Best cars for travel: TOP-10
Traveling changes us, gives us the opportunity to see the world in all its diversity, to learn, to develop. The most popular type of tourism is automobile, and its biggest fans live in the USA and Europe. Our compatriots did not stand aside and consider road trips as one of the main ways of recreation.
To get a truly vivid experience, it is important to meet one important condition: to buy a car that will be comfortable for the driver and passenger. Do not forget that during the journey you will have to move off-road, which means that you must have a reliable and hardy companion at your disposal. We have prepared a large review, which presents the best cars for travel, and you can buy them today, at online auctions in the USA.
Travel vehicle requirements
Before proceeding with the review, we will form the basic requirements for cars for travel:
- a large, spacious interior with orthopedic seats, which will be comfortable for the driver and passengers and which will make even very long trips comfortable;
- roomy trunk;
- the design and characteristics of the power plant (transmission) must be designed for movement not only on high-speed routes, but also off-road;
- availability of climate control;
- high level of reliability and safety.
Only by choosing a car that combines all these characteristics, you can count on an adventure that will leave only positive emotions. And now let's move on to the review of cars for long distances.
TOP 10: the best cars for travel
Our review includes the following vehicles:
- 10th place — Suzuki SX4;
- 9th place — Chevrolet Tahoe;
- 8th place — Mazda CX-5;
- 7th place — Jeep Cherokee;
- 6th place — Nissan Rogue;
- 5th place — Subaru Outback;
- 4th place — Ford Explorer;
- 3 place — Audi Q7;
- 2 place — Toyota RAV4;
- 1 place — Mitsubishi L200.
Suzuki SX-4
The debut of the SX4 took place in 2006. It was a mixture of hatchback and crossover. From the first, the model received proportions and compactness, and the clearance and all-wheel drive were borrowed from the crossover. The second generation debuted in 2013, and three years later the car was upgraded, which affected the car body, optics, multimedia system, and in addition, the car received an automatic gearbox and a new 1.4 liter turbocharged engine.
The combination of the 1.4-litre engine and the automatic transmission makes the car powerful, responsive, quick on the accelerator and handles hard acceleration and kick-downs well. Buying such a car, the driver gets at his disposal a hardy vehicle for both normal and fairly dynamic driving.
The chassis of the car is quite rigid, although in general it absorbs road bumps well. The suspension has good energy capacity for driving at a sufficiently high speed on a broken road. Noises in the cabin become noticeable only when driving at speeds above 100 km / h.
The trunk of the car is quite roomy and can be increased by changing the angle of the backrest. Also in the car there is a trunk shelf that opens on both sides, side niches-pockets.
So, the main features and benefits SX4:
- comfortable off-road driving;
- Automatic transmission;
- spacious salon;
- large trunk;
- maximum speed - 200 km / h;
- average fuel consumption - 5.7 l / 100 km.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The first generation Tahoe appeared in 1992 and was called Blazer - in Chevrolet Tahoe the car was renamed three years later. We are also interested in the fourth generation of cars, which debuted in 2014. It differed from its predecessors with a new grille, headlights, and interior trim materials.
To drive the car, a 6.2-liter V-shaped eight-cylinder engine is used. All-wheel drive is used. There are two complete sets of cars: LT and LTZ. The latest version has more installed equipment, but in general, the technical stuffing for both modifications is the same.
An updated version of the fourth generation Tahoe debuted in 2016. Basically, the changes affected the options, and outwardly the car remained practically unchanged. But the fifth generation, which was introduced in 2019, has undergone much more significant changes. A new independent suspension is used here, the car has changed externally and in the cabin. The dashboard remained analog and contains six instruments.
And now about the main characteristics and advantages of Tahoe:
- aggressive exterior;
- high level of security;
- spacious interior and trunk;
- excellent sound insulation;
- super powerful engine;
- high ground clearance;
- high throughput and good handling;
- maximum speed: 180 km/h;
- fuel consumption: in the city - 17.9 liters, outside the city - 9.6 liters.
Mazda CX-5
Compact crossover, the second generation of which was introduced in 2017. The characteristic features of the car are a stylish design, unsurpassed comfort of a car, which is realized both through original design solutions and premium quality materials. In the latter, the crossover outperforms many cars that cost an order of magnitude more expensive.
By cabin size CX-5 is not a champion, but is ahead of many others in terms of equipment. Its front seats are equipped with electrical adjustments that allow them to be precisely adjusted to the anthropometric data of passengers. The retractable armrests have rear seat heating controls and two USB ports.
