(October 7, 2011) CHICAGO — With football season in full swing, Cars.com has compiled a list of the best tailgating vehicles for the 2011-2012 football season.

"Tailgating is one of the best parts of going to a football game and the perfect tailgate can't be a success without the right vehicle," said David Thomas, Cars.com Managing Editor.

"These rides have to haul your tailgating gear to the game and often do double duty as a place to sit and entertain. Our list includes vehicles loaded with features that will make your pre-game party the envy of other tailgaters."

The top tailgating vehicles of the season and their key tailgating features according to Cars.com are:

    2012 Honda Ridgeline: Trucks meet a lot of tailgating needs including a bed to haul gear in and plenty of room to sit.  The Ridgeline makes the list because it also has a massive watertight trunk under the bed, perfect for keeping beverages and food cold for the pre-game and post-game party.
 
    2012 Nissan Quest: The Quest is the only minivan with seats that fold down completely, which makes bringing everything to throw the perfect tailgate a breeze. The optional rear DVD entertainment system can accept video game inputs, so tailgaters can challenge their opponents to a game before the real kick off.   

    2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S All4: For those looking for the perfect tailgating vehicle but wanting a smaller car, the Mini will comfortably fit you and your buddies while still leaving room for the cooler. The cargo space may not compare to a minivan, but it does offer more than most midsize sedans. There's also a 12-volt outlet in the back, allowing tailgaters to make sure their fight song is heard full blast.   

    2012 Mitsubishi Outlander: Most compact SUVs make good tailgating options because of all the cargo space.  The Outlander stands out because its clamshell tailgate extends outward, making loading in and out easy, giving tailgaters a place to sit and providing a cover for bad weather. 

    2012 Ford F-150: Two trucks made the list because of their great features for tailgating.  Muddy items can be thrown in the back, the supplies in the bed are easily accessible and there is an actual tailgate to sit on.  The F-150 stands out for its innovative tailgate step, which makes climbing into the back to grab the hamburger buns a little bit easier.