Lila Claybourne has been immersed in the auto shipping industry for over 12 years, gaining extensive experienc...
Lila Claybourne
Lila Claybourne has been immersed in the auto shipping industry for over 12 years, gaining extensive experience across various roles, including serving as a dispatch manager at a leading auto shipping brokerage. Her well-rounded understanding of the logistics and operations involved in vehicle transport, combined with a commitment to continuous learning, makes her uniquely equipped to provide expert insights into the ever-evolving world of auto shipping. Lila's passion for efficiency and innovation drives her to stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that her knowledge is always fresh and relevant for readers seeking a seasoned perspective.
Summer is the perfect time to hit the road. Whether you’re driving to the beach, going on a long trip, or just enjoying warm weekends, the right car makes every mile better. The best cars for summer keep you cool, comfortable, and ready for adventure.
From cool summer cars with open roofs to fuel-saving hybrids and roomy SUVs, these summer vehicles are built for fun, comfort, and reliability. If you want a car that works well all year, you’ll also find ideas for the best car for all seasons.
What You’ll Learn
In this guide, we will answer:
What makes a car great for summer driving?
Which types of vehicles are best for different summer activities?
How can you safely ship your car during the busy summer season?
Overview
The best car for summer depends on what you need most. Comfort, cooling, space, traction, and efficiency all contribute to making your summer drives more enjoyable.
What Makes a Great Summer Car The best summer vehicles focus on comfort, airflow, and flexibility. They’re built for hot weather and long drives, not just for looks.
Comfort in the Heat Strong air conditioning, ventilated seats, and UV-blocking glass help keep you cool and protect the interior from the sun.
Open-Air and Visibility Convertibles and cars with panoramic roofs let in light and fresh air, giving you that classic summer feel.
Easygoing Highway Manners For road trips, look for features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and quiet cabins to reduce fatigue.
Cargo and Friends Choose cars with enough room for people and gear. Fold-flat seats and large cargo areas are perfect for summer adventures.
Traction and Stability AWD and 4x4 systems help on beaches, dirt roads, and uneven terrain, giving you confidence wherever you go.
Efficiency and Range Hybrid and electric cars save money on gas while offering longer driving range, ideal for long summer road trips.
How to Get Your Summer Car Delivered Shipping your car safely during the summer means choosing between open or enclosed transport and planning ahead.
Open vs. Enclosed Auto Transport Open transport is cheaper but exposes your car to the elements. Enclosed transport offers full protection at a higher cost.
Summer Shipping Timelines and Cost Factors Summer is the busiest time for shipping, which can raise prices and wait times. Costs depend on distance, demand, and vehicle size.
Pre-Shipment Checklist Wash and photograph your car, check the roof condition, remove personal items, leave a quarter tank of gas, and secure soft tops.
What's A Good Car For Summer Driving?
The best summer vehicles combine comfort, air circulation, and flexibility for all kinds of adventures. If you’re planning road trips or beach days, think beyond looks and choose comfort and efficiency.
Comfort in the Heat
The best summer vehicles have strong systems to beat the heat. This category focuses on cars with the best ventilated seats and AC.
Core Features: Strong A/C with rear vents, ventilated or cooled front seats, and UV-blocking or tinted glass to reduce heat buildup.
Top Picks:
Sedans/SUVs with Superior A/C and Cooling:Toyota Camry (known for outstanding A/C performance), Lexus LX (multi-zone climate and excellent ventilated seats), and the Hyundai Palisade (offers remote start and ventilated seats).
Tech-Focused Cooling: The Tesla Model 3 uses its "Cabin Overheat Protection" and factory-treated glass with UV heat-reducing properties to keep the interior temperature down.
Open-Air and Visibility
Nothing says summer like driving with the outdoors literally brought in. These cars offer maximum visibility and airflow.
Core Features: Convertibles for true open-air driving, or panoramic glass roofs to flood the cabin with light and an airy feel.
Top Picks:
Convertibles: Mazda MX-5 Miata, BMW Z4, and the Mercedes-Benz SL models offer classic top-down fun.
Panoramic Roofs: The Nissan Rogue Sport and the Hyundai Tucson (available with a large panoramic sunroof) create a bright, spacious cabin feel.
Easygoing Highway Manners
Long-distance summer road trips demand a vehicle that reduces driver fatigue and ensures a quiet, smooth journey.
Core Features: Advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane centering, coupled with a well-insulated, quiet cabin.
Top Picks:
Smooth Cruisers: Luxury models like the Mercedes EQS 450+ and Lexus ES/LS offer tranquil, serene cabins.
Mainstream Comfort: The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are favorites for their comfortable highway ride and readily available driver-assistance features.
Cargo and Friends
Summer requires space for gear, including coolers, camping equipment, beach umbrellas, and extra passengers. Flexibility is key.
Core Features: Ample cargo capacity, three rows of seating (optional), and flexible configurations like fold-flat or removable seats.
