If dad needs something special this year, whether it’s Father’s Day, his birthday, or some other reason, maybe you’re considering a vehicle for the big guy. Dads have a ton of different jobs and hobbies, so there are a lot of vehicles that will appeal to such a diverse group. Find the one that matches your dad and see why these are the vehicles he will love, complimentary dad jokes included.
Young at Heart – Chevrolet Camaro convertible
What did the tornado say to the sports car? “Want to go for a spin?” Go for a spin in a convertible muscle car for a drive he’ll enjoy every time. If dad always loved muscle cars, consider a new Camaro convertible. The SS trim’s 6.2-liter V8 generates a stout 455 horsepower, and that’s driven to the rear wheels through a choice of excellent auto or manual transmissions. Long gone are the days where the base Camaro was a slug. The base V6 delivers well over 300 horsepower (using regular gas!), and the optional turbo four cylinder makes nearly that number. The 2016+ models use the lightweight Cadillac ATS chassis, delivering a quiet interior and seriously sporty handling. The modern Camaro is a car dad will keep forever.
Young at heart, plus kids – Dodge Charger
Why does a chicken coop have two doors? Because if it had four doors it would be a chicken sedan! If dad likes muscle cars, but also has a few more obligations called small children, then Dodge has what he’s looking for in a muscular sport sedan. The Charger is a favorite of police units due to its interior space, comfy ride, affordable price, and looks that mean business. The aggressive chiseled exterior is backed up by a wide range of powerful engines. Everything from the solid 3.6-liter V6 with 300 horsepower, to the 370 horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the R/T trim, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the crazy 707 horsepower Hellcat. If dad’s vehicle needs to stay more on the practical side, opt for the V6 with all-wheel drive. Also know that Dodge’s Uconnect is one of the most mature and highly rated infotainment systems on the market.
Tech/gadget nerd – Toyota RAV4 hybrid
What kind of car does a Jedi drive? A Toy-Yoda. The “Toy-Yoda” RAV4’s 2.5-liter four cylinder and electric motor are a technological super team that work together to sip gas at a rate of just 41/37 MPG in city/highway. Those are incredible numbers for a crossover of useful size. Another nice thing about the RAV4 hybrid: it’s not a compromise. Dad will see increased fuel savings, but also more horsepower than the gas-only RAV4. The EV mode button provides some fun for tech nerds, as it allows this hybrid to operate in battery-only mode, like an EV. The digital gauge cluster displays the usual vehicle data, but also turn-by-turn directions, safety info, alerts, and more, and the excellent Entune 3.0 infotainment system runs on a large 8-inch screen. The digital rear-view mirror is sweet, and offers a wider view of the road. Other sweet tech includes a Qi-compatible wireless charger, Apple CarPlay, heated/cooled front seats, and heated rear seats.
Fishing/Camping/Outdoors Guy – Subaru Outback
What do you get when dinosaurs crash their cars? Tyrannosaurus wrecks! Avoid those wrecks entirely with Subaru’s nifty Eyesight active safety tech. It’s standard on all Outback trim levels. Owners reviews show they love the Outback’s comfortable ride and huge cargo area. You can seat five and haul their 36 cu-ft of cargo, or put the rear seats down for a large crossover-equivalent 73 cu-ft. The base model Outback is fine, but shop a mid-range trim for 10-way power driver’s seat, heated seats for everyone, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Even with Subaru’s excellent all-wheel drive system driving all four wheels, the 2.5-liter flat four cylinder manages to hit 32 MPG highway. Subaru does make a big deal about their eco-friendliness, and that’s something dad also probably cares about if he spends a lot of time in the great outdoors. Just don’t run your Subaru into a lake. Because then it’s a Scubaru.
Contractor/Self-employed/Home Depot dad – Ford F-150
What happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down? It gets toad. If you need to do some towing, the best vehicle for that is still a full-size truck. The 2015 and newer Ford F-150 benefits from an all-aluminum body construction. This makes it 700 lbs. lighter than the previous truck, which saves gas money and increases towing ability, in case dad over-buys a boat. Consumer Reports says this generation is also designed to be easier and cheaper to repair, which is nice for long-term owners. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 is unusually powerful for its size, with 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Tech upgrades include a 360-degree view camera, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The interior is refined and a nice place to be while getting to the job site, and the 8-inch touchscreen is frustration free thanks to Sync infotainment. What do you buy the guy that won’t stop working? A tool that helps him get the job done, like the F-150.
