10 best cars for road trips
Holidays involving a road trip are a personal favourite. It isn’t just about the destination but experiencing the journey. It is about the scenery and places along the way, settling into the rhythm of the road and the transient relationships with people you meet en route. And with your car, you can pack a few creature comforts to take along and there is usually room to bring home the odd memento too.
But what would the ideal road trip car be? Much depends on where you are going, how many people you are taking and the amount of luggage. So let’s look at a few of our capable favourites.
The classic
More than any other type of car, the classic is an instant opener for conversations along the way. The chances of a breakdown are perhaps higher but properly maintained - and with a good roadside recovery contract - the charisma and gentler pace make it ideal for a potter between towns or meander along coastlines. We’re spoiled for choice but picking something able to eat the miles, and with its quirky design, we love the Volvo P1800.
Winter trips
Whether it’s the Cairngorms or the Alps, it’s about all-wheel-drive so if you are planning a winter trip, the Mercedes-Benz E400d 4MATIC All-Terrain Estate combines effortless long-distance cruising with sufficient capability for when the going gets tough. Add some winter tyres and snow socks or chains in case the weather turns.
Towing
Whether you need to pull a boat, caravan or horse trailer there aren’t many vehicles more capable than the Land Rover Discovery. The 240PS 2.0-litre diesel balances impressive performance with economy and still allows you to pull up to three and a half tonnes.
Economical driving
The road trip is about the drive, so time spent at filling stations isn’t a value-add activity. For its all-round practicality and frugal diesel, the Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI promises a around 700 miles miles on each tank along with comfort, luxury and refinement. The Avant also has a healthy 565 litres of boot space.
The romantic getaway
The two-seater, open-topped sports car is still the icon for carefree holidays (by which we mean without children!). So with its wonderful poise and engaging performance, the Porsche 718 Boxter is just the car for the romantic escape with a loved one.
Family trips
Okay, you need more than two seats and loads of room for clobber. Luckily, there’s no need to compromise: clean Scandinavian style, meticulously designed interior and stacks of safety equipment are all found in Volvo’s mid-sized SUV, the XC60. The XC60 hits the sweet spot in terms of size so it isn’t too cumbersome on country lanes yet has ample room for five.
On a budget
When it comes down to it, there isn’t much you can’t do in a regular hatchback. For driver engagement, more than adequate performance and supple ride, we’d plump for Suzuki’s Swift Sport. It leans more toward warm rather than hot hatch but it balances everything so well, we’d happily spend many hours behind its wheel.
The camper
You want to have your independence but aren’t keen on tents? This is where the camper comes in. Our pick is the Volkswagen California, the brand being synonymous with free spirits and cool surfers. And the latest California is an extremely civilised and refined way to take your home with you.
Luxury
If it is refinement you seek, look no further than the Bentley Continental GT. GT stands for Grand Tour and this is what the Continental excels at, gobbling up the motorway miles in a bubble of opulence and calm. The V8 is almost a match to the W12 engine in terms of performance but for the dash to Monte Carlo, it will mean fewer stops for fuel.
The all-rounder
You want an SUV with all-wheel-drive, seven seats, decent towing ability, high levels of refinement and respectable economy? It just so happens the Škoda Kodiaq ticks all these boxes. We like its clean-cut styling, good perceived build quality, driver engagement and…well, in fact everything about it.
