Embarking on a road trip across the vast and diverse world of the USA is a thrilling adventure that requires the right vehicle. Whether going through scenic coastal highways, exploring the rugged mountains, or cruising through the expansive deserts, having a comfortable and reliable car can make all the difference.
The perfect road trip car should offer a blend of spaciousness, fuel efficiency, advanced safety features, and driving comfort. From versatile SUVs to luxurious sedans and even eco-friendly electric vehicles, there are numerous options to suit different preferences and needs. This guide will take you through the top 10 road trip cars for exploring the USA, each offering unique features that enhance your travel experience. Let’s see the details of each vehicle to help you find the ideal companion for your next road adventure.
1. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a top choice for road trips due to its rugged capability and spacious interior. Equipped with standard all wheel drive, the Outback handles various terrains with ease, making it ideal for both highways and off-road trails. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance ensures you can go through rougher paths without trouble.
Inside, the Outback offers a roomy cabin with comfortable seating for five and ample cargo space. The rear seats can fold flat, providing even more room for luggage and gear. The Outback also boasts a host of modern features, including a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping you connected on the go.
Safety is paramount in the Outback, which comes equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. The combination of its all-terrain prowess, comfort, and advanced safety features makes the Subaru Outback an excellent choice for long road trips across the USA.
2. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a popular compact SUV known for its reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Its spacious interior and smooth ride make it an ideal choice for road trips. The CR-V offers ample cargo space, with up to 75.8 cubic feet available when the rear seats are folded down, accommodating all your travel necessities.
The CR-V’s cabin is designed with comfort in mind, featuring supportive seats, high-quality materials, and a user-friendly infotainment system. The standard 7-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless integration of your favorite apps and navigation tools.
Under the hood, the CR-V is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that provides a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, achieving up to 34 mpg on the highway. Safety features are also a highlight, with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking system.
The Honda CR-V’s combination of spaciousness, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features make it an excellent choice for family road trips and long drives.
3. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV that offers a perfect blend of comfort, versatility, and advanced features, making it a great option for road trips. The Highlander seats up to eight passengers, with a spacious interior that provides ample legroom and cargo space.
Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Highlander delivers strong performance and decent fuel efficiency, especially in its hybrid variant, which can achieve up to 36 mpg combined. The Highlander’s smooth ride and responsive handling ensure a comfortable journey on long drives.
Inside, the Highlander is equipped with a modern infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The cabin is designed with high-quality materials and offers various convenience features like a panoramic moonroof and tri-zone climate control.
Safety is a top priority in the Highlander, which comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. These features, combined with the Highlander’s reliability and spaciousness, make it an ideal choice for road trips.
4. Ford Mustang
For those who crave performance and style, the Ford Mustang is a quintessential choice for an exhilarating road trip. The Mustang’s iconic design, powerful engine options, and dynamic driving experience make every journey exciting.
Under the hood, the Mustang offers several engine choices, from the fuel-efficient 2.3-liter EcoBoost to the mighty 5.0-liter V8, catering to different driving preferences. The Mustang’s precise handling and responsive steering add to its appeal, ensuring a thrilling ride on winding roads and open highways alike.
The Mustang’s interior is both sporty and comfortable, featuring supportive seats and a driver-centric cockpit. The infotainment system includes a SYNC 3 interface with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Mustang also offers advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
While the Mustang’s cargo space is limited compared to SUVs, it provides enough room for weekend bags and essentials. For those seeking a blend of performance, style, and excitement, the Ford Mustang is a perfect companion for a memorable road trip across the USA.
5. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is an excellent choice for eco-conscious travelers who want to experience the benefits of electric driving on a road trip. With its impressive range, advanced technology, and performance, the Model 3 makes long-distance travel both efficient and enjoyable.
The Model 3 is available in several variants, with the Long Range model offering up to 353 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for extended road trips. Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network ensures that you can find charging stations along your route, minimizing downtime.
Inside, the Model 3 features a minimalist and modern cabin with a large 15-inch touchscreen display that controls most of the vehicle’s functions, including navigation, climate control, and entertainment. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with premium materials and ample legroom.
The Model 3 also includes Tesla’s Autopilot, an advanced driver-assistance system that provides features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated lane changes, enhancing safety and reducing driver fatigue on long drives.
The Tesla Model 3’s combination of range, technology, and performance makes it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the USA sustainably.
6. Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV that offers unparalleled space, comfort, and capability, making it a top choice for family road trips. With seating for up to nine passengers and a cavernous cargo area, the Suburban can accommodate large families and all their gear with ease.
The Suburban is powered by a robust 5.3-liter V8 engine, delivering strong performance and ample towing capacity. Its smooth ride and advanced suspension system ensure comfort on long journeys, while the available four-wheel drive enhances its capability in various driving conditions.
Inside, the Suburban features a well-appointed cabin with modern amenities, including a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The rear-seat entertainment system and Wi-Fi hotspot keep passengers entertained on long drives.
Safety is a key focus, with features such as forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Suburban’s combination of space, power, and advanced features makes it an excellent choice for road trips, ensuring that every family member travels in comfort and style.
7. Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan that excels in providing comfort, space, and practicality, making it a perfect choice for family road trips. With seating for up to eight passengers and a configurable interior, the Odyssey can easily adapt to different travel needs.
The Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers smooth and efficient performance, making long drives more enjoyable. Its spacious interior features Magic Slide second-row seats, which enhance flexibility and ease of access to the third row.
Inside, the Odyssey offers a host of family-friendly features, including a rear-seat entertainment system, a built-in vacuum cleaner, and a CabinWatch camera system that allows the driver to monitor rear-seat passengers. The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety is paramount in the Odyssey, which comes equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking system. The Honda Odyssey’s blend of comfort, convenience, and safety makes it a top choice for family road trips.
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a versatile SUV that combines luxury, capability, and advanced technology, making it an ideal choice for road trips. Its blend of rugged off-road capability and refined on-road performance.
The Grand Cherokee offers a range of powerful engine options, including a fuel-efficient diesel and a high-performance V8, catering to different driving needs. Its smooth ride and responsive handling make long drives enjoyable, while the available four-wheel-drive systems enhance its off-road prowess.
Inside, the Grand Cherokee features a luxurious cabin with high-quality materials and modern amenities. The infotainment system includes an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing seamless connectivity. The spacious interior offers ample legroom and cargo space, making it suitable for long journeys.
Safety features are comprehensive, with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning included. The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s combination of luxury, performance, and capability makes it a versatile and reliable choice for road trips.
9. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV that offers a perfect balance of space, comfort, and technology, making it an excellent choice for road trips. With seating for up to seven passengers and a range of powerful engine options, the Explorer caters to various travel needs.
The Explorer’s cabin is designed for comfort, featuring supportive seats, featuring supportive seats, high-quality materials, and advanced technology. The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity and entertainment on long drives. The cabin also offers ample legroom and cargo space, making it ideal for carrying passengers and luggage.
Under the hood, the Ford Explorer offers a choice of powerful engines, including a turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbo V6. These engines deliver strong performance and impressive towing capabilities, making the Explorer suitable for various travel needs. Its smooth ride and responsive handling enhance driving comfort on highways and winding roads.
Safety is a key focus in the Explorer, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Explorer also offers Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance technologies, providing added peace of mind on long journeys.
The Ford Explorer’s combination of space, comfort, and advanced features makes it a versatile choice for road trips, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers.
10. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a reliable and fuel-efficient sedan that is well-suited for road trips. Known for its dependability and comfortable ride, the Camry offers a smooth driving experience and impressive fuel economy, making it an excellent choice for long-distance travel.
The Camry is available with a choice of efficient engines, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a more powerful 3.5-liter V6. Both engines provide a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, with the four-cylinder achieving up to 39 mpg on the highway. The Camry’s refined suspension system ensures a comfortable ride, even on long stretches of road.
Inside, the Camry features a spacious and well-appointed cabin with comfortable seats and high-quality materials. The infotainment system includes a 7-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for easy access to navigation, music, and other apps. The Camry’s large trunk provides ample space for luggage and travel essentials.
Safety is a priority in the Camry, with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ standard across all trims. This suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. These features contribute to a safe and secure driving experience. The Toyota Camry’s blend of reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort makes it an excellent choice for road trips, ensuring a pleasant journey for all occupants.
Choosing the right car for a road trip can significantly enhance your travel experience, providing comfort, reliability, and advanced features to make your journey enjoyable. From the rugged capability of the Subaru Outback to the luxurious comfort of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, these top 10 road trip cars offer a variety of options to suit different preferences and needs.
Whether you’re exploring the scenic routes or embarking on a cross-country adventure, these vehicles are designed to ensure a memorable and enjoyable road trip across the USA.
