What’s the Best Type of Car to Take on Vacation?

Planning any trip, whether you’re road tripping across the country or searching for the perfect rental when you land, begins with transportation. Nothing compares to the classic road trip, and with modern amenities from the spacious SUV to hybrids to save gas and lighten your carbon footprint, it’s never been easier—or more convenient. However, if you’re looking to rent or buy a car for frequent long trips, there are a few things to consider.

Always start with safety and check out safety ratings based on make, model, and year. Even the safest driver is vulnerable to distractions, and there’s only so much defensive driving can do to keep you safe. Simply put, the more and longer you drive, the more prone you are to being in an accident. Still, the majority of accidents happen close to home, which is yet another reminder of how critical safety is. Safety ratings can vary drastically in the same model from year to year, and safety recalls can happen at any time. Before saving money on gas and having plenty of leg room, put safety at the top of your list.

Ready to further narrow it down? Check out these items when shopping for a road trip car or rental:

• Plenty of seating and cargo space. How many people are usually on your road trip? If it’s more than four, you’re going to need an SUV. They’re just as spacious as many vans and often more affordable to rent. Plus, SUVs can feature 4WD whereas vans usually don’t. For added space, shop for an SUV with a third row and captain chair seating in the middle row. This gives you an aisle in the middle to better maneuver around (particularly helpful with kids).
• A reasonable highway mpg. An SUV, truck or van isn’t going to have as low of a gas mileage as a car, but there’s still plenty of wiggle room even in bigger cars. If you’re able to go a bit smaller, such as with a Crossover, you might even be able to find a suitable hybrid version. For most road trips, it’s the highway miles that really matter.
• A lot of cargo space. Having enough room for passengers is only part of the equation. What about cargo space? Adding a roof rack can help you get even more room for luggage, or you can always add on a small trailer for longer trips. However, smart packing is just as important. It’s tempting to bring much more than you’ll need on any trip.
• Built-in GPS. Common but not always standard in most cars and SUVs is built-in GPS. You don’t want to depend on your phone for getting around, draining the battery and potentially making your only camera moot. Having built-in GPS is one less thing to worry about and can also act as a complement to any other GPS systems.
• Back-up cameras. When you’re driving in unfamiliar territory, especially when it may be off-road, you need as many eyes as possible. Backup cameras give you an added sense of security and more senses when maneuvering around new spaces.
• Check the tires. If you’re buying a used, even gently used, car, make sure to check for tire quality and tread. This goes double if you plan to drive on rough terrain. Quality tires can be very expensive, and if they aren’t up to par you may be able to negotiate a lower price. Checking the tires is one of the first things you should do when considering buying used.
• Extended warranty. If possible, it’s usually a good idea to spring for the extended warranty. Long trips mean a lot of wear and tear on any vehicle. It’s a relatively small expense compared to what may come down the road. However, these warranties should be bumper to bumper (sometimes known as “wrap”) and not necessarily the warranties intended to keep the coat shinier longer. Think big ticket items to fix or replace.
• Take a look at the seats. Leather or pleather seats are generally easier to clean compared to cloth. They’re also the only materials that can offer heated and cooled seating (a beloved luxury on any long trip). Trips can do a number on cars, especially with kids, and having a material that’s easy to wipe down is important. Bonus points if you also find a vehicle with dark carpet that doesn’t show every stain.

The best type of car to take on vacation is safe, large enough for passengers and cargo, offers an adequate GPS, and has the bells and whistles important to you. The right or wrong vehicle can make a big difference in road trip quality.