July 19, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents
As car camping increases in popularity with every coming year, the technologies and equipment available for it grow. Many SUV drivers love to take camping trips in their car, as these vehicles are very well designed for such use. You might not know that SUV stands for, “Sports utility vehicle,” and this type of car is one of the most popular to drive from any manufacturer. Like the best motorcycle camping tents, SUV tents are specially designed to make your camping experience much more enjoyable. If you drive an SUV, and you love camping, just wait until you hear about these fantastic SUV tents. Now let’s dive straight into the 10 best SUV tents reviewed!
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Napier Enterprises has made many contributions to this selection of SUV tents, but the Backroadz has to be our number one selection. This tent offers a fantastic balance between great features, plenty of room, and lots of value. It attaches directly to most models of SUV, CUV (crossover utility vehicle), and minivan using a vehicle sleeve which is weatherproof and bug proof.
The tent can sleep up to 5 adults with a 10-foot square footprint, with a standing room of 7 feet so you won’t have to hunch over. While Napier advertises this tent for 5 campers, we think it’s the perfect size for a couple so you have plenty of additional space. One large D-shaped door as well as three mesh windows provide all the ventilation you need.
We also love that this tent can stand alone if necessary, which means you can pitch up with or without your SUV. Napiers patented vehicle sleeve is easy to attach and detach so you don’t have to pack away while making a supply run. Storm flaps are integrated throughout to make sure your camping trip stays dry even if the weather turns sour. In addition, an awning can be set up over the door to keep the rain out while maintaining ventilation.
Unfortunately, this tent does not come ready to use. You’ll need to add a DWR to the seams before using it in a rainstorm as it is not factory sealed. Check out our article on how to waterproof a tent for more information. Also, solo campers might struggle to set up alone, but in this case, a 5-person tent isn’t the right choice. If you’re camping alone with your SUV, the next tent review might be a more appropriate buy.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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This SUV tent is ideal for road trips and tailgating, turning your SUV trunk into a decked-out shelter. This budget option from arguably the most popular SUV tent brand is a great choice for people who want to try out camping in their car for the first time. It’s more of an awning than an actual tent, utilizing the back door of your vehicle as a roof and providing a ventilated door instead, with a large rain shelter that’s perfect for tailgating.
A large mesh screen will keep bugs out of your vehicle, and the integrated storm flap offers weather protection as well as privacy. Rather than using a ground tent, you can turn your car into the perfect backcountry shelter with everything a solo camper needs! A single-pole is all that’s needed to hold up the awning, making setup easy and simple. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no solid door, only a mesh window, so privacy may leave a little to be desired. The generic fit will work for most SUV and CUV models, however, small gaps in the connection are possible where bugs could enter.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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This tent gets its name from the fact that it can transform your SUV into an RV. It’s designed to give you a luxurious and spacious tent that can make camping much more fun and comfortable. For those who want to keep a certain level of comfort by camping “in” their SUV, this could be a great choice for you.
It’s very easy to set up, thanks to the brand’s instant pop-up technology. The technology allows the tent to be set up in 2 minutes or less. This can save a lot of time and give you more freedom to enjoy your time off and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. No confusing instructions, no poles, just a tent that can provide a whole lot of comfort.
When set up, the tent is 9 x 9 feet in size. This makes us plenty of space inside the tent, which can accommodate up to 5 adults. You can even up that number to seven by having two people sleep in the car. While it is compatible with any hatchback, it can also work as a stand-alone tent.
This allows for much more versatility, which is important for camping gear. So, if you’ve been looking for a functional tent for your next camping trip, this could be the pick for that will solve all of your problems.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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Sometimes, full SUV tents can be bulky and hard to bring around. And on top of that, there are times that all you’ll need is a nice shade for picnics or hangouts to stay away from the hot sun. This tent is just that, a simple tent that can be easily attached to an SUV and provide you with nice shading during a hot and sunny day.
It only weighs 6.5 lbs, so it’s very lightweight and easy to carry around. It can be roped to the rear of a bunch of different cars, such as SUVs and sedans, to be used as a gazebo that offers ample protection from rain, and it can even be fixed to the ground to be used as a nice rest spot.
