10 new vehicles that are ideal for a road trip,
From a Sunday drive to two weeks in Alberta, you need these vehicles
JOHN LEBLANC SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Picking a new car for any road trip, be it a day trip, weekend jaunt or twoweek vacation, is no easy task.
You’re going to want a set of wheels that is spacious and comfortable enough to keep you and your passengers happy during often-long stints at the wheel.
And with the price of fuel creeping up — again — you’ll probably want something that’s capable of covering great distances without frequent, wallet-emptying stops.
Here are my top 10 choices:
SUBCOMPACT: 2012 KIA RIO
You don’t need a large car to be comfortable on long road trips. My current fave is the new 2012 Kia Rio.
Compared to its predecessor, the $13,695 to $20,795 2012 Rio — in four-door hatch or sedan guise — is an improvement in every way. It’s safer, there’s more room, power, “big car” features (a heated steering wheel and nav system are options), and better fuel economy — as low as 4.9L/100 km on the highway.
COMPACT: 2012 VW GOLF TDI
Although governments and Americans don’t like them, we Canadians love diesels — especially turbo models like the 2.0-litre four-cylinder found in the frugal, luxurious and cost-effective Golf TDI.
With a nicely screwed-together interior made from quality materials, stellar German road manners and 4.6L/100 km highway fuel economy, the five-passenger, four-door $25,425 diesel Golf hatchback is the best compact car for your next road adventure.
And if your trip requires more cargo room, try the $27,025 Golf TDI Wagon.
FAMILY VEHICLE: 2012 MAZDA5
If you want the convenience of a tall body and sliding doors of a typical minivan when you head out on the open highway — but not the larger size and poorer fuel economy — the redesigned-for-2012 $21,795 to $27,385 Mazda5 is my choice.
The six-passenger 5’s suspension has been modified to deliver a smoother, less fidgety highway ride. Its cabin is quieter than ever. And the compact Mazda is also measurably more frugal to run than its minivan rivals. The lighter Mazda scores an impressive 6.8 L/100 km highway fuel economy when equipped with the standard manual transmission.
MINIVAN: 2012 NISSAN QUEST
With seats for up to seven, the $29,998 to $48,498 Quest is extremely quiet on the highway, and tightly built.
Compared to the last-generation Quest, power is up to a more competitive 260 hp, while fuel consumption is down to 8.0 L/100 km on the highway.
CROSSOVER: 2013 FORD FLEX
Offered with front- or all-wheeldrive and a range of V6 engines (including a turbocharged 355 hp model) the $29,499 to $46,599 Flex gets a styling update for 2013 to keep its looks fresh, inside and out. But its outstanding road trip values continue, including excellent second-row legroom, generous headroom and a voluminous cargo bay.
There’s even an available fridge to keep drinks and snacks chilled.
SPORTS CAR: 2012 PORSCHE BOXSTER 2.7
Its cabin is roomier than ever, it’s inherited the more comfortable seats from big brother 911, and the $56,500 base model’s six-cylinder engine is more powerful and more fuel efficient than the previous generation.
But what you’ll appreciate on any road trip is the surprising amount of cargo room. With its engine in the middle, Porsche has managed to create two trunks — one up front and one out back — for a total of 280 litres of cargo space.
GRAND TOURER: 2012 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE
The $240,000-plus Aston GT isn’t just a restyled DB9. The interior benefits from the quality gains that Aston applied to the Rapide four-door.
With more sound deadening, and a more-responsive adaptive shock sys- tem, the Virage is quite capable of treating its occupants quietly and comfortably.
TOW VEHICLE: 2012 FORD F-150 ECOBOOST SUPERCREW
I recommend the Ford F-150 Supercrew pickup with the optional turbocharged Ecoboost V6 engine.
Starting at $35,299 for the 4X2 5.5foot-bed XLT model, the 365 hp six can tow more (5,125 kg/11,300 lbs) than the available 5.0L eight, yet still deliver 8.9 L/100 km rating on the highway. Plus, the F-150 Supercrew is about as refined as pickup trucks come.
LUXURY CAR: 2012 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM
If you want the red carpet, the Phantom — arguably the world’s most ostentatious automobile — should be your next new road trip car.
While sitting in the Phantom’s hotel suite-like rear seats is the best way to hit the highway, the big Bmw-engineered Roller is also a surprisingly rewarding car to drive. Its 6.7-litre V12 with 453 hp is resolutely smooth, and can still attain 11.4 L/100 km on the highway.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE: C CLASS MOTORHOME (CAMPER VAN)
Ranging in various sizes, and sleeping capacities (usually two to eight beds), camper vans offer the freedom of stopping virtually anywhere, anytime. Most have some form of kitchen and dining facilities. Some even have washrooms.