Best cars for camping in Australia
We take a look at the cars best equipped for camping, to help you get away from the daily grind and get in touch with nature.
Embarking on a camping adventure in Australia often means a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, an opportunity to reconnect with nature and unwind amidst breath-taking landscapes. However, the success of your journey heavily depends on choosing the right vehicle.
Whether you’re gearing up for cross country camping or searching for the perfect car for a cosy night’s sleep, our curated selection ensures you find the ideal match. Each vehicle boasts unique features, from off-road capability to ample storage space, designed to elevate your camping experience. Let's explore some of the best cars for camping available today for your next road trip or outdoor journey.
Subaru Outback
When it comes to cars that can do it all, the Subaru Outback is just about in a class of its own. The spacious cabin and ergonomic seats will keep everyone comfortable and happy no matter how long the drive, while the driver will appreciate the car-like handling and superior bump absorption.
Generous boot space will easily swallow a four-man tent and all the camping gear a family could need. Best of all, the Outback has a very capable all-wheel drive system, so if the road into the campsite becomes a little more rustic than expected, it won’t spoil your day.
Highlights: Spacious cabin and all-wheel drive
Price: from $42,690 plus on roads
Suzuki Jimny
One of the joys of camping is switching off devices, packing a few essentials, and heading into the wilderness to escape the city rat race or yet another day in your home office. If your needs are small but your desire to go bush is large, the Suzuki Jimny fits the bill.
While the original Jimny has four seats, those in the rear are tiny and it only has three doors, so it’s really a car for a couple looking to get away together. Suzuki has, however, just launched a more spacious five-door version. It has a proper 4WD system with low range, so there are few places it can’t go. A less-than-stellar three-star ANCAP safety rating is an issue, but the asking price certainly isn’t.
Highlights: Off-road capability with compact size
Price: $30,490 (three-door) or $34,990 (five-door) plus on roads
Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Pitching a tent in a holiday park? The LandCruiser Prado has that covered. Want to explore the rugged regions of the outback? The Prado can do that on its ear. Want to leave civilisation entirely and overnight somewhere off the grid? The Toyota Prado is a true off-roader with a diff lock, so it can do that too.
Even if you want to ‘camp in comfort’ and tow a caravan, the Prado’s 3000kg towing capacity means you can haul the Hilton if you want. Much cheaper than its Landcruiser big brother and more manoeuvrable if you need to drop into Coles, the Prado has every base covered. A brand new model is coming this year.
Highlights: Off-road capability with towing capacity
Price: $62,830
Kia Sorento
If you prefer the sort of camping where there’s an amenities block 50 metres away and a games room to keep the kids amused on a rainy day, buying a car with a diff lock and bash plates is a waste of money. The Kia Sorento has all the comforts a family has come to expect from a modern SUV, plus five- and seven-seat options to accommodate a group of any size and the impeccable driving characteristics that have made Kias so popular in Australia.
The AWD variant will even remain surefooted if you need to get off the bitumen for a while. There’s plenty of cargo space for tents and fishing gear, too. If your needs are even smaller, the Kia Sportage is like a Sorento in miniature.
Highlights: Comfortable SUV with ample space
Price: $50,650
Mitsubishi Triton
Sometimes camping is all about the activities you do after you arrive. If your camping kit typically includes ten-foot beach-fishing rods or you want to bring everyone’s bikes but can’t be bothered with the palaver of a bike rack, some sort of ute is the obvious option.
There are plenty to choose from, but if you’re not worried about status and having every creature comfort under the sun, a 4x4 Mitsubishi Triton will go anywhere and carry pretty much everything its rivals can while leaving more in your bank account for bait or a beer beside the campfire.
Highlights: Versatile 4x4 for gear hauling
From: $44,690
Hyundai Ioniq 5
In the decade following the launch of the Mitsubishi iMiev in 2010, most electric vehicles were on the diminutive side – hatches, sedans, small SUVs. But Kia and Hyundai changed all that. Boasting around 500 litres of cargo space even with the rear seats in play, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a genuine mid-sizer nearing the Nissan X-Trail for boot capacity.
It’s available in rear-wheel drive or, if you’re looking for something more surefooted, all-wheel drive. It can connect to a 350kW charger – assuming you can find one, they're still scarce – and get to 80 per cent of its 430km range in just 18 minutes. Best of all for camping, though, it has a power outlet so you can charge your devices or even boil a kettle. If you have a big brood, the Kia EV9 offers a lot of the same space and functionality but comes with seven seats.
Highlights: Loads of cargo space, eco credentials
From: $65,000