When set-up, the tent can shade a picnic table and 3-4 chairs with ease, which can allow either a family or group of friends to have a nice picnic together without worrying about the sun. It’s made of durable and waterproof polyester fabric, so it will be able to handle light rain, but because of its design, this tent is mostly suitable for sunny days.
So if you’ve been on the hunt for a light and simple tent that you can attach to the back of your SUV, this might just be the right pick for you.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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This standalone tent from Patio Joy is a truly 5-person SUV tent. Boasting a huge footprint of 14 x 9 feet, the interior has 7 feet of headroom. The spacious interior offers a ton of space for family camping, with a large living space and exterior vestibule. The rainfly is removable if you need extra ventilation throughout the day, which could be necessary as this tent does not have any windows.
It’s a great budget option for family camping in your SUV, but our next tent review has more features and improves quality. We do like the multiple storage pockets as well as a media pocket, which is very helpful for keeping your gear organized. A Mud Mat is attached to help keep the interior clean, but you may want to use a ground tarp as well.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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If you’re on the hunt for a large clip-on tent that allows you to make the most of your SUV when on a camping trip, then this tent might just be the right pick for you. When set up, the tent measures in at 10″ x 72″ x 78″, which makes for a very spacious shelter that can be used as a communal hangout space, or converted into a private sleeping area.
For its size, it’s fairly lightweight. It only weighs 28 pounds and doesn’t take up too much space when packed up. This makes it a great pick for families who will probably already be packing a lot for their trip. It comes with three interchangeable doors that allow you to use it as a stand-alone tent, or connect it to your hatchback SUV.
This model also has two solid doors with screens and a clip-on connector that can fit onto medium to large SUVs. It’s made out of a water-resistant and tear-resistant fabric, so it can give you adequate protection in a variety of weather conditions.
So, if you’ve been looking for a lightweight, easy to set up, and a spacious tent that connects to an SUV for your next camping trip, do make sure to take this tent into consideration.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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This fantastic car camping solution is made by Honda, for Honda owners. It’s not a universal tent as it fits only certain Honda models, but if you’re the lucky owner of one then it could be a perfect choice. The tent offers 10 square feet of internal space, which is enough to sleep 4 campers, while a further 2 can sleep in the car bed. The tent upper is made from ripstop polyester while the floor is double-coated polyethylene, promising high-quality water-resistant materials.
There are two doors with large windows making ventilation as well as ingress and egress a breeze. Above one door, a 6×6 foot rainfly extension gives you extra usable shelter during bad weather. It also doubles as a shade from the sun. This Honda innovation can be used as a standalone ground tent when you need to detach your car. Interior tent features we love include mesh storage pockets, a gear loft, and a handy lantern strap. The only change we’d like to see is the use of no-see-um mesh for privacy.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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Planning on camping in a group? Check out this KingCamp SUV car tent. It’s large and can fit 4-6 people, and would be great for family camping trips or if you’re hitting the road with a couple of friends.
The tent itself is 9.2′ x 7′, with about 6 and a half feet of headroom, which is very roomy, allowing campers to have adequate space inside. On top of that, it also has a 10′ x 10′ vestibule with a removable floor which can provide additional shade and shelter.
It actually makes for a great spot to have a cup of coffee or tea in the morning. On top of that, since the inner and outer awnings are removable, you can actually use the flysheet by itself to provide a large canopy to shade people from the sunshine.
The tent is made out of durable materials that are designed to keep you safe during rain showers. They’re even fire-resistant so you won’t have to worry about any unwanted accidents. When set up, the tent is very breathable and the mesh windows provide great ventilation, making it a great choice for summer, fall, and autumn camping trips.
So if you’ve been on the hunt for a high-quality SUV camping tent for you and the family, this could be just the right pick for you.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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The ARB brand provides privacy, durability, ease of use, and value for your money with this easy-to-set-up ARB 813208A Awning room. It is a highly reviewed, highly loved SUV Tent choice.
