The Best Cars for Summer Driving

Summer is just around the corner. Thinking of going on a road trip? Don't let the wrong car ruin a fun road trip. Need help? Bob Volk, CEO of Carcover.com, has 10 best cars for summer driving for you.

Before 2017, the Mazda MX-5 had a soft top, but that all changed with the revamp. A retractable hardtop replaced the softer version and gave the MX-5 less of a convertible look and more of a supercar vibe. The roof retracts in 13 seconds and doesn’t take up any more cargo space than the former soft top. The Miata RF owns the road with its cheerful kick but is a smooth ride due to the expertly balanced chassis. The Miata RF isn’t made for long road trips, as the back seat is cramped, but it’s an excellent choice for local summer adventures. 

The compact look of the Golf belies the roominess inside. This car is the perfect vehicle for a long summer road trip or camping excursion. You can get your VW Golf with a bike or kayak rack kit for just a little extra, and the all-wheel-drive makes off-roading easy. You don’t want to strap too much to the roof, as it would block the view from the panoramic sunroof that comes standard in the Golf. 

Perfect for a long road trip, the Kia Optima Hybrid also helps you stay green as you travel. Among a vast array of midsize sedans, this hybrid stands out as being one of the more attractive cars on the market. This vehicle features both a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces 271 lb-ft of torque as a hybrid. As a six-speed automatic, this hybrid packs a lot of power—enough to make any summer trip a memorable adventure. 

This car is a quintessential summer ride. It’s not even a car, really; most Jeep enthusiasts would be quick to correct you that this vehicle is a jeep, not a car. With the top off and roll bar steady, you can take a Wrangler from roads that are barely roads at all to the dunes and flat stretches of the seaside. The Wrangler has the best of both worlds—excellent fuel economy and exceptional torque for spunky acceleration.

Summer air tastes a little sweeter when you’re in a Boxster. Some say the 911 is the classic Porsche, but a 718 has the same graceful lines and a little less attitude than the 911. The 986 purrs like a kitten, but, once you rev up to 6,000 rpm, you’ll be hooked. The Boxster has a 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine that will get you to the beach quicker and in grand style. Whichever model you go for, you can’t go wrong with a classic Boxster, the perfect summer companion.

Even though it’s only a two-door car, there is a sumptuous deep bench for two in the back seat, so you can expand your vacation party to four if you’d like. Some doubt the depth and comfort of the back seat of the S-Class Cabriolet, but it genuinely provides a comfy ride. Although some Mercedes S-Classes boast power and luxury, a sporty cabriolet is a perfect vehicle to take you on a beach vacation. You can even get crystals embedded in the headlamps for an extra sparkly effect. 

Even though one version of the M3 series has four doors, it handles and feels like a sports car all the same. If you want a sporty two-seater with similar power and handling, you can opt for the coupe or convertible. There’s as much variety in engine choices as there is in the car body design. You can go for the turbocharged inline-6, the 4-liter V8, or the 7800-rpm inline-6, which has been called the best-sounding engine in the business. 

Much like a Jeep Wrangler, a Land Rover Defender is a great all-terrain vehicle that will take you to the most exciting summer locales. You can take the top off this vehicle to make the most of the warm weather. If you need more power for rougher terrain, you can opt for the V6 or V8 engines. The Defender has a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and tons of towing power if you’re bringing a boat to the lake or hauling a jet ski or dirtbike behind you. 

If you want the feel of a sports car but the cargo space of a larger vehicle, the Sports Wagon is the perfect companion for the beach, campsite, or family reunion this summer. With the 3-Series Sports Wagon, you don’t have to sacrifice looks and tight handling for cargo space; this excellent summer road trip vehicle has all three. 

If you can’t enjoy the airy feeling of a convertible with the top down, you can at least get a car with a sunroof to let the summer breeze circulate as you head to a relaxing destination. The 4-Runner can get you to some of the more remote spots on your list, with its four-wheel features and rugged exterior.  

There’s nothing like rolling down the windows, cranking up the tunes, and hitting the open road in the summertime. When you slip behind the wheel of one of these great cars, all your troubles dissolve into the warm, fragrant summer air. 

Prolong your vehicle’s longevity with routine maintenance and protectants like a car cover. Amid all the tensions and drama of day-to-day life, one thing remains certain—it will all slip away if you can get yourself into one of these exciting vehicles and get out on the road. 

Thank you Bob, for sharing the 10 best cars that delivers comfort, safety, reliability and style for our summer drives. Now that you have the car, check out our top Bucket-List Rides and Routes to find your next destination. But be sure to have your dash cam and camera ready - these bucket-list rides are the best in the country! Looking for a good dash cam for your drive? Talk to us - we have a huge selection that caters to all needs and budgets.

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