If you take pride in calling yourself a traveler or an outdoorsman, then you also likely have a specific set of gear you feel proud about. Well, today we have one more piece of gear that rightfully deserves a place in your collection. We’re talking about SUV tents, of course! These are getting increasingly popular nowadays and are a must-have if you like road-tripping. Sure, you could always pitch a normal tent where you want but the convenience and practicality of an SUV tent is priceless. No more will you have to scout out places in advance or worry about transferring all your belongings. The best SUV tents will let you set up camp at the back of the vehicle so that you have a nice shaded place to rest. However, since there are many variants of SUV tents available in the market, choosing one could be a little tricky. For that, you’ll need to go through our guide! So, let’s begin.

Best SUV Tent Reviewed

Here’s the list of the 12 best SUV tents that will take your outdoor adventures to the next level.

1. SportZ Family-Tents sportz SUV Tent – Best for Family Camping

As the name implies, this SUV tent is meant for not only a solo traveler but for an entire family! And because of that, the price is a little on the higher side. Why are we placing this first on our list? Well, this product from Sportz has all the necessary features a large tent should have to accommodate families of 5-7. Let’s check out all its features! Why did we like it? As the brand promises, this product does truly transform your car into a “home away from home.” It is a 9×9 ft tent that can comfortably accommodate 4-5 people, and if you’re feeling a little daring, 5-7 people with less comfort. We liked how much headroom was still remaining when all 4 of us– me, my wife, and 2 kids, we all lying down, and at no point, it felt overwhelming. If you’re worried about rain, don’t be because the tent is shielded by a technology called GoBe Dry, which provides the ultimate protection. We experienced a slight drizzle on our outing but that was enough to convince us that the tent can withstand a downpour. And as far as setting up the thing goes, one person is enough thanks to the fiberglass pole structure. The fiberglass structure also lends quite a bit of extra strength to the unit, and according to testimonials from various buyers, this tent has lasted them years even with regular use. Overall, we were very happy with the product and despite certain flaws, we think you’ll be too. What could’ve been better? To be honest, this isn’t a real con; however, it might be a dealbreaker for some. This tent is big and tall and heavy! How heavy? We’re talking about 30 lbs heavy. And it takes quite a bit of space inside an SUV. Since this is a family tent, that is to be expected, but we wish the weight was a bit lighter. Stay away from this model if you travel solo or in very small groups.

2. Napier Backroadz SUV Tent – Best for Value

Napier is a renowned name in the tent and camping gear industry, so when they bring out a new product, you can be sure a lot of good reviews will follow. But is the Napier Backroadz tent worth your money, or is it so popular because of the brand hype involved? We tested this product extensively and found out that all the hype and praise are not unfounded. Why did we like it? Like the previous model, this also offers sleeping space of up to 5 adults comfortably. Measuring at 10×10 ft, this model offers 7 feet of headroom and comes with a universal sleeve that can fit SUVs, CUVs, and Minivans. Weather protection is also commendable as the taped seams and storm flaps do their part as expected. Besides, it offers bug protection too! As far as bonus features go, we were ecstatic to find out there are things here like the lantern holder and gear pocket to store all your camping stuff. To add to the benefits even more, the company assures that anyone can set up this camp within 10 minutes. It took us a little longer the first time, but that’s because we’re not used to setting up camps for a living. Given the price, which is cheaper than the first unit we reviewed, this SUV Tent from Napier is an excellent product. It has all the amenities a family would need to enjoy their time in the lap of nature. What could’ve been better? Lower price, unfortunately, often comes at the expense of overall quality. And if some customer reviews are to be believed, this tent is not ideal for long-term use. Even though we didn’t see any flaws, some buyers have reported the sleeves getting ripped and the bottom rain guard not working, causing them to get wet from puddles forming underneath.

