Best road trip vehicle?

[Elkins45]

If you were buying a vehicle primarily for the purpose of taking 2-3 person multi-week road trips what would you choose? Probably it would see a lot of interstate miles and would need enough storage to hold a tent and some camping gear in addition to the normal luggage and stuff. It would be shared between drivers so an auto transmission would be necessary. Decent gas mileage would be appreciated so probably no giant V8, but AWD might be a nice feature for light off-highway travel on FS or BLM roads.

Minivan? Mid-size SUV? Put a roof rack and hitch hauler on my Scion? On two previous trips we’ve driven my Titan because both destinations involved true 4WD off-road usage, but the gas mileage was less than optimal for crossing the plains and everywhere except actually off the road.

I’m considering another trip now (no off-road) and the current plan is to take the 2012 xB once I replace the front struts, but I’m still actively looking for an AWD vehicle. I thought I was buying a 2014 CX-5 but it sold yesterday.

 

[Lockasiam]

I've taken my van from Indiana to Baltimore on a tank and a half. I'm sure a newer pentastar van would be capable of doing it on only one with the added benefit of more power so a 5th gen chrysler van could be a viable option

The earlier 4th gens had an AWD option up until 2003/4 but you lose the stow n go seats if you go for that

 

[wavinwayne]

Subaru Outback with roof mounted luggage container and maybe another on the trailer hitch.

 

[AJB0009]

I'm quite certain this is not the answer you are looking for, but the first thing that came to my mind is a Mercury Grand Marquis. Arguably no more comfortable road-trip car out there. A trunk big enough to put a sub-compact car in. Not stellar fuel economy, but a nice strong, smooth, and quite V-8.

 

[John105]

Hard to explain why I would never buy one. Maybe an old Mitsubishi commercial scarred me for life.

Minivans are outstanding I used to rent them for family vacations. High utility value.

 

[UncleDave]

If you were buying a vehicle primarily for the purpose of taking 2-3 person multi-week road trips what would you choose? Probably it would see a lot of interstate miles and would need enough storage to hold a tent and some camping gear in addition to the normal luggage and stuff. It would be shared between drivers so an auto transmission would be necessary. Decent gas mileage would be appreciated so probably no giant V8, but AWD might be a nice feature for light off-highway travel on FS or BLM roads.

Minivan? Mid-size SUV? Put a roof rack and hitch hauler on my Scion? On two previous trips we’ve driven my Titan because both destinations involved true 4WD off-road usage, but the gas mileage was less than optimal for crossing the plains and everywhere except actually off the road.

I’m considering another trip now (no off-road) and the current plan is to take the 2012 xB once I replace the front struts, but I’m still actively looking for an AWD vehicle. I thought I was buying a 2014 CX-5 but it sold yesterday.

The mini van with a second row of captains chairs and tons of room is the king of the multi person weeks long road trip.

 

[IndyIan]

Subaru Outback with roof mounted luggage container and maybe another on the trailer hitch.

Yeah, this is what we came up with. Any of the midsize AWD SUV's are pretty good I think? Some 2wd cars have some decent clearance too, for some unmaintained roads. My Focus does pretty good with slightly oversize tires with a bit lower air pressure, but you have to really stay on your line and know when it's not worth going further, or when you need to move a rock or two.

 

[andrew_j]

I rented a Pacifica for trip to SC and it was beyond comfortable and can move gear. Mileage seemed reasonable .

 

[Zee09]

How many $$$$ you willing to spend?

 

[Lockasiam]

another thing to add is the gen 4 chyrlser vans with the 16" rims (NOT THE 15s) share the same 215/65r16 sized tyre as a subaru outback so you could get decent trail tyres for it, but that's probaby a stretch for a 4k lb fwd vehicle. maybe more worth it on an awd van

 

[Vercingetorix]

VW T7. End of discussion.

 

[BobsArmory]

I'm going to go a different route than every one else. A full sized GM SUV with a 3 liter duramax. Good mileage and you can see all the traffic ahead of you.

 

[V70tdi]

A Tahoe or Suburban if you would a bigger space for equipment.
I made some long roadtrips with our old 1996 Tahoe and then later a 2002 Suburban when the familly got bigger. Real comfortable ride with a lot of packing space. Great tow capacity if needed and good 4wd and even a 4wd low if needed.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I drove my 05 Scion tC across the country multiple times, at some points full loaded to the ceiling with a sagging rear end and front passenger seat unuseable. I fit my whole life in that little car!

It handled like a champ, I'd do it again even now at almost 200k. I ran the heat going up through the mountains in an attempt to cool the trans / engine. I did replace the trans fluid before the trip.

Fun part was when a headlight burned out I had to empty half the trunk to get to the spare tire well to retrieve my spare light bulb.

 

[captainbeandip]

Full sized 4 door pickup with a tonneau cover. These things aren't designed for farm use anymore, and if you haven't ridden in one lately you'd be surprised by how luxurious and comfortable they are, back seat room is enormous compared to most cars/suvs, and you get all of that storage space in the bed.

I might have a problem paying as much money as these things are selling for these days, but they really are great road/passenger vehicles.

 

[raaizin]

We have a compact SUV a 2019 Audi Q5. 30+mpg on the road very quiet and comfortable. It has a good amount of cargo capacity and the higher seating position is great as well

 

[emmett442]

Any full sized SUV without a doubt. Nice riding long wheelbase, body-on-frame isolation, excess space, high seating position.

 

[drtyler]

Tahoe/Yukon

 

[Vegasguy]

Honda Pilot

 

[crashz]

We took my wife's 2019 VW Atlas to Florida this spring. It is the most comfortable road trip car I've ever had the pleasure to drive. The only negative is the mileage isn't great and it has a small gas tank, so range was about 300 miles before you need to stop.

A very close second to the Atlas, I drove my friends 2011 Yukon Denali to Ohio. Also amazingly comfortable. Has the big 6.2L V8 and I thought it would guzzle gas. Nope, it got fantastic mileage for the size and weigh of that truck.