An SUV is Better Than Vanlife | Mazda CX-5

There are a couple reasons why SUV life is better than van life. Over the past year we have lived out of 3 different vehicles. Van life was our least favorite. Turns out, a bare bones SUV (we really liked the Mazda CX-5) set up is the ultimate vehicle to live out of and get you to the places you want to be for the least amount of money. We are going to tell you why.

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[SimeonTsvetanov]

Just quick advice from a fellow SUV camper. Avoid the platform so you can have a ton of head space. Instead, buy a roof rack for the luggage. It makes the world of difference

[juukame]

I road tripped around the US back in 2019 (prepandemic thank god), and lived in my 2018 CX-5....for 5 months. Told my friends and family I'd be gone for maybe 30 days. Yeah, that didn't happen once I got out west. At 6' 1" I could just lay down in the back. Just wish I'd done a more clever modification to make it flat in the back. I see the 2025 CX-5 has an elevated rear cargo floor so it'd make for better sleeping. I love that car. Currently doing a coolant change on it now at 153000 miles and it's been (knock on wood) super reliable

[hotfoodonaplate]

That's awesome! We use a Toyota highlander, and we use a stand up tent. We are not as young. But we love our set up, it is everything we need and most of what we want. Congrats you guys!

[sjferguson]

I have a midsize SUV and i absolutely LOVE adventuring in it! It's perfect for just me and you are absolutely right about not needing as much as you think you do. So many people try and shove the contents of their apartment in a vehicle and then hate the experience. You really do not need all that stuff 😂. Since it's just me, i went with a backpacking stove because I just don't do an incredible amount of cooking and i usually have a sit down meal in town once or twice a week. I find that it's not overly expensive to eat in restaurants because it's just me but couples might find it's cheaper to cook more which certainly makes sense. I think everyone has to find the way/system that works for them which is part of the fun 😊. I also bought one of those Tail Veils for privacy and a way to get out of the SUV even when it's raining. I didn't want a more traditional suv tent so the Tail Veil works really well for me and it's small enough when packed up to not take up too much space and very easy to set up.

[vitormmmonteiro]

The Mazda CX-5 is a amazing SUV! Congratulations!

[sharriri]

I love living out my SUV..I have a now '19 Ford Escape I just bought and recently sold my trusty '14 Ford Escape which reached 210, 015 miles and I was starting to put work into it which is why I had to give her a better home for the life I'm living. As crap as the reviews Escapes get I had mine for 6yrs and of those almost 2yrs I started SUVlife. Although I don't do extreme travel like most but I stay within my state up midwest and do most traveling for work county to county at the moment. This saved so much money since giving up my apartment. I started in the beginning of the pandemic (5/2019) but I made it work showers were the most trying but this life is so freeing and I wouldn't go back to it especially now with the price of gas. It's just me I'm 5'4 so it's enough space for me. My plus with living in a SUV is its VERY stealth especiallyfor ppl like me who are in the city/rural areas. I blend everywhere! Safe travels everyone.

[triciap]

Thanks for the info. I plan on doing my first SUV camping trip in a couple of weeks. I have to remind myself to NOT take a tent because part of the reason for the trip is as a solo-run for living out of the SUV. Because let's be real, the goal is not to live IN the vehicle, but OUT of the vehicle. As in, the SUV is home base but then you get to go explore all these amazing places while taking home with you!

[dabrgnamn]

I'm starting to feel where you guys were coming from regarding camping in SUV's vs other type vehicles. I had a 2016 35' motor home that, while beautiful, started to become a boondocking headache because of its size, cost and mobility. It got to be way too much. After traveling in a comparable sized SUV as yours, I also realized how little I needed to travel more. Sure, an SUV isn't a 'dream' camping vehicle, but an SUV is certainly a viable tool to efficiently and effectively make dreams come true.. Thank you for making such valid points.

[gigrockband]

I currently own a Mazda CX-5. So this video is perfect. Thx.

[BarbGonzalez]

I just saw this video. I do many road trips in my Subaru Forester with my pups. (Went from Oregon to Vermont and back this year.). I never worry about changing, I can do it right in front of someone using my Undress. Makes things so much easier than wriggling around inside the car

[barbarashirland]

I have camped a LOT in my SUV. It worked great! I have my sleeping mat on one side and a long chain of cubes for storage on the other side. Additionally behind the front seats there is lots of space under where the back seats fold down.

[its.me_angie]

I just purchased a 2021 CX-5 AWD 2.5L Turbo. I love being able to close the hatch with my key. That might have been so helpful for y’all. I am jealous of your MPG. I get 22mpg with mixed use. The best MPG I got was 28, driving to and from Reno from the SF Bay Area. I have already slept a few times in my car, and I am always so stressed trying to find places to park and sleep. I usually find a place residential, but I get scared that someone will see me through the window. &OMG on HOT DAYS. Sleeping with the windows cracked and mosquitos (Reno, NV). I love that you loved your experience in the SUV. My last 3 cars were crossover vehicles, and they are comfy and perform well in any condition. This is my first AWD vehicle, so y’all have me excited to take it out on the road. I’ll be going through your content now. Look at Mazda bringing people together. 😅

[fortyoneshades]

After dreaming of purchasing a camper van for years, my wife and I have chosen a hybrid SUV for a retirement travel camper. Drivability and gas mileage were the determining factors. The only thing we might add is a hatch or pop-up tent for those times we want a private space for the porta potty and for changing. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[FrenchToastedz]

Love the video!
Suggestions to make life easier:
+ folding table for cooking
+ pop up shower tent for changing and toilet
+ rooftop cargo carrier for extra storage

[smeliscave]

this is what i would describe as my life goals

[creativeilya]

first time discovering your channel and i love your guys' style. very casual, laid back, and real. i love it. keep up the content

[wendycamp]

I live on purpose in my 2017 Mazda6 2022 reclined the front seat best sleep I’ve ever had. Now I’m getting a 2003 Honda Element ready to do the same.

[ashtonians]

I love this! My Buick Encore with the back seats removed has been a great mini-camper. Quarters are a little tight at times, but you learn to work around it, plan your moves, etc. Overall, it's incredibly comfortable and the stealth aspect is the best part.

[FASTSONOMA]

I will stick with my Suburban, but its impressive how minimalist you guys went with this.