3. DAC Explorer 2 SUV and Minivan tent – Best for Solo Travelers

Enough about families! We’re talking about camping tents for SUVs here, and who rides SUVs more than daredevil solo travelers? Well, after two products, we’ve finally got an excellent suggestion for those who like to explore solo or with a partner. Check out what we liked about it. Why did we like it? Let’s get one thing out of the way first: this tent is for people who want to sleep inside the car, and by that, we mean the rear. Unlike the other tents we reviewed above, this unit does NOT come with the bells and whistles of 4-5 person family tents. Regardless, features such as a T layout insect screen, folding up outer panels for ventilation, and zip ties in bottom corners make this an interesting item. In addition to being more affordable, this tent is easier to set up as well and takes no more than 5-10 minutes with practice. The quality of the fabric is good too, and according to reports, it can handle the extremities of weather quite well. So, be it rain or heat, you can rest easy knowing nothing will come between your chill time. What could’ve been better? The manufacturer promises that the tent can be fitted to a broad range of SUVs and campers, including but not limited to the Ram Charger, Dodge Durango, Mazda Kiva, Lexus RX. However, some people have reported incompatibility issues and were forced to return the unit. 

4. Rightline Gear SUV Tent for 6 – Best for Freestanding Setup

It’s weird how many tents from different brands exist to accommodate families and not enough for solo adventurers. So, once again we’re back with another family SUV tent that’s highly praised for comfortably accommodating up to 6 people. What other features does it have? Read about our experience to find out. Why did we like it? The best feature of this unit is undoubtedly its ability to give you comfort both inside and outside the car. If you wish, you can set it up and sleep in the rear end of the SUV or chill outside of the SUV as the tent is free-standing. The vehicle sleeve easily attaches to the rear of a car, and you can get the entire setup done in 15-20 minutes with a little practice. The seams are well-built and attach well to the vehicle. There are zip-up window covers too like in the other models, which help in ventilation. Overall, we felt the tent to be spacious enough to accommodate 4 people. Over that, it might feel a little cramped, but hey, you’re out camping. We tested this unit on a Subaru Forester and have experienced very little to complain about. What could’ve been better? We would have given this tent full marks if only it was always easy to set up as the first few times. Over the course of a month, we noticed that the mesh that’s supposed to be holding the poles gets caught up in the pole connectors sometimes. That made getting the tent up and taking it down difficult for one person.

5. KingCamp Melfi Plus SUV Car Tent – Best for Advanced Features

On the fifth spot, we’ve got our most expensive product so far and this one comes with features that justify all the extra moolah you’ll need to spend. In addition to being super spacious, this 9.5×9.5ft SUV tent comes with a wide array of advanced features that are set to make your outdoor camping, the most comfortable experience thus far.  Why did we like it? There’s really nothing not to like in this unit; from spacious headroom and legroom to additional features like mesh pockets and a top hook for hanging lights, this tent has it all. A total of 4-6 people can fit comfortably inside and be protected from rain and shine. Using the flysheet and inner, you can set this baby up in the group and have a proper “outdoor” camping experience. There’s no need to worry about weather elements because the flysheet consisting of 190T polyester with 3000mm PU coating makes this tent water and fire-resistant. And polyester is more breathable than the average polyester fabric other tents use. As far as ventilation is concerned, there are three doors and multi-position windows to cover (or uncover?) for that. This SUV tent is truly for those who want to explore with their families and be the least bit concerned about the usual hiccups involved in pitching a tent. There’s a zipper Oxford carry bag included in the package, so storage and transportation are never a problem. There are a few things that are not right. What could’ve been better? Thankfully, the list is not long; it is that the tent can prove to be too difficult to set up by 1 person. This could’ve been avoided by better design by the company. We know that it is supposed to be a family tent and members always can lend a hand, but a person who travels solo or wants to pitch the tent themselves might land in trouble.

6. Sportz SUV Blue/Tan Tent

On the sixth spot, we’ve got another tent from Sportz, and this time too it’s a family-sized unit that promises to fulfill all your camping needs. This is a spacious 9×9 foot tent that can be easily set up by one person and can accommodate up to 4-6 people. Check out what we liked about it. Why did we like it? What differentiates this unit by Sportz from our top-rated product (Sportz Family Tent) is a mere difference of approximately $40. And just by hearing that, almost everyone can tell that the features in these two units should be almost identical. Well, we agree. This SUV tent is also equally waterproof, and durable thanks to the fiberglass pole structure. As far as headroom is concerned, you get 7 feet at the tent’s center and around 6 feet at the corners. This is exactly similar to the other Sportz unit we reviewed before. Other elements such as the cyclone venting system, GoBe Dry rain protection, and 2 skylights remain the same. We enjoyed our time out with this SUV tent as much as we did with the other products. What could’ve been better? We can forgive the 30 lbs weight as we did with the other Sportz product, however, there’s another flaw we cannot let go. Some users have complained of poor quality materials used for some parts like the straps. Apparently, the straps have a high chance of snapping, leaving you with an unusable tent, out in the wild.

