No doubt going on a road trip with your family or friends is one of the most exciting things to do. You get a chance to spend some quality time with your loved ones along with visiting your favorite destinations inside or outside of your state or city. There is a different vibe every one of us feels whenever we were on a road trip. We can’t put that experience into words.
After making a plan and deciding the place where you want to go the next most important thing is the means of travel you are going to use. Driving the right car can make your traveling experience more memorable and beautiful. A good road trip car must have good fuel economy, suitable infotainment features, high safety ratings, and be spacious enough to carry the passengers you travel with.
Considering the important role a car plays in a road trip we have collected the list of 6 best cars you can buy if you are also one of those who often go on road trips.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the most suitable hybrid electric SUV for road trips. Highlander comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine along with two electric motors. It can make 243 horsepower combined. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) which plays a part in improving the acceleration of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Its mileage is also quite good for road trips. It has 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
Highlander also has a great towing capacity which makes it capable of pulling up to 3,500 pounds. Along with the ability of seating 7-8 people, it offers a smooth ride and peppy powertrain. It also has a high-quality interior with a long list of safety and tech features.
If you have a big family or a friend circle and prefer an SUV with a good gas mileage then this car is made for you. The cons you may face buying Toyota Highlander Hybrid are its high price and tight third-row seats.
Honda Odyssey
Bringing home Honda Odyssey can allow you to experience one of the most luxurious and spacious interiors. The standard features making this car most suitable for road trips are Bluetooth, a 5-inch infotainment display, two USB ports, a 7-speaker stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Honda’s CabinWatch, CabinTalk, and cabin control systems.
Odyssey also used to have a HondaVac which was a built-in vacuum and was very helpful in cleaning up the mess. But due to some supplier issues, it was removed in the 2022 model. Having a mileage of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway it can make a horsepower of 280. Odyssey can easily seat 7-8 people which makes it more favorite among road trip enthusiasts. Honda Odyssey has a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine which has the capability of putting out 262 pound-feet of torque. Its 10-speed automatic transmission handles the switch of gears very well when you play with the speed during a road trip.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler is a perfect vehicle for those whose road trip journeys have a requirement of going off-road and bumpy places. It has several different engine options and you can choose from them according to your requirements. If you go on long rides and prefer a good fuel economy then you can go for a 260-horsepower turbo diesel engine or a 375-horsepower plug-in-hybrid engine.
Always remember, Wranglers without plug-in hybrid and turbo diesel have very poor fuel economy and you should avoid them if you have a plan to go on a long trip.
Subaru Outback
Outback welcomes its passengers with a spacious cabin and standard features. It has a capacity of seating five people on comfortable seats. Due to its roomy nature, it has plenty of leg and headroom for the passengers in both of its rows. Its cabin is 75.7 cubic feet. One of its interesting features is that its back row is completely foldable. So, can even spend a night in your Subaru Outback.
The standard feature that makes it stand out among other road trip cars include Android Auto, Apple Carplay, two USB ports, two touchscreens of 7-inches, and Bluetooth. The mileage of Subaru is also pretty good. It offers 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
Outback also has an advanced safety feature of the EyeSight suite along with a feature of all-wheel drive. The 260-horsepower turbocharged engine option makes the Outback an ideal vehicle for road trips.
BMW X3
BMW X3 greets its buyers with a spacious cabin, intuitive infotainment system, and a powerful engine. X3 provides an average mileage of 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. If we talk about its engine you have many options. A Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a horsepower of 248 is standard. You can also go for a powerful twin-turbo inline-six having a horsepower of 473 if you want to spice things up.
Twin-turbo no doubt provide you with a lot of power but it’s not that fuel-efficient. So in case you want to go with the more fuel-efficient engine you can go with a base engine of X3 which has an estimated EPA of 25 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The standard safety feature of the BMW X3 includes blind-spot monitoring and a lane departure warning.
If you want a comfortable and powerful experience during your road trip you BMW X3 can be an ideal option for you. The only disadvantage you may have is higher starting prices but if you have deep pockets you are good to go.
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet is a roomy SUV having a capacity of seating eight people. Its multiple power outlets, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, rear entertainment screens, and a DVD player don’t let you get bored during a trip. Suburban advanced fuel management and cylinder deactivation allow it to use only four cylinders instead of eight which saves you a lot of money in fuel consumption. The 2022 model of Subarbon has 27 mpg combined. Besides that Chevrolet Suburban also has a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds.
Chevrolet Suburban attracts the attention of many car enthusiasts due to its aesthetic looks and advanced features. It provides everything a road trip car needs. You can experience a smooth and comfortable ride while driving this car.
Road Trip Tips
These are some of the tips that can make your road trip tension free.
Things To Check In A Car
Don’t forget to check this thing in your vehicle before starting your journey.
- Brakes
- Belts, caps, hoses, and filters
- Lights, signals, windshield wiper fluid, and all wiper blades
- Oil
- Tire Pressure
- Spare Tire
- Coolant
Necessities
Don’t go on a trip without the necessities. Ignoring these small things can cost you a lot of money and can spoil your trip.
- Tool kit
- Chains or anything for traction (winter driving)
- Waterproof matches
- CDs or books
- Water and snacks
- Blankets and pillows
- Be Jumper cables and flares
- Travel brochures
- First aid kit
Hotel Reservations
Don’t forget to make a hotel reservation if you have a plan to spend a night anywhere. Doing this will save you from a lot of disgrace. Because the hotels can be full at the time you reach there. Your cabin also checks for hotels offering family discounts.
Gas Mileage
These are some of the ways to save gas during a road trip.
- Slowing the acceleration
- Purchasing a gas at the coolest time of the day
- Relieving your car from excessive weights
- Calculating the estimated gas cost of the trip
- Maintaining an average speed
- While traveling at high speed keep your window closed
- Avoid bumpy roads
Be safe
Some of the things that will keep you safe while traveling.
- Taking breaks
- Listen to the music when you feel tired or bored
- Always buy more than the estimated gas
- Be aware of aggressive drivers
- Be mindful during driving
- Don’t pull over on the side of the road
- Don’t drink before driving
- Carry all the papers in your car with you
We hope that this article has increased your knowledge and will help you in finding a perfect road trip companion. Best of luck in your journey of finding the best suitable car for yourself.
