The Best Cars, Trucks, And SUVs For Road Trips
Road trips are something that anybody at any age can enjoy. Whether you are taking a cross country trip by yourself or driving a few states over with your family, your ride can be fun and enjoyable.
While all vehicles can technically be used for road trips, there are some vehicles that will be better equipped in terms of mileage, interior room, and road noise to make the drive better for everyone. If you are planning on taking a road trip soon, then here are the best vehicles you can rent or take.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
You can't go wrong with the Toyota Camry Hybrid as a road trip car. For starters, as long as it's charged up, the Camry Hybrid will get over 50 mpg on the freeway.
To get the most room and space, you should aim to get the LE trim level which will start at around $28,000 for new models. The 2018 Camry model was ranked as one of the best mid-sized cars on the road.
Genesis G80
One of the most affordable luxury cars on the market, the Genesis G80 makes for a great road trip car if you are on a budget but still want to look stylish.
Even though it comes in at a lower price point, it doesn't skimp on any of the same features as the pricier competition. Some of its best road trip features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive LED headlights.
Audi A5 Cabriolet
Just coming off of a major upgrade year, the Audi A5 Cabriolet is a great road trip car. Some of its upgrades include a new engine and updated handling in all types of weather to make your trip safer.
Audi allows drivers to connect with Google Maps as well as Apple and Android Car Play to help you navigate. The Audi A5 Cabriolet starts just under $50,000 for brand new models.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento comes in at a great price, with great gas mileage and lots of space on the inside. Whether you are riding in the back or the front, the newest Kia Sportage models will come with infotainment consoles to keep you entertained.
If you are needing a car that can go on long road trips often, consider owning a Kia Sorento at a starting price of $25,900 for newer models.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is another great iconic car that surprisingly makes for a good road trip car as well. Besides having its classic stunning body, the Corvette can be personalized to suit any kind of driver.
You can get it in an all-wheel-drive package or opt in to have four seats if you need a little extra room. Even with the standard 455 horsepower, the Corvette still gets almost 20 mpg.
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
Even plug-in hybrids make for good road trip cars as the Honda Clarity proves. On just one charge alone, a driver can get up to 110 miles to the gallon on the freeway.
One of the cons of this sedan is its lack of speed as it only gets 103 horsepower, which, if you aren't in a rush, is perfect for sightseeing. The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid starts at just under $33,000.
Ram 1500
Pickup trucks aren't for just hauling wood or helping your neighbor move, and they actually make great vehicles for a road trip.
The Ram 1500 often finds itself at the top of its class because of its build quality and its reliability. Not only can the Ram fit up to 6 people comfortably but it can also easily tow a boat or a camper behind it. A little pricier, you can find brand new 1500s for $31,295.
Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan is a high-level sporty luxury performance SUV that will make your road trip more of an experience than a chore. Though the Macan is a compact SUV, it still has plenty of space for all of your riders and their bags.
One of Macan's neatest features is its engine and even in the base model, you can still get from 0 to 60 in just six seconds. The Macan doesn’t have the best fuel ratings but even with poor fuel mileage, you still get a sweet ride.
Kia Stinger
One of the best things about the Kia Stinger is that it's a performance sedan that comes in at a price point below its competitors. If you want to take a road trip and zip around in a fun ride then the Kia Stinger could be a great choice for you.
It comes in options including a 4 or 6-cylinder engine, and you can opt in to have a hatchback if you want to change the body or if you have a lot to carry.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Obviously not for a larger group on tour, the Mazda Miata is great if you are taking a road trip by yourself or with your significant other.
Upgrade to get the retractable roof package so that you can experience an open view of the road ahead of you. If you prefer to not have the wind in your hair, then you can put the car on cruise and enjoy a quiet and relaxing ride.
Volkswagen Atlas
The Atlas is Volkswagen's response to the mid-size SUV craze. It is spacious and can sit up to eight people comfortably and it has easy handling to make your next road trip less stressful.
All new Atlas models come with a V6 engine and are all-wheel-drive for that occasional trip off the beaten path. Though it lacks in having great gas mileage, it still gets 26 miles on the freeway per gallon.
Buick Regal TourX
A crossover SUV and station wagon, the Regal TourX is a great choice for those wanting to carry a lot of larger luggage with them. The body of the car is long so if you are needing to attach a kayak or bikes on more of an outdoor trip, you have enough space to do so.
The TourX can get almost 30 mpg on the freeway so even with the extra weight of your new boat, you don't need to worry about losing too much fuel.
Subaru Ascent
With enough seating to fit up to eight passengers, 19 cupholders and almost 10 USB ports, with more room for luggage as well, this is the Subaru Ascent.
