Of the current vehicles we own, I'd go with the E63 M6 6-speed. When we took European delivery, we drove it around Europe for about a month. It was a great and memorable trip, including top speed on sections of the Autobahn.
Best road trip vehicle?
- Thread starter Elkins45
- Start date
My SIL (lives in western KS) had a 21 Buick Enclave. I took it twice to Texas and twice to Ohio with four adults aboard (she also drove it a dozen times to Branson MO and out to our home in Colorado). Lots of interstate miles as well as state highways in Texas, Oklahoma etc. It's not a vehicle I would own (too big for me) but admittedly ideal for long road trips. Actually got pretty good gas mileage (24/25 mpg) for it's size on the highway. Ample power for passing from the V6. Had AWD but it's engaged with a switch (not full time). When off it was FWD which I assume saved a few mpg. Drop the third row and it had a "huge" amount of space to haul stuff. The front seats and rear two captain seats were very comfy. The captain chairs reclined and were adjustable for leg room. Worked well for snoozing back there. The space between the rear captains seats was big enough for a decent size cooler for snacks and drinks. Being a Buick it rode very well and actually didn't handle too badly. Didn't feel top heavy or mushy. No mechanical issues in the 70K miles she had it. Either of my Mazda's are, surprisingly, great road cars for two people. A little tight in the back seat for passengers but doable.
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
Nope. The first accessory I bought for the RAV was a receiver hitch and I already have a Hitch Hauler. I’m fully prepared for any hardware finds I might encounter.Yes but if your 3000 miles from home and there is an old lawnmower on the side of the road, your going to have to strap that freebie to the RAV4 roof. I would take the Titan anyway
That kinda reminds me of a story from around 20 years ago. I hit a deer with my truck in the middle of town on the way back from lunch a week before deer season. It was in the body shop so my only option for a hunting vehicle was my 2003 Toyota Matrix. Fortunately I had installed a hitch on it so I bolted the Hitch Hauler to it and took it hunting. I hunted close to the road that year because I knew I had to bring the deer to the vehicle instead of the vehicle to the deer. Luckily the neighbor was kind enough to scoop my buck up with his tractor loader so I didn’t have to drag it.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
My parents drug us kids all over the country in a Rambler Station Wagon back in the '60s. It was great at the drive in.
For me it would be a crew cab full size pickup truck. There is no replacement for the safety, comfort, storage space, or practicality that a full size pickup offers. A full size SUV like a Jeep Wagoneer or Chevy Tahoe would be a very close second.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
We do every year at least 7-8000mls of road trips a year.
One just cannot emphasize how bad it is when you go on a road trip in boring vehicle, which all mivans are and most SUV's.
Kids fall asleep, wife falls asleep, and I am driving Sequoia on I-80 in Nebraska, pumping double shots of espresso because holding the steering wheel in Sequoia equates to holding the microwave door handle.
I would take my 328 stick any day on a road trip over 99% of SUV's. But, space...
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I-80 across Nebraska 
My family is from the Lincoln area. Back in the -70s/'80s I-80 was a long straight nothing to see but sand. Probably bigger nothing towns now, but... it's the Great American Desert.
I last did it was driving a Catalina from Seattle to Lincoln, so it's been a few decades.
My family is from the Lincoln area. Back in the -70s/'80s I-80 was a long straight nothing to see but sand. Probably bigger nothing towns now, but... it's the Great American Desert.I last did it was driving a Catalina from Seattle to Lincoln, so it's been a few decades.
I'm not sure anything can elevate driving through Nebraska. No insult against the great people of Nebraska, but the sign at the boarder should read, "Welcome to Nebraska. We hope you brought something to do."
My memory might be clouded by trauma, though. My last time traveling across Nebraska I was a kid. The speed limit was 55. Dad's car didn't have air conditioning. No video games. And there was mostly just country music stations or the farm report on the AM radio. Or Dad's horrendous orchestral easy listening tapes.
My memory might be clouded by trauma, though. My last time traveling across Nebraska I was a kid. The speed limit was 55. Dad's car didn't have air conditioning. No video games. And there was mostly just country music stations or the farm report on the AM radio. Or Dad's horrendous orchestral easy listening tapes.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Part of the boredom of I-80 across Nebraska is that the towns are on Rte 30 that runs parallel to it.
This thread reminded me of Cannonball Run, the ultimate road trip.
Used AMG S class or E63. I will say my Parents Chrysler Pacifica is quite the comfy road trip vehicle. My parents got a deal on an anniversary edition that had super low miles.
I love these cars but hoo boy are they trouble
It was a press loaner- the same one Car and Driver had tested a few months previously. I have to say that it did pretty well considering the reputation C/D road testers have combined with my on-track shenanigans.
Patman
Staff member
I like driving the Kia EV9 that my tour company uses to take customers to wineries and Niagara Falls attractions. I’ve used it to take people to the airport as well and you can fit a lot of stuff in it! It’s a 7 passenger vehicle. It’s very comfortable for long drives but the range is an issue in the winter. In the warm weather it has almost a 300 mile range. As long as your road trip has plenty of charging stations it’s good.
I’m going to be using the EV9 tomorrow to take a couple of people on a winery tour actually.
I’m going to be using the EV9 tomorrow to take a couple of people on a winery tour actually.
