Whether you're planning a cross-country adventure or a long weekend away, our expert recommendations will help you find the best vehicle for your upcoming road trip.
What turns a road trip from good to great? While some people may argue it’s the route you take or the snacks you bring, no one can deny that the vehicle you drive plays a big role. It’s true -- you don’t need anything fancy to make memories, but certain features and amenities are guaranteed to make the trip more enjoyable.
While you could pull off an epic exploration in your mom’s old Camry, you know deep down that a sweet ride will really up the ante on the enjoyment factor. Find out what makes a vehicle well-suited for road tripping and meet the makes & models that top our list.
Must-Have Features for the Perfect Road Trip Vehicle
From spacious interiors to solid fuel efficiency and reliable performance, certain criteria rank higher than others when determining what makes a good road trippin’ vehicle. Below are five key factors that we feel make a vehicle the ultimate companion for your summer adventures.
The best vehicles for road trips not only have enough space for all your passengers to avoid sitting on each other’s laps, but also seats that support the spine and won’t leave you needing a chiropractor upon arrival. Legroom is also important, especially if you and your crew are on the taller side.
Cargo Space. Depending on how far or how long your road trip is, cargo space can be a key concern. If you’re a light packer and just going for a couple of days, maybe you can hit the highway in your little sports car. But if you’re like most road-trippers, you’re going to need enough room to carry a little more gear – preferably with the ability to keep it all safe and dry inside the vehicle.
Fuel Efficiency. With gas prices being what they are, you want a car that maxes out your mileage so you have some cash left over for food and fun. Thankfully, there are so many options for roomy, comfortable vehicles that are ideal for road trips and get excellent gas mileage.
When you’ll be spending hours at the wheel, it’s a huge bonus if you’ve got a smooth, responsive ride that handles well. Fresh tires, a good suspension, and all-wheel drive (or 4WD if you’re really roughing it) allow you to drive with confidence and enjoy the road and the scenery as much as possible.
The term “safety” can mean a lot of different things when taking a long road trip. Airbags that protect all passengers; ADAS alerts like lane departure warnings, collision warnings, and tire pressure monitors; and excellent crash ratings are some key components to look for in a road trip vehicle.
So, let’s talk about our favorite vehicles that we feel encompass all these essential features (or at least a winning combination) and also add in plenty of convenient, comfortable, and clever extras that make for a great road trip.
GMC Yukon – Go Big or Go (Back) Home
The newest version of this staple in the GMC lineup is like a cross between an RV and a spaceship, with all the roomy comfort and next-gen tech your heart desires (especially if you spring for the XL edition.)
Sixteen-way power front seats with ventilated leather and massage/heat features are just one of the huge selling points that make this full-size SUV one of the best vehicles for road trips. Let’s not forget about the banging 18-speaker sound system for blasting all your favorite jams, nor the fact that the Yukon has leg room for days, whether you’re in the front or back seats.
There’s also a power sliding center console that can slide back up to 10 inches to provide even more storage in this already roomy vehicle. With 7-passenger seating and up to 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s room for all your friends. You can also tow a wide variety of toys behind you for added versatility.
You’ll compromise a bit on fuel economy, but considering the sheer size of this luxury beast, we’d say a combined 18 mpg ain’t too shabby.
Honda Odyssey – Not Your Mom’s Minivan
For epic road trips, it’s hard to argue with the passenger and cargo capacity of a minivan, and the Honda Odyssey is at the top of the list in terms of reliability, safety, comfort, and convenience.
The Odyssey can easily fit up to 8 people, with seating that can be configured or removed to create a wide array of cargo storage options for maximum efficiency. “But it’s impossible to hear a conversation up front when you’re stuck in the back of a minivan,” you say. Oh-ho, not so with the CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system that allows those up front to chat with folks in the back via the audio system speakers or through the van’s headphones.
The Odyssey also boasts a bevy of safety features. Front, front side, and side curtain airbags are just the start. You also get knee airbags for both the driver and front passenger, as well as the Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Road Departure Mitigation System. And, Hondas are legendary for being able to travel well over 100,000 miles with minimal maintenance, so reliability is not usually a concern.
You’re looking at pretty impressive fuel economy here, too. Based on the most current EPA estimates, the Honda Odyssey offers 19 city and 28 highway, for a combined 22 mpg rating.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe – No Roads Barred
While it doesn’t provide the smoothest or comfiest of rides for long stretches of highway, the off-road capabilities and fun factor of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe bring an entirely different kind of road trip adventure to the table.
This hybrid Jeep has a mind-boggling fuel economy of 49 mpg. Read that twice. It also offers an impressive 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, making this an off-roading beast. A high-water intake allows you to traverse up to 33.5 inches of water, while the Extreme Recon Package lets you mount 35-inch tires for a whopping 12.9 inches of ground clearance for maximum explorations of the roads less traveled. Heck, you don’t even need a road. Just drive straight and don’t look back.
The impressive 67.4 cu. ft. of cargo space and 3,500 pounds of towing capacity are nothing to sneeze at either.
Ford F-150 Lightning – Next-Gen Travel
A pickup truck may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when thinking about a comfortable and fun road trip, but today’s luxury trucks are not only some of the best when it comes to meeting utilitarian needs, they also incorporate next-level amenities and comfort features that make you almost feel like you’re driving a La-Z-Boy recliner around the country.
Pickup trucks are also notorious gas guzzlers – but with the all-electric F-150 Lightning that concern is a thing of the past. The Lightning offers a standard 240 miles of zero-emission range on a single charge, making it a great choice for shorter road trips and overlanding excursions. With 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and 50.9 cu. ft. of cargo space in the SuperCrew model, you can take anything you want with you, too.
This thing is absolutely loaded with all the goodies you need to make for a Top 10 road trip. With cloud-connected, adaptive, voice-responsive tech, it’s easy to customize this vehicle’s settings to suit your own needs for the ultimate in personalization.
Audi S5 Cabriolet Convertible – Top Down, Baby
No road trip recommendations round-up would be complete without a convertible option. That’s where the Audi S5 comes in. Able to go 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, this sleek and sporty car is sexy as all get-out and a wicked fun way to travel the country.
The sport rear differential gives you precision handling and actively distributes torque between the rear wheels when coming through a curve, making it great for those twisty switchbacks. Picture yourself and your partner-in-crime tearing up the countryside with the top down and the sun on your face. If that doesn’t get you excited for a road trip, are you even human?
Blast your tunes on the 20-speaker sound system and instantly access your favorite playlists, contacts, and messages on the crisp MMI touchscreen display. Parking assist, lane departure assist, the top-down camera system, and side assist with pre-sense rear basically make it like you’re driving in a protective bubble that is designed to avoid accidents altogether.
Of course, the famous Audi Quattro AWD ensures great handling and traction in a wide variety of conditions, and the 22 combined MPG rating won’t kill you on fill-ups. You’ll compromise on interior space and storage here, but when smile-making acceleration is on tap, all you really need to pack is a toothbrush anyway.