LAS VEGAS ROAD TRIP
Here is a look at the top five vehicles for long summer journeys
Summer is coming fast upon us in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.
With it comes the desire to hit the highway and take a road trip. What car you select, though, is going to make the difference between a good trip and a great trip.
There are some things to consider ger.You’renotgoingtowanttobestopping when buying a car if you like long road every 300 miles for fuel. Look for someA good sound system: Ideally, your trips: thing that gets 400 miles from a tank full road trip car includes Sirius/XM satellite
■ Power outlets: In this electronic age, of fuel. radio because you rarely have to worry we need to keep our devices charged. ■ Power adjustable driver and front about losing your signal, even out in the You’re going to want more than just one passenger seats: Your body fatigues the desert. After all, there’s only so much cigarette lighter outlet. Preferably your more time you spend behind the wheel. AM talk radio one can stomach. Even road trip car has USB ports. Being able to adjust your seatback and
■ Good fuel economy: This isn’t so thigh support with the push of a button is much a cost issue as it is a range issue. going to keep you riding that much lon-
Internet connection is a must for family trips
better is a sound system that can incorporate music and podcasts from your smartphone.
■ Internet connectability: It’s a relatively new fad with some carmakers like Audi, Chrysler and GM, but if you take regular family road trips, it could be indispensable. Sure, your smartphone keeps you connected, but sometimes the car gets a stronger signal.
■ A car you can live with every day: After all, you still have to like the car. Make sure you find one with an interior that matches your tastes, is easy to enter and exit, and has good visibility. Having looked at all those features, let’s look at some actual cars that will make for great road trip vehicles. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the eCodiesel V-6
This will keep you connected, has lots of interior space, and gets almost 700 miles on one tank of fuel on the highway. Plus, it just eats up mountain passes and has a whole host of places to plug in. These valley Jeep dealers are more than ready to get you into a summer fun machine:
■ Chapman’s Las Vegas Dodge Chrysler Jeep, 3175 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104, (888) 207-1735;
■ Sahara Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 5050 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146, (888) 400-8945;
■ Chapman Chrysler Jeep, 930 Auto Show Drive, Henderson, NV 89014, (888) 206-6383; 2015 Mazda6
It gets 38 mpg, so you can have extended range while driving probably the best sports sedan in its class. That makes it fun when you steer off the interstate for some back-road driving. Las Vegas-area Mazda dealerships will go the distance to get you what you want:
■ Courtesy Mazda, 260 N. Gibson Road, Henderson, NV 89014, (702) 5678000;
■ Planet Mazda, 6950 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117, (702) 538-7000;
■ Centennial Mazda, 6525 Centennial Center Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89149, (702) 784-1100; 2015 honda Fit
Fit is the smallest car you’re going to find on this list, but it’s extremely versatile. Consider this a two-person roadtrip car. It’s affordable with a nicely equipped model setting you back about $18,000. Plus, at 41-mpg on the highway, you have a cruising range of 434 miles. Local Honda dealerships can Fit you with this cruiser:
■ Findlay Honda Henderson, 933 Auto Show Drive, Henderson, NV 89014, (702) 568-3514;
■ AutoNation Honda East Las Vegas, 1700 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104, (702) 369-3099;
■ Honda West, 7615 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117, (702) 367-1919;
■ Findlay Honda, 7494 W. Azure Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130, (702) 982-4200; 2015 Ford MustanG
There should always be a convertible on any list of great road trip vehicles. It meets the cruising range at 464 miles on the highway. Folks really like the infotainment system and the convertible top is full-power – a vast improvement over the clunky system of previous generations. Ford dealerships are champing at the bit to “Pony” up your cool cruiser:
■ Gaudin Ford, 6625 Roy Horn Way, Las Vegas, NV 89118, (888) 603-6710;
■ Ford Country, 280 N. Gibson Road, Henderson, NV, (800) 583-5703;
■ Friendly Ford, 660 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107, (800) 928-7190;
■ Team Ford Lincoln, 5445 Drexel Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130, (702) 395-
5100; 2015 kia sedona
There also should always be a minivan on any list of road trip vehicles. It’s been fully redesigned and has an abundance of interior improvements with lots of storage options and available technology. Plus, it has a nice quiet ride, which is always important on long road trips. An added bonus is a fuel tank with a 501mile range. You can find the keys to your new Kia at:
■ Findlay KIA, 5325 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146, (702) 252-8900;
■ Courtesy KIA, 260 N. Gibson Road, Henderson, NV 89014, (702) 567-8000;
■ Jim Marsh KIA, 8555 W. Centennial Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89149, (702) 946-1000. RJdrive.vegas reporter John Kelly contributed to this story. His email is jkelly@reviewjournal.com