Top 5 Cars to take to the beach

|THE DEN|

Going to the beaches is a fun summer activity and we all love it. But getting to the beach and driving on the beach are two very different feelings, you need a proper SUV for it. A car with 4

wheel drive is necessary and having differential locks are also important. 4-Wheel low is the mode you’d want to be in and you can have some serious fun in the sand with these 5 SUVs in the beach.

Jeep Rubicon

Nothing says freedom like cruising down a beach trail in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the top down and excitement just around the curve. The classic off-roader has a traditional exterior design that pays respect to the rugged Jeeps of WWII, but it's also loaded with modern features like touchscreen infotainment, cruise control, and an eight-speaker audio.

This is the first time in the Wrangler's 34-year history that it is being manufactured outside of the United States, but more importantly, this locally constructed version benefits from far lower taxes than an imported one. The Wrangler's price has dropped from Rs 63.9 lakh to Rs 53.9 lakh for the Unlimited and from Rs 69.3 lakh to Rs 57.9 lakh for the Rubicon, thanks

to considerable customs duty savings.

It has a substantially deeper 4:1 crawl ratio (the standard Unlimited variant has a higher 2.72:1) and electrically locking front and rear differentials to crawl past anything. The ability to electronically disengage the anti-roll bar (or sway bar, in Jeep language) with the push of a button is also unique to the Rubicon model, allowing for even more axle mobility over

larger obstacles. The wheels and tyres are the only significant variations between the Unlimited and Rubicon models. All of this is critical for driving in the sand without getting bogged.

The engine in this Rubicon produces 268 bhp at 5150 rpm and 400 Nm at 3000 rpm of maximum power and torque, respectively. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon gets an automatic

transmission that takes care of putting all that power down to the road. The Rubicon has enough power to tackle any terrain, and this off-roader is a tonne of fun on and off the road.

The Wrangler Rubicon isn't the most roomy or accommodating SUV on the market, but it offers a seamless blend of classic and modern Jeep flair. The perspective of the road—or trail—is commanding, but the view backward is covered by large roof pillars, roll bars, and several grab handles. You do get pretty comfortable in the leather seats although they don’t hug you or keep you in place at all.

The driver and front-seat passenger are seated near to the upright windshield, facing a thin, squared-off dashboard accented by round air vents and hefty switchgear for the temperature control system, power windows, and entertainment. The Wrangler has enough storage for groceries and gear as an errand runner, but be careful that the back seats do not fold level with the floor. So taking your luggage might be a little struggle, pack light for the beach!

Mercedes-Benz GLS

So, for Mercedes to refer to the new-generation GLS as "the S-Class of SUVs," it must be something special. If you take this to the beach, you will undoubtedly have the most opulent vehicle on the beach. The GLS isn't just a big SUV; it's a mountain. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the pinnacle of ultraluxury sedans. It has it all: space, ride comfort, richness, cutting-edge technology, and silky-smooth smoothness, and it's usually the standard against which we assess a new top-tier luxury car.

Starting with the second row, where the majority of owners are likely to sit, you wouldn't expect to see lounge-like seats, especially in a 7-seater SUV. The illusion of having a seat

carved out for yourself under a large panoramic sunroof makes it a very, very inviting place to be when you open the door of the GLS and jump in (you do need to take a step higher).

If you're flying with a group of seven, there's a good chance you'll need space for their luggage, and with 355 litres of capacity with all seats up, a weekend's worth of luggage won't

be an issue. One button in the boot lowers the air suspension for simpler loading, while another allows you to power-fold the third and second rows for a total of 2,400 litres of cargo space. Even fitting a surfboard in this car won't be a problem.

When you first press the starter button, and even when you put on the throttle, it's easy to confuse the diesel engine for the petrol engine. With a subdued rumbling only when you rise

revs, this new diesel's refinement is on another level of smooth. Both power and torque are boosted from the previous-gen GLS, with 330PS and 700Nm.

Despite the fact that the GLS has drive modes, the lack of a Sport mode is noticeable. The GLS thrives on a major highway, being unassumingly swift, quiet, calm, and quite steady. It

doesn't seem fully secure, and I'm acutely conscious of the car's height and weight due to physics. Although driving it on the beach with the famed "bounce" function engaged will

undoubtedly assist you in avoiding becoming trapped.

Porsche Cayenne

By design, the Porsche Cayenne 2021 is an SUV, but by nature, it is a sports vehicle. What was once divisive is now a hallmark of Porsche's portfolio. The Cayenne, the company's first SUV, was unveiled in 2002. This is the type of automobile you'll love driving to the beach in as well; it's quick and handles nicely on the highway. For your time at the beach, it also offers great off-roading capability.

If you can get over the price, the Cayenne has a lot of appealing attributes. The Cayenne is expensive no matter how it's equipped, and like with its other vehicles, Porsche converts

items that we'd expect to be standard into pricey optional extras. The Cayenne, on the other hand, redeems itself with its performance and design.

