Choosing a car for travel is not easy. For avid auto tourists who travel long distances, a special model – autocamper or “house on wheels” is created. Auto Campers are equipped with a bathroom, kitchen, and sleeping places, which means that you can not stay in hotels and cafes for overnight accommodation and meals. But it is limited to enter the city center with such a car. And the cost of an autocamper is extremely high. Therefore, while most auto tourists do without a “house on wheels” and safely travel in an ordinary car, staying at rest in campsites, hotels and cafes, enjoying the unique romance of the road.
What car to buy for traveling – the basic features
We make a list of criteria and prioritize them. We take two basic characteristics capital. And if you have already picked up a few options and want to compare their parameters, use the service cararac.com.
Comfortable interior
When traveling, the passengers are in the cabin for several hours in a row. Therefore the dimensions of the saloon should be as comfortable as possible. It is important not to sit three-legged, but to be able to take any position, move and feel as relaxed as possible.
There must be comfortable armchairs in the salon, preferably unfolded, so that the passengers could change the position of their bodies and have a rest in the lying position. When choosing a car, always pay attention to the height of the salon, the distance between the front and rear seats and the comfort of the driver’s position at the steering wheel.
According to the criterion “comfortable interior” minivans and SUVs traditionally lead. Among passenger cars, the brands have the most spacious saloons:
- Chevrolet Tahoe;
- Ford Explorer;
- Honda Pilot.
When buying a car it makes sense to do your own research on the interior and choose the dimensions that are exactly right for your size, plans and comfort requirements. The main condition for comfort in the cabin of a car is the presence of air conditioning or climate control system.
The first and second options have their pros and cons. Air conditioner is more reliable and budget variant, but it is adjusted manually. The climate control system regulates the air temperature in the cabin automatically, but costs more. A car without air regulation systems is not suitable for long journeys.
A roomy luggage compartment
When you go on vacation, you need to take a lot of things with you. And if you go with children, a large trunk capacity becomes one of the main criteria for a comfortable trip.
The recognized leaders in terms of trunk capacity:
- Chevrolet Tahoe;
- UAZ Patriot;
- Cadillac Escalade;
- Toyota Land Cruiser 200;
- Land Rover Defender 110;
- Hyundai ix55;
- Mitsubishi Pajero;
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport;
- Mazda CX-9;
- Honda Pilot.
To a lesser extent, sedan-type cars meet this criterion — they do not have a large interior area and a small trunk. But if you are traveling with a small (in every sense) company, then sedans are also suitable for your plans. For example:
- Datsun on-Do;
- Renault Logan;
- Chery Bonus;
- Kia Rio;
- Nissan Almera;
- Lada Granta;
- Lada Vesta;
- Volkswagen Polo;
- Hyundai Solaris;
- Ford Fiesta.
Other criteria
The following criteria, determining the choice of a car for travel, are not basic. It all depends on where you are going, on what roads, in what company, and what your financial capabilities and preferences are.
Economies in fuel consumption
The issue of fuel consumption is specific to each make of car. Typically, “above average” fuel consumption distinguishes between vehicle types:
- SUV;
- minivan;
- sports car;
- convertible;
- station wagon.
For those who prioritize fuel efficiency, a sedan is the right choice. Many sedans, compared to other car brands, waste less fuel.
Soft suspension
If a soft and comfortable ride on any road is important to you, consider car brands:
- Toyota Camry;
- Ford Fiesta;
- Nissan Qashqai;
- Lexus RX.
Repairability
Expensive and prestigious car brands with complex electronics, such as Audi, Mercedes, BMW and others, are often difficult to repair. If you have to dismantle half of the car to change the battery, think about whether it is worth it to take such a car on a long and unpredictable road. Perhaps it is better to buy a car for traveling, making a choice in favor of simplicity, rather than prestige.
Advice: in order not to waste time and money for repair on the road, make a diagnostics of your car before the trip, and minimize the probability of breakage.
Noise isolation
We advise you to choose a car with maximum noise isolation to make the trip as quiet as possible. The least noisy are S-Class cars. The best characteristics of noise isolation in the brands:
- Mercedes-Benz;
- Audi;
- BMW.
- Ford Focus;
- Nissan Sentra;
- Hyundai Elantra;
- Kia Cerato.
- A wide view of the road
- A wide view of the road.
This is where minivans and convertibles are most suitable. Minivans have a high seating position, which means a wide view of the road and related attractions is guaranteed. In a convertible, you’ll have the best views in the palm of your hand.
If you like to freely drive around the world, it’s best to scrupulously consider all of your options and choose one that will suit you one hundred percent.