One of Subaru's newest additions, the Ascent is a great road trip vehicle for those with a family who needs a lot of space. Even with all of the available space, the Ascent still remains an affordable option as well coming in under $32,000 brand new.
Audi Q7
With some of the best build quality in the industry, the Audi is one car you won't have to worry about breaking down on the side of the road.
The Q7 is a part of the SUV class but it gets the same love from the manufacturer that all of the other models do including the first-class engine. Decked out in the latest car technology as well, whether you are driving or riding you will always have something to do.
Lincoln Navigator
Let this Lincoln classic take you all where you want to go on your next road trip. The exterior is sleek and distinguishable against the competition, its incredibly roomy and the interior is lavish and stylish.
With wood trim and available leather plush seats, any road trip will be almost instantly more comfortable than anything else you were planning on driving. Another fun feature of the Navigator is its entertainment options including a rear digital cluster that will keep your kids happy.
Acura MDX
The MDX is one of the best selling mid-size crossovers available and for good reason; its one of the more affordable luxury SUV's in its class and it still has all of the cool features.
Being a little smaller, you may not be able to carry all of the luggage in the world, but the car handles well and has a hybrid option to save you money at the pump. If you don’t want the hybrid MDX then you can also opt for the extra space.
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has a lot to offer drivers when you are looking for a good road trip car. Its newest generation of vehicles comes with an upgraded exterior and with more interior room that fits up to five passengers or space for additional luggage.
The GLS-Class can also come with the AMG engine that gets over 570 horsepower if you want to make your road trip shorter. It's the perfect road trip car for anyone.
BMW X7
The BMW X7 is the largest brand from the BMW lineup and is also a great road trip car because of its versatility.
Not only is the SUV a luxury brand car and comes with all the luxury features you want, but the X7 is also impressive on the road and behind the wheel. It comes with available performance packages to fit drivers who want more than just a family SUV as well.
Toyota 4Runner
Popular for being an off-roading SUV from the brand that brought us the Corolla, the 4Runner is also a great road trip car as well. It comes with cargo space on the roof, and lots of interior space for everyone to get comfy.
Drivers who need more space have the option of upgrading their 4Runner package to accommodate more passengers. A brand new Toyota 4Runner will set a buyer back over $36,000.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is a large three-row crossover SUV that tops its class in reliability, fuel mileage, and starting costs. Chevrolet gave the Traverse a brand new upgrade in 2018 so it is stocked with the latest auto technology available.
Road trips are made even shorter in the Traverse thanks to its V6 engine which gets over 300 horsepower. If you are planning a longer road trip, then you can keep your guests entertained with the Traverse's 4G LTE wifi hotspot.
Ford Expedition
An award-winning SUV, the Ford Expedition can go without saying as one of the best large SUVs in general and for road trips. It is powerful, full of interior space and Ford utilizes the best practices for efficient spacing inside.
Though it is large, the Expedition is capable of going off-roading and can have three rows of seats with additional space behind them all if you manage how to fill up all the space up front.
Kia Telluride
This may be the newest vehicle to make it to the road trip list, but Kia wanted to make a vehicle that would compete with some of the larger competition and the Telluride was the answer.
It is large and full of space and even gets almost 30 mpg on the freeway and can hold over 18 gallons at once so you won't have to stop for refills as much. The Kia Telluride can also seat up to 8 passengers.
Honda Pilot
One of the larger Honda models available, if you are planning on taking a lot of people or have a lot to carry with you, then let the Pilot be your road trip guide.
With Honda recently refreshing the Pilot's overall look and interior, it now has some of the most up to date safety and driving features. One of the Pilot’s best road-trip features is its back seat entertainment console.
Subaru Outback
The name of this vehicle should give away the fact that it is made for the outdoors. Popular in mountainous and colder places, the Subaru Outback is a great road trip option for those who want to take their car for a non-traditional ride.
Being the most popular and best-selling vehicles in Subaru's lineup, one of the Outback’s neat features is its ground clearance which the Outback clears at almost 9 inches.
Honda CR-V
It's no surprise that the Honda CR-V would make this list for vehicles that are good on the road. It may look small on the outside but its interior makes up for it.
The Honda CR-V won't be the fastest car on the road but it does have some of the better gas mileage ratings and gets 33 mpg on the freeway. Honda also equipped the CR-V with driver-assisting technology to make the ride safer.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso
One of the fancier cars on the list, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is for those who want to have an amazing time and where money isn't a concern. The car was basically made to be driven on the open road and to be enjoyed.
The GTC4Lusso comes with plenty of cargo space and is very fast. It gets 680 horsepower, has 418 lbs of torque and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
The Porsche Panamera Turbo S is a performance hybrid that will rock your road trip. It can go from 0 to 60 in just 3.2 seconds and its horsepower of 680 almost classify it as a supercar.
