12 EVs That Will Make for Great Overlanding and Camping Vehicles

Electric vehicles are steadily making their way into all areas of transportation. There is no denying that EVs have come a long way, and automakers are constantly innovating and improving their performance. However, off-roading and overlanding electric vehicles still occupy a small niche in the automotive market. Overlanding enthusiasts are a little jittery about the abilities of electric 4×4 vehicles.

That said, several impressive EVs are on sale in the U.S. that come with a bunch of essential utility features, enabling campers to explore and survive the great outdoors for long periods. Some features available on off-road electric vehicles include good ground clearance, a powerful powertrain, long range, camping utilities, and a bunch of off-road hardware. The electric vehicles on this list have one or a combination of these features, making them stand out as great camping and overland models.

UPDATE: 2024/03/30 17:00 EST BY AYUSH ARYA

This article has been comprehensively updated to bring you fresh details on the electric vehicles on sale in the U.S. that are ideal for overland and camping enthusiasts. We have added several models to this list to reflect the introduction of new all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive EVs.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources. The vehicles on this list have been arranged in ascending order according to their base MSRPs. Upcoming vehicles whose prices haven’t been announced are listed at the bottom.

12 Fisker Ocean

Base MSRP: $24,999

Receiving up to $24,000 in price cuts, the Ocean makes a strong case for itself and should be a good option to consider, provided the future of the company doesn’t scare you. The Ocean is an electric SUV from Fisker – the company that brought us the Karma. The company has gone through a bit of a rebranding and is leaning towards an electric future. The Fisker Ocean has generated a lot of buzz in the electric automotive community because of its refreshing design and impressive spec sheet. The vehicle’s wide stance and 7.1 inches of ground clearance (on the Fisker Extreme) will make it manageable on unpaved roads.

Fisker Ocean Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Fisker)

The Fisker Ocean Extreme model (the one you’d want to have if you are a frequent off-roader) has an all-wheel-drive system that produces an impressive 550 horsepower and a total of 350 miles of range. The vehicle also comes with what Fisker calls the ‘SolarSky’ panel. Essentially, the roof panel of the car is made of solar panels. Fisker says these panels can add up to 1,500 miles of range in a year and up to 2,000 miles in optimal conditions. Ideally, you can camp for weeks in the Fisker Ocean.

11 Tesla Model Y

Base MSRP: $43,990

Though the Model Y does not come with high ground clearance like the GMC Hummer EV, it has a dedicated feature for staying in the great outdoors called “Camp Mode.” It lets you use battery power for air conditioning, charging, mood lighting, and music while sleeping in the cabin. The Model Y’s cargo area expands to 68 inches long and 38 inches wide once the rear seats have been folded down. This space is enough to make a mattress comfortable enough for two people with an average height of less than six feet.

Tesla Model Y Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Tesla)

Another great feature of the Model Y is its glass roof, which allows for a panoramic view of the night sky while camping. Besides tons of space on the inside and impressive cargo capacity, the Model Y, like other Tesla vehicles, benefits from the brand’s expansive fast-charging network. Thanks to Tesla Superchargers, you can reach your favorite trailhead or camping grounds with minimum range anxiety. While Tesla does not offer camping accessories for the Model Y, several aftermarket kits are available.

10 Ford F-150 Lightning

Base MSRP: $49,995

The Ford F-150 is one of America’s most reliable and beloved pickup trucks. Ford hopes that the Lightning will be no different. The front trunk of the Lightning has 14 cubic feet of space and can carry a load of up to 400 pounds. Thanks to its 131 kWh battery pack, the Lightning can act as a power bank for appliances and electronic camping gear. When fully charged, the F-150 Lighting’s battery pack can power a standard American home for at least three days. So, it can comfortably handle a weekend overlanding expedition.