The trunk is also not a champion - its volume is 442 liters, but when the sofa is folded in the car, a flat floor is formed, which facilitates loading. The chassis copes well with road flaws and potholes can be driven at high speed without the risk of suspension breakdowns.
So, the main features and benefits Mazda CX-5:
- improved sound insulation;
- "soft" chassis, which makes it comfortable to move on poor quality roads;
- stylish design;
- increased comfort in the cabin;
- powerful engines: 2 and 2.5 liters with a capacity of 150 and 194 hp respectively;
- maximum speed: 184-199 km / h (depending on the version);
- average fuel consumption: 6.7-7.4 l / 100 km (depending on the engine).
Jeep Cherokee
A medium-sized crossover launched in 2013 by the American concern Chrysler. Built on a completely new platform and is the first car with a nine-speed gearbox. The car is interesting, which has a lot of fans all over the world.
A distinctive feature of the exterior is the elongated optics, which has not previously been seen on any of the models of this line of jeeps. Even the unusual appearance of the car makes it competitive, but design is not everything.
Outwardly, the car no longer looks like an SUV, but believe me, its cross-country ability has remained at the same level. The Trailhawk version uses a reinforced bumper with plastic overlays to protect the car body, and an additional air intake is located on the front bumper.
Ergonomics in the cabin — at the highest level. To everything that the driver needs, he can reach out with his hand. At a height and sound insulation - while driving, the sounds from passing vehicles are completely inaudible. The trunk is quite roomy - 487 liters, and with the seats folded down, its volume increases to 1158 liters.
Main features and benefits Jeep Cherokee:
- 2.4 liter engine with 177 hp;
- the presence of navigation, rear view camera, parking sensors, parking assistant, cruise control;
- a roof with a panoramic view;
- roomy trunk;
- maximum speed: 189 km/h;
- fuel consumption: from 8.5 to 9.3 l / 100 km (depending on the engine).
Nissan Rogue
A compact crossover that has been produced in the US since 2007. During this time, three versions of the car were created and two restylings were carried out. In 2018, it was the top selling car in North America.
This is a five-seat car, but for an additional fee, the number of seats can be increased to seven, making it a real family car. At online auctions in the United States, you can also find such models. The car is equipped with front or all-wheel drive. Depending on the version, Nissan Rogue has a luggage compartment from 818 to 1112 liters, which allows you to fully meet the needs of travelers.
All cars since 2007 use an automatic transmission. In 2017, a hybrid version of the car was released, which is equipped with a 2-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 141 hp. and 40 hp electric motor.
Benefits and Features Nissan Rogue:
- comfortable ride due to the "soft" chassis;
- spacious salon;
- roomy trunk;
- good dynamic characteristics;
- high ground clearance;
- automatic transmission;
- maximum speed: 190 km/h;
- fuel consumption: for the 2.5 l version - 8.1 l (combined cycle), for the hybrid version - 7.1 l (combined cycle).
Subaru Outback
The model was introduced in 1996. Fifth generation of cars Outback BS debuted in 2014. The car has a new security system to control the lane, "dead" zones and recognize moving objects. In 2019, the company introduced the sixth generation Outback BT, in which the security system was improved, the interior was updated, and heated and ventilated seats and a steering wheel were offered as options.
This is a station wagon that fully matches its appearance - it can move through the most difficult areas, and not just through snowy and dusty off-road. It has a ground clearance of 22 cm, as well as a special X-Mode, which makes off-road driving more comfortable than ever.
It is equipped with two types of gasoline engines: 2.5 and 3.6 liter with a capacity of 177 and 259 hp. respectively. The main characteristics and advantages of the car:
- roomy trunk (559 liters);
- high ground clearance;
- new security system;
- special off-road driving mode;
- maximum speed: 200 km/h;
- fuel consumption: in the city - 6.9 l / 100 km, outside the city - 4.8 l / 100 km.
Ford Explorer
We included Ford Explorer in our review "TOP cars for travel" not only because of the power and manufacturability. A distinctive feature of the car is a premium interior with American charisma, and this is also very important on long trips. The latest version uses a 3.5-liter engine with 249 hp as a power plant. or a 2 liter turbocharged engine with 237 hp. Equipped with all-wheel drive and drive mode selector.