Top Picks:
Maximum Space: The Chevrolet Suburban (best-in-class cargo volume) and minivans like the Kia Carnival or Toyota Sienna offer unparalleled flexibility and storage with their stowable seating.
Large SUVs: The Volkswagen Atlas and Honda Passport/CR-V are excellent choices for balancing passenger space and cargo room.
Traction and Stability
For beach access, forest service roads, or campgrounds, capable traction ensures your adventure doesn't get stuck. Here are some of the best off-road SUVs for beach driving.
Core Features: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4x4) systems with selectable terrain modes (especially Sand or Off-Road).
Top Picks:
True Off-Roaders: The Jeep Wrangler/Wagoneer and Toyota Land Cruiser (or 4Runner) are built with robust 4WD systems.
AWD Capability: The Subaru Outback (standard AWD) and the electric Rivian R1T (with strong off-road tech) are great for tackling mild to moderate terrain.
Efficiency and Range
Modern summer road-tripping is easier and more affordable with electric and hybrid powertrains, maximizing range between fill-ups or charges.
Core Features: High EPA/electric range, fast-charging capability (for EVs), and excellent combined fuel economy (for hybrids).
Top Picks:
Electric Vehicles (EVs): The Lucid Air Grand Touring offers one of the longest ranges on the market, followed by the Tesla Model S Long Range.
Hybrids: The Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Prius deliver exceptional combined fuel range (often over 600 miles) and low fuel costs, making them ideal for long-haul drivers.
Hot-Weather Features to Prioritize (Buyer’s Checklist)
Cooling and Comfort: Ventilated or cooled seats, perforated leather, remote start, solar glass
Shade and Openness: Retractable or panoramic roofs, UV tint, and wind blockers
Cabin Tech: Wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, premium audio, and multiple USB-C ports
Road-Trip Essentials: Adaptive cruise, lane centering, blind-spot assist
Beach Durability: Rust protection, rubber mats, and washable cargo liners
How to Get Your Summer Car Delivered (Fast and Safe)
Getting your car shipped across the country for summer travel requires choosing the right method and planning for the peak season. The best approach prioritizes the safe transport of your vehicle while balancing speed and budget.
Open vs. Enclosed Auto Transport
The primary choice when shipping a vehicle is between two main carrier types, which directly impact price and protection.
The most budget-friendly option. Usually 10–50% cheaper than enclosed shipping.
A premium option that costs about 50% or more than open transport.
Protection
Your car is exposed to the elements, including rain, sun, and road debris, during transport.
Offers full protection. Your vehicle is protected from the weather and road conditions.
Availability
Easy to find and book. Most transport trucks use open trailers, which speeds up scheduling.
Limited availability. Fewer enclosed carriers mean you might wait longer for pickup.
Shipping Speed
Open carriers are more widely available and may ship faster on major routes.
It may take longer since enclosed carriers wait to fill up with other high-end vehicles.
Best For
Everyday cars, family vehicles, or anyone looking for the most affordable way to ship.
Ideal for convertibles, soft-tops, luxury, classic, or collector cars that need extra care.
Loading Method
Cars are driven up standard ramps. These can be steep for low vehicles.
Uses hydraulic lift gates or race ramps for a smoother, safer load, great for luxury or low-clearance cars.
Summer Shipping Timelines and Cost Factors
Summer is the busiest time of year for car shipping. Many families move, college students head home, and vacationers hit the road. As a result, prices and wait times can go up.
What Affects the Cost (Expect Slightly Higher Prices in Summer):
Seasonal Demand: Prices usually rise about ten to 20 percent in the summer.
Distance and Route: Longer trips and rural routes cost more. Popular routes, such as the East Coast to West Coast, often offer better rates.
Vehicle Size and Condition: Bigger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, cost more to ship. Cars that don’t need special equipment and cost extra.
Typical Shipping Times:
Standard Service: Most long trips take about seven to 14 days from booking to delivery. Shorter routes of fewer than 1,000 miles usually take two to five days.
Expedited Service: For an extra fee, this faster option can shorten delivery to about two to five days on busy routes.
Pre-Shipment Checklist
Wash and photograph your car
Note convertible top condition
Remove toll tags and personal items
Leave about one-quarter tank of gas
Protect soft tops and provide a spare key
Final Thoughts: Pick the Perfect Ride for Your Summer Adventures
Choosing the right summer car means finding one that fits your life. You may want a convertible for fresh-air fun, an SUV for family road trips, or an electric car for quiet, long-distance drives. There are fun summer cars for every kind of driver.
Ship Your Summer Car with Confidence
Whether you’re bringing your convertible to the coast, moving your SUV to a vacation home, or transporting your EV for a cross-country getaway, AmeriFreight Auto Transport helps make summer car shipping simple and secure.
With more than 20 years of trusted service, our team connects you with a carefully vetted network of licensed and insured carriers who understand how to handle your vehicle with care.
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