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Writer's pictureHannah Larson

The 10 Best Adventure Cars & Trucks

When you’re headed out for a weekend camping trip or planning to surf at the beach, you need an adventure car to stow and transport your gear.


Packing your backpack, cooler or fishing gear is easy in these cars, which are all designed for the outdoors.

Check out these 10 best adventure cars so you’re prepared for your next outdoor expedition. 





What Makes a Car Good for Adventure?

A good adventure car has high ground clearance to keep you safe on rugged terrain.


You’ll want an off-road vehicle that gets you to remote destinations and clears rocks easily so you won’t scrape the underside of your car.


The best adventure cars also have great traction to keep you from getting stuck in mud or ruts. 


10 Best Adventure Cars 

The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport has a terrain management system with five modes that can handle any type of terrain. It seats five people and includes a rear cargo area for all your gear. This Sport version comes with a two-tone black safari style roof and red-painted wheels. Its front-facing camera gives you a 180-degree view of the trail while a voice-activated touchscreen GPS gives you directions for smooth navigation. 


This model starts at $33,730 and includes rain-sensing windshield wipers and electronic traction control.


The 2024 Wrangler four-door Sport S model has all season tires and three tow hooks.


This vehicle option includes 4-wheel anti lock disc brakes and a part time 4-wheel drive system. With hill start assist, you’ll feel safe and confident driving the Wrangler on steep, uphill roads.


The Sport S has a base price of $35,895. Adding optional equipment like power-heated mirrors and advanced brake assist totals to $9,080. With an additional destination charge of $1,795, the total price comes to $46,770 online. 


The 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness has symmetrical all-wheel drive and 9.5 inches of ground clearance so you can navigate new roads and trails in any kind of weather.


This Subaru’s engine has 3,500 pounds of towing capacity and its off-road, all-terrain tires can conquer any road you choose.


The car’s dual-function X-MODE also has new settings for dirt and deep snow/mud. For an added bonus, the Outback Wilderness comes with reinforced roof rails that support a roof tent, so you can easily go camping on top of your adventure car. 


The Outback Wilderness has a base price of $39,960. Adding a power moonroof, STARLINK multimedia navigation and reverse automatic braking will add an extra $1,845 to your total. 


Volkswagen’s 2024 Atlas Cross Sport’s SE with Technology model has a turbocharged engine with 269 horsepower and 273 pounds per foot of torque plus an all-wheel-drive mode so you can tackle hilltops and dirt roads with ease.


With the VW Digital Cockpit Pro’s high-resolution map, you also get full-screen navigation. Roof rails and a trailer hitch make it easy to pack your gear and tow another vehicle if desired. 


The Cross Sport has a starting MSRP of $41,090. 


Toyota’s 2024 4Runner TRD Off-Road includes a multi-terrain monitor with an 8-inch touchscreen display which uses cameras placed around the SUV to give you the best view of your surroundings. This 4Runner’s dynamic suspension system makes intense off-road driving easier and its multi-terrain select system regulates wheelspin for great traction. 


This model comes with Crawl Control, which automatically adjusts the throttle and brakes on rough terrain. The TRD Off-Road, which averages 16-19 miles per gallon, has a $44,550 base MSRP.


The 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport truck has 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. There are a variety of add-on accessories you can purchase to adapt your truck to your preferred adventure. If you’re gearing up for a biking trip, check out the TrailSport’s bike attachment fork mount for $191 or the $211 frame mount. 


If you’re bringing your motorcycle along, take a look at the $365 motorcycle bed extender, which will give you enough room in the pickup bed to safely stow your bike. Other options include a surf/paddleboard attachment for $169, ski/snowboard attachment for $281 or a bed tent for $375. 


This model has a base price of $44,980. 


Toyota’s 2024 Land Cruiser has a 4-cylinder hybrid engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The Land Cruiser’s rugged exterior and powerful, full time 4-wheel drive makes it the perfect choice for a classic adventure car. 


This model costs $63,345 and includes a no-cost maintenance plan and roadside assistance. There are a variety of add-ons you can purchase, including 20-inch alloy wheels for $1,240 or a roof rack for $1,400. Another feature is a power tilt moonroof and sunshade, which you can add for $850. You can also buy the $4,600 Premium Package, which includes lane assist technology.


Chevrolet’s 2024 Suburban High Country includes a 10-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive and a Duramax Turbo diesel engine. The Chevy’s enhanced automatic emergency braking uses radar and camera technology to help you stop quickly with hard braking. The hill start assist feature briefly keeps the brakes engaged when you switch to the gas pedal on an incline and automatically releases when you press down on the accelerator, preventing you from rolling backwards. 


This model seats seven people and costs $83,395. 


This Mercedes-Benz SUV has 4-wheel drive and with exceptional climbing and fording prowess for intense off-road driving. The round LED headlamps adapt to darkness, curves and other vehicles on night drives, and the sunroof’s heat-rejecting glass keeps you cool on summer days.


Lane, blind spot and speed limit assists keep you safe on your driving adventures.


The G 550 has a nine-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. 


This model seats five passengers and costs $143,000.


The 2023 Range Rover comes equipped with a terrain response 2 system with selectable driving and off-road modes as well as electric power assisted steering. This Range Rover’s hill launch assist and low traction launch features give you confidence while driving in steep or slick conditions, and its stability controls keep you steady in rough terrain. 


This model seats five people and is priced at $143,810. 


The Bottom Line: Adventure Cars 

As you get ready for your next trip, check out these adventure cars to see which one works best for you.


Consider the mechanical features and additional technology you want before deciding on your preferred outdoor vehicle.

Enjoy your next off-road excursion in one of these powerful adventure cars.

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