K to R of Surfing Vehicles Dude

“Surfs up!”

“Dude, how am I gonna get there?”

“Bro, you need a car!”

Summer is here, and surfing is a great lifestyle for getting out, chasing the waves, and getting some immunity-boosting Vitamin D.  In fact, any sort of outdoor adventure and exercise will see you a fitter and healthier person for getting out there and doing it.  What 2022 cars make for an ideal surfer’s companion?  The following are several useful vehicles that, if you’re wanting something to get you places, will transport you, a friend or two, some gear, and surfboards/mountain bikes through something more than just a little puddle, mud or soft sand.

Dedicated vans with AWD or MPVs are potentially great for surfing travels with one, two or more mates.  Some, but not all, will offer AWD.  Depending on how far down onto the beach you want to get your MPV or Van, AWD is definitely the way to go for getting through soft sand and sticky situations.  Having a vehicle that can get you across country and down onto the beach makes for the ultimate surfer’s vehicle.

There are some very good vehicles worth a look if you’re into doing a bit of surfing, fishing and any outdoor adventure.  Aside from an AWD Van or AWD MPV, here are the best of them from K (Kia) to R (Renault).  Let us know if we’ve missed anything in between!

Kia Sorento

The seven-seat Kia Sorento SUV is one of the most advanced vehicles in its class.  If you find parking a mean trick, then it can even park itself without anyone inside. Quiet, roomy and with a large boot, the Sorento is available in Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line and the choice of a front-drive 3.5-litre 200 kW/332 Nm V6 petrol with an eight-speed auto gearbox, an AWD dual-clutch auto 148 kW/440 Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel or a 190 kW/350 Nm PHEV.  The roomy cabin is enhanced by a commodious 616-litre boot that increases to a massive, all-seats-folded 2011 litres.

Land Rover Defender

Ultimate 4×4 traction.  The 2.0-litre D200, D240 and D250 diesels produce 147 kW/430 Nm, 177 kW/430 Nm and 183 kW/570 Nm respectively, while the petrol engines output 221 kW/400 Nm, 294 kW/550 Nm and 386 kW/625 Nm.  All Defenders are highly capable, dual-range 4x4s, all driving through an eight-speed auto gearbox.  Up to 2231 litres of boot space gives you plenty of space to sleep!  5-star safe.

Land Rover Discovery

Ultimate 4×4 traction with added sophistication. Of course, the Range Rover alternative is luxury to the max!  Discoverys are big on comfort and refinement and offer up to 2104 litres of sleeping space.  5-star safe.

LDV D90

A big, cushy, well-priced 7-seater with 5-doors.  Sitting on a strong ladder-frame chassis and boasting a punchy 160 kW/480 Nm, 2.0-litre bi-turbo-diesel with an eight-speed auto transmission this is a seriously decent machine.  Offering rear-drive or dual-range 4WD with multi-mode terrain selection, off-roading is a breeze.  5-star safe and providing up to 2382 litres of sleeping space.

Mahindra XUV500 W10

A 7-seater with 5 doors and a 6-speed auto, the Mahindra XUV500 SUV is one of the best-value mid-size seven-seaters in Australia.  It is powered by a 103 kW/320 Nm 2.2-litre turbo-petrol engine.  AWD form is the best version and performs well off-road.  Let down only by a 4-star safety rating, the Mahindra has over 700 litres of boot space with the third row seats flat and grows to an excellent mattress in the back material.  You also get a five-year/100,000km warranty with five years of roadside assist when bought new.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s fourth generation Outlander SUV is a roomy 5-door wagon that is comfortable to drive, has all the modern tech, offering its owner plenty of space.  Available in AWD, running with an 8-speed CVT gearbox, and using the new 135 kW/245 Nm 2.5-litre engine this is a reliable unit that will take you and your mates places.  Boot space is up to 1461 litres, safety is 5-star, and you also get Mitsubishi’s class-leading 10 year/200,000 km warranty.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Another highly rated surfer’s wagon, the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Wagon.  With its 8-speed automatic gearbox is smooth.  It’s a dual-range unit with Low and High, so 4×4 traction combines with a high ground clearance and long-travel suspension to ensure plenty of off-road capability.  There’s heaps of passenger space and it’s surprisingly smooth and comfortable on the road.  The Pajero Sport is available in both five and seven-seat form and is powered by a 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 133 kW/430 Nm.  5-star safety and a boot space that’s huge. The Pajero Sport boasts a big, square cargo space and boasts 673-litres of cargo volume even up to the second row.  Fold the second row down as well and it’s cavernous.

