Top 10 Best Cars for Outdoor Enthusiasts!

Whether you want to get off the low-travel roads or ditch your car covers, you need a vehicle that’s good for travel.  If you want to climb hills or go off-road, your daily driver won’t cut it.  Whether you want to go camping, go fishing, or wade through mud puddles.

Office vehicles can be used for daily commutes as well as outdoor recreation and enjoyment.  Certain vehicles are designed for outdoor exploration and have the features required for these rugged terrains.

If you’re an adventurous person who likes kayaking, biking, and skiing, you need a car that fits.  Off-road capabilities combined with spaciousness, robustness, and practicality are essential attributes of a car for outdoor operations.  Below we have selected the best cars for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’re planning an epic road trip, you need to make sure you have a vehicle ready for the trip. Whether your car camping, exploring some national parks, or going on a day hike with your dog, there are some great vehicle options to consider. We asked the experts what the best cars are for outdoor enthusiasts, and here’s what they had to say.

#1. Jeep Wrangler

• MSRP: Two-door models – $30,295
• Four-door models – $34,165
• Engine: 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6
• Horsepower: 285 hp
• Torque: 260 Ib-ft
• Range: 452 miles
• MPG: 22 mpg city & 29 highway
• Transmission: six-speed manual or a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 100 – 125 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.1 seconds
• Trims: 10

If there’s one vehicle that has been the ultimate adventure model for decades, it’s the Jeep Wrangler. This iconic SUV perfectly embodies the outdoor lifestyle. 

This vehicle cannot be stopped.  Stick rocks under your tires and have a good day out on the dirt road.  The Wrangler has been the #1 choice for trailblazing for over 70 years.  You can also bring a boat or trailer with a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The only downside to this vehicle is that it’s not suitable for everyday commuting.  You’ll probably need to buy a different model to drive to work.

#2. Toyota Tacoma

• MSRP: Starting from $28,250
• Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
• Horsepower: 275 hp
• Torque: 317 lb-ft
• Range: 422 miles
• MPG: 21 mpg combined 19 mpg city & 24 mpg highway
• Transmission: six-speed automatic 
• Top Speed: 131 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 10.9 seconds
• Trims: 07

Trucks serve many purposes in the wild.  Anyone who loves the outdoors will appreciate a well-made pickup.  The reliable Toyota Tacoma offers comfortable city driving, smooth handling, and excellent fuel economy.

With the Tacoma available in many different sizes and trim levels, there’s something for every desire.  Pull the camper for a weekend adventure or take your water toys to the lake.  If you want to get serious about the trail, consider upgrading to the TRD Off-Road Package.

Buying this Toyota truck will save you a lot of money, but it’s important to know that it won’t tow as much as a full-size truck.  If you want to take your 35-foot camper on trips, you’ll want a little more power.

#3. Land Rover Range Rover

• MSRP: $218,300
• Engine: 3.0-litre D300 Ingenium Diesel
• Horsepower: 395 hp
• Torque: 406 lb-ft
• Range: 48 miles
• MPG: 16 combined 14 City & 19 Highway 
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 130 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.2 seconds
• Trims: 05

Land Rover Range Rover can handle any terrain like a boss.  Other than that, it’s an SUV that looks good on the road.  Total luxury and total adventure in one package.  This off-road beast features a fully independent air suspension that can lift and carry the vehicle up to 3 feet deep.

Several supercharged engine options give you the power you deserve.  Ample cargo space allows you to pack your tent, skis, or other outdoor gear.  The new Sport model can tow around 8,000 pounds for maximum versatility.

The biggest drawback of this SUV is its price, but it adds value as a perfect model for adventure and daily driving.  Protect your Range Rover Sport SUV with premium quality covers.

We break it down through expert analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the best cars for outdoor enthusiasts in 2023.  The vehicles here are new vehicles that are sold for the first time this year. We do not include anything that has not been fully disclosed.

#4. Ford Super Duty

• MSRP: starts at $45,015
• Engine: 90-degree overhead-valve V8
• Horsepower: 405 hp
• Torque: 445 lb-ft
• Range: 470 miles
• MPG: 14.6 mpg city & 14.6 mpg highway
• Transmission: 10-speed TorqShift automatic
• Top Speed: 96 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 7 seconds
• Trims: 06

Need to tow a travel trailer or tow a slide-in camper?  As all this talk about payload capacity suggests, midsize and half-ton trucks are usually not strong enough to handle these jobs.  Enter the Ford Super Duty built for heavy lifting.  Unlike the heavily laden trucks found in hill towns, they remain safe and relatively fuel-efficient.