With the ARB 813208A Awning Room, you get to choose from two different sizes: 2000 x 2500mm or 2500 x 2500mm. These two sizes differ in dimension but match in quality. Made from an outer material of UV Treated 300D Oxford polyester, this tent provides privacy, protection against the weather, and protection from insects. This fully functional tent is designed with the needs of its users in mind.
The ARB Awning is easy to set up upon arrival at your destination. It deploys easily to show off several useful layers designed to provide comfort. The inner mesh layer is especially useful for providing cross-ventilation and keeping annoying insects like mosquitoes out of your tent.
The four exterior walls and mesh panels can be rolled up to create an open area for gazing out across the sunset or whatever activities you deem fit while still enjoying an overhead shade provided by your awning. To protect yourself against dust, wind, or rainfall, simply lower the exterior walls. All four walls provide easily accessed doors that are operated using zippers. Everything about the ARB 813208A Awning Room is thoughtful, right down to the polyethylene waterproof floors.
The tent comes with several accessories and functions that make your camping trip a more enjoyable experience. The mesh walls take away the need for you to log a mosquito net about with you. The tent provides a separate ceiling that enhances insulation from the sun. The rear walls also unzip to provide easy access to your vehicle. This way you do not need to leave your tent to reach your vehicle. The ARB 813208A Awning Room includes meshing pocket panels to house things like magazines or other personal items.
This awesome tent even features a removable ladder organizer which can be found in the rear part. There are also two zippered ports located in the top corners which allow for easy power cable access. To improve overall safety, Power cord guides are incorporated into the roof corners. These are effective for keeping users from tripping over wires. A good way to avoid accidents.
The ARB 813208A Awning Room is accompanied by a packing bag for easy storage and transport and 2 guy ropes & 6 pegs for easy set up of your very own sturdy awning. Altogether, the awning packs to a nifty 3 pounds. It is also available for gift wrap as a thoughtful gift to your beloved camping enthusiast.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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When out camping or on a picnic, it’s always nice to have a secondary shelter that isn’t a tent. That way, you could stand up inside, converse, and hang out with people while being shaded from the sun or in some cases, the rain. If this is the kind of SUV tent you’ve been looking for, you might want to give this REDCAMP model some consideration.
It is a large waterproof car awning that measures around 10.4ft x 7.5ft x 7.2ft when unfolded and set up, which gives you a whole lot of shaded space that could make a huge difference when camping with large groups. It attaches to the back of an SUV, so setup is very easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.
When set up, this awning can offer enough shade for a table and a couple of chairs, and since it’s waterproof it can offer adequate protection during light showers. That being said, it won’t be ideal for heavy rainfall.
So if you’ve been looking to make the most out of your SUV for your summer camping trip with friends or family, this would be a great pick. It can offer additional shelter on top of your tents, is easy to set up, and the company even offers a 365-day limited warranty if you aren’t satisfied with the product.
Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.
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There is a huge range of options for campers looking to utilize their SUV, and each of our top ten offer excellent quality and utility. Every choice on this list offers good value for money and great features, but one stands out if a winner must be crowned.
The Napier Backroadz SUV Tent offers excellent value with a prized list of features, and a seamless universal vehicle connection that works with almost any SUV. While you need to rain-seal this tent before use, it’s good maintenance practice anyway and every camper should know how to re-waterproof their tent.
There’s plenty of room inside and an external awning for rain shelter and shade. Three mesh windows offer plenty of light and ventilation, and the storage pockets and gear loft help you keep your stuff organized. With a setup time of only 10 minutes, we couldn’t ask much more from this fantastic tent for SUVs. Now you’ve got accommodation sorted for your next trip, check out the best car camping gear to see what gadgets you’re missing out on.
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If you’re car camping in an SUV, there’s no reason not to use a regular tent. However, you could be missing out on some of the amazing and useful features of SUV tents! They seamlessly attach to the rear of your vehicle to create a multi-purpose camping area. Pickup truck tents are a similar option where the tent sits in the truck bed, as well as roof top tents, but these can put a lot of pressure on your vehicle. We prefer SUV tents because they utilize the extra room without threatening damage to your car.
Bonus tip: Check out this video for some useful car camping advice!
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Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he’s not writing, he’s probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.
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