best cars for beach driving

Heading down the sand? You want torque, clearance, and proper 4WD, not a city slicker in aqua socks.

Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol are sand-cruising royalty thanks to low-range gearing and stout drivetrains; dual-cab utes like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D‑MAX do brilliantly too.

On lighter duty beaches, a Subaru Forester/Outback with X‑Mode or a cheeky Suzuki Jimny can manage, but they’re happier on firm sand than churned-up tracks.

Fit decent all-terrain tyres, air down to around 16–20 psi, keep momentum smooth, and avoid salty dips unless you fancy financing a rust sculpture.

Recovery gear (boards, shovel, rated points) and a mate’s car are non-negotiable, and rinse everything religiously after.

Local rules vary by beach in Australia, so check access and tides before you play castaway.