Nissan X-Trail

The sharp-looking Nissan X-Trail is a real surfer’s choice.  Nissan’s X-Trail continues to rate among the best cargo-carriers in its class.  It feels nifty on the road and is five-star safe.  The AWD version uses a naturally-aspirated petrol engine with 126 kW/233 Nm.  Boot space is huge and close to 2000 litres, enough to lie down and stretch your legs out overnight.

Renault Koleos

A pretty cool looking wagon is the new Koleos from Renault.  Nissan’s X-Trail and Renault’s Koleos have teamed up and are based on the same platform.  Five-star safe and superbly comfortable, Renault’s five-seat Koleos mid-size SUV combines attractive looks and excellent people and luggage-carrying abilities.  There’s a choice, at the top-level for 4WD, and the 126 kW/226 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine drives through a modern CVT transmission.  Boot space is almost 2000 litres!

A to J of Surfing Vehicles Dude

“Surfs up!”

“Dude, how am I gonna get there?”

“Bro, you need a car!”

Summer is here, and surfing is a great lifestyle for getting out, chasing the waves, and getting some immunity-boosting Vitamin D.  In fact, any sort of outdoor adventure and exercise will see you a fitter and healthier person for getting out there and doing it.  What 2022 cars make for an ideal surfer’s companion?  The following are several useful vehicles that, if you’re wanting something to get you places, will transport you, a friend or two, some gear, and surfboards/mountain bikes through something more than just a little puddle, mud or soft sand.

Dedicated vans or MPVs with AWD like the Volkswagen Multivan, LDV G10, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Kia Carnival, Mercedes-Benz Valente, Volkswagen Caravelle, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai STARIA, Volkswagen California, Toyota Granvia, Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo ACTIVITY, and the Volkswagen Caddy are potentially great for surfing travels with one, two or more mates.  Some, but not all, will offer AWD.  Depending on how far down onto the beach you want to get your MPV or Van, AWD is definitely the way to go for getting through soft sand and out of sticky situations.

For years, wagons and SUVs have also been a go-to machine for the surfer; for good reason too as they offer plenty of space, the capacity for lugging gear, and for sleeping.  But having a vehicle that can get you across country and down onto the beach makes for the ultimate surfer’s vehicle.  Outside of the list of vans and MPVs above, there are some great vehicles still worth a look if you’re into doing a bit of surfing, fishing or any type of outdoor adventure.

Here is the best of them, first article of three, from A (Alfa Romeo) to J (Jeep).  Let us know if we’ve missed anything in between!

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Three petrol engines offer the Stelvio between 147–375 kW of power and 330–600 Nm of torque.  The 8-speed automatic and 4×4 (AWD) ability make it ideal for heading off tar seal.  It has 5-doors, 5-seats, a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, and 1600 litres of boot space when the rear seats are folded flat.

Audi Q Wagons

Audi Q5 and Q7 models are idyllic; the Q3 maybe a little small, however.  All of these are stylish, AWD and superbly comfortable.  Diesel and petrol engines are available that offer the Q5 and Q7 between 150–251 kW of power and 370–700 Nm of torque.  4×4 (AWD) ability make them perfect for nosing about off-road.  Both Q models have 5-doors, 5-seats, and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.  The Q5 has 1530 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded flat; Q7 has 1971 litres.

