The best car for road trips in the UK and Europe
Take a look at some of our top picks for the best cars for road trips in 2025
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By Craig Hale
Last updated: 9 July 2025
What makes a used car good for road trips?
The best car for road trips will depend on the type of adventures you’re planning, but there are a few key things you'll want to consider when buying a car for long distances:
Reliability
High MPG
Supportive seats
Comfortable suspension
Enough passenger space
Big boot
Sat-nav or smartphone connectivity
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The best car for road trips in the UK and Europe
Dacia Jogger
Volkswagen Passat
BMW 5 Series
Audi A1
Honda Civic
Toyota RAV4
Tesla Model Y
Škoda Kodiaq
Dacia Jogger
 "Dacia Jogger")
The Dacia Jogger is a great car for travelling with plenty of people, because it has seven usable seats but doesn't break the bank.
It uses proven Renault engines that we know to be reliable and efficient, and you can even get a self-charging hybrid model if you want to save some cash at the pump.
Most of the time you'll probably have the rearmost seats folded flat, and that's a good thing, because the 712-litre boot is around twice the size of your typical family hatchback.
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Volkswagen Passat Estate
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Volkswagen already has a strong record for reliability, and diesel models can easily exceed 60mpg on motorway trips, where the Passat floats over poorly surfaced roads and potholes.
The latest model is estate-only, but we love that because you get a wide-opening boot lid and a really long boot floor, perfect for loading it with prams, suitcases and whatever else family life throws at it.
Chances are your road trip will probably involve plenty of shorter trips into towns and other attractions, which is where the 2023-onward plug-in hybrid system really comes into its own – it'll do up to 80 miles without ever turning on the petrol engine.
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BMW 5 Series Touring
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If you’re touring Europe then you’ll want to look sleek and stylish, and the BMW 5 Series beats out all other models for the job.
It’s a handsome car with a loyal fanbase who love the technology on offer, including one of the best infotainment systems in the business.
There's a reason company car drivers love this car – it's extremely refined on faster roads and can be cheap to run despite its premium badge. Pick from petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and even all-wheel-drive models suited to your exact road trip requirements.
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Audi A1
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If you’re looking for a smaller car for your road trips, the Audi A1 is a great pick. It’s a luxury model that’s still ideal for daily use and will be more than comfortable on long trips.
Despite being one of the smaller models on this list, the A1 has a roomy and comfortable interior with a 335-litre boot that will fit your essentials.
It’s easy to drive and can also be efficient, powered by a range of punchy 1.0-litre petrol engines. We'd go for a smooth dual-clutch automatic if you want the most relaxing ride.
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Honda Civic
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Technically a family hatchback, the Honda Civic looks more like a saloon than a hatchback, which can only be good news for fuel economy because it'll slip through the air better.
The 410-litre boot will fit suitcases and other essentials for your adventures, and features like adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition make it easy to work with on long drives.
It’s a really easy car to drive, with features like parking sensors and a reversing camera for visibility. You’ll be comfortable on the motorway in the quiet cabin, and the accurate steering will have your back down winding roads.
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Toyota RAV4
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Now this is one for the adventurers among us, because the Toyota RAV4 is known for its go-anywhere abilities, capable four-wheel-drive system and high-up driving position.
Don't think it'll be expensive to live with though – the 2.5-litre hybrid systems offer the perfect blend of performance and running costs, with the self-charging model claiming around 47mpg and the plug-in hybrid offering even lower running costs.
Thankfully, standard equipment is strong across the lineup making the RAV4 exceptionally easy to drive – you won't have to look far for one with a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and steering aids.
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Tesla Model Y
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It might share mechanical parts with the more efficient Model 3, but the Tesla Model Y offers a huge upgrade when it comes to interior space, both for rear-seat passengers and boot capacity, so it's well worth the upgrade.
Pick one of the Long Range models for, well, the longest range. The single-motor model is plenty quick enough, but if you love electric car performance, consider the dual-motor edition.
We're certain you'll love your Model Y, whether that's for the best-in-class infotainment system, the feature-packed mobile app or access to the Tesla Supercharger network for fast and affordable charging on road trips.
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Škoda Kodiaq
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What better family SUV to get for your next road trip than the Škoda Kodiaq, which packages premium Volkswagen and Audi parts into a more budget-friendly car.
By modern standards, it's quite a simple car. Most cars are powered by petrol or diesel engines, with only the latest versions getting mild and plug-in hybrid options.
Whether you want the flexibility of seven seats, the potential to tow trailers or clever features like a built-in ice scraper, the Kodiaq is a very sensible choice.
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What is the best car for road trips?
The best car for road trips is very subjective – you'll need to consider what's important to you, be it boot space, passenger space, comfort or fuel efficiency.
If this list has inspired you to pick your ideal road trip car, then why not browse our used cars?
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