Summer vacations don’t have to be scrapped because of the economy, but you might consider a change of venue at the very least. Instead of decompressing at a resort, you could go camping. Call it getting back to nature, vacationing like you did when you were your kid’s age or bonding as a family.  

If getting there is half the fun, then at least a quarter of the fun comes from your camping ride. Because there’s no point roughing it behind the wheel, we’ve assembled 10 vehicles best suited for the trip. These camping rides typically see more duty as commuters and kid taxis, but their real talent is serving as versatile tools to better enjoy the great outdoors.

No.10 - Honda CR-V

Nearly no news is good news for the Honda CR-V, because this camping ride carries on as a sensible choice for couples and small families. Whether you keep its standard front-wheel drive or choose the optional all-wheel drive, the CR-V rolls with a 166-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and five-speed automatic. That means up to 27 highway MPG while carrying five and their weekend gear or all the provisions a couple would want for an extended stay.

No.9 - Volvo XC70

What may at first seem an odd and expensive choice for a camping ride makes sense once the Volvo XC70’s virtues are considered. Granted, it’s the second most expensive camping ride in our review, but it has even more going for it than cargo room and towing ability. As a raised, more adept, all-wheel drive version of the V70 wagon; the XC70 is no Lotus in its curves, but it is the driver’s choice of this lot.  

No.8 - Hyundai Santa Fe

Wherever Hyundai plays, they bring a solid contender. Lately, in fact, their Genesis models have been confounding competitors. For a conscientious SUV that’s a serviceable camping ride, the Santa Fe is worth a drive. This mid-size model offers V6 power without unruly mileage penalties, scores well in fit and finish for its price, plus offers the upgrade to seven-passenger seating. Better still is its rank as 2009 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.

No.7 - Volkswagen Tiguan

Weekends spent camping in a VW Vanagon with the pop-up Westfalia camper may be (cough) hazy memories, but your Phish bootlegs will sound just as good when played through the Tiguan’s standard eight-speaker sound system at your campsite. If that doesn’t adequately chill you out, consider the Tiguan’s IIHS award wins and the three-year, 36,000-mile scheduled maintenance at no charge.

No.6 - Ford Expedition

This large SUV may be falling from favor as an everyday driver, but there’s still a lot to like in the Ford Expedition as a camping ride. There’s little need to expand to the even more commodious EL model; the base Expedition seats eight and affords enough space for indoor soccer practice should the mood strike. Few rigs offer so many comfort and convenience options, easing the stress of lane changes and crosswinds.

No.5 - Nissan Xterra

For a camping ride, forget the Nissan Armada/Pathfinder gluttons or the over-optimistically named Rogue. The best in the

Nissan SUV bunch is still the Xterra. For that matter, it’s better than a good number of SUVs with gateway detail. Eschewing unnecessary bells, whistles and BS, the Xterra is a body-on-frame passport to remote campsites. Spring for the Off Road 4x4 package and go just about anywhere you damn well please.

No.4 - Subaru Forester

Even though the redesigned 2009 Subaru Forester shed some of its character with its smoothed look, it’s as strong as ever as a camping ride. You just wouldn’t know it from the outside, since it trades attitude for ability and reassurance. The optional 224-horsepower turbo is surprisingly quick, and improved second-row space is a welcome advance. Among our camping rides, you simply can’t spend less and get more.

No.3 - Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Jeeps are as synonymous to camping as S’mores, and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited takes everything good about the tried-and-true two-door and adds more. Second-row accessibility is no longer theoretical, and cargo room is substantially better. Yet for all this, off-road prowess is just what you’d expect of a Wrangler. That’s especially useful when camp has no physical address -- unless “Category V Trail” counts.

No.2 - Toyota FJ Cruiser

For all the Toyota SUVs and crossovers available, we’d only want the FJ Cruiser as our camping ride. Unless you’re bringing more than four friends or need to tow a yacht, this is the camping ride you should consider too. The 4.0-liter V6 is smooth, rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is a low-cost option. Some camping rides are cheaper, others are as sure-footed, but only the FJ ties it together with style and character.

No.1 - Chevrolet Suburban

It’s as bloated as your Aunt Mary and nearly as large, but the Chevrolet Suburban tows, hauls and transports like no other camping ride. The standard 5.3-liter or optional 6.0-liter V8s lug nine passenger (count ‘em: nine) with little effort and the bus-sized cabin is almost what you’d call luxurious. Its continued existence causes much weeping and gnashing of teeth among the eco-minded; but if for little else, the Chevy Suburban presents the strongest case as a must-have camping ride.