There are now two turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines available under the hood. The 340bhp/450Nm model is used in the basic Cayenne. The Cayenne S, on the other hand, is

powered by a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine. It produces 440bhp and 550Nm, a 20bhp increase over its predecessor. The eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission has quicker response

times and livelier ratios in the lower gears.

Adaptive dampers with or without adjustable air suspension are standard on most models, as as four-wheel steering for improved manoeuvrability and active anti-roll bars for flatter cornering. Porsche's tungsten-coated iron rotors (named Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, or PSCB) or more expensive carbon-ceramic stoppers are available for the Cayenne.

Inside the Cayenne, Porsche essentially provides a blank canvas for buyers to customise as they see fit. Everything from the inside trim to the colour of the seatbelts to the surface materials can be customised. A stylish gauge cluster with an analogue tachometer and two 7.0-inch screens that display customizable information greets the driver.

On the inside, the cabin is light and airy, with a lot of Panamera influence. The new Porsche Advanced Cockpit is incorporated with the upgraded dashboard of the offroader. The sumptuous interiors will keep you comfy while you do donuts on the beach, and the outer opulence continues on the inside.

Toyota Hilux

The Hilux moniker is more well-known around the world than the Fortuner, and it is famed for its durability, dependability, and ability to withstand the harshest of conditions. Priced between 33-36 lakhs ex-showroom, this car might be a little more expensive than its only competition but it still seems like a value for money deal. If you need to pack tons of things for

the beach then this is the car you need.

Pick-up trucks are frequently utilised as work vehicles, and the Hilux has successfully completed polar expeditions and other missions. However, Toyota recognised that the truck market has grown, and many people now buy trucks for the lifestyle, the Hilux is great value for money and we think not just the beach you will enjoy driving this car everywhere.

The new generation Hilux is built on the same framework as the Fortuner, but it appears to be larger and more powerful. It is much larger and more intimidating than a Fortuner. With its

massive hexagonal grille, cladding, and skid plate, the Hilux also sports a superb front-end. LED lights and large 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres are also included on the vehicle.

So your off-road rides to the beach are taken care of.

A 2.8-litre diesel engine powers the Hilux. The manual version of the motor produces 201bhp and 420Nm of torque, while the automatic version delivers the same power and 500Nm of

torque. There are two transmission options: a six-speed manual and a torque converter automatic dearbox with six speeds. A four-wheel-drive system is standard on all models.

The Toyota Hilux inside appears modern at first appearance, due in part to a standard 8.0in touchscreen entertainment system. When you start poking around, though, you'll notice

that the materials utilised are entirely harsh and scratchy, with the exception of some coarse leather on the wheel.

If you want a car with enough luggage space to pack more than the family's suitcases. It seats people comfortably and has good feel of driving. You can also take it off-road and it won't

struggle at all. Priced under 40 lakhs this might be the best car for you if you're willing to adjust with the average interior quality.

Ford Bronco

The classic Ford Bronco returns with great retro styling, unique features, and impressive off-road capabilities, all of which helped it earn a spot on the list; even if this car is not available in India, it is still the ideal beach car. While purists will bemoan the lack of a V-8 engine, the Bronco's available manual transmission and numerous historical touches will appeal to them.

The Ford Bronco is easily one of the most popular vehicles on the market today, and it's not just because of the hype. Even when compared to the seemingly unstoppable Jeep Wrangler,

its all-terrain prowess is astounding. The Bronco, like the Wrangler, has a removable roof and doors, allowing you to drive topless on the street or on a trail for that extra bit of sunshine.

The Ford Bronco is a capable vehicle. With a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, the Bronco offers enough and smooth power for daily driving, whether you remain with the

turbo four-cylinder or opt for the turbo V6. The V6's added power makes on-ramps and short merges smoother and more enjoyable, and the V6 Bronco accelerates from a standstill to

100 kmph in 7.3 seconds, which is a respectable time considering the huge tyres and four-door design.

The steering is the true show-stopper. The Bronco's steering wheel conveys confidence and steadiness to its driver at motorway speeds thanks to an independent front suspension.

While twisty routes are unlikely to provide thrills, long-distance drives will benefit from the steering's lack of weariness.

While the Ford Bronco's hardtop does a good job of keeping the elements out, it does not guard against wind noise, which is abundant. There's also a fair amount of tyre noise. The

remainder of the Bronco driving experience is actually rather enjoyable.

In addition, the Ford's cabin includes a few more features than the Jeep's. The Bronco, for example, has a rack built onto the top of its dashboard that can hold smartphones and GoPro

cameras. It also features easy-to-remove frameless doors. Their lengthy side glass, on the other hand, can catch the weatherstripping and let more wind noise into the cabin. The

extended-wheelbase four-door variants, on the other hand, have enough space on board to store all four doors. When the doors are removed, the exterior mirrors are still usable because they are fixed to the base of the windshield.