62mph time to 7.1 seconds.
The fastest version of the Countryman is the JCW, which boasts a 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine with ALL4 four-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds, making it quicker off the line than a Mini Countryman Electric.
Although the JCW doesn’t feel as fast as the figures suggest, it offers a solid amount of mid-rev power that makes overtaking easy.
All variants come with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. In the Countryman C, the gearbox is generally smooth, but we experienced a noticeable delay when pressing the accelerator from a standstill or at very low speeds. This lag can be frustrating when navigating junctions or roundabouts.
Activating the sportiest of the three driving modes—known as “Go Kart” mode—sharpens the response of the accelerator and gearbox, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the delay.
The gearbox in the Countryman JCW responds more quickly, and it comes with shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, allowing drivers to manually control gear changes. These paddles are available in the Countryman C and S, but they come as an optional extra.
Ride comfort varies depending on the model you choose. The JCW, being the sportiest variant, has the firmest suspension. It’s not overly harsh, but it does create more movement than a Cupra Ateca.
We haven’t yet tested the Countryman S, but the C offers a ride that’s mostly comfortable, with good control. While it doesn’t absorb bumps as effectively as the best versions of the Volvo XC40, which offer a more refined and cushioned ride, it still provides a satisfactory level of comfort.
The stiff suspension of the JCW helps minimize body roll during cornering, and it provides excellent grip. However, the steering doesn’t offer much feedback, so while it can take corners surprisingly quickly, it doesn’t deliver the same level of driving enjoyment as a Cupra Formentor, Ford Puma ST, or VW T-Roc R.
This is less of a concern with the Countryman C, which isn’t designed to be sporty but handles well for a family SUV. It offers more grip than a Tiguan and stays more composed through bends compared to an XC40.
Additionally, it is quieter than the Countryman JCW, with less tire noise and an engine that remains subdued, even when pushed hard.
Both the Countryman C and JCW feature a mild-hybrid electrical system that seamlessly switches the engine on or off in stop-start traffic. Despite the regenerative braking system, which recovers energy when you press the brake pedal, the vehicle comes to a smooth halt with ease.
Also Read: 10 Vehicles With Best Long-Term Fuel Economy That Save You Money Year After Year
Cars That Can’t Carry Outdoor Gear
Any vehicle can technically become an off-road vehicle if you take it off the road. But just as any machine can become a smoke machine if used incorrectly, some SUVs are designed for off-road adventures, while many others are not.
Having four-wheel-drive or sporting a Jeep badge with a seven-slat grille doesn’t automatically make a vehicle capable of rock crawling.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
While the Jeep name is often associated with off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk isn’t built for rugged trails. It’s essentially a Grand Cherokee that’s been fitted with racing tires.
The Trackhawk boasts a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering 707 horsepower, launch control, and a computer that tracks your 0-60 times.
It’s designed to accelerate quickly, and with the Brembo brake package, it can stop just as impressively.
But when it comes to rocky trails, the Trackhawk is not your best choice. Opt for a TrailHawk if off-roading is your goal.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is one of the worst choices for off-roading, but it excels as a cruiser. While it features a 4.0-liter V8 engine generating 550 horsepower, and it can reach 60 miles per hour in just 4.8 seconds, its off-road capability is questionable.
Yes, it does come with all-wheel-drive, but imagine trying to fix a scratch from a branch on this $160,500 SUV. You can bet your local AutoZone won’t carry touch-up paint for this luxury machine.
The Maybach GLS offers one of the best interiors available, designed for comfort and luxury, but it’s hardly the ideal vehicle for getting muddy. It’s packed with advanced technology, the kind that other cars will get years down the line, and it has a striking presence on the road.
In short, the GLS 600 is better suited for reality TV stars heading to the mall or embarking on a coast-to-coast road trip than for tackling muddy, off-road terrain.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
We’re not suggesting that you can’t take the Alfa Romeo Tonale off-road, but we do know that replacing the air dam in its low-hanging front bumper could end up being quite expensive.
The Tonale is Alfa Romeo’s new performance SUV for 2023, but it’s not one of the company’s off-road vehicles. You can get it as a plug-in hybrid EV, which delivers 272 horsepower, or as an all-wheel-drive, gas-powered SUV with 295 horsepower.
The Tonale is more focused on road driving dynamics than off-road capability.
For its second model year, the Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid has undergone a significant simplification of its lineup. The previous Sprint and Ti trims have been replaced by a single, unnamed trim, while the more upscale Veloce trim is now offered solely as an option package.
Additionally, a limited-production Tonale Tributo Italiano edition has been introduced, which brings a range of unique cosmetic upgrades, such as body-colored lower trim, a black-painted roof, and gloss-black window surrounds.
The Tributo Italiano also includes features like adaptive dampers, 20-inch wheels, chrome exhaust tips, aluminum doorsills, red-painted Brembo brake calipers, a hands-free power liftgate, Harman Kardon audio, aluminum paddle shifters, red-accented perforated leather seats, and driver’s-seat memory.
These features are available on the standard Tonale as standalone options or as part of the Veloce and Premium packages.
Although the Tributo Italiano offers some unique features, we would recommend opting for the base model and potentially adding the Premium package. The Premium package includes leather seats with ventilation for the front passengers, driver’s-seat memory, and a hands-free power liftgate.
The Tonale plug-in hybrid combines a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor located on the rear axle, producing a combined output of 285 horsepower and providing all-wheel drive.
It is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering an EPA-estimated 33-mile electric-only driving range. All Tonale models feature a fully independent suspension, with adaptive dampers available as an option through the Veloce package.
However, during our most recent test, we were somewhat disappointed by the Tonale’s driving dynamics. While Alfa’s other models set a high standard for engagement, the Tonale doesn’t match up.
The steering feels too detached from the road, which detracts from the overall driving experience.
Although the plug-in hybrid powertrain provides decent performance around town and solid braking, the Tonale lacks the driver-focused magic that makes other Alfa Romeo models, like the Giulia and Stelvio, so enjoyable to drive.
The Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 does a decent job of looking like a tall SUV, but with just 6.7 inches of ground clearance, you won’t be tackling many rocks with this vehicle.
Instead, the ID.4 is built for comfortable commuting. With approach and departure angles of only 20 degrees, it’s not ideal for steep hills either.
However, this electric SUV offers the option of all-wheel-drive and can travel up to 280 miles on a single charge.
If you’re really looking for a Volkswagen off-road SUV, the Atlas Cross Sport might be a better choice.
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
With a powerful 710 horsepower, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is built for performance. Its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine delivers more power than three base model VW ID.4s combined, paired with all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This SUV is equipped with 45-series Pirelli summer tires, making it perfect for excellent grip at the drag strip, not for the 4×4 park.
While it does have eight inches of ground clearance, its thirst for gas is just as monstrous as its power. In terms of options, it comes fully loaded with everything Dodge can add to a Durango. Like other Durango models, it can tow up to 8,700 pounds—but it will do so at high speed.