As the holiday season marches on, having fun with friends and family over a road trip is definitely exciting.
And when it comes to road trips, choosing the right vehicle is a must for enjoying a fun journey.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the best cars for road trips that will definitely make your journey worthwhile.
Best Cars for Road Trips
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Boasting a strong off-road capability with top-notch engine performance, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the perfect road trip companion.
Also, the 3-row seating space in the car also makes it a perfect luxury SUV choice to make a wonderful road trip with family and friends
Moreover, the Grand Cherokee allows you to adjust up to 7 passengers while the last row might not fit bigger adults but is perfect for kids.
In addition, you will also be getting features such as the Uconnect infotainment system supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The back-row passengers also get a privilege of a 10.1-inch screen on the back for watching and streaming their favorite media on the trip.
Meanwhile, the vehicle also holds enough cargo room for the heavy gear and luggage you would want for your road trip.
Mileage: 19mpg (city) / 26mpg (Highways)
Pros
- Top-notch interior with premium features
- Excellent off-road capability than most 3-rows SUVs
Cons
- Base V6 engine has average performance
- Confusing Button Layout
Avg. User’s Rating: 8/10
Jeep Cherokee Price in the US: $41,395 (starting)
2023 Toyota Rav4 Prime XSE
This hybrid machine from the Japanese family can take you a round of over 40 miles on a full charge. This implies you can easily take the SUV on your favorite road trip without much hassle (gas-free). On contrary, the Rav4 Prime also offers you a gas mileage performance of up to 38mpg.
The SUV’s interior arrives with top-notch safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, up to 8 airbags, ABS, EBS, Brake Assist (BA), Per-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Automatic High Beams, Smart Stop Technology, and more to ensure each bit of safety on your road trip.
In addition, you are also getting an ultra-comfortable SofTex-trimming seat on the inside that ensures your trip in becoming comfortable and hassle-free.
Pros
- Perfect Mileage
- All-Wheel Drive
- Smooth and High-Performance Engine
Cons
- Hefty Price Tag
- Lower Towing Capacity (up to 1750 lbs)
Avg. User’s Rating: 7.7/10
2023 Toyota Rav4 Prime XSE Price in the US: $45,460 (starting)
2023 Ford F-150
Also remaining one of the best-selling trucks in the US, the 2023 Ford F-150 is definitely a perfect companion for road trips.
Seemingly, the high-performance engine with top-notch off-roading capability checks all the boxes when it comes to having a thrilling road trip ride.
Moreover, the machine offers a comfortable space for up to 6 passengers in its SuperCrew cab. Depending on the cabin can, you can choose from functional to luxurious trims as you would want.
On the other hand, the towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs can ensure you take any gear and luggage for a road trip. This is also why it is considered one of the best cars for road trips.
Mileage: 19mpg (city) / 24mpg (highway)
Pros
- Maximum Towing Capacity
- Top-notch off-road performance
- Comfortable and Well-Equipped Interior
Cons
- Average Fuel Economy
- Not under Budget Category
Avg. User Ratings: 8.5/10
2023 Ford F-150 Price in the US: $41,800 (starting)
2023 Subaru Forester
If you want a budget SUV for a road trip but also high on performance and mileage, the Japanese top-seller Subaru Forester is the one for you.
Although not arriving with an off-roader look, the Forester comes with an all-wheel drive system with up to 9 inches of ground clearance.
Moreover, even the base trim of the Forester arrives with a hill descent control feature which is a must- for road trips.
Meanwhile, there is enough cargo space for your luggage alongside plenty of room to fit up to 5 passengers for a comfortable ride. Other features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, heated front seats, reclining seats, and so on also make the Subaru Forester a go-to ride.
Mileage: 26mpg (city) / 33mpg (highway)
Pros
- All-Wheel Drive with superior off-road performance
- Spacious Seating Space
Cons
- Limited Towing Capacity
- Average Infotainment System
Avg. User Ratings: 8/10
Price in the US: $25,195 (starting)
2023 Hyundai Palisade
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is one of the best cars for road trips. One of the great reasons which makes it a perfect road trip car is its 3-row seating capacity with a roomy interior that can fit up to 8 passengers.
On contrary, the ride also comes with a luxurious and comfortable interior. In addition, an all-wheel drive feature is an option for riders while you can also choose the RWD variant. However, we would recommend you choose the AWD option for a perfect road trip that can fit even muddy and snowy trails.
As per safety aids are concerned, features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and up to 8 airbags are also available. Other alluring features of the SUV include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a dual-pane sunroof, a 12-inch infotainment system, leather upholstery, and heated second and third-row seats.
Mileage: 19mpg (City) / 26mpg (Highway)
Pros
- Up to 8 Passenger Capacity
- Top-notch V6 Engine and off-road capability
- Generous Cargo Space
Cons
- Expensive Price for High-trims
- Limited Drive Modes
Avg. User Ratings: 9/10
Price in the US: $34,895 (starting)
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
If you are searching for a fuel-economy ride that fits the criteria for a comfortable road trip, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a banger. Unlike other 3-row SUVs, the Highlander Hybrid is one of the Best Electric and Hybrid SUVs for families.
