best road trip cars top 10 Hitting the open road; there isn't much that matches this feeling of freedom and adventure. The great North American road trip is as old as the invention of the automobile itself. For over a century, people have gotten behind the wheel to explore every corner our expansive continent has to offer. Today it's easy to board a plane and fly virtually anywhere in the world. But it doesn't offer the same sights, sounds, and experiences as driving through the mountain passes, vast canyons, and twisting ocean drives in our own backyard. Modern vehicles have made these journeys more enjoyable than ever too. Massaging seats, driving assists, crisp audio systems, and climate controlled seats are just a few of luxurious found in a plethora of automobiles. But what are the best road trip cars? There's different answers for different people. Below we've selected 10 great choices that should offer a great solution for most. Buick Enclave best road trip cars top 10 For passengers, the best road trip cars need one thing above all else – comfort. When it comes to three-row SUVs, not many provide a more pleasing ride than the Buick Enclave. By eschewing any sporty pretences, the Enclave is set up to isolate occupants from the world outside. Expansion gaps, broken pavement, and rough concrete are swallowed up by the suspension making any road surface feel buttery smooth. Great sound isolation and a torquey turbocharged engine that's rarely strained adds to the relaxed, cruiser feel of the Enclave. If hour after hour of freeway slogging encompasses your larger family's road trip, this Buick is worth a consideration. Chevrolet Suburban Diesel best road trip cars top 10 Some road trips involve a couple taking a jaunt down a coastal highway. Others involve a large family, their pets, all their gear, and a sizeable trailer being hauled through the mountains. The Chevrolet Suburban diesel is a vehicle for the latter. With tremendous levels of torque, expansive levels of interior room, and respectable fuel economy, this is about as close as you can get to taking your house on the road. Up to nine passengers can fit in the Suburban and towing capacity can reach 8,000 lbs. Plus, this big Chevrolet drives smaller than its size suggests, making it approachable for a variety of drivers. Ford Mustang Convertible best road trip cars top 10 Now we'll change gears to the best road trip cars for two. When hitting the open byways along picturesque landscapes on a beautiful day, nothing beats driving a convertible. Drop tops are few and far between these days, but one icon remains; the legendary Ford Mustang. Taking a drive down the pacific coastal highway in California behind the wheel of a Mustang is something everyone should experience at least once. Ford's pony car can even accommodate two small rear passengers if a young family is looking for an adventure. This may not be the first choice for long distance, multi-day cruising. But wheeling a Mustang from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon on a warm spring day sounds great to us. Honda Civic Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick Not everyone needs a large SUV or a sports car for an enjoyable road trip. Plenty of smaller vehicles are up for task, proving ample comfort, space, and impressive fuel economy. Chief amongst these choices is our favorite compact car here at AutoGuide, the Honda Civic. Available in a variety of flavors, the sweet spot for long distance driving is either the sedan or hatchback with the hybrid engine. It provides plenty of power for the small car and sips gas. The car is fun enough to drive, but supple enough to not punish passengers. A premium interior is just the icing on the cake. The hatchback is the more practical choice of the two body styles and our personal pick. But really, one can't go wrong with either Civic. Kia Sportage Hybrid best road trip cars top 10 2026 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Rewind: All The Details The hottest segment right now is compact SUVs, even if these utility vehicles aren't all that compact anymore. Being the primary vehicle for millions of families, many of these smaller SUVs will see duty as the transportation choice during vacation getaways. With so many options on the market, what is one to choose? Our current recommendation is the Kia Sportage, specifically the hybrid. With ample power and impressive fuel economy, the Sportage features a sophisticated interior that delivers near mid-size levels of space. It's also one of the more comfortable rides in the segment which should keep passengers happy. Lexus ES 350h best road trip cars top 10 Moving back to cars, the Honda Civic and Ford Mustang might not provide enough interior space or ride comfort for everyone's taste. A great alternative for these road trippers would be the all-new Lexus ES 350h. It's one of the most supple riding, smooth driving sedans out there that just happens to also be very fuel efficient. Like the Buick Enclave, the ES 350h eats up mile after mile of road without fatiguing the driver or its occupants. The Lexus' focus is on comfort, refinement, and sound isolation rather than driving dynamics, which makes it a perfect long-distance cruising partner. Lucid Air best road trip cars top 10 So far we covered gas, diesel, and a lot of hybrid choices. But what if you want to take a road trip in an electric vehicle? Many might scoff at this idea, but there are EVs on sale now that have surprising levels of range. Vehicles like the Lucid Air Grand Touring with a maximum range of 516 miles. That should give drivers a full day's worth of driving before the car would need a charge. The Lucid Air doesn't come cheap though, with the Grand Touring beginning at a price of $138,000. A more affordable option, albeit with less range, is the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD that can travel 346 miles on a single charge and should cost under $60,000. Ram 1500 best road trip cars top 10 Not all road trips involve driving to a destination with accommodations. Some adventures include bringing the accommodations with you, like a big fifth-wheel travel trailer. For this task, a vehicle with enough interior space for a family as well as enough towing capacity to haul such a trailer is needed. This is the realm of full-size pick up trucks. Our choice is the Ram 1500. With the adjustable air suspension, the Ram features very un-truck-like ride comfort, yet can still do truck things. The truck is available with a choice of turbocharged six-cylinder engines and V8 options. Equipped right, the open-bed family hauler can tow over 10,000 pounds. Subaru Outback Photo Credit: Mike Schlee Photo Credit: Mike Schlee Once upon a time, the best road trip cars were ruled by wagons. But the segment is nearly dead, with very few options left. One choice that is still available, technically, is a great one; the Subaru Outback. Although it now features a more SUV-like body, the underpinnings remain wholly car-based, with a long travel suspension that swallows up all but the worst road imperfections. The long wheelbase prevents the vehicle from wandering on the freeway and in the grandest of Subaru traditions, the Outback has fantastic sight-lines all around. Being a long-roof, two-row SUV, there's amble room for passengers in the rear and their cargo behind them. The entry level engine, although good on gas, might be a bit overmatched for a fully-loaded Outback. Luckily, there is a punchy turbocharged option as well. Toyota Sienna best road trip cars top 10 Part of the reason station wagons demised as the go-to-choice for the best road trip cars was the invention of the minivan. But these practical people haulers have since fallen out of favor as well, and few choices exist on the market. The ones that are left are all very appealing and can't be beat in terms of passenger space, cargo capability, and ease of operation. Our recommendation for a road trip minivan is the Toyota Sienna. With a standard hybrid engine, the Sienna is surprisingly efficient and should travel long distances between fill-ups. There is also optional all-wheel drive, a major plus if your road trip involves a wintery chalet escape. Newer to the range is the Woodland Edition that offers additional ground clearance for even more rough-road capability. Top 10 Best New Cars to Modify