Ford F-150 Lightning Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Ford)

The standard model has a 240-mile range with 462 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. The extended battery model (which you should opt for if you are a frequent overlander) has a 320-mile range and 580 horsepower. This model also has an independent rear suspension for a smoother ride, which should improve its handling on uneven terrain. Ford advises against installing sliding campers on the F-150 Lightning. However, you can still get excellent aftermarket camping installations from Four-Wheel Campers and GRT Off-road.

9 Kia EV9

Base MSRP: $54,900

The Kia EV9 is among the most affordable three-row electric SUVs in the U.S. Its entry-level trims have a single-motor rear-wheel drive setup. In contrast, higher trims have dual motors and all-wheel drive. The EV9’s maximum interior space is 160.3 cubic feet in models with a six-seater layout with captain seats. You get 81.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the front row. All of this translates into an ideal space for camping inside the vehicle.

Kia EV9 Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Kia)

If you do not want to sleep inside your EV9 on a camping trip, you can easily tow a camper behind it, as its maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. With the bigger 99.8 kWh battery pack, this electric SUV can go 280 miles on a full charge. Towing a camper behind would reduce the range, but you can juice up the EV9’s battery pack from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 24 minutes by connecting it to a 350 kW DC fast charger.

8 Tesla Cybertruck

Base MSRP: $60,990

The Tesla Cybertruck is the most unique vehicle in its segment. Its utility features make it ideal for overland travel and camping. Besides lending an instructible aura, the Cybertruck’s stainless steel panels ensure that it won’t get any pinstripes while going through trails. A maximum driving range of 340 miles on a full charge ensures that you have plenty of juice to travel to your favorite trailhead and beyond.

Tesla Cybertruck Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Tesla)

The Cybertruck comes with multiple 120V and 240V power outlets inside the cabin, which will be handy on a camping trip. Through the Tesla Powershare feature, the Cybertruck can provide 11.5 kW of power, enough to light up your camp (or house). Tesla is offering a ton of accessories with the Cybertruck. These include the Cybertruck Basecamp, a complete tent assembly that can be erected on top of the truck bed.

7 Rivian R1T

Base MSRP: $69,900

Rivian’s flagship pickup truck, the R1T, boasts several outdoorsy features, making it capable of overlanding and camping. The quad-motor all-wheel-drive setup can produce 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, enabling this electric pickup to have a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. This is perfect for those who want to bring along their camper trailers. The R1T is also off-road capable, with a water-wading depth of about three feet and a maximum ground clearance of 14.9 inches.

Rivian R1T Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Rivian)

The R1T’s diverse range of utilities sets it apart from other models in this segment. The front trunk, under-seat compartments, truck bed, and gear tunnel give the R1T a total storage space of 62 cubic feet. The truck bed is fitted with an air compressor and two 120-volt outlets. As an option, R1T owners can also get a camp kitchen package. Rivian says the package enables R1T users to prepare complete meals wherever they are.

6 Chevrolet Silverado EV

Base MSRP: $74,800

When the Silverado EV goes on sale later this year, it will compete against the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. From what Chevrolet has revealed so far, it seems that it will be a formidable competitor to these rivals. Initially, the Silverado EV will be available in two configurations: a work truck (3WT and 4WT) and the top-spec RST. The brand says that more mid-level trims will join the lineup later.

Chevrolet Silverado EV Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Chevrolet)

The Silverado EV shares its Ultium platform with the Hummer EV, but it takes on a more traditional shape. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup will be standard across the range. The Silverado EV will have a maximum power output of 754 horsepower and a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. Like its competitors, the Silverado EV has many ergonomic features, making it an excellent vehicle for overland and camping enthusiasts.

5 GMC Hummer EV Pickup

Base MSRP: $96,550

The original Hummer was a reliable military vehicle capable of maneuvering the toughest terrains. Its DNA is alive and well in the new Hummer EV. The Hummer has one of the largest battery packs in any production electric vehicle, with 212 kWh (246 kWh gross). Its triple motor variant has 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of peak torque. The electric pickup has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and 81 cubic feet of storage space. The large battery can power auxiliary appliances like air compressors, heaters, lighting fixtures, and small kitchen appliances and still have enough power to return to civilization.

