Glacier National Park
If you live in the state of Montana, you’re missing out on a lot if you do not go overlanding in the Rocky Mountains and the vast plains this state is blessed with. To go out and enjoy Montana’s outdoors, the first thing you need is a vehicle that can take you to all the fantastic places this state has to offer.
In this article, we will be looking at the vehicles that can be your perfect partner, whether you want to go off-roading on the trails surrounding the Yellowstone National Park or the ones inside the Glacier National Park.
1. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
The Tacoma was introduced as a compact pickup truck and has become a midsize one since 2005. If you need a practical vehicle that you can use as a daily driver and take out to explore the Rockies on the weekend, this is just the right vehicle for that.
The double-cab arrangement of this truck offers comfortable seating for four people, and the 5-foot bed can hold all the equipment you need for an enjoyable overlanding trip.
The V6 motor under the hood produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are enough to get you going no matter what the terrain is. The inside has all the small touches of comfort that will make your experience memorable.
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee
If you want something more upscale and capable than the Tacoma, you can go with the Grand Cherokee. Though this one does not have a bed, it can haul more of your friends or family thanks to the three rows of seats it has.
You will be fully covered even with the Pentastar V6 engine, which has just under 293 horsepower. Still, you can turn things up a notch by going for the 6.2L HEMI v8 with 707 horsepower in the Trailhawk trim.
3. Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder is an excellent option for those who need Japanese reliability with a touch of power and connectivity. It, too, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, has three rows and can seat eight people. The 3.5L V6 in this vehicle is a pretty capable engine. Coupled with Nissan’s 4WD system, the SUV can go anywhere you want.
The inside of this vehicle is also a nice place to be in when you are on a long road trip or on the trail.
If you are looking to buy one of these, trading in a car makes this much more plausible. As new cars are in short supply these days, the best idea is to trade in your current ride and get a good used one to explore Montana.
4. Volvo V90 Cross Country
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is an excellent vehicle for people who want to keep the comfort of a sedan while getting the capabilities of an SUV. The V90 Cross Country is a comfortable two-row station wagon. It, however, has a 235-hp engine that powers all four wheels.
This vehicle is not as capable as a 4WD but has more than enough power and ability to take you on mild off-road trips.
5. Kia Sportage SX Turbo AWD
Not everyone wants to spend upwards of $50,000 on a vehicle, and this option is for those people. The Sportage is a comfortable compact crossover SUV that can get the job done. You cannot expect this tiny car to compete in capability with the others on this list. However, it costs under $30,000 and has the fuel consumption of a compact sedan.
6. Suzuki Jimny
Another inexpensive option for overlanding and exploring Montana’s outdoors is the Suzuki Jimny. It costs under $25,000 and is a competent off-road machine for its price. Forget about comfort and luxury features on the inside. It has a rigid suspension, and everything in this car is designed to keep you from getting stuck on the trail.
7. BMW X1
No one executes luxury and capability together better than the Germans. Even though most German off-road vehicles are too expensive for the average person, the X1 is a good idea. You can buy one of these new for just under $38,000 for the AWD variant.
It might not be as capable as prior cars on the list, but it can handle rough terrain, and it does that in comfort.
8. Audi A4 Allroad
The best choice for Sedan lovers is the Audi A4 Allroad. This is a car you can daily drive to work, take the kids out for ice cream and on the mountain roads of the Rockies. This is not the kind of car you want to take to the trail. Still, the AWD in this car makes it highly stable and easily maneuverable around the tight curves of mountain roads.
9. Land Rover Defender
No list of outdoors vehicles can ever be complete without mentioning the Defender. These cars are made for abuse on the trail. You can get one for a very reasonable price because these things lose value fast. The 2007 model of the Defender is considered the best off-road machine ever, and it most definitely is. However, these cars are incredibly unreliable and uncomfortable so beware of what you are signing up for here.
10. Mercedes G-Class
The people who want the best of all worlds from their outdoor vehicle and can spare the money for it should go for the G-Class. These vehicles have it all. They are luxurious, powerful, and competent off-road. However, the price tag of nearly $100,000 makes these a bit inaccessible for many people.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy the state of Montana, the first thing you need to have is a vehicle that can take you anywhere. We composed a list of cars that you can buy to explore Montana and go out to any place in the state without any restriction. The decision of which one of these is the best for you depends on what you want to use the car for and how much money you can spare. Luckily there are companies that assist with the purchase by offering trade-ins on used cars.