The new generation of cars has become larger, although the trunk capacity has remained the same - 595 liters. However, it turns out to be enough, regardless of the purpose of using the car. The car is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Main advantages and characteristics Ford Explorer:
- large trunk (with a row of seats folded down - 1243 liters);
- powerful engine;
- interior with premium quality solutions and materials;
- six-speed automatic transmission;
- budget 92 gasoline is suitable for refueling;
- top speed: 183 km/h (with Cyclone 3.5 Ti VCT V6 engine);
- fuel consumption: in the city - 13.8 l / 100 km, outside the city - 10.2 l / 100 km.
Audi Q7
A crossover that has everything to become a member of the "best travel car" rating and even be called the ideal car for travel, expeditions. This is the company's largest crossover, which can travel 7 people.
The first generation of the car was released in 2005, and the second - in 2015. In 2019, the updated Q7 was introduced, in which the exterior changed somewhat, there were cardinal changes in the interior, and instead of a 3-liter engine with 333 hp. a turbocharged 340-horsepower was installed.
Silence and comfort will accompany you on any road: with large or small bumps, ledges or pits, "comb" or "washboard". This was achieved thanks to the multi-link air suspension.
The cabin is spacious even in the third row, there is a sunshade for the rear window, and for absolute comfort, the car is equipped with S-line seats: with massage, the ability to separately adjust the heating of the lower and upper parts.
The main advantages and characteristics of the Audi Q7:
- huge trunk;
- powerful engine;
- heated seats with massage;
- six-speed automatic transmission;
- top speed: 183 km/h (with Cyclone 3.5 Ti VCT V6 engine);
- fuel consumption: in the city - 13.8 l / 100 km, outside the city - 10.2 l / 100 km.
Toyota RAV4
The perfect travel car is a compact crossover that launched in 1994. From the very beginning, it was positioned as a youth vehicle for outdoor activities, and this is confirmed by its name: Recreation Active Vehicle and an indication of all-wheel drive (the number "4").
The last fifth generation of the car was introduced in 2018, and sales began in 2019. The new generation of cars is equipped with 2 and 2.5-liter gasoline aspirated engines with a capacity of 150 and 200 hp. respectively. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic transmission and a continuously variable variator.
There are two all-wheel drive systems offered: traditional and dynamic, which uses a transmission with two separate clutches on each of the wheels.
Main advantages and characteristics Toyota RAV4:
- roomy trunk (580 liters);
- powerful engines;
- automatic transmission or variator;
- maximum speed: 190 km/h;
- fuel consumption: in the city - 9.4 l / 100 km, outside the city - 6.3 l / 100 km.
Mitsubishi L200
The leader of our rating "Best cars for travel" becomes Mitsubishi L200. This is a pickup truck, which, in our opinion, can be an ideal vehicle for those who go on a trip. It will also be indispensable for extremely extreme trips. The L200 has been produced since 1978 and in different versions: double or quadruple with two doors, five-seater with four doors.
The package may also be different. So, the car can be equipped with air conditioning, manual or automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, mechanical differential lock and stability control.
The latest generation was introduced in 2014. Equipped with a new 2.4 liter diesel engine with 155, 157 or 181 hp. The transmission is a six-speed automatic or manual gearbox.
In our opinion, this is the most comfortable car for long trips. For the comfort of passengers, the manufacturer did not forget to equip the car with heated front seats, air conditioning, an electronic air heater and even an air filter. For operation in difficult conditions, a hill start assist system is provided, as well as a stabilization system when towing a trailer. The ground clearance is 20 or 22 cm. The L200 is equipped with a fairly large cargo compartment - 152 x 157 cm.
Main features and benefits Mitsubishi L200:
- exchange rate stability system;
- traction control system;
- automatic door lock at speeds above 15 km/h;
- 2 side and two front airbags;
- ventilated front brakes;
- fuel consumption: in the city - 9.7 l / 100 km, 7.2 l / 100 km;
- maximum speed - 169-177 km / h (depending on version).
What car to choose for travel?
It is necessary to approach the choice of transport for long-distance trips and expeditions with extreme caution. Four-wheel drive, innovative safety systems, systems that make driving easy in off-road conditions, interior comfort are the main selection criteria. They will allow you to concentrate on what surrounds you, abstracting from the technical details of the trip.
How to become the owner of the vehicles participating in our "TOP Travel Cars" review? The recipe is simple - online auctions in the United States, where you can buy a car cheaper than in Europe, in excellent technical condition and in almost any configuration.