Most people who climb Everest fly into Kathmandu, hop a small plane to Lukla, and trek about ten days to Base Camp. But this spring, a growing number of climbers are taking a wildly different approach. They’re starting thousands of kilometers away, at the edge of the ocean, and making their way to the summit using nothing but their own legs and lungs. The Everest sea to summit trend is picking up real momentum in 2026, and the stories behind it are as wild as the mountain itself.
Waking up in the back of your SUV with a mountain view beats any hotel alarm clock. Car camping has blown up over the past few years, and automakers are responding with SUVs built for trailside living. The 2026 model year brings a strong lineup for weekend warriors and road trippers alike, and picking the right one comes down to cargo space, ground clearance, fuel economy, and how flat those rear seats actually fold.
The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness leads the pack with 9.3 inches of ground clearance and roof rails rated for 800 pounds, enough for a rooftop tent and then some.
Toyota’s redesigned RAV4 now runs exclusively on hybrid power, offering up to 44 mpg combined and nearly 70 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded.
Ford’s Bronco Sport continues to impress with its rubberized cargo floor, built-in tie-downs, and an available camp-ready accessory bundle.
Subaru Forester Wilderness Takes the Lead
The 2026 Forester Wilderness deserves a long look from anyone shopping for a camping rig. Subaru bumped ground clearance to 9.3 inches this year, beating both the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands and Hyundai Tucson XRT. Approach and departure angles sit at 23.5 and 25.5 degrees, so forest service roads won’t keep you up at night.
Those reinforced roof rails handle up to 800 pounds of static weight, meaning rooftop tents, kayaks, and cargo boxes are all fair game. Inside, 69.1 cubic feet of cargo space greets you when the 60/40 split seats fold down. Water-repellent StarTex upholstery is a nice touch when you’re tracking mud into the cabin after a trail day. Towing maxes out at 3,500 pounds, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires come standard.
Toyota RAV4 Brings Hybrid Efficiency to Camp
Every 2026 Toyota Rav4 now runs on hybrid power, and that’s a big deal. In AWD form, the system pushes 236 horsepower while returning up to 44 mpg combined. Fewer gas station stops means more time at the campsite.
Cargo space measures 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to roughly 70 cubic feet when they fold nearly flat. Campers should keep an eye on the Woodland trim, which borrows rugged front-end styling from the 4Runner, comes with AWD, and tows up to 3,500 pounds. The plug-in hybrid version adds 50 miles of electric-only range, perfect for quiet cruising around a campground.
Ford Bronco Sport Was Built for Basecamp
Ford designed the Bronco Sport for people who actually spend weekends outside, and the details prove it. A rubberized cargo floor wipes clean after hauling muddy boots. MOLLE straps let you mount water bottles and tools inside the cargo area, and there’s a slide-out table for trailside cooking.
Stepping up to the Badlands trim with the Sasquatch package adds steel bash plates, all-terrain tires, and an upgraded torque-vectoring rear drive unit. Ford even sells a Camp Outfitter bundle that includes roof crossbars, a Yakima rooftop tent, an awning, and all-weather floor mats. Fold the seats and you get 65 cubic feet of cargo space, enough room to sleep inside on milder nights.
Two More Worth Considering
Don’t sleep on the Toyota 4Runner, which has earned its reputation through decades of durability and a massive aftermarket parts community. Want to build a sleeping platform or bolt on a rooftop tent? Guides for the 4Runner are everywhere online. It can tow over 6,000 pounds and handles serious off-road trails with confidence.
Subaru’s Outback Wilderness is another strong contender, bringing 9.5 inches of ground clearance with a turbocharged engine and 76 cubic feet of cargo space with seats down. That wagon-like roofline creates extra headroom that taller campers will appreciate, and it still works as a comfortable daily driver during the week.
Picking the Right Rig for Your Next Trip
Spec sheets only tell part of the story when shopping for the best car camping SUVs for 2026. Pay close attention to how flat the seats fold and whether there’s a hump between the cargo area and the seatbacks. Both the RAV4 and Forester score well here with nearly level sleeping surfaces. Anything above 8.5 inches of ground clearance should handle most campground access roads without issue.
Roof load capacity is easy to overlook until you’re shopping for a rooftop tent. Most weigh between 100 and 350 pounds, so check your rail ratings before buying. Fuel economy counts too, since remote campsites often mean long stretches between gas stations. On that front, the RAV4’s hybrid powertrain stretches each tank further than anything else on this list. Before signing anything, measure the cargo area against your height. One practice night will tell you everything the brochure can’t.
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