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There has been some discussion amongst the circles that I run about the perfect “Post-Apocalyptic Vehicle”. Many people examine this question from the perspective that they have plenty of time to plan for said apocalypse and that they have ample funding to prep such a vehicle. While this is all fine and dandy, I tend to think that this is a bit optimistic. Most catastrophic events that happen are quick and unforeseen. Additionally, unless you are totally paranoid, most of us do little more that basic preparation for ‘the worst’.
So here I submit my list of vehicles for various post-apocalyptic scenarios. This is not a comprehensive list, by any stretch, but just some that I thought of. Each one is selected based on the type of event that may transpire, which I will also explain. The list goes from most likely to least likely.

1. Localized Natural Disaster – Large Earthquake, Tornado, Hurricane, Blizzard, ect.

In a situation such as this the challenges that you will be presented are things such as damaged road networks, debris from fallen trees, light poles and building. Abandoned/damaged vehicles in the roadways, collapsed highway bridges, flooding, lack of electricity and the possibility of chemical spills or failed sewage systems.
Survivors of such as disaster will likely be disoriented and preoccupied with trying to cope with the events that have transpired. There is a small probability of looters and opportunists criminals, depending on your locality the likelihood of this will vary. You probably don’t need to worry about roving bandits as most looters will be concentrating on robbing homes and stores, not moving vehicles.
If you do need to travel, you will likely be heading to an unaffected area, FEMA camp or some other aid station. In all likely hood, your current vehicle, if left unharmed, will do just fine. If not, and you feel the need to go GTA, you would probably like to find something with reasonable ground clearance, 4WD and decent cargo space. Seeing as I am in the American west, I would venture to say that the best vehicle to get would be a body on frame SUV. 1990′s Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango or Toyota 4-Runner would probably do just fine. They all get decent fuel milage, enough to get you to an unaffected area at least. They offer off-highway capability to get you around and over the aforementioned obstacles and have plenty of space to haul you and whatever else you feel the need to take.

Verdict: 90′s Vintage Body on Frame SUV with 4WD.

2. Epidemic – Regional outbreak of a disease

Lets say that my home town of Salt Lake City suffers some sort of epidemic disease. This would rapidly spread up and down the Wasatch Front and the I-15 Corridor. The challenge then is getting yourself out of the affected area quickly. You will likely be confronted with panicked pedestrians, erratic drivers, vehicles stopped on the roadways due to abandonment or the operator falling ill. Additionally, you will have other people thinking the same as you. Finally, the government will undoubtably begin to establish a quarantine area, so you will want to try and get out before that can be established.
Ok, so unless you are already in possession of a high performance vehicle, it’s time to go GTA and get one. Depending on the number of people you are transporting comes into play here as well. If its just you and one other person, it’s time to jack a 911, Lotus Elise/Exige, Miata, M3 or something else small, quick and deadly responsive. If it’s four people, start looking for any BMW sedan, WRX, Evo or G8. More than four? Start looking for multiple vehicles or kill the outstanding number.
What you want is something with speed and maneuverability. You’ll be required to drive like hell towards the ‘Safe Zone’, avoid abandoned vehicles and outpace the other drivers on the road. The roads will be fine, your biggest worry is getting out before you get locked into the quarantine zone.

Verdict: Lotus Exige or some other high performance/maneuverable vehicle.

3. Pandemic – 21st Century Plague

Take the pervious situation and make it global. So now everyone is dying from some horrible disease and you’re one of the few standing. You know that there are safe zones, but you’ve got to get there. The previous vehicle choice is probably the best bet, yet again. In America, with our vast network of roads, you should be able to get anywhere you need to using them. Since most people are dead and dying, you just need to get from point A to B as fast as you can. Roving bandits are probably of little concern, so a small, fast car will do just fine.

Verdict: Lotus Exige or some other high performance/maneuverable vehicle.

4. Failure of the Government

There are MANY different ways that a government could fail, but lets take the most drastic. Federal, State and Local governments cease to function. This means no law enforcement. Here we begin to get into the question of dealing with roving bandits and other potentially intelligent dangers. The scenario that I would perceive is that the city has fallen into chaos and its time to get out. Where will you head? Well ideally to a stable area such as another town, but you don’t know where. All you know is that its time to get out and go somewhere.
To me, this denotes the need for a high clearance, very capable 4WD vehicle with ample storage. You will likely need to get into the backcountry far away from main roads in order to avoid bad guys. As always, if you aren’t already set up with a vehicle that can accomplish this, there are some options. Any Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, 4-Door Wrangler JK, older Toyota 4-Runner, 4-door Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara or similar vehicle. Any of these provide you with capability and reasonable storage space for a week plus in the boonies.

Verdict: Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4-Runner or the like.

5. Large Scale Nuclear Assault

Ok, Jericho style here. All major cities are nuked, the Federal government is gone and likely so are state governments. Local governments of surviving cities/towns are probably still intact. Here we run into the situation that the surviving towns will likely be relatively stable (depending on who’s in charge) but there are likely roving bandits and other opportunists in the voids between. Additionally, it’s a wasteland out there! Fallout, destruction, the works.
If I where in this situation, I’d try to make it to the closest stable town, and stay there. Again, we have this fantastic road network but who knows how much is intact or accessible? For this reason, I would venture that a Subaru WRX is the best bet. Why? Fast enough to outrun most of the baddies out there, ability to handle modest off-road conditions, good MPG and plenty of storage room.

Verdict: Subaru WRX

6. Zombie Apocalypse

So lets say that the vast majority of the planet goes all crazed and brain eaty. Your goal will be to stay out of harms way, get fuel and supplies where available and then move on. Likely you will have little opportunity to stay in one place for long and will have to be constantly on the move. This will require a vehicle with stellar reliability and good fuel milage. My recommendation would be anything Japanese and older than 2000. Toyota, Honda, Nissan or Subaru being the best bets. All get good milage, all are highly reliable and there are lots of them! This means parts or the ability to switch to a new vehicle as needed.

Verdict: Any pre-2000 Toyota, Honda, Nissan or Subaru