Would you like to overland in Europe, but are you still looking for a suitable car? Then there are many brands and models of cars to choose from. Moreover, Europe is not the most suitable continent for driving large vehicles due to its compact infrastructure. A large car is simply not always convenient here when it comes to parking, crowds and maneuvering through narrow roads. Some therefore prefer a small to medium-sized car for overlanding in Europe. But which car do you choose? In this blog I share the best small to medium sized vehicles for overlanding in Europe. We discuss the brands and models, and share why they are so suitable for overlanding in Europe, without going too deep into the technical details.
What you should know before buying an overland car for Europe
All cars mentioned in this article are 4×4 or AWD versions or are also available in this version. However, if you are going to travel only in Europe, a 4×4 or AWD is not necessarily needed. Because although Europe is super suitable for overlanding because you can discover many different countries in a relatively short time and you can easily travel to a number of other continents, there are just a few real 4×4 roads to be found. It is therefore not necessarily needed to purchase a more expensive 4×4 or AWD if you plan to travel mainly within Europe. Do you have plans to travel outside Europe? Then a 4×4 or AWD may be useful, but also pay attention on how the car is build. Because an older car is much simpler than newer cars with all their electronics. This makes the car simple enough to be repaired anywhere in the world and more reliable because there is less chance of the car breaking down in the first place due to annoying defects.
#1 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 or 100
If there is one brand that is seen as reliable by almost everyone, it is Toyota. The brand is affordable to maintain, while they do not break easily and they can be made anywhere in the world. So buying a Toyota is not a bad idea anyway, but the brand is also well represented if you travel outside Europe. If you stay within Europe, you can also opt for a RAV4, for example, but if you are looking for a real 4×4 then the Land Cruiser is of course the ultimate overlander. And although the Toyota Land Cruiser may not be the most beautiful off-road vehicle on the market, this car is known as one of the best and most reliable 4×4 cars in the world!
#2 Land Rover Defender 90 or 110 (300TDI)
The Toyota Land Cruiser is usually seen as one of the most reliable overland cars, but one of the most beloved overland cars is perhaps the classic Land Rover Defender. The cool design provides that sturdy all-terrain vehicle look that attracts many people and of course fits perfectly when you are going to cross land. Moreover, there is a close-knit Land Rover community where there is always someone who can help you with tips, parts or finding a garage to fix the car.
#3 Mitsubishi Pajero Gen 2, 3 & 4 (Diesel)
The Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender are great, but to be honest not the most affordable 4×4 overland cars on the market and are therefore not an option for everyone. Do you have less to spend, but are you still looking for a good 4×4? Then you should definitely consider the Mitsubishi Pajero. The Pajero is much more affordable than the previously mentioned cars and yet a strong and reliable off-roader. Perhaps not as good as the Toyota Land Cruiser, but the Mitsubishi Pajero is often at lists with the best overland vehicles or even somewhere at the top if you only look at SUVs. Moreover, the Mitsubishi brand is also well represented worldwide and you can often repair the car if something breaks along the way. Just like with the previous models, preferably look for a diesel. These engines are strong and can last a few hundred thousand km with proper maintenance.
#4 Suzuki Jimny
The smallest overland car in this list is the Suzuki Jimny. And although its small size may suggest otherwise, you should have no doubts about the capabilities of this car. Suzuki, like Toyota and Mitsubishi, is also known for its reliability (you may have noticed that Japanese brands in particular score well in that area). The Jimny has a 4×4 drive including low and high gear and this small car can drive off-road just like the previously mentioned cars. With this car you of course have limited space for taking luggage, but for shorter overland trips, for someone who travels alone or likes to travel minimalist, it’s certainly a suitable car. After all, with such a small car you can get everywhere. And if you want to travel further, Suzuki, like Toyota and Mitsubishi, is well represented worldwide. This means you have a greater chance of having your vehicle repaired somewhere along the way without having to wait a long time for parts or someone who knows how to fix the problem. Please note that a Jimny has a low roof load and therefore you cannot simply mount any roof tent on it. The roof load varies per country, Jimny model and the suspension.
#5 Volvo XC40, XC60 & XC70 (T5/D5)
A car that many might not have expected in this list is the Volvo XC40. During my search for a small overland car, I hesitated for a long time between this and the Suzuki Jimny. Ultimately I went for the Jimny because of the off-road look that I like so much, but the Volvo XC40 was a serious contender. Although the car does not have a real 4×4 drive, it is available in an AWD model. And since there are not many real 4×4 roads in Europe, an SUV with AWD is also very suitable as an overland car. But the advantage of this SUV is that the AWD is only available with a T4 or larger engine, unlike many other young SUVs that are increasingly equipped with small 1.4 or 2.0 engines. The T4 or higher gives the car more power and makes the car last longer, as is also evident from previous Volvo models with these larger engines, which often easily drive at least 500,000 km.
In addition, it’s probably also the most comfortable car from this list to drive and you can drive a relatively young and luxurious car for not too much money. For example, the car is often equipped with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, multimedia system and driver assistance systems as standard. Due to its young construction year, the car is usually a lot more economical than the previously mentioned cars and this model is widely sold in Europe. This means you have a lot of choice on the second-hand market and parts are generally readily available everywhere. Would you prefer something bigger? Then take a look at the XC60 and XC70, preferably the older models. These have often belonged to Volvo enthusiasts and are therefore often well maintained. In that respect, Volvo also has a close-knit community of experts and enthusiasts who can help you with tips. However, Volvo is less suitable if you plan to travel outside Europe, especially when it comes to Africa, the Middle East and large parts of Asia. Volvo is hardly represented there and that makes it a lot more difficult to find local knowledge, parts and a garage. But within Europe? Then you’re in the right place!
