Car camping can be an affordable and fun way to save on hotel bills during long road trips, though not all cars are suitable for sleeping in.
Numerous cars have enough space for comfortable sleeping arrangements, including Honda’s CR-V, which features two seating rows and can fit a mattress easily, and Toyota Sequoia, known for both comfort and superior off-road performance.
Honda CR-V
Honda’s CR-V stands out in the compact SUV class as an all-around standout, featuring usable space, responsive driving dynamics, and cutting-edge safety and infotainment features.
Families love it thanks to its spacious back row, roomy cargo area, responsive controls, and straightforward parking. Furthermore, commuters who prioritize efficiency will appreciate its hybrid powertrain’s impressive fuel economy of 40 mpg combined.
The 2022 Honda CR-V features an attractive design that conforms with their rugged light truck aesthetic, along with plenty of exciting tech features like a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and even an innovative wireless phone charging pad – plus, there’s even a convenient one-touch power moonroof option!
Toyota Sequoia
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia redefines what it means to be a large SUV, boasting rugged yet capable performance with its potent hybrid powertrain that produces massive torque – its i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V-6 engine produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque; rear-wheel drive provides agile handling while optional four-wheel drive gives more excellent capability on rugged terrain.
Inside the spacious cabin of the Sequoia is seating comfortable enough for up to eight passengers. Higher trim levels feature second-row captain’s chairs instead of bench seats, which slide fore or aft six inches to optimize legroom or cargo space as needed. Furthermore, third-row folding reclined seats can further increase cargo room. Furthermore, several trim levels, such as the Capstone edition, offer luxurious materials, quality, and design elements – especially on higher trim levels.
Chevrolet Equinox
The 2024 Chevy Equinox might be starting to show its age among newer SUV rivals, but it still provides an admirable blend of passenger space and practical features. It boasts surprisingly decent road manners and is popular among rental fleets, making it an excellent choice for families while boasting near-perfect government safety ratings.
The Equinox’s quiet cabin offers an enjoyable driving experience, and its rear seat legroom rivals some competitors in its compact SUV class. Premium cloth or perforated leather seat upholstery is available, while available heated front seats keep passengers cozy on long journeys. GM’s third-generation Infotainment operating system comes standard on LS, LT, and RS trim levels, while Premier models feature an 8-inch touchscreen for an even more excellent entertainment experience. You can even add a panoramic moonroof and hands-free power liftgate features!
Ford Carnival
The Carnival offers kid and cargo space with its upright body style, though it falls short in front headroom and rear legroom compared to its more expensive rival, Odyssey. What it has going for it, though, is a highly affordable starting price with a comprehensive set of standard comfort and safety features that sets itself apart.
The Carnival SX Prestige elevates the luxury driving experience with features like a Bose stereo sound system, embossed and heated leather seats, additional USB ports (for a total of seven), dual 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment functions, and attractive two-tone faux leather upholstery trimmed in dimpled aluminum-look brightwork interior trim.
Experience has taught us that the SX’s genuine leather feels stiffer and dryer than Carnival’s standard SynTex material, while both models offer hands-free power liftgates with front parking sensors as standard features. Other notable options for the SX include a dual-screen rear seat entertainment system that mirrors smartphone displays wirelessly connected with headphones – features not offered on Carnival models.
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai continues its push towards reliability, with the 2022 Elantra being one of the best compact sedans for value. It boasts outstanding resale value, and its standard features exceed many higher-priced alternatives that typically only provide optional extras.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra lineup offers something for every buyer in terms of budget and fuel efficiency: budget-minded shoppers will appreciate the SE and SEL models; miserly fuel savers might prefer Blue or Hybrid Blue trims; while performance enthusiasts might enjoy its 201 horsepower N-Line model. Even its lowest-priced Elantras feature advanced driver assistance systems, which help avoid accidents and enhance survival rates after collisions occur.
Road noise and vibration may be too loud inside, and its interior design feels utilitarian and uninspiring. Still, the Elantra provides a comfortable ride, offering ample headroom up front and legroom at the back.
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf stands out among its peers with its straightforward styling that doesn’t appear forced or extravagant, which adds much of its charm compared with more striking vehicles such as the Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX.
Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform powers various VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda vehicles (such as the three-row Atlas crossover). It offers ample stiffness and safety features while providing a big trunk storage capacity of 16.5 cubic feet.
The Golf’s front sport seats are comfortable and supportive, providing good forward visibility due to a low hood and slim roof pillars that allow for good forward visibility and decent over-the-shoulder views. Rear bench space may be limited, but headroom should still be adequate for six-footers; side mirrors feature blind spot warning indicators while we gave this vehicle top marks for standard driver aids.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a small car with surprising roominess and amenities. Up front, its seats are well-bolstered and comfortable (though long drives may render one or two stiff). Mazda has avoided succumbing to trends for larger infotainment screens, so its dashboard layout appears more premium than most competitors.
The driving dynamics of this model are also impressive: it’s rapid acceleration and agile handling make short work of merges and on-ramps, while responsive brake pedal feedback enhances control during everyday driving and gives confidence during emergency stops.
Mazda3 stands out as an economical sedan with excellent ride and handling, lively engines, and stellar fuel economy – comparable to both Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in terms of quality. Unfortunately, its only real weakness lies with an awkward infotainment system controlled via an irritating knob on the console. Still, this minor gripe should not overshadow this car’s many virtues, such as excellent ride and handling qualities, responsive engines, and excellent fuel economy – these makeup for minor oversights or inconveniences. Available as either sedan or hatchback variants, Mazda3 stands alongside the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla regarding quality.
Nissan Note
The Nissan Note is an economical small car with ample interior space. While its boxier shape may make it less stylish than some rivals, its interior remains surprisingly practical and well-planned. Plus, it comes equipped with convenient technology like intelligent around-view monitors and parking aids – ideal for families.
The Nissan Note is assembled at their Sunderland plant in the UK using an extended version of their Alliance B platform, featuring various petrol and diesel engines and an eco-friendly hybrid option that’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee offers an unmatched blend of smooth driving experience and ample passenger space, featuring comfortable seats cushioned for long drives. Furthermore, its cabin remains quiet.
Jeep offers an 8.4-inch touchscreen and Uconnect infotainment system as standard equipment, providing access to many features and functions. Both its graphics and functionality are top-tier while remaining easy to use.
Its rear seat offers ample adult legroom; however, its cargo hold may be smaller than some rival models.
The Jeep’s high roofline offers an excellent road view, simplifying navigating natural obstructions such as tall bushes or shopping center carts. Furthermore, this high roofline makes parking more accessible and helps peer around other vehicles when parking behind others. Trailer sway is mitigated thanks to an available rearview camera system enabling better steering when backing up through turns.
Volvo XC90
The 2024 Volvo XC90 stands out in a competitive class of large luxury SUVs by seating seven comfortably, providing current entertainment technology, and providing an incredibly plush ride experience.
It’s also an impressively solid vehicle with an outstanding track record for reliability – ideal if you need something reliable that can withstand anything from road salt to snowstorms. The Volvo XC90 makes an excellent addition to any family.
The base XC90 packs less power than the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 350L models but more than the BMW X5. To experience even more lavish luxury, upgrade to Excellence trim for captain’s chairs equipped with massage and heating functions, a premium Bowers and Wilkins sound system, and plenty of cargo room when second-row seats are folded down flat.
