Best SUV Tents for Camping in 2023: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

It would be refreshing to spend some leisure time outdoors after being cooped up inside the house for a long time. Go on a road trip and find a peaceful spot to spend the night in with your loved ones.

However, you can’t just hop in your car and head out to wherever. You need to plan. Apart from the location, think of what you need to bring to be comfortable even outdoors. Also, don’t forget to bring your cameras to capture your adventures.

The first camping essential you should think of is your sleeping gear. You must get one of the best SUV tents for camping. Here are some recommendations for you to check.

1. Napier Backroadz SUV Tent

Napier Enterprises is a pioneer in vehicle camping tents with more than three decades of experience under its name. Being one of the company’s bestsellers, the Backroadz is perfect for those who love the outdoors.

Product Highlights

If you want to experience comfort and convenience while spending precious time outdoors, then check out the features of the Backroadz from Napier. It offers excellent value for your money as it successfully combines affordability and quality in this SUV tent.

● Design

This vehicle-mounted tent easily attaches to the back of an SUV, CUV, or minivan with its universal sleeve. Its 10 x 10 feet floor area and seven feet headroom are spacious enough for five people to comfortably sleep and lounge.

You will find several pockets in strategic spots inside the SUV tent and a lantern holder for illumination. It has three mesh windows and a large door with a zipper closure providing proper ventilation.

Also, this SUV tent comes with built-in storm flaps and a full rainfly on its door and windows for privacy and protection against the weather. The universal sleeve has adjustable straps to keep bugs and rain out for added security.

● Materials

This Backroadz SUV tent comes with two tent poles made of shock-corded fiberglass, allowing you to set it up in ten minutes. The 800-millimeter polyurethane coating on the polyester taffeta tent provides waterproofing, making it suitable for three-season use.

What We Like

The universal sleeve of this SUV tent creates a seamless connection to the vehicle providing you complete access to your car and everything in it. There’s also an added sense of security once you put down the flaps and close the zipper up.

What’s more, Napier Enterprises and Trees for the Future have an excellent partnership to help the environment. They will plant one tree for every Backroadz SUV tent purchased.

What We Don’t Like

Some users complain that the SUV tent leaks when it’s raining. However, the manufacturer instructed the campers to weatherproof every seam.

Others say that the materials used on the SUV tent are not premium quality because they rip easily. Also, the metal stakes are flimsy that a strong wind can uproot them or, worse, break them.

2. Napier Sportz Dome-To-Go Tent

Another Napier bestseller is the Sportz Dome-To-Go tent. The company thought of designing an SUV tent for smaller cars and hatchbacks.

Product Highlights

When you hear of vehicle camping, you think of large cars and trucks. Thus, most SUV tents are designed for their size. It all changed with the arrival of the Sportz Dome-To-Go tent.

● Design

The Sportz Dome-To-Go tent has an adjustable sleeve perfect for campers with smaller cars and hatchbacks. It connects to the cargo part of your car seamlessly with flawless smoothness.

This SUV tent offers a spacious interior measuring 8.5 x 8.5 feet with 6.5 feet headroom, accommodating four adults comfortably. The three mesh windows and two large doors provide optimal ventilation for the campers.

It comes with a large 6 x 6 feet awning that you can use as shade when lounging outside the tent or as an additional living space.

● Materials

This SUV tent promises to provide you with durability and protection from its high-quality materials. First, the tent’s polyester taffeta and polyethylene materials offer superior durability expected from a camping tent.

Supporting its structure are two flexible but sturdy poles made from shock-corded fiberglass. They allow the tent to remain standing even when the weather is windy.

The expandable carrying bag, also made from premium materials, provides quick SUV tent storage for more accessible transportation.

What We Like

This blue and gray SUV tent boast several storage pockets to keep some of your camping items neatly organized. Its stylish dome design serves a dual purpose.

You can attach the adjustable sleeve to your car or set it up as a stand-alone camping tent. You don’t have to worry if it rains while you are camping. The taped seams of this weatherproof SUV tent ensure you stay safe and dry inside.

What We Don’t Like

The Sportz Dome-To-Go SUV tent design is specific for small cars and hatchbacks. However, several users say it doesn’t fit well with some SUV hatchbacks.

Additionally, other campers say setting up and dismantling the tent proved challenging, especially if you are not tall enough. You need to have someone to help you fix it.

3. Travel Bird Car Rear Tent

Relax and enjoy the great outdoors using the car rear tent from Travel Bird. This manufacturer also offers other camping essentials at reasonable prices.