GMC Hummer EV Specifications

(Specs Sourced From GMC)

With an overall width of 93.7 inches, the truck bed is wide enough to fit a mattress setup for two people. The Hummer EV has independent long-travel air suspension, which allows for 13.0 inches of suspension travel. With an estimated range of 381 miles, this supertruck should make for an enjoyable and anxiety-free overlanding experience. Roof cross rails for carrying bikes and kayaks and a 50-inch off-road light bar for scouting trails are optional camping accessories.

4 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Base MSRP: $111,100

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo cannot drive sideways like the Hummer EV or scale over rocks like the Rivian R1T. But it can carry a maximum load of 165 pounds on its roof, which means you can strap a rooftop tent on it. With the rear seats folded, you get 42.8 cubic feet of cargo area, enough to store a weekend’s worth of camping supplies.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Porsche)

Thanks to its adaptive suspension, the Taycan Cross Turismo’s ride height can be increased from 5.7 inches to 6.9 inches. This won’t be enough to go over Hell’s Revenge in Moab, but it would be perfect for exploring certain sections of the famous Back Country Discovery Route. The Taycan Cross Turismo can wade through 13.3 inches of water with the suspension setting set to its highest level.

3 Canoo Pickup Truck

Base MSRP: TBA

Like the Rivian R1T and the F-150 Lightning, the Canoo has remarkable bed space and collapsible side tables with power outlets. The electric truck also has an extended bed that increases its usable space from six feet to a fully enclosed eight feet. The vehicle is also fitted with perimeter lighting, which makes the Canoo pickup truck a practical vehicle for camping. The company has a proprietary multipurpose platform architecture that allows the Canoo pickup truck to be fitted with various camper shells for different use cases straight from the factory. When it officially debuts, we will get more information on Canoo’s camping accessories.

Canoo Pickup Truck Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Canoo)

Former BMW executives are at the helm of this electric vehicle startup. Canoo, formerly Evelozcity, says its vehicle designs are made to be “the most cab-forward and space efficient in the market with massive cargo capacity on the smallest footprint possible.” Canoo vehicles utilize space-saving technology like drive-by-wire to ensure the cabin has as much usable space as possible. The Canoo Pickup truck will have over 500 horsepower and up to 1,800 pounds of payload capacity.

2 Volkswagen ID.Buzz

Base MSRP: TBA

The ID.Buzz is the all-electric reincarnation of Volkswagen’s most iconic microbus: the Type 2. It has not yet debuted in North America, but sales have already begun in Europe. There are officially two main versions of the ID.Buzz: the standard two-row version and the three-row long-wheelbase version. The North American market will get the latter. Like its predecessor, the ID.Buzz has ample interior space thanks to its boxy rectangular shape.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Volkswagen)

The three-row American version will comfortably haul eight adult passengers for long journeys. With the two back-row seats removed, the three-row American model can fit a standard bed for two people and utilities like a mini-fridge, making it a perfect camping vehicle. We hope to see aftermarket customization options for the ID.Buzz to arrive after its official debut in America.

1 Alpha Wolf

Base MSRP: TBA

The Alpha Wolf+ comes from a little-known American car manufacturer, Alpha Motors. There are several versions of the Alpha pickup truck: the entry-level Alpha Wolf with a single motor and rear-wheel drive system; the Alpha Wolf+, which is the sweet spot between daily driving practicality and overlanding; and the Superwolf, which is the extreme version of the pickup truck dedicated to off-roading and overlanding.

Alpha Wolf Specifications

(Specs Sourced From Alpha Motors)

The Alpha Wolf has a dual motor all-wheel-drive setup and an 85-kilowatt-hour battery that gives between 250 and 325 miles of range. As standard, the Wolf+ gets a front bumper, roof spotting lights, and a rig that extends the six-foot bed by several feet. Looking at the Alpha Motor’s website, it seems the company will bring its pickups to the market with exciting camping accessories like shovels, a tent, and a retractable solar panel.