Best cars for this summer’s festival season

There might be no Glastonbury this year but festival season is definitely upon us.

Isle of Wight, Bestival and Reading are all more than adequate alternatives to Glasto and the growing line-up of family-friendly festivals scheduled for this summer proves there’s more to this season’s festivals than mud and getting lost.

Camping is part and parcel of the festival experience but lugging along everything you need can be a hassle without the right vehicle.

So which car is the best suited for tackling the summer festivals? Well, pull on your welly-boots and listen closely…

Citroen Cactus M

Inspired by the 1968 Méhari, this kooky concept would be perfect for any rain-drenched, mud-packed festival.

It doesn’t have a roof, but the seats are covered in a waterproof quick-drying neoprene fabric that can be wiped clean. While the front seat footwells have drainage so when the rain does come, the water just drains out the bottom.

The Cactus M can also be turned into a two-man bivouac, allowing users to sleep in the open or under cover, using the inflation function to turn the top into a freestanding tent.

It’s just a shame the Cactus M never went into production…

 

Pontiac Aztek

The Aztek may be a surefire entry for any ‘worst car’ list, but it boasts several features that make it a reliable camping companion. (If you can get past its ghastly appearance).

Festival campers would really benefit from the swing-open tailgate, removable cargo tray (for ping-pong, obvs!) and a center console that doubles up as a cooler.

Any Azteks specced with the camping package get an air compressor, inflatable mattress and an attachable tent.

Not so hideous and terrible anymore, eh?!

Land Rover Discovery Sport

It’s a crying shame that the off-roading capability of so many SUVs is never utilised. In fact, research suggests that 90 per cent of Land Rover owners never go off-road.

Considering the Disco Sport has the capacity to seat seven people and enough boot space for a weekend, this vehicle will make for some very happy campers.

 

BMW 5 Series

Maybe you’re planning to take a caravan to your festival? Well, the new 5 Series is the ideal car to get it to the campsite. It recently took the top prize at the 2018 Tow Car Awards.

“When it comes to pulling a caravan confidently and securely, the BMW 5 Series has few peers,” said one of the judges.

“There wasn’t a single one of our towing tests in which the BMW showed any weakness.”

 

Volkswagen California

All the vehicles we’ve mentioned so far have been bona fide cars but the California is the ultimate camping vehicle because – well – it’s a campervan.

It has comfy beds for four people, a fully fitted kitchen with a cool box, sink and stove, camping table and chairs. It also boasts loads of clever little storage spots and configurable seating that can be switched into 12 different setups.

You’ll be the envy of everyone else at the festival in a VW California.