Product Highlights

You should not let the weather dampen your camping experience. Get this portable car rear tent with a mosquito net from Travel Bird.

● Design

This SUV tent shade from Travel Bird is suitable for mid to full-sized cars and minivans. Its 10 x 6.56 x 6.56 measurement is big enough to cover a camping table and several chairs from the rain or sun.

● Material

The Trail Bird tailgate tent uses premium quality 210T waterproof ripstop polyester coated with 2000mm of PU. It also boasts a hexagonal wire mesh from a high-density polyester that can provide you with UPF50+ protection.

This protective wire mesh tent protects you from bugs and other insects as you relax outdoors. But similar to a mosquito net, it still allows you to see your surroundings.

● Installation

You can prop up this SUV tent shade to its full setup with quick and straightforward installation steps.

First, use the included tie ropes to secure it to the tires and rear of your vehicle. Next, you can prop up the tent using the provided aluminum alloy support pole. Lastly, use ground pegs to fix and secure the net and SUV tent shade.

You can enter and exit the tent through the zipper on the net.

● Portable

The Trail Bird SUV tent is portable and lightweight at six pounds, making it easy to store and bring along in your car. It’s the perfect SUV tent shade for outdoor enthusiasts.

● Package Inclusions

To give you an idea of what you will get after purchasing the Trail Bird SUV tent, check out the list of items below.

1. One tent
2. One accessory bag
3. Two aluminum alloy poles
4. Ten aluminum alloy pegs
5. Four three-meter guy lines
6. Two two-meter elastic ropes
7. One storage bag

What We Like

The versatility of this large SUV tent is endless. Depending on your preference, you can attach it to the rear or sides of your car. What’s more, it easily fits almost all types of cars and minivans.

You can surely enjoy the scenery as you sit on a chair inside the tent while being protected from the sun, bugs, and mosquitoes. In addition, the wire mesh allows the air to circulate inside freely, providing excellent ventilation.

What We Don’t Like

The style concept of this SUV tent from Trail Bird is not suitable for overnight camping. Its mesh material does not provide privacy and security at night.

4. Phiroop Hatchback SUV Tent – Our Favorite

Improve your next adventure with the Hatchback SUV Tent from Phiroop. Attach it to the rear of your car and combine the fun of camping and the modern comforts of today.

Product Highlights

Some people like to end their week by enjoying short outings with friends or family. It is their way of rewarding themselves after a week’s work and hustle. An SUV tent is one of the camping essentials you will need for these adventures.

● Fit for a Family

This roomy hatchback SUV tent measures 177 x 118 x 79 inches. It can comfortably fit six to eight sleeping bags inside. Adults can stand up and walk inside the tent with its 6.6 feet headroom allowance.

● Wide Range of Compatibility

The hatchback tent is compatible with different vehicles, including crossover, Jeep, minivans, pick-up trucks, SUVs, or wagons. Attaching the adjustable sleeve to your car creates additional living and sleeping places.

You will also have in-tent access to charging ports and plugs without the need to go out of the tent and go to your car. You can even use the cargo area of your vehicle as an elevated sleeping place.

● Design and Materials

The SUV tent is made from polyester material with tape-sealed seams for waterproofing with a water-resistant bathtub floor. Inside the tent, you will find several pockets for your mobile phones and other personal items.

It also comes with glow-in-the-dark guylines for better visibility. You can get excellent ventilation from its large door and mesh windows while blocking out dust, bugs, and insects.

● Easy Installation

The SUV tent package comes with all the necessary accessories and hardware. You and another person can easily set up the tent in ten minutes.

You can dismantle the portable tent after your adventure as quickly. After taking it down, simply roll it and place it inside the included zippered storage bag.

● Package Inclusions

This Phiroop hatchback SUV tent comes with upgraded accessories. You will receive the following items upon purchase.

1. One tent
2. Two adjustable tarp poles
3. Two FRP rust and corrosion-proof tent poles
4. Four reflective ropes for visibility
5. 16 aluminum tent stakes
6. One carrying storage bag

What We Like

This hatchback SUV tent’s easy setup and stylish design give you a streamlined appearance on the campgrounds. The included self-contained hubs have been updated to provide added durability and stability.

Its spacious interior is perfect for the whole family. What’s more, the SUV tent design includes a skylight, allowing you to see the stars at night while safely tucked inside the tent.

