10 New Cars Perfect for the Summer

Here’s our list of the top new cars for 2013 that are perfect for the beach, camping, cruising down Pacific Coast highway, a family roadtrip or any other exciting summer adventure that you can come up with.

Summer of Cars So far this summer we’ve gone on several fun roadtips that took us to The Hamptons, Washington D.C., Rehoboth Beach in Delaware and down the Pacific Coast Highway. Although almost any car can be taken on a fun summer roadtrip or down a back-country road, some cars are better than others. Here’s our list of the top new cars for 2013 that are perfect for the beach, camping, cruising down Pacific Coast highway, a family roadtrip or any other exciting summer adventure that you can come up with.
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2013 Audi A4 Allroad: Audi is bringing an Allroad model back to its U.S. lineup with the A4 Allroad. It’s based on the A4 Avant wagon, but thanks to its seven inches of ground clearance, permanent all-wheel-drive and extra body cladding, the A4 Allroad easily makes the transition from the paved road to a dirt road on your way to a campsite.

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2013 BMW X1: The BMW X1 crossover has been on sale for a few years in Europe, but due to overwhelming demand for BMW’s smallest crossover, the U.S. had to wait to get it. For 2013 the X1 is officially here and is perfect for buyers that like BMW’s X3 and X5 models, but want something a bit smaller. It’s powered by a 240-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder engine or a more powerful 300-hp six-cylinder. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. BMW has also announced that the four-cylinder X1 with rear-wheel-drive gets up to 33 mpg. The 2013 X1 starts at $31,545.

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2013 BMW 3 Series Wagon: BMW may have decided to stop selling the 5 Series wagon in the U.S., but it’s not making the same “mistake” with the new 3 Series wagon. The new 3 Series wagon looks just like the 3 Series sedan from the front, but thanks to its wagon layout, the 3 Series wagon can transport more of your summer gear. It arrives in the U.S. next spring.

2013 Ford Escape
2013 Ford Escape: The Ford Escape has been one of the best-selling SUVs in the U.S. for a few years now. For the 2013 model year the Escape ditches its boxy styling for a more stylish exterior. Ford is no longer offering a V6 or hybrid Escape, instead buyers can choose between three four-cylinder engines, two of which are turbocharged. All three of the Escape’s engines get over 30 mpg and prices start at $23,295.

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2013 Ford Mustang: What summer car list would be complete without the Ford Mustang? For 2013 the Mustang has been updated with a more prominent grille, new hood and LED lighting. The 2013 Mustang GT is now powered by a 420-hp 5.0L V8, but if you want even more power, the Boss 302 version packs a 444 horsepower V8.

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport: For the 2013 model year, Hyundai is releasing a completely new Santa Fe that will be available in the five-passenger Santa Fe Sport or the longer wheelbase, seven-passenger Santa Fe model. Buyers can choose from two different fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines for the Sport, while the larger Santa Fe version can be equipped with a 290-hp 3.3L V6. The Santa Fe Sport arrives this summer, while the larger Santa Fe will be released in January 2013.

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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: The Hyundai Veloster launched for the 2012 model year with unique styling (look at that passenger-side rear door), an efficient four-cylinder engine and a level of fun that Hyundai has been missing from its lineup. For 2013 the Veloster is getting a new Turbo model that packs 201 horsepower, but still gets 38 mpg on the highway. Although it’s not a convertible like the Boxster or Mustang, its panoramic roof lets in plenty of light and its hatchback will be able to swallow all your gear.

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2013 Nissan Pathfinder: Nissan has yet to unveil the production version of the next-generation 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, but this concept is pretty much what it will look like. The all-new Pathfinder arrives this fall on a new unibody platform that is lighter, which helps the new Pathfinder be 25 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing model. It shares its platform with the Infiniti JX crossover, seats up to seven passengers and will be powered by a 3.5L V6.

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2013 Porsche Boxster: Porsche’s popular Boxster is all-new for 2013 and luckily for you, you can get it now. For 2013 the Boxster gets an all-new exterior, weighs less than the outgoing model and also has a longer wheelbase and track. Both of the Boxster’s flat-six engines now generate more power, with the 2.7L generating 265 horsepower and the 3.4L generating 315 horsepower.

2013 VW Beetle Fender Edition
2013 VW Beetle Fender Edition: The latest VW Beetle launched last year, but this fall VW has announced plans to release a new Beetle model that is perfect for music lovers, the 2013 Beetle Fender Edition. It packs a 9-speaker, 400-watt Fender sound system and the interior also gets a painted dashboard that features the quintessential sunburst color of Fender guitars. It’s the perfect car to drive over to a summer concert or maybe create your own.

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