{"id":551,"date":"2021-11-08T10:58:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T15:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/passportoverland.com\/?p=551"},"modified":"2023-02-23T20:51:03","modified_gmt":"2023-02-24T01:51:03","slug":"the-best-overlanding-vehicle-and-where-can-it-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/passportoverland.com\/the-best-overlanding-vehicle-and-where-can-it-go\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Overlanding Vehicle and Where Can It Go?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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An overlanding vehicle can be as basic as a Toyota 4Runner with no modifications and an external-frame pack strapped to the roof racks. Or they can be fully decked-out expedition vehicles capable of driving around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to overlanding, the type of vehicle you choose will largely depend on your budget and how far you want to explore. Generally speaking, there are three types of overland travel: short-term overland tours (weekend trips), long-term or expedition-style traveling (months or years at a time), and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, What Is The Best Overlanding Vehicle and Where Can It Go?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The following overview is meant to help guide you in making your car purchase for future expeditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short-Term Overland Vehicle Tours- Weekend Trips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re planning to take shorter trips, then the best car for this purpose would be something that can accommodate 2-3 people comfortably. Also have good storage space and good fuel economy. “Best” also means your vehicle needs to look presentable even after being put through the wringer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re traveling up north or to colder climates, then your overland vehicle will need to handle snowy roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some common cars that might work for this purpose: Honda CRV, Ford Escape\/Kuga, Toyota Rav4, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-Term Overland Vehicle Travel – Expedition-Style Trips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you plan on taking longer trips – 3 months or more – then an entirely different set of criteria comes into play. Because now you’ll have much greater distances to cover and challenging terrain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you plan on crossing the deserts of Africa, it’s best if your car doesn’t break down. So here’s what we would recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large off-road capable vehicles such as the Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Isuzu Dmax, etc. These vehicles are designed to handle the most challenging terrain and conditions imaginable. They have powerful engines and large fuel tanks so you can cover long distances between fill-ups or when having to go cross country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These types of vehicles come at a cost, however – both literally and figuratively speaking. One important thing to remember is that these overlanding cars are not known for their fuel economy. But on the other hand, if you’re out exploring new frontiers every day, then who cares about fuel economy anyway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another factor to consider, especially if you plan to travel abroad, is that these overlanding vehicles are not always the most economical to buy or maintain. Depending on where you’re going, they can be a real pain to keep fueled up and running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if they do break down in remote areas, then you’re out of luck. Proper spare parts can sometimes be challenging to get your hands on (or, god forbid, impossible).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-Term Overland Travel – Everything In Between<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your plans involve taking shorter tours – 1 week or less – then an ideal vehicle would be an SUV. These midsized SUVs offer plenty of storage space while at the same time giving you good fuel economy without breaking your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would be best to consider buying used cars since there is no sense in purchasing a completely new vehicle for a short trip. That is unless you’re loaded with cash and don’t mind getting ripped off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good midsized SUV for this purpose is the Ford Escape, Honda CRV, or Nissan X-Trail. All three SUVs are covered by long-term 4×4 insurance policies and have large fuel tanks and plenty of storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, to keep in mind, most midsized SUVs aren’t great off-road because they lack ground clearance and 4WD capability. If you want to take your car on more strenuous trails, we recommend checking out compact crossovers such as the Toyota C-HR, Peugeot 2008, or Kia Sportage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good overlanding choice is the Subaru Forester, a lifted version of the popular Impreza hatchback. These vehicles are reliable and have all-wheel drive, but they may be hard to find new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What About Minivans?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We wouldn’t recommend buying one of these if you want an overlanding vehicle because:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n