Audi A6 Allroad

Cargo room extends to 1680 litres with the rear seats folded down, and the AWD Quattro system ensures that you’ll get around secondary roads and the odd track pretty comfortably in an A6 Allroad.  A nice wagon to drive, and the surfboard can go on the roof or slide in along the flat cargo area.  A sportier drive than a similarly capable Subaru Outback.  The Audi A6 Allroad Wagon 45TDI is offered in Australia and runs with a tiptronic 8-speed quattro drive.  The 3.0-litre Turbo-Diesel is a peach, packing a healthy 183 kW/600 Nm from its V6 configuration, and scampers from a standstill to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds.

BMW X3, X5

BMW X3 and X5 models are really nice SUV wagons for open road touring.  All are stylish, AWD, and superbly comfortable.  Diesel, electric and petrol engines are available for the X3 that offers between 135–285 kW of power and 300–620 Nm of torque.  X5 models get between 170 and 460 kW of power and 450–750 Nm of torque.  4×4 (AWD) ability make them handy when getting down to the beach or picnic area.  All X models have 5-doors, 5-seats, a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, and the X3 has 1600 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded flat; X5 has 2047 litres.

Ford Everest

The Ford Everest is magnificent.  Its 3.2 Diesel Turbo engine delivers 157 kW and 500 Nm.  The 10-speed automatic and serious 4×4 capability ensure you won’t easily get stuck in this one.  Smooth, loads of road presence, and comfortable, there isn’t many negatives.  1796 litres of boot space is available with the seats folded down.  It has 5-doors, 5-seats, and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

Haval H9

The big Haval H9 SUV Wagon gets a standard adaptive six-mode 4×4 terrain control system and a 700 mm wading depth.  The 180 kW/350 Nm turbo-four petrol/eight-speed auto is smooth and impresses.  A massive boot space combined with excellent features and a relaxing drive makes it a great surfing/adventure vehicle.  It’s also keenly priced.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai’s 7-seat Santa Fe SUV is large.  With a choice between a 206 kW/336 Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol or a 147 kW/440 Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four, the Santa Fe range is a great driving machine and is available in AWD.  Comfortable, and particularly well set-up in diesel guise, the Santa Fe is a warm travelling companion.  Boot space: 2042 litres.

Isuzu MU-X

A 7-seater with five doors and a rugged 3.0 Turbo-diesel motor is hard to overlook.  Stylish and tough, Isuzu’s new MU-X seven-seat off-roader comes in three spec levels (LS-M, LS-U and range-topping LS-T), each with the option of RWD or 4WD and standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.  140 kW and 450 Nm of torque match with a 3.5 tonne towing capacity.  ANCAP five-star safety and a boot space of 2138 litres makes the MU-X a perfect surfer’s wagon.

Jeep Wrangler

The LWB Jeep Wranglers are stunning lookers.  Perfect in every way but only let down by a rather mediocre safety rating 3 out of 5 stars.  2050 litres of boot space and 4×4 tenacity.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

An awesome, comfortable surfer’s wagon, the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with a choice of a 3.6-litre petrol 8-speed automatic 4×4, or a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel 8 speed automatic 4×4.  True off-road potential and loads of space with up to 2005 litres of cargo space.  Offering between 184–522 kW (Yes, 522!) of power and 347–868 Nm of torque this packs a punch.  Superior 4×4 (AWD) ability make these ideal, and they are seriously comfortable.  All are 5-star safe.

I Like Them Big, I Like them Chunky!

Cars with the biggest boot space are always going to be the preferred vehicles for families.  Unless, of course, you’re a travelling salesman, builder, youth worker or schoolteacher, then the extra few cubes in the back are going to come in handy. What’s current out there that will prove a capable companion for taking three people (or more) in the back seats and a big load of luggage?

Tesla Model S (849 litres)

It might be surprising to see this addition on the list, but I’ll start with this one first because its topical.  Tesla’s lack of a conventional combustion engine and exhaust system works wonders for creating whopping luggage space! The electric motor in the Tesla Model S is very compact, providing the Model S with extra space to store luggage.  This Tesla has two large boot spaces where you’ll find one at the front and one at the rear.  A total of 849 litres of storage space is exceptionally fine for what is a performance EV sedan that can manage 0-100 km/h in around 3 seconds! However, buying new will set you back well north of $135k.

