The Best Surf Cars For Your Beach Adventure

A surfer’s gear makes traveling far distances to the beach complicated. That is unless you have the right car. Fortunately, there are several fantastic cars for surfers! However, the struggle is knowing which models make the cut. So if you’re planning your next beach adventure, read this article to discover the best surf cars.

The best surf car has sufficient storage to safely accommodate passengers and gear, including a large body or roof racks. These cars must also be affordable and, most importantly, reliable. While Toyota, Jeep, and Volkswagen have fantastic options, surf cars are not limited to specific brands.

Unfortunately, most of us do not live within walking distance from the beach. Although most new surfers don’t consider it, having a suitable car is essential. While you might already have a car, it’s no guarantee it’ll be great for surfing! Below we investigate what makes a good surf car and which brands are best.

What Makes A Good Surf Car?

While any vehicle is better than none (extending to scooters, e-bikes, normal bikes, etc.), a car makes all the difference when transporting your surfing gear.

However, not every car is the perfect “surf mobile,” as a good surf car needs to meet some important criteria. For example, larger vehicles provide more space for surfboards and gear but are usually heavier on gas and cost more to service.

The ideal surf car is a trade-off between space, comfort, safety, and affordability. A pickup truck meets many of the criteria surfers need in their vehicles; however, they are more expensive to purchase and maintain than smaller vehicles. A van is also practical but equally heavy on the gas.

The best method of selecting a good surf car is to get out and test various models. Take your board along and compare it (when possible) to the car’s dimensions to get a better feel for your needs.

A Good Surf Car Should Be Big Enough

Gear, surfboards, other surfers (we’ve all played lift club), food; there are many things to consider (and find a place for) when packing your car.

The worst is if you can’t fit everything you need because your car is too small or doesn’t have enough space. A good surf car needs enough space to safely store and transport everything.

A Place For You Board(s)

While a truck is ideal for boards thanks to its load body, it’s not the only way to transport surfboards (and stacking a longboard surfboard on the back of a truck is not a guaranteed fit!).

A good surf car should accommodate roof racks because they solve your board-carrying problems.

Alternatively, a car that pulls a trailer is also practical, as you can fit most of your gear into it. It’ll also make surfing weekends away from home easier (more space to pack tents/sleeping-out equipment).

A Good Surf Car Should Be Affordable

Surfing is not a cheap hobby. While the stereotype of surfers being “broke beach bums” is not necessarily true, most surfers appreciate saving some money somewhere.

A good surf car must be affordable on purchase and when refueled and serviced/fixed.

A Good Surf Car Should Be Reliable

The essential feature of a good surf car is that it is a reliable vehicle that does not leave you hanging.

Imagine going on a road trip/surfing holiday to a remote area. You spend the day surfing up a storm, only to find out that your car (that’s been struggling to start) won’t start.

An unreliable car is a nuisance or even an outright safety hazard in many situations. You need a car that operates correctly (starts, brakes, stops, lights, flickers, etc.) to keep you safe on your travels.

A Good Surf Car Must Be Compatible With The Terrain

While most people surf in areas easily accessible by good roads, there are several places where a normal sedan might not be adequate for getting to your favorite surf spot.

While you might not need a four-wheel drive vehicle, you want a surf car with sufficient clearance to get through rougher terrain.

While off-roading is not for everyone, it’s important to remember terrain compatibility when traveling to new surf spots.

What Are The Best Surf Car Brands?

Although certain car manufacturers make better surf cars, no “ultimate” brand exists. Some brands produce more applicable models that fit your criteria better, while others won’t work.

The table below lists some popular brands, models, and what type of vehicle they are.

 

Brand	Model	Vehicle type
Ford	Flex	SUV
	Ranger	Pickup truck
Jeep	Wrangler	SUV
Subaru	Crosstrek	Compact SUV
	Forester	SUV/Station wagon
Suzuki	Jimny	SUV
Volkswagen	Beetle	Compact car
	Caddy	Van
	California	Van
	Caravelle	Van
	Golf	Compact car
Volvo	V90	SUV/Station wagon

 

Thanks to the effort these companies put into their vehicle designs, these brands offer spacious, reliable, practical, and fuel-efficient models which make ideal surf cars. However, not all models these brands produce are suitable for surf cars.

Although these are the brands you’ll frequently see in beach parking lots, they are not the only ones. Many other brands produce suitable car models, and personal preference plays an essential role.

Which Toyota Models Are Best For Surfing?

No list of surf cars would be complete without a healthy Toyota component, so they get an entire entry.

For whatever reason, when Toyota set out to make vehicles, they achieved greatness (probably accidentally) in producing some of the best surf cars on the market.

Toyotas are some of the most popular surf cars thanks to their space, comfort, reliability, efficiency, and other features.

The best Toyota surf car models include:

Best Surf Cars: Toyota Prius V

What the Prius lacks in storage capacity, it makes up for in fuel economy (average 53 miles/gallon) and affordability.

Like most sedans, the Prius is limited in trunk space; however, with a decent pair of roof racks, your Prius will accommodate most boards (although maybe not many of them simultaneously).

While not an off-roading vehicle, the Prius is ideal for surfers who live near a beach with good roads (less riding on the sand).

These cars produce less emissions thanks to their hybrid design, making them an eco-friendly choice.

Best Surf Cars: Toyota 4Runner

If you’re looking for a full-size SUV, then consider the 4Runner. While these beasts have relatively low fuel economies (around 19 miles/gallon on the highway), their space is second to none.

Fitting in your gear and boards is hardly an issue, and with 4×4 options, these large vehicles can take you to exciting places.

They will, however, cause you to depart with several pretty pennies.

Best Surf Cars: Toyota Rav4

One of many popular compact SUVs, the Rav4 is more fuel efficient than pickups (35 miles/gallon on highways) while providing more storage space than a regular sedan.

Thanks to authentic Toyota parts and manufacturing, the Rav4 is a reliable vehicle that is (mostly) affordable.

Best Surf Cars: Toyota Tacoma

You might be interested in the Tacoma if an SUV or sedan is not your speed.

While this pickup truck is less fuel efficient than the smaller, lighter vehicles (23 miles/gallon on the highway), it maximizes the space available (thanks to the load body).

A Tacoma is the correct choice if you plan on surfing adventures on the other side of rougher terrain.

Est Surf Cars: Toyota Land Cruiser

If you thrive on adventure and going to the most inaccessible places, you’ll want a Land Cruiser. Alternatively, you could give up surfing and become a farmer. Either way, a Land Cruiser will support your needs!

These large pickups are ideal for storage but suffer low economies (roughly 17 miles/gallon on the highway) and higher prices.

What Other Car Brands Are Good For Carrying Surfboards?

Although the popular brands are widely used because of their reliability, suitable design, and general affordability (especially fuel economy), other car brands are equally great as surf cars, even if they are less well-known.

 

These brands include:

 

• Citroen
• Dacia
• Honda
• Mitsubishi
• Peugeot
• Skoda
• Subaru

 

While the brand is not too important, the surf car you choose should be the one that best meets your needs and is affordable, safe, reliable, and practical.

Conclusion

While no one brand is above all when purchasing a surf car, popular brands include Toyota, Ford, Jeep, and Volkswagen. Ideally, a surf car needs sufficient storage for your board(s), gear, and passengers; it must be affordable, traverse the terrain you ride on, and be reliable.