In any emergency, you are going to need to be able to depend on your car. Whether to transport you to safety, shield you from zombies, or help you gather more supplies. It won’t be with you forever since you probably don’t have an unlimited fuel source(gasoline lasts 3-5 months, 1-2 years at most with a fuel stabiliser). All those times people sourced fuel on TV years after production stopped? Lies. Regardless, your car will be essential to giving you an edge during the most hectic part of an apocalypse. The beginning. So, Zombie Apocalypse ready Vehicle anyone?

The majority of Apocalypse ready vehicles come with a hefty price tag. For instance, Conquest’s offering of the Knight XV, (which is essentially a dolled up Terradyne Gurkha) retails for $800k. I don’t blame them, the car looks like you could drive through a horde and come out shiny. But lets be realistic. Someone stronger, smarter or sneakier is going to come along and take it from you because it is so shiny.

 
The Nissan X Trail boasts a range of configurations and versatile capabilities. This 4WD can be fitted with a cargo area cage and net or seats for 7. There is even lift out floor storage, perfect for hiding your gear during everyday use. Easy to load, the X Trail is for the prepper that wants to bring along as much as they possibly can, and still be comfortable with shaped seats. It’s steel construction also means more resilience. Need extra armor? Slap on a brush guard or grille guard and you’re good to start mowing down a few zombies.

Going unnoticed during the apocalypse is the best way to survive. So getting yourself a Toyota Yaris that is great on fuel, and screams “I’m suburban and have nothing to take” is even better. It has a fair amount of storage space for a small car, again with lift out floor storage. The seats fold down flat too, so putting a small mattress in the back isn’t inconceivable. Its small size is an extra plus for getting around congested areas and for quick u-turns to avoid an oncoming horde. Extra bonus, there are bound to be spare parts everywhere. Get some roof racks installed for extra storage and you could probably live in here for the first year.

 
This is a powerhouse. The engine is a beast, and if you what you needed was to get away fast, the Ford Raptor will do that for you. Of course what it gives in power and storage, it takes in fuel. It also has an amazing 6 ton towing capacity. If you needed to bring down a wall, this car would probably do it for you. The open back also serves as a good spot to hunt from, provided you’re any good at shooting from a moving vehicle. Get some LED lights installed on the top of the vehicle to improve night time visibility and shooting.

 
If you’ve ever worried than an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) is going to cause the apocalypse, then preparing an EMP-proof vehicle is probably at the top of your list. If that’s the case, then you want to be looking for a manual diesel car built before 1985. The Toyota Hilux’s have stood the test of time, with most owners claiming that they get stronger the worse you treat them. Fortunately, most of the fallout from an EMP is unlikely to cause more than flickering lights on your modern car (since your car is essentially a pretty good faraday cage), and if you’re still worried, build a steel garage to house your precious in. Regardless, the Hilux is a great offroader, suitable for 2 escaping the apocalypse with most of their house in the back. Get yourself a 4×4 with a carbureted 22R motor. It isn’t the smoothest ride, but this thing has already been used in one war.

 
The most expensive semi-affordable car on this list, the Tesla Model X AWD is your answer in a fuel-less world. Make sure you have a solar-battery system set up off grid, and your Tesla will outlast you in the apocalypse. All the seats fold flat, allowing a huge amount of storage, or a luxurious queen mattress. You can even upgrade to HEPA filters for a bioweapon defense mode. Conveniently enough, the doors will open automatically on your approach, enabling a quick getaway especially with these exceptional acceleration speeds. I’ve watched many a movie where being unable to open their car door has killed people. You will probably want to disable the collision avoiders though, as the Tesla smart computer is unlikely to be programmed to understand the new world you find yourself in.

 
A small and sturdy AWD, the Subaru Impreza is the most balanced car on this list. Featuring generous cargo capacity, good fuel consumption, and enough power to get away from lumbering zombies. It also comes with an added sunroof bonus, from which you could set up an armored grill for better defenses. At that price, being able to get you through all weather and terrains, the Impreza is definitely a bargain. And as a bonus for the present day non-apocalyptic world, it can connect up both Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

 
A motorcycle will get you places. This one will let you go 400km before you need to source more fuel. You can get an official 39l small top case for some emergency supplies, and other custom saddle bags to increase your cargo requirements. But as long as you have some kind of water purifying source, some rations and zombie proof clothing the V-Strom can get you to safety through the most congested terrain. It is also tough, coming off the show room floor with an engine guard and spoked rims. Furthermore, with one of the lowest seat heights at 835mm and a comfortable seat, you could spend days trying to find civilization again before worrying about lower back pain.

 
In conclusion, get what you need.

This isn’t the exhaustive list of possible vehicles, but it should get you started. Everyone’s needs are going to be different based on how many people and pets you’ll need to travel with. One tip before you do start your research: don’t buy white. White cars get pulled over for the most traffic offenses, show up dirt easily, and are the least able to be camouflaged in the apocalypse. Happy vehicle hunting!

Disclaimer: In the event of an apocalypse, we hold no responsibility for our vehicle recommendations as we are unlikely to have survived. And if we happen to be one of the 0.088% who do survive, you are welcome to come hang out in our future bunker.