Best Vehicles for Tailgating
Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard fanatic, there’s no substitute for the excitement and anticipation felt prior to the big game. Sports fans know the feeling of putting on their favorite jersey, preparing their favorite snacks, and gathering with friends and family to cheer their team to victory. Tailgate parties are a wildly popular way to get together, root for your favorite team, and share your favorite food. Having a vehicle that’s capable of bringing your crew, your gear, and all of your gameday essentials can make or break your tailgate experience. Have you ever wondered what the best vehicles for tailgating are? Check out our top picks for the best tailgate vehicles right here in this handy guide assembled by the Germain Motor Company.
Best Midsize Truck for Tailgating – Honda Ridgeline
Pickup trucks are a great choice for tailgating thanks to their versatility and go-anywhere performance capabilities. Representing our top pick for the best midsize truck for the tailgating is the proven Honda Ridgeline, packed with clever features you’ll appreciate on gameday. Thanks to standard crew cab seating for up to 5, you’ll have all the space you need for your fellow fans to come down to the stadium. Other key features include auxiliary power in the bed to power all of your electronics, a lockable and drainable rear compartment to keep your favorite beverages cool, and even a premium audio system so you can crank your favorite tunes or hear all of the action from the broadcast. Standard V6 engine power and all-wheel drive give the Honda Ridgeline the muscle and confidence you need to make it home if the weather conditions take a turn for the worse. Win or lose, you can’t go wrong with the Honda Ridgeline for tailgating.
Key Tailgating Features
- Standard Dual-Action Tailgate, which opens downward or to the side
- Washable, lockable In-Bed Trunk® offering an additional 7.3 cubic feet of secure storage space
- 150-Watt / 400-Watt Truck-Bed Power Outlet
- 60/40 Split Lift-Up Rear Seat with Underseat Storage
- 540-Watt Premium Audio System with 8 Speakers, including Subwoofer
Best SUV for Tailgating – Toyota 4Runner
Searching for a rugged SUV that’s ready to make your tailgate party a huge hit? Look no further than the adventurous Toyota 4Runner, a legendary midsize SUV that’s packed with innovative features and performance engineering. Whether you’re headed downtown to the arena or the next game brings you to a remote area – the 4Runner has proven off-road capabilities to get you there and back home with confidence. Innovative features of the 4Runner like its power-retractable rear window let you take in the action on the field while staying cool and dry inside the vehicle. Optional third-row seating means up to 7 can come along for the tailgate party as well. Class-leading safety features and advanced connectivity amenities help keep you informed of all the latest news and scores on the way to your tailgate party inside the Toyota 4Runner.
Key Tailgating Features
- Hands-free power liftgate with power rear window
- 14-speaker JBL® audio system including subwoofer, amp, and JBL® FLEX portable Bluetooth® speaker
- One center console 12V auxiliary power outlet and two 120V/2400W AC power outlets in the rear seat and cargo area
- Wi-Fi Connect including AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent.
- Second-row and cargo-area LED illumination
Best Electric Vehicle for Tailgating – Ford F-150 Lightning
Making the switch to an all-electric vehicle no longer means missing out on all of the exciting tailgating action when you drive a Ford F-150 Lightning. Combining the legendary durability of the F-150 with a revolutionary electrified powertrain, the F-150 Lightning has all of the range and capability you need to create long-lasting memories with your fellow sports fanatics. One signature advantage of the F-150 Lightning is its cutting-edge Pro Power Onboard feature that provides auxiliary power for all of your tailgate essentials like lights, speakers, TVs, grills, and more. In fact, Ford claims that when the vehicle is fully charged you’ll have up to 10 continuous days worth of tailgating power with this must-have feature (Assumes 9.8 kWh use per day for Pro Power Onboard).
Key Tailgating Features
- Mega Power Frunk including four Pro Power Onboard 120V Outlets and 14.1 additional cubic feet of cargo storage
- B&O® Unleashed Sound System with 14 speakers (including subwoofer)
- Wireless Charging Pad
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist™
- Power Tailgate with Unique Signature Rear Lighting
Best Van for Tailgating – Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Funky, futuristic, and fully functional – the dynamic Volkswagen ID. Buzz has all the style and smarts you need to cheer for the home team. While you might already be familiar with the unrivaled efficiency made possible by its all-electric powertrain, you’ll be even more impressed when you consider the remarkable versatility that this van delivers. Power sliding doors, a power liftgate, and endlessly customizable seating configurations mean that you no longer have to leave that extra cooler or camping chair behind. With a diverse selection of bold, vibrant exterior paint choices, you might even get lucky and find a perfect match to your favorite team’s colors as well! Inside and out, the ID. Buzz is our pick for the ultimate van for tailgate parties.
Key Tailgating Features
- Hands-free Easy Open & Easy Close sliding doors & rear liftgate
- Wireless App-Connect (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay)
- Harman Kardon® premium sound system with 13 speakers, subwoofer & amplifier
- Flexboard adjustable storage system with two collapsible storage containers
- Area View (Overhead View Camera)