Cars For Beach

 

Cars, Trucks, and SUVs That Are Ready for Fun in the Sun

Gearing up for a day at the beach is a time-honored tradition. But once you start loading up all the chairs, coolers, camp stoves, sun tents, and more, you start to realize that not every vehicle is ideal for this.

The following vehicles are all uniquely suited for a day at the beach. Some are terrific for getting there in style, others are capable of carrying all your gear. Many of these vehicles are also great for off-road driving. After all, if you go to a beach that you can drive on, you don’t want to end up on social media digging yourself out of the sand.

We have ranked this list by price from cheapest to most expensive, but all of these cars will be excellent companions when you’re catching some rays this summer.

1. 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

• Starting Price: $26,660
• Max. Cargo Space: 65.2 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

The Bronco Sport is Ford’s compact counterpart to the Wrangler-fighting Bronco. The Bronco Sport has solid off-road chops thanks to its standard 4WD. It includes a GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) mode, which should be great for getting out onto remote beaches. The standard turbocharged three-cylinder engine makes decent power, but we’d recommend going for the available 220-horsepower EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4.

The Bronco provides up to 65.2 cubic feet of cargo space or 32.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The rear window opens independently of its liftgate, in case you want to stow a surfboard. The Bronco Sport is available with versatile roof racks, as well as a rubberized cargo area. It comes with clever features such as the integrated bottle opener in the tailgate.

The Ford Bronco Sport is all-new for 2021. If you’re looking for a less off-road-capable compact Ford SUV, check out the high-tech Escape.

2. 2021 Ford Bronco

• Starting Price: $28,500
• Max. Cargo Space: 77.6 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

With the revived Bronco, the Blue Oval is aiming squarely at the Wrangler. It has removable roof and door panels and boasts incredible off-road attributes. The whole package is wrapped in attractive styling that is both retro and modern. The 2-door versions provide 52.3 cubic feet of cargo space, while the 4-door model has up to 77.6 cubic feet. The side-opening rear hatch makes for easy tailgating on the beach as well.

The Bronco features an easy-clean interior with rubberized floors, in-floor drain-plugs, and easy-to-clean seating surfaces. Even the controls and switchgear are waterproof. The Bronco also comes standard with the intuitive SYNC 4 infotainment system. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can easily stream all your favorite music while enjoying the surf.

The Bronco has made a triumphant return after a 25-year hiatus, but the Explorer never left. It has more cargo and passenger space, though it lacks the off-road capability.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon / Photo Credit: Stellantis

3. 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

• Starting Price: $32,075
• Max. Cargo Space: 72.4 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

The beach is one of the Wrangler’s natural habitats. With removable roof and doors, the Wrangler is perfectly suited to let the sun and breeze in. The Wrangler also has durable rubberized doors with drain plugs so you can clean out the sand later. It has multiple roof options, including soft-top, hardtop, and the Sky One-Touch power-retractable soft top.

Standard 4-wheel drive (4WD) and 10.8 inches of ground clearance ensure the Wrangler can get through soft sand or dunes. The standard V6 makes plenty of power if you need to get yourself out of a rut, and the available EcoDiesel V6 provides an impressive 442 pound-feet of torque.

If you really want the beach life, Jeep offers an Islander trim, complete with unique badging and an available white hardtop. It gives the Wrangler a fun, classic look.

The Wrangler was completely redesigned in 2018. It gained available driver assistance features in 2019 and an optional diesel engine in 2020. Models from 2018-2021 will look nearly identical.

4. 2021 Ford Mustang Convertible

• Starting Price: $32,655
• Max. Cargo Space: 11.4 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: No

Just imagine cruising down Pacific Coast Highway in a Mustang convertible with a surfboard sticking out the back. The Mustang might not be able to drive out onto the beach, but most beaches are not (legally) driveable, so the Mustang remains the perfect way to get there. The cloth top takes just seven seconds to open or close and has a quick-release latch right above the rearview mirror.

The Mustang comes standard with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower. Some may be tempted to go for the 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 in the Mustang GT, but the EcoBoost makes plenty of power and lacks the added weight of the V8. The EcoBoost Handling Package also adds the magnetic ride control and limited-slip differential from the GT. The EcoBoost Convertible can easily be as fun to drive as the GT if you enjoy carving corners on the way to the beach.