7. Sportz Footprint for SUV Tent

This time around, we’ve got an incredibly cheap option for you– from the reputed house of Napier. This tent can comfortably accommodate one traveler and is very easy to set up no matter where you are. Since it is a cheap option, it won’t be fair to compare this to other units in our review but it does have a few good features that make it worth the price. Why did we like it? We didn’t exactly get to test this out on the road due to the monsoon, so we tested it out in our backyard. Thankfully, monsoon didn’t put a dampener in the tent because the waterproofing technology is really good. Even though we wouldn’t recommend it during a downpour, you can easily get away with light rain. Setting up is a lot easier than other units on this list and one person can do it easily (duh!), and by removing the top cover, you can get a glimpse of the starry sky on a clear night. We don’t get a lot of clear skies in the city, but that feature is still good to have. The only day we attached it to the back of our SUV, we were able to do it easily. So, it’s all good. What could’ve been better? The vestibule this tent unlocks looks great but feels a little flimsy. You can keep your shoes comfortably in the vestibule before entering, but we can’t vouch for its long-term endurance. Honestly, this isn’t a big deal and kind of nitpicking given the unit is priced so low.

8. Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 3 Extended Rooftop Tent

This time around we’ve got something different, and expensive. We’re talking about a rooftop tent that attaches to your SUV and offers a ‘tree house’ like experience anywhere you want. Despite being a concept model that has only recently hit the market, it offers features promising enough to guarantee a super hit! Let’s check a few of them out. Why did we like it? There’s something called the Fold n’ Go Design that makes an outrageous claim of setting up the tent in less than 60 seconds. And for the most part, it succeeds. Setup is so easy, that anyone can do it in a jiffy. The reinforced hinges are there to add extra durability while the 1000G PVC Travel cover ensures the tent is protected from weather elements when not in use. The tent’s body consists of 600D Poly cotton rip and 420D rain fly, so you can rest assured knowing it will last you years even with extensive use. But what about comfort? Get this– there’s a high-density memory foam mattress that can be fitted inside and it comes with the package. We especially liked the pair of 420D poly cotton shoe pouches placed outside. Hang on, we’re not done with the review. When it comes to additional features, there’s also a power bank pouch, LED Velcro strips for easier accessibility, and hand-held LED light included too. We could go on a while longer describing all the features but it’s really out of the scope of this review. This overhead SUV tent offers features that are worth $1000 and more! What could’ve been better? There’s nothing wrong with this product; just that some people might find all the features a little overwhelming at times. If you are a hardcore camper who likes to chill outdoors with family and friends, you’ll love nesting inside this wonderful tent.

9. North East Harbour Universal SUV Tent

On the tenth spot, we’ve got a very economical product that offers you the very basics of SUV tents but in exceptional quality. This 4-6 person tent attaches nicely with SUVs and lets you unwind without worrying about taking it apart because it’s actually freestanding. Why did we like it? Like many other models reviewed above, this tent is also freestanding and offers enough comfort to warrant its own review. To set up, you have to attach it to the cargo area of an SUV and you can even sleep off the ground. While we didn’t try to squeeze in all 6 people, we did experiment with our little family of 4. The result? Well, it was still quite spacious. Coming to durability, there’s nothing to worry about either because North East Harbor has used quality polyester fabric to ensure you’re safeguarded from rain and high winds. There’s something extra too, in the form of a middle top hanger to hang a lantern and a gear pocket to store belongings such as phone, wallet, keys, etc. What could’ve been better? The one and only glaring flaw we noticed is that the package does not come with an instructions manual. So, unless you’re adept at setting up SUV tents, you might want to return this unit after getting frustrated. We can’t say for sure if the manufacturer has taken note, but it is a serious flaw we had to point out.

10. Napier Sportz Avalanche Truck Tent III

We have another tent from Napier that should be an ideal fit for those who want to camp inside their SUV. So, don’t expect features that would normally be present in a freestanding tent. This unit can house 2 people comfortably and still have enough space leftover to move around. Let’s check out all the features.