Lifestyle

5 of The Best SUVs for a Road Trip

It’s getting to that time of year again where everybody is planning for their summer holidays. And while for some jetting off to exotic locations to lie on a beach is the ideal trip, for others it’s all about hitting the road on a long journey through unexplored terrain with family or friends.

Whether it be a family camping trip up the Scottish highlands, a cross-country jaunt to a music festival or a city break with your best friends, the road trip itself is a major part of the experience.

So what better way to hit the road than in an SUV? A vehicle type renowned for their practicality and performance over long distances in the toughest of driving conditions.

With that in mind, we've selected 5 of the best SUVs that will surely make your next road trip a memorable one.

AUDI Q7

Two crucial vehicle requirements for a family holiday involving long journeys are space and comfort, and the luxurious Audi Q7 SUV flourishes in both.

Its cleverly designed interior allows space for 7 adult passengers whilst still leaving 770 litres of rear storage room. This makes packing the car for a family camping trip or a festival a far less stressful experience, without having to compromise on the comfort of your passengers.

The Q7’s comfort and performance technology sets it apart from many of its competitors. Notably, the Audi Drive Select system allows the driver to switch between 5 different settings (Auto, Comfort, Efficiency, Dynamic, and Individual) in order to optimise the driving experience depending on the kind of journey you’re on.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT

For the more adventurous among us, The Land Rover Discovery Sport is as comfortable tackling muddy off-road terrain as it is gliding down the open road.

Using Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, the engine can adapt to all types of driving surfaces such as mud, snow, sand and rock, making no road trip a challenge too big for the Discovery Sport.

Additionally, the Discovery Sport is one of the most efficient in its class. The TD4 SE variant can return up to 58mpg and has an impressive 129g/km of CO2 emissions. So for an SUV that has low running costs yet can handle the harshest conditions, you won’t go wrong with a Land Rover Discovery Sport.

PORSCHE MACAN

If you want all the practical benefits of an SUV but provides the sports car experience, look no further than the Porsche Macan – an SUV designed for high performance off-road that can give its sports car siblings a run for their money on a motorway.

You’d be hard pushed to find a faster SUV, with the most powerful variant including a 3.6 litre two turbo V6 engine which can achieve 400bhp and 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. So if your road trip involves plenty of long stretches, the Porsche Macan will not disappoint on speed.

But its qualities don’t just lie in its performances on main roads. The Macan’s four-wheel drive capabilities and five-star Euro NCAP safety rating make it a great off-roader if your journey involves crossing challenging surfaces.

BMW X5

This BMW SUV has triumphed ever since releasing the first generation back in 1999. Now on the 4th generation, the BMW X5 has gone from strength to strength. The luxurious X5 has all the practicalities and family friendliness so synonymous with a BMW, making it a perfect SUV for a family road trip.

Not only is the X5 incredibly spacious but it also immensely safe with an abundance of innovative safety technology. Traffic Jam Assist will keep the vehicle in a lane with semi-autonomous steering input and will merge into a clear lane when the indicator stalk is held in the desired direction, which is perfect for keeping your family safe on the road.

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC

The Mercedes-Benz GLC boasts genuine off-road ability whilst maintaining the standard Mercedes build quality. The GLC does not compromise on style or power, making it the perfect deluxe road trip vehicle.

With a loadspace of 550 litres that can be extended to a colossal 1600 litres, you wouldn't need to be concerned with overpacking. Cruise control can make a long journey infinitely more relaxing and contributes to why the Mercedes-Benz GLC is such a great road trip vehicle. The combined fuel consumption of 56.5mpg and carbon output is as low as 129g/km which is impressive among medium-sized SUV models.