Excitingly, it also comes with top-notch safety tech features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, road sign assist, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and so on.
In addition, the SUV is smooth on roads even at higher speeds while the wide front seats of the SUV also ensure a comfortable ride. The same goes for the rear seat passengers as well. However, the third row of the SUV doesn’t hold an ample space as the front ones.
Mileage: 35-36 mpg (City/Highway)
Pros
- Excellent Fuel Economy
- Premium Interior
- Top-notch Safety
Cons
- Expensive
- Cargo Space could be more
Avg. User Ratings: 8.7/10
Price in the US: $39,055 (starting)
2023 Kia Carnival
The 2023 Kia Carnival is undoubtedly one of the best cars for road trips. Excitingly this small MPV from Kia also won the Best Minivan for the Money award a year back.
Further, the sophisticated seating space with enough space to fit in alongside a large cargo space is what makes Kia Carnival rival the rest.
In addition, the car also gets a premium interior designed with easy-to-clean materials. Technical features such as smartphone connectivity, 8-inch infotainment system, 8 USB port options, and more.
Moreover, there are also other safety features available such as driver’s attention monitoring, up to 7 airbags, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, Brake Assist, and more.
Mileage: 19mpg (City) / 26mpg (Highway)
Pros
- Comfortable Seats
- Value for Money
Cons
- Performance could be better
- Some of the techs lack refinement
Avg. User Ratings: 7.6/10
Price in the US: $34,365 (starting)
2022 Land Rover Discovery
How can we let go of the list without including the might LR Discovery?
This 7-seater family SUV from Land Rover checks all the boxes when fitting the space of a perfect road trip car.
Comfort, Style, Luxury, Space, Performance, you name it, Discovery has the all. Moreover, its classic look and premium interior space excites every family to go for a road trip in the SUV.
Additionally, this one also gets an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with 4WD as standard. This implies you can go on a trip with this car on every trail you would like to.
Not only this, the SUV gets ample space for the cargo room too where you can fit in all your heavy road trip essentials.
Mileage: 19mpg (City) / 24mpg (Highway)
Pros
- Excellent Off-Road Performance
- Enough room for passengers
- Top-notch Engine
Cons
- Average Mileage
- Expensive
Avg. User Ratings: 8.5/10
Price in the US: $56,350 (starting)
2022 Ford Bronco Sport
This compact crossover from Ford is also a good option for a road trip. Its marvelous off-road capability and performance can smoothly transcend you through any trail.
Moreover, the 2022 Bronco Sport is smaller in size than the standard Bronco. However, this one boasts an independent rear suspension instead of a live rear axle used in the standard one.
The off-road tires used in the vehicle can take you on a trip via road, with specks of dirt, mud, water, and whatnot. Similarly, it also features Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suiter, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and so on.
Mileage: Avg. 26mpg
Pros
- Off-Road Handling
- Amenities for adventure
- Tremendous Durability
Cons
- Noisy Cabin
- Slow Response from Mechanical Hardware
Avg. User Ratings: 8/10
Price in the US: $34,365 (starting)
2022 Honda Odyssey
The last one on the best cars for road trips list comes from the Japanese family- Honda. The Honda Odyssey is also considered the best minivan for families by Top Auto News firms.
With top-notch comfort and performance, the 2022 Odyssey can make you feel like you are running in a living room. Even if you are a family of eight, the Honda Odyssey has got you all covered when it comes to comfort.
Additionally, not only the interior space but the MPV also looks and feels premium both on the inside and out. The second-row seats in the Odyssey are also referred to as ‘magic’ ones as it is designed to slide side to side as well as up and back as per preference.
Excitingly, the machine also comes with a premium audio system with 11 speakers connected in total to make your road trip journey actually worth it.
Mileage: 22mpg (City) / 28mpg (Highway)
Pros
- Spacious Interior to fit up to 8 passengers
- Spacious Cargo Room
- Top notch-luxury feel
Cons
- Misses All-Wheel Drive feature
- Limited Powertrain selection
Avg. User Ratings: 8.5/10
Price in the US: $33,040 (starting)
Thus, there were some of the best cars for road trips. You can make the right choice for you based on your needs and budget accordingly. However, as road trips are usually ambitious off-road plans for vacations and weekends, we suggest going for cars with the most comfortable seating, good fuel economy, and most importantly the pricing itself.
FAQs
Which is the Best Car for Road Trips?
As there are tons of SUVs to choose from based on budget and performance, Kia Carnival happens to be of the best choices.
What is the best luxury car for a road trip?
The 2023 Genesis G90 happens to be one of the best machines to go for a road trip.
What is the most budget car for a road trip?
The 2023 Subaru Forester happens to be a budget car option for a road trip.
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