Our Favorite New Cars For Camping: 2026
Our favorite SUV for camping, for the money, is the Subaru Crosstrek. Its standard all-wheel drive and affordable price point make it one of the better compacts on sale today, even without considering its uses for camping. The Crosstrek's modest trunk size might be a little bit of a hurdle for large families, but its roof rack offers ample storage options. Subaru's excellent little crossover aside, we've compiled other great options for camping companions here.
Subaru Crosstrek: The Best Cheap SUV For Camping
Price: $28,445
Pretty much regardless of trim, the Crosstrek is a stand-out vehicle for camping because of its baked-in off-road capability. The affordable price point and standard all-wheel drive aside, the Crosstrek is also comfy enough for long drives. Subaru also offers a capable Wilderness trim with added ground clearance and better tires for those wanting to get away from the KOA campground. These also net high capacity roof rails that will hold up to 800 pounds, perfect for filling the roof rack with all the things you may not have been able to get into the Crosstrek's hatch.
2027 Kia Telluride: The Best Full-Size SUV For Camping
Price: $40,735
If you need more space than offered by the Crosstrek, Kia's Telluride has you covered. It's on a winning streak, with the last generation being one of our favorite family SUVs. It so happens these qualifications make it a great camping candidate: a cavernous trunk, third row, and excellent pricing make the Telluride a winner in both categories. The brand also offers a rugged X-Pro trim for a little added capability, featuring the usual run of off-road features, like tires and special drive modes. Kia's build quality is excellent, too, and nearly any Telluride feels like a serious value compared to similar alternatives from the likes of Ford, Honda, and Toyota.
Ford Bronco: The Best Off-Road SUV For Camping
Price: $42,490
The Ford Bronco is the best alternative for those looking to do some camping away from everyone else. To do that, you'll need the Bronco's litany of off-road features, like its all-terrain tires and locking differentials. Broncos can be had with two or four doors, depending on what you need to take with you. Their added removable roof panels or soft tops also make them excellent at getting to the core of what going camping is about: being outside. Ford offers two powertrains, but the cheaper four-cylinder and its manual transmission, complete with crawler gear, is by far the most fun and bang for your buck.
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Jeep Wrangler: The Runner-Up
Price: $38,625
If you like the Bronco, you'll like the Wrangler. Like the above Ford, it offers plenty of off-road capability and a few different body styles, along with a few roof options. Jeep's long-running SUV also has the added benefit of being offered as a hybrid (until just this year). The biggest reason it loses out to the Bronco is space. With the Bronco being just slightly larger, you're able to bring more with you in the Bronco than you are in the Wrangler. We're big fans of the base Wrangler's big, simple V6 and its six-speed manual transmission.
Lexus GX: The Best Luxury Camping Rig
Price: $67,735
There's almost nothing to dislike about the Lexus GX. It's big, it's got a torquey V6 with ample power, and it's got the off-road chops to get you away from other campers. Overtrail models in particular are excellent at this, with their added off-road equipment. Luxury is the GX's other big strong suit, with items like ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and advanced driver aids to help those long hauls feel more manageable. These SUVs are also great for towing, and have the highest capacity on this list besides the Fords below, at 9,000 pounds. The third row's a bit tight, but it does make for a cavernous rear cargo bay.
Ford F-150: The Best Full-Size Truck For Camping
Price: $40,085
The F-150 is America's favorite truck, and it so happens it's also pretty great to take camping. The truck is staggeringly varied, offering a hilarious glut of powertrains, cab configurations, and trim levels. For simplicity's sake: get one with four-wheel drive and the FX-4 off-road package with a bed big enough to carry tents, tables, and the like. If towing, opt for the brand's tow packages, which add cameras and other helpful assists. Expect to pull up to 13,500 pounds. Ford also offers a high-powered Raptor for serious off-road work, but its electric alternative, the Lightning, is no more.
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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 9:25 AM.