Whether you’re heading out of town for the weekend or packing up the family for a cross-country trip for the summer, here are the 10 coolest road trip vehicles for the job
Road trip vehicles are as diverse as the destinations you visit and the people traveling with you. From sporty two-seaters to cavernous nine-seaters, here are the 10 coolest road trip vehicles for 2021.
Jeep Wrangler
For road trips that venture off the beaten path, the Jeep Wrangler is ready for any adventure. Take the doors and top off for a nice cruise by the beach or drop into four-wheel drive for an off-road excursion; either way, your road trip is going to be a blast!
As an off-road enthusiast, one of my most memorable road trips was in 2018 when I drove one of the first modified JL (2018-newer) Jeep Wranglers to central Kentucky to experience the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.
Proving that road trips are as much about the journey as they are the destination, my family and I stopped at Mammoth Cave National Park en route to the trails, and on our way home, we made a stop at the abandoned Nemo Tunnel located in Wartburg, Tennessee.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is an excellent all-around family hauler with great fuel economy and value, but the best reason to consider this compact crossover for your next road trip vehicle is its reliability. After scanning more than 18 million cars with the FIXD Sensor, the 2015-2019 Honda CR-V topped our list of the 5 Best Vehicles of 2020, reporting the fewest number of trouble codes detected.
Ford F-Series Super Duty
While the Honda CR-V proved to have the fewest engine codes, the Ford Super Duty had the most, which is why it topped the list for the 5 worst vehicles of 2020. So why is it on this list? Because this truck is the top-selling vehicle in the United States, and the sheer sales volume alone means it will have a higher average number of engine codes than other vehicles.
Factor in the Super Duty’s maximum recorded mileage from our data (1,009,742 miles!) as well as the massive towing capability, and that adds up to a do-anything, go-anywhere road trip vehicle if you ask us.
Chevrolet Suburban
Unless you step up to a full-size van, the largest seating capacity you can get in a passenger vehicle is currently the Chevrolet Suburban and the closely related GMC Yukon XL. With the available front bench seating, these big SUVs can seat up to nine passengers with plenty of connectivity options for various electronic devices.
Chrysler Pacifica
Minivans might get a bad rap, but we dare you to find a vehicle that is better for family road trips… there’s a reason rental car agencies stockpile minivans, after all. As a minivan innovator, Chrysler continues to lead this segment with the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. Not only is the Pacifica a comfortable road trip vehicle, but it also is available with unique features such as the Stow n Go seats, a rear seat entertainment system with kid-friendly apps, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon
Station wagons used to be the ultimate road trip vehicles, but sadly these vehicles have practically gone extinct in the U.S as high-riding crossovers and SUVs have become more desirable for consumers.
The good news is that the Mercedes-Benz E Class does offer a roomy wagon that even features a rear-facing third row jump seat for kids. To get the most out of this family hauler, you’ll definitely want to opt for the Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon with a 603-horsepower V-8 delivering 0-60 mph times of just 3.4 seconds.
Hyundai Ioniq
Hybrids might not be the sexiest vehicles, but you just can’t argue with their capabilities as road trip vehicles. The Hyundai Ioniq is actually a hatchback that offers a full line of advanced powertrains including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric.
Volkswagen ID.4
In all likelihood, electric vehicles represent the future of motoring, and the new Volkswagen ID.4 offers up a glimpse of what all-electric road tripping looks like. Not only is this compact crossover a roomy road tripper, it can go up to 260 miles on a single charge.
On top of that, VW gives its customers three years of free charging! And to back up this EV’s road-tripping capabilities, VW took an ID.4 on a 6,700 road trip across the U.S. taking an indirect route from New York City to Sacramento, California.
Kia Telluride
SUVs might be the king when it comes to hauling maximum passengers and cargo, but crossovers deliver similar interior space with a smoother ride. If you’re in the market for such a vehicle, don’t overlook the eight-passenger Kia Telluride, which is easily one of the most comfortable SUV for long trips. Kia’s new mid-size crossover is so popular that there’s usually a waiting list to buy one from most dealerships, and here are 8 reasons you’ll want to buy a 2021 Kia Telluride.
Mazda Miata
If your road trip includes twisty roads but doesn’t require much cargo space, the Mazda Miata is the perfect vehicle. This iconic roadster is perfect for carving backroads or just cruising around with the top down, and no matter where you go, the Miata is ready to have some fun.
Get Road Trip Ready with FIXD
No matter where your destination is or what vehicle takes you there, be sure you’re road trip ready by bringing the FIXD sensor and app along for the ride. This must-have tool is always available for on-the-go check engine diagnostics, and FIXD Premium even gives you access to on-call mechanics for DIY repair assistance and information. Not able to get a DIY job done in a hotel parking lot? FIXD will help you locate trusted RepairPal-certified shops to get you back on the road.
Lifelong automotive enthusiast with a soft spot for offroading. Wrencher turned writer, but I still love to tinker on just about anything with an engine. Dream car: tie between a ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda and a ’91 GMC Syclone. #GirlDad #SaveTheManuals
