Check out some of the best SUVs you can sleep in and take camping. Compared to MPVs, they tend to be smaller, albeit still offer a decent boot length and height and their strength is in higher ground clearance and 4 wheel drive capability. An SUV camper is a good choice if you plan to go offroad often.
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Honda Pilot is a very spacious SUV that also offers good comfort and good towing capacity for the AWD models. You can easily sleep two people inside including a dog, the roof window is a very nice bonus too. Overall, it’s a good car for camping.
NimbleCamper rating: 3/5
A bigger version of the 3008, the 5008 is a 7-seater with ~17mm more ground clearance and 11cm longer boot. There are two versions – a newer SUV, which is also more luxurious and bigger and an older MPV version (until 2016). The measurements here are for the SUV – the newer version. The average used price is for the older model, the newer model is around 19,000 GBP.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.9/5
The best SUV in our database for camping. The Pajero’s boot is about as long (if not a bit shorter) than other SUVs, but it’s much taller, allowing you to sit and sleep in the back more comfortably. Plus, it is a frequent Dakar winner – you don’t need more than that to know it will perform really well off the road. Where it doesn’t perform that well, especially the older models, is on tarmac – it is a bit rougher than you’d like. Recommended if you plan to spend much more time off-road in rugged terrain.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
Standard SUV boot length and height and better width between the wheel arches. This time (and dirt) tested veteran won’t let you down when camping off the road. Well-built and rugged, ready to take you off the beaten path.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
Good boot length and standard SUV height with better width between the wheel arches. Good for camping when you are planning to venture off the road (albeit not as rugged as the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun).
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
Dacia Duster is surprisingly spacious and offers high ground clearance (200mm) and 4×4 four-wheel drive, making it a great microcamper. It offers a perfect blend of practicality and affordability. The boot size is shorter than an average SUV, but still, the Duster provides enough room for sleeping inside.
Looking for something bigger and more rugged? Try the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun).
User ratings for the Dacia Duster among camping enthusiasts have been generally positive. The vehicle is appreciated for its affordable price point, spacious interior, and off-road capabilities. Many users have praised the Duster for its versatility. With its reliable performance(1,2,3) and practical features, the Duster has garnered a loyal following among camping enthusiasts seeking an affordable and reliable camping companion.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.7/5
This successor of Dacia Lodgy seems to be boasting everything you need from a good car for camping – SUV features to take it off-road, MPV size with 7 seats + a long and spacious boot at a very affordable price. This could be the next best everyday camping car – if you are prepared to let go of a few comforts, slightly lower boot height or accept a lower safety rating.
Combined with Dacia’s own Sleep Pack, you can easily turn it into a camper (or try a DIY camping conversion too).
NimbleCamper rating: 2.7/5
This is one of the best SUVs in our database for car camping – a big boot overall, but its width stands out the most (see comparison with other SUVs). But – it’s not very well rated on top car reviewing websites and it does eat a lot! You might find the Subaru Forester a bit better (2.8/5 Nimblecamper rating – similar size, better consumption and comfort), or, if you are after something more rugged and mostly for off-road camping, try the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun)
A very popular SUV amongst camping enthusiasts – not the biggest one, but has enough room for sleeping, plus offers an excellent safety rating and is one of the best cars you can take off-road, well rugged and well-built, matched only by the rugged Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun).
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
Although it might strike you as a big car, its boot is on par with most SUVs – about the same length and height. It is a big city SUV, not that well suited for rugged off-road conditions, like the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun) for example.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.6/5
It’s a good enough camper if you push the front seats forward – giving you enough room to sleep. But its main advantage is that it’s a 4×4, not its size (there are bigger cars in our DB for that).
NimbleCamper rating: 2.9/5
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers an average-sized boot, it’s very similar to other SUV Campers with a higher-than-average consumption.
NimbleCamper rating: 3/5
It’s a good enough camper if you push the front seats forward – giving you enough room to sleep. But its main advantage is that it’s a 4×4, not its size (there are bigger cars in our DB for that).
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a mid-size SUV that pays homage to the original FJ40 and it is well-rated for off-road driving and people like its distinctive looks and the rear doors that open towards the back. It also drew criticism for having significant blindspots due to its design, smaller-than-average load capacity, and rear seats that were cramped and difficult to access. Its boot is not very long and sleeping inside is doable (mostly for one person), if you don’t mind having your legs bent and can lie diagonally across the boot. Max possible length, with a DIY camping conversion and front seats pushed forward as much as possible is 188cm/76”.
It has a retro style and a strong off-road capability. It is also a reliable vehicle, with high ratings from J.D. Power and Associates and RepairPal12. The FJ Cruiser has a 4.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. It has a fuel consumption of 17 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway1. The FJ Cruiser can be a good choice for camping, as it has a spacious cabin and a single wing boot door that opens to the side. It can fit up to five people, but the rear seats are cramped and difficult to access. The boot space is not very long, but it can accommodate some camping gear. The FJ Cruiser also has some features that can enhance the camping experience, such as a rearview camera, a compass, an inclinometer, and a roof rack3. The FJ Cruiser is a unique and rugged SUV that can handle any terrain and provide a comfortable ride.
The 3008 is a comfortable car that’s good to drive, its boot is on the shorter end of the spectrum, but still good 175cm. With front seats pushed forward or sleeping with the bottom tailgate open (and top closed), you can gain even more room. The boot height is 75cm, so don’t put a very thick mattress in if you want some headroom. Make sure you use the removable boot floor (double floor) for storage.
Models until 2016 were classified as MPV, models since then are SUVs.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.8/5
The Land Rover Discovery offers about average boot length and height compared to other SUV Campers but gives you more width. It is a luxurious (and hence expensive) car so it’s not the usual choice people go for when looking for an SUV camper. It offers great off-road capabilities and more luxuries than your average SUV. It’s consumption is also a bit higher than a typical SUV in our database.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.6/5
Skoda Yeti offers about 10cm shorter boot compared to other SUV Campers but comes with much lower consumption. It has been awarded Family Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine. It’s a good car that you can convert into a camper easily, but don’t expect too much headroom or storage space. It’s best combined with a suitable car tent that will give you plenty of living room when camping, whilst you sleep in the boot.
NimbleCamper rating: 2.6/5
