Ford may be better known nowadays for its trucks, but the brand actually makes some great cars for the beach, too. This shouldn’t be too surprising since Ford makes some pretty fun-to-drive cars. In fact, here’s a look at how the automaker actually produces three of the best cars for beach trips.

The Blue Oval makes 3 of the best beach cars

Most people are looking to have a good time when they go on beach trips. And it can be fun to drive a car that’s ideal for the beach. But when it comes to those types of cars, there are several factors to look out for, Carfax reports. The most obvious is its offroading capability because some people want to drive their vehicle on the beach.

Tallying those factors, Carfax came up with a list of nine great cars for the beach. And Ford ended up dominating the list with three models. They’re the 2021 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Mustang convertible. 

Why are the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport great for the beach?

Because the Bronco and the Bronco Sport are both SUVs, it’s not that surprising they ended up on Carfax’s list. After all, both Bronco models are relatively affordable. The Bronco starts at around $28,500, while the smaller Sport crossover starts at about $26,600. On top of that, Ford designed both Bronco models with off-roading in mind.

The Bronco’s standard engine is capable enough, but what’s really great about this body-on-frame SUV is its standard four-wheel drive. That, along with what Ford calls GOAT, or Goes Over Any Terrain mode, and it’s pretty clear the 2021 Bronco can handle navigating the beach and surrounding areas. What’s also great about the Bronco is its spaciousness and utility.

According to Carfax, there’s plenty of room in both Bronco models to store all the gear you might need while on a beach trip. After all, the standard Bronco has a max cargo capacity of about 77.6 cubic feet, while the smaller Sport offers 65.2 cubic feet. Plus, thanks to the Bronco’s design, its interior is “easy-to-clean,” and much of the interior is waterproof, Carfax reports.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Convertible also made the list

Because many of the best beach mobiles are also great for off-roading, it might be a surprise why Carfax gave the 2021 Ford Mustang the nod. Although the iconic pony car isn’t a good choice to drive on a beach, it’s definitely a fun, stylish car to drive to the beach. That important distinction is why the Mustang convertible won a spot on Carfax’s list.

The Mustang convertible, which starts at around $32,600, doesn’t have much cargo space going for it. After all, it’s two-door a muscle car, so it has only about 11.4 cubic feet of trunk space. But what it does have is a powerful 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine harnessing about 310 hp. 

It’s even more fun to drive when packing any one of its many optional engines, but Carfax says that’s not necessary. The standard Mustang engine is more than potent enough to give riders a great time on their way to and from the beach.