What We Don’t Like

Maybe, the only drawback we can see from this SUV tent is its massive weight. On the other hand, it also ensures the tent’s stability when it’s windy.

5. Napier Sportz Full Size SUV Tent

Another fantastic product from Napier is the Sportz Full Size SUV Tent. You can attach it to your vehicle and instantly have a convenient home outdoors.

Product Highlights

One of the innovative SUV tents from Napier is its full-size model that comes with excellent features for your convenience.

● Design and Materials

The Napier Sportz SUV tent is made of premium grade polyethylene and polyester taffeta materials, providing long-lasting durability. It comes with an adjustable waterproof sleeve that fits most hatchback cars, SUVs, and CUVs.

Stretching out the SUV tent provides you with a roomy 9 x 9 feet floor area with seven feet of headroom allowance suitable for five campers. The full rainfly that comes with the tent is secured with taped seams, preventing water from entering the tent.

Inside the tent, you will find two large pockets for keeping your items within reach. Hanging from the ceiling is a gear loft and a lantern holder.

Also, the tent pole combo of Durawrap fiberglass and steel makes it easy to install the tent. Even a single person can set it up within ten minutes without difficulty. Comfortably sit outside the tent under the 6 x 6 feet awning shade.

Moreover, the bathtub-style flooring of the tent ensures excellent waterproofing. These fantastic features ensure your convenience and comfort even while camping.

● Ventilation

The SUV tent has three mesh windows and two large doors for excellent ventilation. There are also storm flaps on each window, providing privacy and protection. In addition, the tent also has two skylights and an integrated Cyclone Venting system.

● Seamless Attachment

The adjustable sleeve of your SUV tent creates a perfect fit and seamless connection to your vehicle. It offers an additional lounging and sleeping space while camping.

You will have easy access to power outlets or charging ports inside your car once you attach the sleeve to your car’s cargo area. There’s no need to go in and out of the tent to go to your vehicle.

What We Like

If you don’t feel like attaching it to your car, you can remove the adjustable sleeve and use the SUV tent like a regular stand-alone model. The guyrope ensures that the tent stays stable in three different seasons.

With the included carrying bag, storing all the accessories and hardware makes it more convenient to bring anywhere. You can tuck it away in the cargo area of your car at all times.

What We Don’t Like

One of the drawbacks of this SUV tent is its tall height. It makes it hard for shorter individuals to fix the rainfly or attach the sleeve to the tailgate.

Factors to Consider When Buying an SUV Tent

The numerous SUV tent models make it hard to choose the right one for your car. Hence, it’s best to check specific factors before buying one, such as:

Material

Some of the best materials for a tent are canvas, nylon, and polyester. Though they are all durable, each one offers a unique feature.

Nylon tents are stretchy and lightweight but not UV resistant. On the other hand, canvas tents are more durable and breathable. However, it is also heavier, making it hard to carry around.

That said, polyester is the best option among these materials. It’s lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant. However, it does not stretch and can tear easily.

Type

SUV tents come in different styles. You must have a specific type in mind before buying one. There are models that you can attach to the rear of your car. There are also those that you can place on the rooftop.

Size

SUV tents come in different sizes. Hence, you should make this one of your determining factors. Consider the number of people you intend to bring along on your camping adventures.

FAQs About the Best SUV Tents for Camping

The answers to the following FAQs about the best car camping tent will help you make a buying decision.

1. Are SUV tents worth it?

If you are an avid camper, buying an SUV tent is worth it. It is more affordable than renting or buying a trailer or an RV.

2. Do SUV tents leak?

Many SUV tents state that they are waterproof or water-resistant. However, some of them require additional waterproofing to prevent leakages.

3. How do you attach a tent to an SUV?

Most SUV tents come with an adjustable sleeve and elastic bands for connecting to the back of your cars. In addition, you attach and fasten restraining straps to the wheel for added security.

4. What is the point of a hatch tent?

Hatch SUV tents maximize your living area during camping. It turns your car and tent space into one once connected. Also, you will have easy access to the vehicle’s interior and everything in it.

5. How do you turn a regular tent into an SUV tent?

Some tents come with detachable sleeves. You can attach them to your cars to make an SUV tent. Other camping stores also offer expandable tunnels for modifying ordinary tents.

Which SUV Tent Should You Pick?

Finding the best SUV tents for camping can be tricky at times. We reviewed five choices today to narrow down your options.

From among these selections, we highly recommend the Hatchback SUV Tent from Phiroop. Its spacious interior offers excellent ventilation and comfort for the campers.