But now, to vehicles more conventional, and some with a buy new price that’s a whole lot cheaper than a Tesla Model S.

Peugeot 5008 (780 litres)

The snazzy new Peugeot is called the 5008, a family car that is anything but boring.  Two large infotainment screens, comfortable seats, seven-seating capacity or five, and you’ll be appreciating the talent offered by this roomy SUV.  Opt for five-seats up, and you’re left with a 780-litre boot.

Kia Sorento (660 litres)

The Kia Sorento is a class act.  It’s comfortable to drive and is also a handy tow vehicle, thanks to its punchy diesel engine and standard 4WD set-up.  Like the Peugeot above, the Sorento is eye-catching and good looking, and it also has seven seat capacity.  Drop the third row flat, and the Sorento boasts a decent 660-litre boot space that just loves to swallow suitcases and bags.

Skoda Superb Estate (660 litres)

One of my favourite vehicles on this list, the Skoda Superb Estate, has it all.  Not only is it not as bulky as an SUV, but the seats are superbly comfortable and spacious.  There is loads of practical interior space throughout the cabin.  Yes, it seats five adults in comfort and is one of the best cars with a big boot.  The big Skoda station wagon looks great and has a stylish cabin, with easy-to-use infotainment and acres of rear-seat legroom.  It’s also available with a strong range of grunty engines.

Skoda Karoq (588 litres)

Hello! Another Skoda?  The Karoq is Skoda’s mid-size crossover SUV.  It’s comfortable to drive with an excellent range of engines to choose from.  A high level of standard equipment, a nicely finished cabin and practicality is packed inside a Karoq.  Boasting VarioFlex Seats, three individual chairs that can slide, recline and be taken out entirely totally transforms the car and expands the boot space to suit.  The Karoq’s interior flexibility is unrivalled in this class of car, and you can also have it with 4WD.  The Skoda Kamiq is even bigger!

Volvo V60 (529 litres)

One of the suavest-looking station wagons in the list is the Volvo V60.  Its 529-litre boot space is the biggest you’ll find when pitched against its German rivals: the BMW 3 Series Touring, the Audi A4 Avant and the Mercedes C-Class Estate.  A beautiful modern Volvo interior with its metal, leather and wood trims, its portrait-style infotainment screen, outstanding comfort, and plenty of room for passengers deliver a fantastic package.  You also get a range of engines, which includes two powerful petrol hybrids that are quick.  If you’re looking for station wagon style along with boot capacity, then the Volvo is a winner here.

Mercedes E-Class Estate (640 litres)

With a little more room about its cabin than in the Volvo V60, the Mercedes E-Class Estate also boasts a few more cubes in its boot space.  Awesome infotainment and a range of new hybrid engines give this a drive to remember.  If you want a classy load-carrier that isn’t an SUV, then the E-Class has you covered.

Volkswagen Tiguan (615 litres)

The Tiguan’s boot offers 615 litres of luggage space when its rear seats have been slid right to the front.  This makes it a top rival to the other similar sized-and-priced Honda CR-V.  To look at, the Tiguan probably won’t win many beauty pageants, however it is a comfortable and practical choice with low running costs.

Honda CR-V (522 litres, 5-seater version)

Not the biggest boot on show here, but it boasts a practical shape and, with its comfortable cabin, the Honda CR-V is a nice small family alternative.  The engines are economical and very reliable, there are up to 7 seats, and it would be hard to find a better value large family car.  The seven-seater version hinders boot space somewhat, which drops to 497 litres with the seats up.  The CR-V packs a punch when it comes to standard safety kit.  Standard safety equipment includes lane assist, autonomous emergency braking and Isofix child seat mounting points.

