Football is finally in full swing! I’m sure you already have your tickets to the big game, but do you know the best cars for tailgating? We already know that the Dodge Ram 1500 is a great pick, but if trucks aren’t your thing, don’t worry we’ve got you covered.

Space
The 2013 Ford Explorer is an awesome SUV with some serious seating. With a fold up 3rd row you can fit up to 7 people and still have some room in the back for your foam fingers. If you aren’t transporting the entire neighborhood, fold the 3rd row down and there is TONS of space for all your coolers, chairs, and tailgating munchies. It even has a power lift gate, so with the press of a button you’ll have full access to everything without having to yank the back door open over and over.

Safety
Safety first! On those long road trips you always want to make sure you and your friends are as safe as possible. The Explorer has SYNC with MyFord Touch available. This is an easy to use in-car connectivity system. You can make calls, music choices, control the climate and much more with voice commands. Another feature available is the voice-activated Navigation System with integrated SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link. The nav system allows you to get travel updates, fuel prices, and weather forecasts so you can plan your route with ease. It’s also far easier to keep your eyes on the road when you aren’t fiddling around with radio stations or the GPS.  

Entertainment
So how do you keep everyone entertained on the way to the game and once you get there?  One way is the awesome dual-headrest DVD players. Flip down the 3rd row and watch it right out of the back! Or blast your favorite tunes with the Sony Audio System, featuring 12 high-quality premium speakers AND a dual-channel subwoofer. Either way you and your crew will have a great time all the way to the game and back!

Climate
We aren’t done yet. What about those chilly December games? No big deal for the 2013 Explorer! The remote start features an Automatic Climate Control System so your car will automatically heat to 72 degrees. The heated seats and the rear defrost/heated mirrors will also activate so you can hop in and take off while everyone else is trying to defrost.

With an estimated 28 highway mpg you won’t break the bank on a long trip. The Explorer is definitely a big winner for tailgating, allowing you to enjoy yourself in style and comfort!

Performance? Check. Entertainment? Check. Style? Check. Minivan? Check.

The 2012 Honda Odyssey might just be the perfect fit for your family road trip. From comfort to performance, the Odyssey makes a strong case to be 2012’s hottest family car.

Let’s start with what’s under the hood. The Odyssey’s surprisingly powerful 247-hp, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine will make many drivers think they’re driving a sports car rather than a minivan. The Odyssey handles extremely well through even the tightest turns and is rated at almost 30 MPG on the highway. The Touring and Touring Elite Odyssey come with a six-speed automatic transmission while the rest get a five-speed automatic.

The body design of the Odyssey is unlike most minivans, too. We think it actually looks cool. Not just “soccer mom cool” either. Real cool. The front and back of the Odyssey borrow many design features from other Honda models such as the Accord, but the side is unlike any other vehicle on the road. From afar, the Odyssey shares some design basics with other cars in its class, but, up close and personal, the Odyssey is ahead of its time. An arched roofline and “lightning bolt” hump around the rear window make the Odyssey stand out.

Inside, the Odyssey just keeps getting better. It contains enough features to make even the longest of road trips a breeze.  Touring Elite models come with a 650-watt sound system with 15 GB of available storage and a 16.2” ultra-wide-screen TV (that can be split down the middle to hopefully settle some movie disputes in the backseat). Not enough for you? Zagat-integrated Voice Navigation paired with a Blind Spot Information system (BSI) and a multi-angle rearview backup camera make driving the Odyssey a treat. The console also contains a “Cool Box” to keep snacks and drinks cold for your journey. The Odyssey is a high-tech living room on wheels.

The 2012 Honda Odyssey has what it takes under the hood, under the roof, and in the dash to get you where you want to go in comfort and style. Soccer mom or not, you’ll want to consider buying the 2012 Odyssey as your next road-trip ready vehicle.

Summer is nearly here, which means for many of us, it’s time for a road trip! Whether you go to a big city nearby, your in-laws, or your favorite beach, you’ll need a way to get there. This summer, the CarLocate team will be giving you our top picks for “The Best Cars for Road Trippin'.”

First up: the Dodge Challenger SRT8. Packing in 470 HP into a 392-cubic inch HEMI V8, the Challenger is a force to be reckoned with. Going 0-60 in a mere 4.4 seconds, few cars on the street today will match the speed of the Challenger.  Sure, speed is great. But is it everything? We don’t think so. Luckily the Charger boasts more than just an impressive engine, making this the perfect car for the open road.

The Challenger comfortably seats 5 passengers and features an EZ Entry Passenger seat allowing back seat riders to easily enter and exit the back seat. Featuring the most cargo volume in its class, the backseat of the Charger also folds down into a 60/40 split allowing for convenient, versatile storage of whatever you may bring along for the ride. An Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) located next to the speedometer makes for safe and easy control of the trip computer, audio features, and personal settings, among others. Going back to the engine for a quick second (we really love it), the EVIC also has features like a 0-60 timer and G-Force Meter. Combine those with the innovative paddle shifters and 740 HP engine and your road trip might involve a chat with a police officer two if you aren’t careful. 

The car also includes a list of media features that are almost as impressive as its engine. An available 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system will surely keep your trip full of music. Loud music. Featuring GreenEdge Technology ,the 900-Watt system  is incredibly energy efficient, while also boasting an incredibly lightweight design. The Media Center that controls these impressive speakers? A 6.5’’ full touch screen with an available 30 GB hard drive allowing you to store nearly 7,000 songs. This system doesn’t just do music either. While the vehicle is stationary, DVDs can be played.

But what about safety, you ask? Got it. The Challenger has Xenon High-Intensity Headlamps paired with Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control that will surely keep you safer on your journey.

When it comes to speed, sound, and safety, the Dodge Challenger has it all.

When you’re ready to make your next road trip checklist, consider adding the purchase of the Challenger to that list.