10 Best Cars (and Trucks) with Power Outlets

2017 Honda Ridgeline rear view ・ Photo by Honda

Cars with USB outlets and auxiliary inputs are all well and good, but sometimes you need a little more juice. What about the times you need to run a mini vacuum after a trip to a sandy beach? Use a hot plate or crock pot on a camping trip? Plug in a television set—or, even better, a George Foreman grill—during a tailgate party? Sure, there are other ways to get power in these scenarios, but if your car’s got it, you might as well use it. And if you’re looking for a new car and any of the above scenes sound familiar, you should make sure your next vehicle has this option. Let’s take a look at the 10 best new vehicles that offer power outlets.

2017 Honda Ridgeline

After a short hiatus from the market, the Honda Ridgeline is back and redesigned for 2017. The new version of this compact pickup truck shed some of the funky body lines that made it look a little less than serious, but if you want a pickup that’s ready for partying, the Ridgeline is your best sidekick. The Ridgeline offers one of the most comfortable cabins in the class, and when you get to your destination, the class-exclusive available 6-speaker weatherproof in-bed audio system will get things moving. The Ridgeline can even handle a TV, thanks to a 400-watt AC power outlet, also located in the bed. You can even use the Ridgeline’s bed as a cooler, thanks to a trunk compartment in the bed floor that comes complete with a drain plug.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

2016 Toyota 4Runner

Although the 2016 Toyota 4Runner makes no pretense of being a luxury vehicle, it still offers plenty of amenities. Among them are a 120-volt power outlet that comes standard, enabling the 4Runner’s occupants to run a variety of electric tools and accessories. You may find you need them, since the adventurous 4Runner is likely to lead you away from the comforts of home. The 2016 4Runner’s known for offering a hardy 4-wheel-drive system and tons of off-road accessories to maximize its all-terrain potential. Given the 4Runner's functional interior, decent towing capacity, and plenty of cargo space, we can imagine tons of potential scenarios in which a family might need that power outlet.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Nissan Titan

If you want a truck with a power outlet, but a fullsize option is more your speed, the Nissan Titan is a good call. The Titan is fully redesigned for the 2017 model year, bringing with it plenty of benefits. Nissan went with an upscale vibe for the Titan, rather than the brute-force approach of some of its competitors, and though that results in a truck that starts at about 10 grand more than the class leaders, buyers are likely to appreciate the perks that come with the price, such as a comfortable, roomy cabin and high-tech electronics. It’s functional, too, thanks to features like built-in bed lighting and a power outlet in the bed.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

You might be hesitant to roll up to a tailgate party in a minivan, but we assure you, the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is totally up to the task. The Pacifica, which replaces the outdated Town & Country this year, is one of the more upscale minivans on the market and comfort is one of its primary concerns. There’s living room-quality accommodations for up to seven passengers, and the brand’s well-liked Stow ’n Go seating setup makes a reappearance, among numerous other family-friendly features such as a wide variety of entertainment options (even video games!), a built-in vacuum cleaner, and a power outlet. The new Pacifica Hybrid (photo) is an appealing option for fuel-conscious families, too.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 Ford Escape

For 2017, Ford has updated the Escape SUV, and it’s loaded with even better content. There’s an exciting new engine lineup that features several of the brand’s turbocharged EcoBoost workhorses, and the cabin is easily one of the best in the class. It’s got comfortable and supportive seats, and plenty of useful, high-tech features. The base model comes standard with Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, which is one of the better such systems in the class, but higher trim levels get the upgraded SYNC 3 version. Both systems are easy to use, and consolidate a lot of features into one interface. Now if only the Ford Escape’s 110-volt power outlet came standard, instead of as an option...

Photo by Ford

2017 Toyota Sienna

If you’re at all familiar with the current state of the minivan market, you’re probably already aware that, for quite some time, the Toyota Sienna has been the only minivan available with all-wheel drive—quite a compelling case in the Sienna’s favor, really. And although the 2017 Sienna is not the only minivan on our list of 10 cars with power outlets, every Sienna actually comes with three 12-volt power sources standard. The Sienna accommodates eight passengers (which is probably why there are multiple outlets) and has a variety of seating configurations for the best comfort and convenience. This family-friendly minivan remains one of the best options in its class.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep made some minor updates to the Grand Cherokee for 2016, but none of them affect what we’re after, which is good, so this upscale sport-utility vehicle still qualifies for our list of 10 cars with power outlets. It’s a common-sense feature to have in a Jeep, even if it's not used for all-terrain driving, camping, or other “roughing it” scenarios. A 12-volt outlet, both in the front and rear of the SUV, comes standard on lower-level Grand Cherokee models. Higher trim levels offer a 115-volt outlet instead. Either way, Jeep Grand Cherokee owners are in good shape for all the (potential) off-road excursions in their future.

Photo by Jeep

2017 Chevrolet Volt

When we found out the 2017 Chevy Volt comes with standard power outlets, we had to wonder—does using the power outlet on an electric car use up some of the car’s range? At minimum, it must have a minor effect, but in any case the Volt is one of our favorites on this list of 10 cars with power outlets. Technically a plug-in extended-range hybrid, rather than a true EV, the Volt was recently redesigned to make it better and more convenient than its first generation. It now seats five passengers and can travel farther on a full charge. Even better, the Volt’s long list of standard equipment includes two 12-volt power outlets.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Cadillac XT5

The Cadillac XT5 is a midsize SUV that’s all new for 2017, and it's one of our 10 favorite cars with power outlets. As a new luxury competitor, the XT5 is loaded with standard features. Every XT5 comes with a handful of USB ports as well as two auxiliary power outlets, so you can keep your devices plugged in and loaded while you’re on the go. Since it’s a Cadillac, expect to travel in ultimate comfort, and with a good bit of power coming from the engine. In the supremely comfortable XT5, it’s tough to tell whether you’re better off as the driver or passenger.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Mazda3

So far, our list of 10 cars with power outlets has mostly focused on work vehicles and family-friendly road-trip options, which is totally understandable. It’s worth pointing out, though, that plenty of “regular” cars also offer power outlets, even if they aren’t called out as the kind of feature that’ll draw in potential buyers. The 2017 Mazda3 is one of our favorite compact hatchbacks on the market, and it’s a great choice for drivers who might need a power outlet in a basic, affordable car. The Mazda3 is known for its versatility, offering comfortable passenger accommodations and plenty of cargo room. It’s fun to drive, ready for an adventure, and capable of powering up low-voltage accessories.

Photo by Mazda