When taking a road trip, the most important thing you can bring with you is your vehicle. Without the perfect vehicle, your trip could wind up being very uncomfortable, not to mention unsafe. Because of this, it’s vital that you spend the time finding and securing the right vehicle for your trip, even if this means having to buy a new car.
To help you with this, here are three tips for finding the perfect road trip vehicle.
Prioritize Safety
At all times in your life, your top priority should be your own safety and the safety of those you love, including when you’re taking a road trip together. With this in mind, you should look for a road trip vehicle that will keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible.
To find this, Edmunds recommends that you find a car that’s done well in crash testing, has an adequate amount of airbags, and may have additional features that help to keep your car safe on the road. This could include things like automatic braking, lane assist, cameras for the back of the car and your blind spots, and more. Additionally, you want to make sure that the car you use for a road trip has been made well as that it can protect you better in the event of a car accident.
Find Something That’s Just The Right Size
Depending on where you’re road tripping to, you may be packing a lot of things with you. In an event like this, you’ll want to make sure that your car has enough seat space and cargo space for everyone you’re traveling with and all the things they’re bringing. But on the other hand, you might be traveling by yourself and taking very minimal belongings. In either event, you’ll want to try to have just the right amount of space within the size of your vehicle.
According to Christopher Elliott, a contributor to USA Today, generally, the best car for a road trip is either a mid-size or full-size crossover/SUV. This will give you the space you need without giving you too much extra space, which could just prove to tank your fuel economy.
Don’t Discount Comfort
In addition to some of the more practical parts of getting the right car for a road trip, it’s important to remember that you should never discount comfort. Especially if you’ll be spending hours a day stuck in the car, you want to be sure that you’re going to be as comfortable as you can be when riding in the cabin.
As part of this, Jeff S. Bartlett, a contributor to Consumer Reports, recommends you look for comfort features like a quiet ride, seat comfort, individual temperature controls, and more.
To ensure that your next road trip is safe and comfortable, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you pick the best vehicle for your travel.