SsangYong Rexton (820 litres)

Yes, there are plenty of other SUVs that have colossal boot space.  Big SUVs that include the Skoda Kodiaq (another Skoda), the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90, BMW X7, Audi Q7, Hyundai Palasade, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser, the Range Rover and even Nissan’s whopping Patrol.  If you can afford one of these, then all is well.  However, if you’re hoping for a big seven-seater SUV option, then there is the excellent SsangYong Rexton with its loads of space, excellent comfort and decent price tag that’s easily half the price of the afore mentioned alternatives.

Yes, the SsangYong Rexton is a rugged, tough and durable machine, but this big SUV is perfect for carrying large loads along with people in spacious comfort.  The Rexton boasts an impressive 820 litres of boot space with all the seats in place, and then a cavernous 1806 litres with all five rear seats lying flat.  4WD capacity makes this an adventurer, and its smooth, powerful 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine can tow up to 3500 kg without even breaking a sweat.

Citroen C5 Aircross (720 litres)

The Citroen C5 Aircross has one of the most comfortable rides. It also gets a line-up of quiet, refined engines to go with its massive boot.  With the rear seats slid forward, there’s room for 720 litres of luggage in the boot, which then drops to 580 litres when the seats are in their rearmost position.  A very deep, square shape enables the boot to easily swallow bulky items, and the electric tailgate is a nice standard feature.  In terms of practicality, the C5 Aircross represents decent value for money with loads of comfort and practicality.

Citroen Berlingo Multispace (775 litres)

Staying on the with the Citroen theme, how about a new Citroen Berlingo Multispace?  Yes, it’s a bit different and an MPV type vehicle, but the French know all about space, comfort and practicality. Even the standard-sized Citroen Berlingo Multispace versions offer 775 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, but the seven-seat XL versions offer even more with 1050 litres of space, albeit with the third row of seats folded flat.

Mercedes V-Class (1030 litres)

Alright, I have indulged in one proper van, the Mercedes V-Class, also among the largest MPVs you can possibly buy.  I suppose there are any myriad of other passenger vans (e.g., Hyundai Staria, Ford Transit, Toyota Granvia) you could buy, but I’ve selected one of the best: the new Mercedes Vito van or V-Class, and with this vehicle you really are travelling in luxury and style. The V-Class can seat up to 8 passengers, but if you remove the third row of seats you’re left with a truly colossal 1,030-litre load area.

Above is a shortlist, really.  I haven’t mentioned other worthy contenders that could just as easily be added.  Vehicles like the Subaru Outback, BMW’s 5-series Wagon, the Honda Odyssey, the Mazda 6 Wagon, the Renault Koleos, or any of the dual cab utes are also pretty-adept at managing loads and people.

So, do you know a car that should be on this list – a vehicle that I’ve blatantly missed?  We need to know about it because there are people who are after such a vehicle – one that’ll shift loads of luggage and people.  Whether you prefer a crossover, an SUV, or a station wagon, now’s the time to let us know the best modern vehicles with big boots.

I need a bigger boot!

What Tyre do I Need?

Tyres are the most crucial component to any drive.  Safety matters out there on the roads, and ensuring that you have a good set of tyres rolling beneath your car makes all the difference to aspects of driving like your stopping ability, road holding capacity and anti-aquaplaning.

What the heck is aquaplaning?  You may have experienced aquaplaning already when driving on a wet road and in the rain where puddles have formed over the road.  Hit these puddles at a reasonable speed, and the tyres can skid over the top of the puddles, causing complete loss of traction to whichever tyre is aquaplaning at the time.  Aquaplaning and sliding in the wet can and unfortunately does cause accidents.

Obviously, slowing down in the wet helps lessen the chance of having an aquaplane experience.  However, there are other aspects to the tyre which can affect how your tyres will cope with puddles and water on the road during wet driving conditions.  The condition of the tyre, the tread pattern the tyre has, and the amount of tread depth left on the tyre all decide how your tyre will cope with wet road conditions. These three components combined with how fast your car is travelling are the main players to whether or not you’ll roll through the puddle, displacing the water, or skid over the top of the puddle in much the same way as a skim board does in the shallow water at the beach.

