In my opinion, the best cars for the beach are the ones that a) you can actually drive on the beach or b) that you look really fly in driving to the beach. If you’ve ever been a college senior in America, then chances are you fantasized about a beach road trip in a red convertible. I don’t know if it’s the remnants of Rebel Without A Cause left on our collective psyche, but flossin’ on a beach simply requires a sweet ride. So, here are a couple of options I’ve pulled together to contend for best cars for the beach, but you’re definitely going to have to do some field research and decide for yourself.
Top Pick in Best Cars for the Beach – Jeep Wrangler
Oh Jeep Wrangler, what could be a more perfect pick for the best cars for the beach? It’s like the designers of the car sat on some Cali sand and tried to envision what would look the most fly on the beach, while still being able to take on the sand. Wranglers are rugged, and they can handle the shifting sand of most US beaches with their Shift-On-The-Fly 4WD System, making it both easy and effective. On a recent trip to Puerto Rico, we popped the top off our Jeep Wrangler (which we nicknamed Tex) and took on the back roads with the sun shining in. That’s where the Wrangler does its best work, and the reason why I give it top honors in the best cars for the beach category.
First Runner-Up in Best Cars for the Beach – Chrysler 200 Convertible Touring
Let me just ask – have you seen one of these, because they are slick to the max. Catch one of these Chrysler 200 Convertibles slinking down the street and you will practically hear the waves breaking in the background. This bad boy is definitely made for cruising down the boardwalk and grabbing an ice cream cone, but it’s too swank to take on the sand. And while most convertibles are a bit of a scrunch for the rear passengers (why do you think they usually sit on top of the back seat?), the 200 has the most rear passenger legroom in its class. So you can have your friends and seat them, too.
Second Runner-Up in Best Cars for the Beach – Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is the kind of car that can take on anything, and if you’re looking to genuinely rough it without looking rough, this is the way to go. The massively durable FJ Cruiser comes with an interior so resilient, that you can literally hose it down after you do your damage. The seats are water-resistant, and so is the flooring, making it easy to rinse the sand and salt out of your day. The stylish, two-toned exterior is built for durability, so you’ll only have to worry about the sun bleaching out your hair, not your paint job. Beach blankets, here you come!
