Best vehicles for road trips: A long road trip can be miserable in the wrong vehicle. It’s important to pick a car that can fit your luggage, seat all the family members and keep them happy with key safety technology and good fuel economy.
Fortunately, there are many new vehicles that meet these criteria. We’ve listed seven of the best vehicles for road trips below.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a small sedan, but it packs a punch when it comes to road trips. With great fuel efficiency (31/40 mpg, to be exact) and amazing safety features, this model is one of the best on the market when it comes to driving for long periods of time.
In addition to an impressively efficient engine, the 2023 Corolla offers a variety of comfort features to make long drives more comfortable. A standard leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob offer a premium feel, while the 2023 Corolla LE Eco adds sport-tuned suspension to enhance handling. Both models come with Toyota Safety SenseTM 2.0, which is designed to keep you safe on the road, including a pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control.
Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, the 2023 Corolla can accommodate everyone comfortably. In the back, passengers will enjoy 37.1 inches of headroom and 51.3 inches of legroom. Additionally, the rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split to provide even more space for luggage and gear.
The 2023 Corolla is available in a number of trims, so drivers can customize the ride to suit their preferences. For example, the SE Apex Edition offers unique 18-inch black flow-formed wheels, a sports-tuned exhaust with specialized conical tip, and bronze contrast stitching inside the cabin. This version also has a smart key with push button start, and a sport instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display.
If you’re looking to save more on fuel, consider the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. With hybrid performance, this model gets an impressive 53 city and highway mpg, so you’ll be spending less at the pump and releasing fewer emissions into the atmosphere.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is another great choice for road trips, especially if you’re planning to visit a remote destination where the roads may be rough. This hybrid SUV is able to travel over 500 miles on a single tank of gas, and it has all-wheel drive to give you the confidence to take on tricky terrain. It’s also packed with comfort and convenience features, like a power tilt/slide moonroof, premium JBL speakers, SofTex-trimmed front heated seats, and a leather telescoping steering wheel.
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2 is perhaps the most iconic vehicle for road trips. A coveted symbol of counterculture that has won the hearts of generations. It’s an enduringly popular model for a good reason, as it has proven to be a dependable and capable workhorse over the decades.
The Type 2 is a rear-engine car with front-wheel drive that first entered production in the late 1940s. Its design is generally credited to Dutch VW importer Ben Pon, who was inspired by the 1920s Rumpler Tropfenwagen and 1930s Dymaxion car by Buckminster Fuller, neither of which made it into production. Using the stock Type 1 Beetle chassis, Pon developed the Type 2, which was a more practical. Reliable version of the Rumpler Tropfenwagen.
From its beginnings as a barebones, air-cooled van, the Volkswagen Type 2 went on to become an incredibly versatile workhorse. It was available as a passenger van, cargo van, camper and even a pickup truck. Its versatility was also a result of its use of simple components and its body-on-chassis construction. Which allowed parts to be easily removed and replaced.
Production of the Type 2 came to an end in 2013 after 56 years, with Brazil containing the last factory that manufactured it. However, the Type 2 is not dead; it lives on in the form of the modern Volkswagen Transporter. The Type 2’s front-engine layout makes it a more mainstream minivan. It is still offered as a panel van, passenger van, cargo van, double and single-cab pickup truck or chassis cab ready for a custom upfit.
The Volkswagen ID Buzz is the next generation of the Type 2. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of storage space and high fuel efficiency. Moreover, it is equipped with several active safety features to help ensure the safety of its passengers. As such, it is one of the best vehicles for road trips and is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy their vacation without worrying about safety or comfort.
Ford Ranger
The Ranger is a tall, body-on-frame pickup with plenty of muscle. It can haul a maximum of 1,860 pounds in rear-drive SuperCrew form, well ahead of the Tacoma, Colorado and Gladiator. It can also tow up to 7,500 pounds in XLT and Lariat trims with a trailer towing package.
A turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Ranger. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is tuned to be sprightly on the road. The truck offers two 4WD drive modes that adjust the vehicle’s throttle response, traction and stability controls and more. Ford’s Active Safety package includes forward automatic emergency braking on all Rangers. It also has blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage, cross-traffic alerts and lane departure warnings. These are nice features for a budget-minded midsize pickup.
Although it doesn’t come standard on all models like Chevy’s Colorado or GMC Canyon’s top trims.
Ford’s Ranger isn’t as refined as segment frontrunners such as the Nissan Navara and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, but it’s still a nice truck to drive on the highway or provincial roads. The Ranger’s ten-speed automatic transmission works seamlessly with the turbocharged engine to deliver a smooth, fuel-efficient ride. It has a small cargo bay and useful bed, which are ideal for family road trips.
On a twisty, off-road course the Ranger’s four-wheel drive and rugged suspension give it a good amount of off-road ability. It isn’t as nimble as the Tacoma TRD Pro or Gladiator, but it’s far better than Honda’s Ridgeline or the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Ranger’s hefty frame helps it climb obstacles with ease, and its ten-speed automatic transmission is very quick to respond.
While the Ranger’s cabin is quiet, it looks dated compared to other new pickups. It doesn’t look as cool as the Ford Maverick or Gladiator, and it’s not as muscular as the F-150. Optional STX, FX4, Splash and Tremor appearance packages dress it up with butch body cladding and slick graphics, though. The Ranger’s tall profile and narrow cab don’t fit car parks very well, either.
Nissan Juke
The Nissan Juke is a fun-to-drive small crossover that can take you on long motorway drives without feeling too stressed.
It is one of the best junior SUVs around and is well-suited for family road trips, as it can easily seat four adults. It also has a large boot that’s ideal for carrying luggage. Plus, it gets decent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size. With around 27 mpg in urban driving and 29 mpg on the highway.
The latest Juke features a 188-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Which provides plenty of acceleration for this small car. Its nimble handling and hefty power output make it a blast to drive on both city streets and highways. Plus, it’s easy to maneuver in parking lots and tight corners thanks to a user-friendly steering wheel and welcoming proportions.
On the inside, you’ll find a well-appointed interior that can compete with many other vehicles in its class. The seats are soft and heavily bolstered, which makes them ideal for long trips. Plus, they come standard with heated front seats and have a massage function to help you relax on longer drives. The latest model also comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system and a six-speaker sound system. If you opt for the Tekna model, you’ll get more luxurious features like a navigation system with real-time traffic updates and Nissan Pro Pilot. Which can accelerate, brake, and steer the car on the motorway.
If you want even more luxury, the Tekna+ models are available with leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels. These models also offer a premium entertainment system with a Bose surround-sound system and a 360-degree camera for improved safety and visibility. Additionally, you’ll also get adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
The Nissan Juke is a great choice for road trips.
Longer drives can be particularly challenging for children, especially when they easily get bored. Its comfortable and spacious interior can accommodate up to five people. It has a number of amenities to keep everyone entertained on the trip. Plus, it gets excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size. Making it a great choice for those on a budget.