The current generation of the Mustang was introduced for the 2015 model year and was refreshed in 2018, so 2015 models will look similar and 2018-and-newer models look almost identical. Ford CoPilot 360 is now standard for 2021.

5. 2021 Jeep Gladiator

• Starting Price: $33,545
• Max. Cargo Space: 5-foot bed
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

With standard 4WD and V6 power, the Gladiator is ready to go anywhere, including the beach. With up to 7,650 pounds of towing ability, you can also tow out a Boston Whaler to a nearby boat ramp. The Gladiator’s 5-foot bed can be outfitted with cargo racks to make carrying a surfboard or other beach gear a snap.

Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator has removable doors and a fold-down windshield. The durable interior is ready to take on sand and dirt, and the available Cargo Management package includes a lockable storage bin under the rear seats, as well as a wall-style power outlet located in the truck bed.

The Jeep Gladiator was introduced just last year. It carries over largely unchanged. The only difference is the 2021 edition is available with a diesel engine.

6. 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

• Starting Price: $35,045
• Max. Cargo Space: 140.5 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: No

You don’t always need to be able to drive out onto the beach. Oftentimes, the most important attribute is the ability to haul the whole family and their gear. This is especially of anyone trying to trek to the beach with small children. With up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space, the Pacifica can carry all the beach chairs, coolers, wagons, bags, and more. The Stow ’N Go seating and hands-free power sliding doors and tailgate are all there to make a parent’s life a bit easier.

Available features like seatback touchscreens with educational games help keeps the kids occupied on the trip to and from the shore. When you get back, cleaning is a snap thanks to the integrated vacuum cleaner. The standard V6 provides stout power for getting up to highway speeds and the comfortable, confident ride will take some of the strain out of the trip.

The Chrysler Pacifica was introduced for the 2017 model year. Through the years, it gained some additional standard and available features. It has been slightly updated for 2021 with a new front-end design and new infotainment.

7. 2021 Toyota 4Runner

• Starting Price: $36,340
• Max. Cargo Space: 88.8 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

The 4Runner is an aging midsize SUV, but it more than makes up for it with terrific off-road abilities (including in sand). The dated interior is perfectly suited to handle the sand and spray of the beach and provides a solid amount of cargo space. The power tailgate window lowers into the rest of the hatch, making it easier to access items in the back without opening the liftgate.

Despite its age, the 4Runner comes loaded up with modern features, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P, which includes forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. When properly equipped, the 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and the tow hitch receiver is perfect for an exterior cargo rack.

The current generation of the 4Runner has been around since 2010 and was restyled in 2014. For 2020 it gains standard infotainment and driver assistance features.

8. 2021 Honda Ridgeline

• Starting Price: $36,490
• Max. Cargo Space: 5-foot-4-inch bed
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

The Ridgeline has a comfortable, composed ride and a very comfortable cabin for a pickup truck. It comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a host of standard driver assistance features. The Ridgeline comes equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine, allowing it to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Ridgeline’s best feature is its truck bed. It has a dual-action tailgate that can lower conventionally or swing out to the sides. The bed also features a lockable cargo bin in the truck bed. The bed also features an available household power outlet to hook up a stereo or powered cooler.

The Honda Ridgeline was reintroduced for the 2017 model year and gained new tech features in 2020. It has been restyled for 2021 and gains standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

9. 2021 Land Rover Defender

• Starting price: $46,100
• Max. Cargo Space: 69 cu ft
• Good for Beach Driving: Yes

Every vehicle in the Land Rover lineup can get you to the beach in comfort and navigate the dunes with relative ease. But do you really want to cover the interior of a Range Rover Sport in sand? The newly revived and redesigned Defender is designed for just that situation, with rubberized floors and durable upholstery. The Defender is available in 2-door or 4-door layouts;  the latter provides the most cargo space.

The Defender is available with a wide range of accessories, exterior cargo pods, and even a ladder to access the roof. Powertrains include a 295-horsepower turbocharged inline-4 and a twin-turbo inline-six that makes 395 horsepower. The Defender also features Terrain Response 2, with Auto, Rock Crawl, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and most crucially, Sand drive modes.