Thanks to the hatch, you can fit almost anything you want in the back and still have room to move around in the front. Its most impressive stat is its fuel mileage and the Panamera S can get up to 94.2 mpg.
Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S Wagon
This Mercedes-Benz station wagon is no slouch in comparison to the other vehicles in the Mercedes lineup. It comes with an extremely powerful AMG V8 engine that gets over 600 horsepower making it a performance luxury car.
The S Wagon isn't great on gas mileage but is full of space and if you can afford its 6-figure price tag then gas is most likely the least of your concerns.
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a classic luxury SUV that oftentimes can be associated with status and class. Most may never think of it as a road trip friendly vehicle but it makes for a great vehicle to pack the family up in.
Some of the features of the newest packages include all-wheel drive, dual touchscreens, and upgraded interior space. On the highway, the Range Rover will get just under 30 mpg which is impressive considering its size.
Volvo V90 Cross Country Inscription
This newly updated luxury station wagon is Volvo's attempt at bringing back a vehicle that most didn’t appreciate or very much like when they were popular a few decades ago.
Despite it being a station wagon, the Volvo V90 Cross Country is built for just that, going cross country. It has the cargo space, the gas mileage, and even the horsepower. What more could you ask for in a road trip vehicle?
Chevrolet Suburban
If you have a larger family, then a Chevrolet Suburban might be your go-to road trip ride of choice. The Suburban doesn't come with great fuel mileage but it is one of the cars on this list with the most space.
If you somehow manage to fill it up to capacity, then the Suburban can tow over 6,000 pounds if you decide to drag a trailer behind for a camping trip.
BMW 330e iPerformance
The BMW 330e iPerformance is a fun, small ride that anyone bringing a small party will enjoy on a road trip.
Though it is an electric car, it can get up to almost 250 horsepower. Some of its electric car perks are its fuel mileage and with a full battery, the 330e can get over 70 mpg on the freeway so you won't be spending too much time stopping to buy gas.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited
We can agree that the minivan is nobody's favorite, but the Chrysler Pacific Hybrid Limited may change your mind about taking them on a road trip. For starters, the minivan is full of space for both your luggage and passengers.
If you combine both fuel and electricity, you can squeeze out over 80 mpg on the freeway. Just make sure you map out some stopping points on the way so that you can charge your battery.
Jaguar F-Pace
For those going somewhere fancy or looking to take a road trip in style then you should consider the Jaguar F-Pace. Even with a V6 engine that gets up to 380 horsepower, the F-Pace still gets almost 35 mpg.
If you are willing to pay more, you can upgrade your package for more cargo and interior space. Though the F-Pace looks more like an SUV, from the inside you would think you are on a cruise.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback
Don't let the two doors fool you, the Ford Mustang makes a great road trip car because its roomy and has an eco-boost package that makes it fuel-efficient as well.
This premium edition of the Mustang won’t come with all the bells and whistles as some of its counterparts but when you still get to take this cool car on the road, you will barely notice that they aren’t there. The EcoBoost package gets over 30 highway mpg and costs $30,695.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
This 4x4 Jeep is a must-have for those who want to make their road trip an adventure. Not only does the Grand Cherokee have a new updated look but it also is capable of driving on almost any terrain.
With the base model having almost 300 horsepower, even if you don't plan on off-roading on your trip, you can still get there pretty fast. The Grand Cherokee boasts almost 30 mpg on the freeway and comes in at $31,000.
Mazda CX-5 Diesel
This larger SUV's biggest selling point is how easy it is to drive. Not only does the Mazda CX-5 have high ratings but it also is equipped with driver assisting technology that helps drivers stay safer.
With a large interior space, riders also don’t have to worry about getting cramps or feeling closed in. The Mazda CX-5 Diesel doesn’t have the best fuel economy but will get the driver up to 30 mpg on the freeway which isn’t too bad.
Toyota Rav4 Hybrid
Most hybrid models are safe for road trip driving but the Toyota RAV4 has a few perks that set it above the rest. As one of the most popular SUVs on the market, the RAV4 is equipped with everything you need to make your road trip easy.
Not only is the hybrid model going to be good on gas but it also has off-roading capabilities if you happen to come across a trail on your way.
Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited 5-Door
The Subaru Impreza is a German engineered car that is sturdy and compact. One of its neat road trip features is its cargo rack on the roof of the car which allows you to carry more things.
If you take road trips often, this car is also affordable as well coming in under $22,000. It also gets almost 40 highway miles to the gallon so you can save money at the pump.
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Not the largest vehicle on this list, the Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that is ideal if you are riding by yourself or with one other person.
It has just enough room to fit your suitcases and luggage and is roomy in the interior for plenty of leg space. To top of that off, the Volkswagen Golf also has good highway mileage and can get up to 34 mpg on the freeway.
