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Time For Tailgating
Credit Cars.com for this cool article…
CHICAGO — With the first game of the new NFL season kicking off late last week, fans are getting into high gear. And what’s one of the biggest ways fans celebrate their football devotion? Why tailgating, of course.
To help dealers and consumers identify the best vehicles for tailgating, Cars.com explained its top picks.
“Automakers are catering to football fans with a wide variety of features and options that are every tailgater’s dream,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor.
“Manufacturers are trying to stand out and win over fans with features that make it easier than ever to carry the grill, entertain friends before the game and clean up your car when the game is over,” he continued.
When looking for a car that’s going to take center stage at the big game, Cars.com recommends that shoppers look for models with the following features that will help make any tailgate party a little easier to accomplish:
1. Storage areas under the floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Odyssey
“No need to worry about your game-day gear reaching critical mass. Most minivans and SUVs offer extra storage space under the load floor that can accommodate plenty of extra equipment. Contents in there will be reasonably protected from getting jostled en route, a crucial feature when you’re hauling enough food and beverages to keep fans energized well into halftime,” officials commented.
“Minivans usually have the largest under-floor storage, which doubles in most models as the place to stow a fold-flat third row. Our favorite is the Honda Odyssey, whose Magic Seat incorporates one of the largest storage wells of its kind,” they continued.
2. Two-pronged household power outlets
Car that does it best: 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
“Unlike most cars’ 12-volt cigarette lighters, household outlets can connect to traditional two-pronged plugs. That means you won’t need a power inverter or generator to wire your hi-fi stereo or portable TV. The Volkswagen Touareg wins our vote for this feature, as it comes standard with a 115-volt household outlet in the cargo area, not to mention four other 12-volt plugs elsewhere.
“For any car that has this feature, it’s wise to pack some jumper cables, as your battery will be hard-pressed to survive an entire afternoon’s festivities,” executives reported.
3. Stain-resistant seats
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Element
“Stain-resistant fabrics add a layer of defense against spills, so feel free to chow down on that chili dog in the driver’s seat. The upholstery is marketed under a range of names from Honda’s Fabric for Extreme Conditions to Chrysler’s YES Essentials and Volvo’s T-Tec.
“We like the stuff in the Honda Element SUV, which comes standard in most versions of that car. Any of these examples should prove an easier match for errant condiments than traditional seat fabric, which tends to stain just enough to ding your car’s trade-in value down the road,” Cars.com said.
4. Load ‘n go storage floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Dodge Nitro
“The Nitro’s load ‘n go cargo floor slides 18 inches backward, extending past the bumper to create a convenient shelf that sits waist-high. Once loaded, the shelf slides forward again into the cargo area behind the rear seats. It may not seem like much, but it should free you from some of the strain of loading and unloading gear, and your back will thank you later. In the parking lot, the shelf’s 400-pound capacity makes a handy spot to set up a buffet,” executives pointed out.
5. Rear-flipping tailgate seat
Car that does it best: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
“Several minivans have offered tailgate seats for some time. The concept is simple: The third-row seat pivots onto its backside, allowing carousers to unwind facing out from the cargo area. Yes, you can do the same off an ordinary bumper, but the tailgate seat adds an upholstered backrest with the upright seat bottom.
“It’s comfortable enough that anyone stuck there won’t wish they’d placed dibs on the inflatable Barcalounger. The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country can motor back upright or be stowed with the push of a button,” officials highlighted.
6. Stereo controls in back
Car that does it best: 2007 GMC Acadia
“Those who use their cars as mobile boom-boxes will appreciate cargo-area stereo controls. They allow you to change tunes without climbing around to the driver’s seat, a case of unintended exercise most tailgaters would just as well avoid. The buttons in the Acadia are situated just inches from where you’d set up your food and beverages,” officials explained.
7. Swing-out liftgate speakers
Car that does it best: 2007 Dodge Caliber
“Car stereos are designed to deliver sound into the cabin, which doesn’t bode well for tailgating parties, where the music needs to radiate out. Enter Chrysler’s MusicGate system, which includes two dedicated speakers that swing outward from under an open liftgate.
“Now the revelers in back can hear your pre-game soundtrack loud and clear, and if you park your car at the right angle, those away fans in the opposite stall won’t be able to hear anything else,” Cars.com executives noted.
8. Swiveling seats
Car that does it best: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
“Genuine tailgaters will tough it through rain, sleet or snow, but it doesn’t hurt to have a sheltered area for those who aren’t game enough for the weather. That’s where the Chrysler Town & Country’s Swivel ‘N Go seats come in. Swivel ‘N Go includes second-row captain’s chairs that rotate 180 degrees to face the third row.
“In addition, there’s a removable table that installs between the swivel seats, so up to five tailgaters can dine in the minivan’s climate-controlled quarters,” according to the company.
9. Water-friendly storage well
Car that does it best: 2007 Honda Ridgeline
“It’s about time a truck came with a built-in cooler. The one in the Ridgeline comes complete with a weatherproof lid, a drain plug and a water-resistant floor. It can accommodate plenty of ice and drinks, or up to 8.5 cubic feet of dry cargo, equivalent to two-thirds of the trunk in a typical compact car. To keep any sideliners from swiping a beverage when you head into the stadium, the lid is lockable,” executives mentioned.
10. Washable cargo floor
Car that does it best: 2007 Jeep Compass
“Spill and scuff all you want, a washable cargo floor makes cleanup easy. Score one for the Jeep Compass, whose Ultra Floor has a non-skid vinyl service that can support up to 250 pounds. When you get home from the game, wipe it down with a sponge or rag. It’s removable, too, so if your bash turns particularly messy, you can always use a garden hose,” officials pointed out.