Completely redesigned for 2023, the Super Duty shares a luxurious cab with the all-new F-150 and can tow up to 8,000 pounds and up to 40,000 pounds, making it the most powerful pickup ever.  Other innovations focus on ease of use.  Heavy trucks like these are welcome because they can challenge the limited skills of non-commercial drivers.  A navigation system can plan accessible routes based on the size of the trailer, while a range of cameras and safety systems make the trailer safer than ever.

#5. Chevy Colorado

• MSRP: Starting at $30,695
• Engine: turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four
• Horsepower: 237 hp
• Torque: 259 lb-ft
• Range: 420/546 miles
• MPG: 20 mpg city & 25 mpg highway
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 135 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.1 Seconds
• Trims: 04

Mid-duty trucks, such as these twin trucks from General Motors, have traditionally faced two challenges: payload and powertrain.  However, depending on trim level and options, the new Colorado can tow up to 1,600 pounds, which is close to the payload offered by the best-in-class Ford Ranger.  And while the Ford still beats the GM twin with its mismatched 10-speed transmission, Colorado has a more powerful motor with 430 pound-feet of torque.  This is one of the best midsize pickups ever. 

And they have another ace.  The top trim level of the truck features true long-travel suspension systems completes with advanced off-road shocks.  It’s another medium-sized one, and it’s big enough to give it a clear edge over its competitors in this space.  Combined with the turbocharged 2.7-liter high-output engine, this suspension delivers significant performance.  But you will pay for it.  While the ZR2 starts at $46,800, the AT4X will be stickered at $55,000 with safety features, a more upscale interior, and features like an under-hood camera.

#6. Subaru Solterra

• MSRP: Starting at $46,220
• Horsepower: 215 hp
• Torque: 249 lb-ft
• Range: 228 miles
• MPG: 102 Combined
• Top Speed: 110 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.5 seconds
• Trims: 03

Finally, every outdoorsman’s favorite car brand is going to sell an electric car.  About the size of a Crosstrek, the Solterra is easy to park and offers plenty of cargo space to support your sports and hobbies. A 72.8kWatt-hour battery pack provides a range of 228 miles.  Subaru offers 18- and 20-inch wheels, but anyone looking to go off-road should avoid the 20-inch.  Because you have to sacrifice both comfort and puncture resistance.  Unlike many other economy EVs, the Solterra can go off-road. As you’d expect from any Subaru, it’s equipped with AWD and even has an electronic traction assist and hill climb control.

However, Solterra has two trade-offs: price and charging speed.  Subaru hasn’t announced dollar amounts yet but expect at least a $10,000 premium over the similar Crosstrek. And compared to most other EVs, the Solterra takes a while to charge.  Using a 100kW DC fast charger, it takes 56 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%. Compatible with the brand’s 150kW supercharger network, the Tesla Model 3 can recharge its high-capacity battery to the same amount in 20 minutes.

Mother Nature has something special.  Fresh air, open spaces, and the freedom to travel wherever you want – there’s a lot to like.  But what if you need a car to get to the wilderness and beyond?

Fortunately, there are now many cars on the market for people who want a more active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. So, we will see about the best vehicles for outdoorsmen.

#7. GMC Hummer EV SUV

• MSRP: starts at $84,650 
• Horsepower: 625 hp
• Torque: 7400 lb-ft
• Range: 300 miles
• MPG: 51 City, 43 Highway, and 47 Combined mpg
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 106 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 3.5 seconds
• Trims: 04

Driving the GMC Hummer EV pickup feels like driving an ATV.  Unfortunately, that little bed can only haul about as much as an ATV.  Enter the SUV version, which should be more practical, and start reaching customers this summer. You can’t talk about the electric Hummer without talking about availability. 

It must be a successful result in that 90,000 people made reservations as soon as the order book opened last year.  The company initially planned only 12 per day.  In that capacity, it would take 20 years to fulfil that mandate. GM is currently expanding production as quickly as possible, but don’t expect to be able to order it any time shortly.  If you know of anyone lucky enough to get a Hummer this year, ask for a ride.

