Beach4x4 is the only Outer Banks rental company with a fleet of full-size 4×4 SUVs built for beach driving. We rent the Nissan Armada and three Infiniti QX80s, every one of them sand-ready with both required beach permits included. Other OBX rental companies either don’t carry SUVs at all or carry passenger SUVs that cannot legally be driven on the sand. If you need to get a family of 7 or 8 to a vacation rental on the Corolla 4×4 beach, this is the page for you.
Our 4×4 SUV Fleet
Infiniti QX80 (3 in the fleet, seats 7)
The QX80 is the luxury option. Three of them in the fleet means a family can usually get one even in peak weeks. The 7-seat configuration uses captain’s chairs in the second row instead of a bench, which makes a real difference on the long drive up Ocean Trail and out the 4×4 ramp. Adults get more space, kids get their own seat, and the aisle between the captain’s chairs makes the third row easy to reach. Same body-on-frame 4×4 platform as the Armada underneath, so it handles the sand exactly the same way. Premium leather, climate control for all three rows, and a quiet ride for guests who want comfort without giving up 4×4 capability.
Nissan Armada (seats 8)
The Armada is the 8-seat option for the largest groups. Same full-size, body-on-frame 4×4 platform as the QX80 with a second-row bench instead of captain’s chairs. If you need every seat for a family of 8, the Armada is the answer. Real low-range transfer case, high ground clearance, and tires we air down to 20 PSI before you leave the lot.
Why No One Else Rents 4×4 SUVs in the Outer Banks
National rental brands explicitly prohibit driving their vehicles on sand. Even when they list an SUV in the lot, the rental contract forbids beach driving and any sand damage voids the contract. Local OBX agencies focus on Jeep Wranglers and do not stock full-size SUVs at all. That leaves a real gap for families of 6, 7, or 8 who want one vehicle for the whole group instead of splitting into two Jeeps and a chase driver. Beach4x4 fills that gap with a fleet of four 4×4 SUVs: three Infiniti QX80s and one Nissan Armada. Our insurance covers beach driving, both required beach permits are issued with the keys, and the tires are aired down for the sand before you pull off the lot.
QX80 or Armada: How to Choose
- Group of 8 with all seats needed: take the Armada
- Group of 7 or fewer who want the nicest ride: take a QX80
- Mixed-age family with grandparents and small kids: QX80 captain’s chairs make loading and unloading easier
- Long drive to a north Carova oceanfront: QX80 is quieter and more comfortable for the hour-plus round trip
- Maximum cargo room for week-long stays: both are very close, the Armada has a small edge
What Comes With Every 4×4 SUV Rental
- Currituck County beach driving permit for the Corolla and Carova 4×4 beach
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit for the Hatteras and Ocracoke ramps
- Air-down service before you leave the lot, with the tires already at beach pressure
- Recovery kit in the vehicle in case you stop in soft sand
- Pet-friendly with no pet fees, the same as our Jeeps
- Pickup at our Kill Devil Hills lot, 2101 Colington Road, just off the Wright Memorial Bridge
Pricing
The Infiniti QX80 and the Nissan Armada both rent for the same flat rate as any other vehicle in our fleet: $1,338 for a full week, any seven days. Shorter stays are $200 to $275 per day depending on length. There is no upcharge for the larger SUV, no luxury upcharge on the QX80, and no pet fee. Full pricing details are on our pricing page.
Where Guests Use the SUV
Almost every SUV rental is heading north of Corolla to a vacation rental on the 4×4 beach. The most common destinations are Carova, Swan Beach, North Swan Beach, and Penny’s Hill. Our SUVs also handle the Cape Hatteras ORV ramps for guests staying south on the Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches. If you are renting from Twiddy, Sun Realty, Brindley, Beach Realty, or Village Realty, a QX80 or Armada is the easiest way to get a family of 7 or 8 to the house without splitting into two vehicles.
How to Book a 4×4 SUV
We rent year round, 7 days a week from 7 AM to 8 PM. Use our booking page to reserve a QX80 or the Armada. With three QX80s in the fleet, the luxury 7-seat option is usually available even in peak weeks, but June, July, and August book early. If you are flexible on dates, midweek pickups in the shoulder season have the best availability.