Spring break is almost here, which means it’s time to leave the office and hit the road. Whether you’re headed for the mountains, the beach, or an off-the-grid getaway, here are three vehicles that will get you where ever you're going in comfort and style.
Sportsmobile Sprinter 4×4
Price: Starting around $90,000
Engine: Mercedes Benz 3.0-liter BlueTec diesel V-6
Drivetrain: 5-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy: Estimated 14-18 mpg. (This is a commercial vehicle, so EPA mileage numbers aren’t required.)
How’s this beauty (pictured above) for middle-of-nowhere base camp nirvana? A lift-kit, all-terrain tires, and four-wheel drive with low gearing get you up gnarliest mountain roads, while a 24.5-gallon tank ensures plenty of range. Solar panels on the roof and the diesel engine (which converts to a generator), power all your electronics, and there’s plenty of room to sleep four (plus store all your outdoor gear). When you’re done riding muddy singletrack, come back and wash off under the exterior shower.
MINI Cooper Clubman S
Price: $31,250
Engine: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo
Drivetrain: 8-speed automatic, AWD available
EPA fuel economy: 24 mpg city/34 mpg hwy
The not-so-mini Clubman S has four doors and is the longest and widest MINI yet, which means it can haul more friends and lots more stuff. With respectable gas mileage on the highway it’s great for long trips, and available AWD allows you to hit the ski hill if a late El Niño storm rolls in. Thanks to the turbo, it also hauls ass.
BMW 2 Series Convertible
Price: $38,650
Engine: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo
Drivetrain: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifting, RWD
EPA fuel economy: 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy
We could wax on about this Bimmer’s perfectly balanced weight distribution and its glorious affect on handling, or the fact that you can raise or lower the soft top in 20 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph when an afternoon shower rolls in. But we really chose this car because it’s a great beach cruiser. Thanks to its spacious trunk and rear seats that fold down, you can stuff it with beach umbrellas, chairs, coolers, and everything else for a day of chilling on the sand.