#8. Ineos Grenadier

• MSRP: $70,000-$100,000
• Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six-cylinder
• Horsepower: 282 hp
• Torque: 550Nm
• Range: 452 miles
• MPG: 19 City, 20 Highway & 19 Combined mpg
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 99 mpg
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 8.3 seconds
• Trims: 03

Do you miss the days of simple, sturdy 4x4s like the old Land Rover Defender?  So did British chemical magnate Sir James Radcliffe, who marketed this look under his brand.  Featuring a simple live axle with front and rear locking differentials and an understated interior, the Grenadier is designed to be a durable, go-anywhere vehicle for true adventure.

Creating a new car company is difficult.  Much of the value proposition offered by older Defenders, Toyota Land Cruisers, and other vehicles is that they are omnipresent in the remote corners of the planet these vehicles are designed to travel on.  Disassembling Baja from Land Cruiser allows you to find the parts you need even in small towns. 

Can the same be said for low-volume exotic SUVs?  It’s a problem the brand is trying to solve by equipping the Grenadier with an external engine.  Its turbocharged inline-six is ​​sourced from BMW, a brand not traditionally associated with advantages like durability or robustness, and sourcing parts from such a tight spot would be equally difficult.  The car lover in the US wants to be optimistic about this, but the skeptic in the US is raising red flags.

If you’re looking for the best affordable cars for outdoor enthusiasts.  No matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for, you’ll want a car that can easily transport you and all your gear there.

But not just any car can do it.  You want a car that can handle all weather and terrain, with plenty of interior space for you and your fellow adventurers, and all the supplies you need.  A quick guide to the Best Affordable Cars for Outdoor Enthusiasts. It has everything you need to get out and explore the great outdoors.

#9. Nissan Pathfinder

• MSRP: starting price of $35,200
• Engine: 3.5-liter V6 
• Horsepower: 284 hp
• Torque: 259 lb-ft
• Range: 425.5 miles
• MPG: 23 Combined, 21 City, and 27 Highway mpg
• Transmission: 9-speed automatic
• Top Speed: 147 – 149 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph): 6.5 – 7.9 seconds
• Trims: 04

It may look like the same old Pathfinder, but take a peek under the hood and you’ll see it’s not. Nissan beefed up the engine, pulling out 284 horsepower and towing up to 6,000 pounds. The suspension is better, stiffer, and smarter. On a hilly drive near Big Sur, California, the smooth continuously variable transmission meshed well with the engine, resulting in few drones seen in other CVT setups.

Although built primarily for asphalt use, the Pathfinder can be adventurous. We locked the transmission into the all-wheel drive to go down a sandy lane in the mountains, and the descent control kept us from skidding downhill. Nissan’s around-view monitors give you 360-degree images of the landscape, so you can pass rocks and $100,000 Mercedes in Trader Joe’s parking lot. Think of the Pathfinder as a larger Subaru Outback with more refined off-road driving and twice the towing capacity.

#10. Honda Ridgeline

• MSRP – starts at $38,800
• Engine – 3.5-Liter I-VTEC V-6
• Horsepower – 280 hp
• Torque – 262 lb-ft
• Range – 410 miles
• MPG – 18 City and 24 Highway mpg
• Transmission – 9-speed Automatic
• Top Speed – 130 mph
• Acceleration (0-60mph) – 6.2 seconds
• Trims – 04

On a 920-mile road trip between Colorado and New Mexico, the AWD version’s 3.5-liter V6 engine managed a respectable 24.5 miles per gallon, even when towing a family of four with all gear and coolant neatly stored.

The truck’s clever lockable watertight trunk sits under the cargo area behind the rear axle. Access to the trunk was made easy by the Ridgeline’s tailgate. The gate opens or pivots down like a traditional pickup truck, making it a great platform for towing a boat or bike.

Lower the tailgate and the fun continues with six speakers in an illuminated truck bed that doubles as a sleeping platform. Honda even sells tents that fit inside the bed. As a ski truck, this is a dream machine. Plenty of room in the bed for boards and poles, or a comfortable day cruiser for everyday needs, while backcountry brothers back up the pass.

FAQs

Conclusion

If you love exploring the outdoors, you need a vehicle that’s right for the job and enhances the enjoyment of the activity. Always look for a vehicle that manufacturers incorporate design features for off-road exploration so that the car can meet the challenges of the outdoors.