Football season isn’t just about what happens between the goalposts. In Atlanta and across Georgia, game day starts hours before kickoff, with grills smoking, cornhole boards coming out, music playing, and friends gathering around the tailgate.
And when football is part of your fall routine, the vehicle you drive all season can make a big difference.
What are the best vehicles for tailgating?
SUVs and pickup trucks are great for carrying grills, coolers and gear, while larger family vehicles can provide the passenger and cargo space needed for the whole crew. Adventure-ready SUVs are a great fit for drivers with active lifestyles, while hybrids can make sense for people who want a practical vehicle for everyday driving and everything else on their calendar.
With Flexcar’s month-to-month car lease, drivers can choose a vehicle that fits their life today without locking into a traditional multi-year lease. That could mean an SUV with more room for friends and gear, a pickup that can handle bigger hauls, or a family-friendly vehicle with enough space for everyday life and weekend plans.
Here are some of the best vehicles for every kind of football fan.
Best SUV for the Grill Master: Ford Bronco
The grill master is flipping burgers, checking the ribs, handing out hot dogs, and somehow remembering who asked for cheese.
That person needs space.
A Ford Bronco gives drivers room for coolers, chairs, folding tables, and plenty of game-day gear while bringing an adventurous feel to football season.
Beyond game day, the Bronco offers the versatility to support an active lifestyle, whether that means commuting, carrying gear, taking longer trips, or simply having more space for everyday needs.
For drivers looking for an SUV that can handle everyday life and still show up ready for game day, the Bronco is a versatile option.
Best Pickup Truck for the Gear Hauler: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The gear hauler is the person everyone counts on to bring the essentials.
Cornhole boards? In the bed. Giant speakers? Back there, too. Pop-up tent, smoker, folding chairs, extra ice, and footballs? There’s room for all of it.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offers an open truck bed for carrying bulky tailgating equipment that can be harder to fit inside a traditional vehicle.
That usefulness extends well beyond football season. A pickup can be a good fit for drivers who regularly haul equipment, tackle home projects or simply want the versatility of having a truck bed available when they need it.
When game day rolls around, that everyday utility translates naturally to the tailgate.
Best Adventure SUV for the Always-On-the-Go Driver: Jeep Wrangler
Some vehicles are built to blend in. The Jeep Wrangler isn’t one of them.
Whether you’re commuting around Atlanta, heading to a game or getting out of the city, the Wrangler brings a little more personality to the drive. When the weather cooperates, take the top down, remove the doors, and turn the drive itself into part of the experience.
And if another Wrangler passes you on the road? Don’t forget the Jeep wave.
With room for passengers and gear and an unmistakable adventurous spirit, the Wrangler is a great fit for drivers who want a vehicle that’s just as fun to drive every day as it is pulling into the tailgate.
Best Luxury SUV for the Alumni Tailgate: Lincoln Navigator
Some tailgates have hot dogs and folding chairs. Others have charcuterie boards and a carefully curated playlist.
For the latter, a luxury SUV can bring a little more comfort to football season.
The Lincoln Navigator offers generous passenger and cargo space for alumni groups who want room for people, food, drinks, and gear while still arriving comfortably.
Outside the stadium parking lot, that same combination of space and comfort can make a luxury SUV a strong everyday option for families, commuters, and frequent travelers.
It’s football with a little extra polish.
Best Family Vehicle for Game Day: Toyota Sienna
Don’t underestimate the family vehicle on game day.
The Toyota Sienna offers the passenger and cargo space to carry kids, grandparents, coolers, snacks, chairs, and nearly everything else a family needs for a full day of football.
Sliding doors can make getting everyone in and out easier, while the additional seating and storage space are helpful for families bringing multiple generations to the game.
Those same features make the Sienna useful throughout everyday life, from school drop-offs and grocery runs to practices, errands, and family trips.
Family tailgates aren’t necessarily about having the loudest speakers. They’re about having enough room for everyone to enjoy the day.
Best Hybrid for the Tech-Savvy Driver: Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
For drivers who spend plenty of time on the road, a hybrid can offer a practical balance for everyday life.
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid combines everyday drivability with hybrid efficiency, making it a strong option for drivers who want a car that fits comfortably into their regular routine.
Whether you’re commuting around Atlanta, meeting friends across town, running errands, or heading to a Saturday game, a hybrid can be a practical choice for drivers whose plans extend far beyond the stadium parking lot.
Football may be one destination, but the right vehicle needs to work for everything else, too.
How to Choose the Best Vehicle for Tailgating and Everyday Life
The best tailgate vehicle shouldn’t just work for college Saturdays or NFL Sundays. It should fit the way you drive the rest of the year, too.
Need space for friends, groceries, luggage, and football gear? An SUV could be a great fit.
Regularly hauling larger items? Consider a pickup truck.
Taking the whole family everywhere? A family vehicle like the Toyota Sienna may be the MVP.
Want something that can keep up with an active lifestyle and changing plans? An adventure-ready SUV like the Jeep Wrangler could make sense.
Looking for something practical for commuting, errands, and longer drives? A hybrid may be worth considering.
Flexcar offers a month-to-month car lease for drivers who want more flexibility than a traditional multi-year lease. Rather than choosing a vehicle based only on what you think you’ll need years from now, you can choose one that fits your current lifestyle and have more flexibility if those needs change over time.
Football season may only last a few months. The right car should work for everything that happens in between the games, too.