Tyres are the only element of a car that is in contact with the ground while driving.  Choosing the right tyres can increase the entire performance of your vehicle.  Every tyre has its strengths and weaknesses.  Some tyres are long-lasting, while others offer better grip.  Some tyres are designed to be quiet and smooth while driving, while others have a tread pattern designed for better fuel consumption.  There are tyre testers out there like, Tyre Lab at www.thetyrelab.com, that single out tyres that perform best for all road conditions or for certain types of road conditions.  However, it is a fairly well-known fact that the more you invest in a tyre, the better the tyre quality will be and, consequently, the safer your driving experience.  That said, you might be surprised (or not) at which tyres are rated highly for braking, anti -aquaplaning and road holding by The Tyre Lab.

By law, in Australia the minimum tread depth for a tyre is 1.5 mm.  When it’s raining, the tread is responsible for securing contact between the tyre and the road, effectively pushing the water out from under the tyre as it rolls along.

Need new tyres?

First, find out the specifications in size and type from your car’s manufacturer, and this is the best size to go for.  You can also find out what kind of tyres you need, by looking on the side wall of your current tyres.  You will see a combination of characters which look a bit like this: 215/55R17 94H.  If your car has been mucked with, then make sure you check the manufacturer’s specs.

You will need to have an idea of how much you are going to spend at the tyre shop.  Choosing between a premium tyre and value is not always easy, or maybe it’s just too easy.  There are even budget tyres, which can be good if you aren’t into driving quickly, however, if you do go for these, they won’t have the best grip for all occasions and for emergency situations in the wet and dry.

Tyre choice really does come down to your own individual needs, the weather conditions and climate you’ll be driving in, how icy or cold the roads can get, how hot it is, and definitely how hard and fast you drive your car.

Not all tyres are the same.  So, if you buy a premium tyre that is designed with performance ability and grip for extreme hard and fast driving, but you drive like a snail, you’ll be perfectly safe in all road conditions.  If on the other hand you drive like a racing car driver, where you pass every other car in sight, and yet you are driving with budget tyres, your safety and the safety of others will be massively compromised.

There are those of us who drive within the law and try to maintain a decent speed in all road and weather conditions.  We will try and slowdown in the wet for example.  We all need to be driving safely, yet it does help to know just what sort of tyres are on the car you drive and what they are capable of out there on the road.  Just as equally-valid is knowing just what your tyres are not capable of.  There is nothing worse than losing traction or have a tyre’s integrity let go in a life threatening situation.

Every journey is dependent on the performance of your tyres and their effect on your driving.  Tyres impact on your steering, acceleration, handling, and braking. They’re also a key part of your car’s suspension and braking systems.  If you don’t have the right tyres for your car, tyres that are legal and in good shape, you’re putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk.

Budget tyres versus Premium tyres

Even though all tyres look pretty much the same, the difference between a budget tyre and a quality tyre is huge.  It comes down to the fact that the quality of the materials used in creating a premium tyre just can’t be replicated in a cheaply-made tyre.

Premium tyres have to meet high standards and are therefore made with more steel and specially formulated rubber and silica compounds.  These high quality tyre materials ensure that the final product is much stronger, longer-lasting, and one that offers better grip than a cheap tyre option.

Premium tyre manufacturers focus on research and development, and often they will be linked with the motorsport world where competition in tyres really matters.  Years of testing has proven that premium tyres do perform better and more consistently than a cheaper tyre alternative.

Premium tyres generally include names like: Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Kumho, Hankook and Continental.  Manufacturers of quality tyres will achieve higher standards than a budget or value tyre in all aspects of a tyre’s job prescription.  This will include: good grip for all driving conditions, exceptional wet and dry braking, superior handling at any speed, a higher impact damage threshold, better load-carrying capability, a longer service life (unless, of course, they are track racing tyres with a super-soft compound for ultimate grip on the track), better fuel economy, improved driving comfort; reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

We hope this was helpful.