Sometimes, it’s not the destination that defines the quality of a road trip—it’s the car! The wheels you’re driving or riding makes up half of your journey. That’s why it’s important that you can count on a reliable and comfortable machine.
So what are the best cars for road trips and weekend adventures? There is a sea of choices out there—simply looking through leaflets and car websites will drown you. This guide filtered out a few superb choices for an easier search.
10 Best Cars for Road Trips and Other Weekend Adventures
From versatile sedans to titanic SUVs, this section lists down the best wheels for your road trips, including their features and prices:
🚗 Isuzu D-MAX
- Price: ₱917,000 to ₱1,905,000
- Isuzu D-MAX specs:
- Seating capacity: Two to four
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 3.0L
- Performance: 187 Hp @ 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm @ 2,600 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
The D-MAX is one of the best cars for road trips out there for the following reasons: first, it’s a tough truck; second, it has loads of safety features; and lastly, its generous space can comfortably accommodate up to five people. Plus, it’s one of the best, most affordable cars for long-distance driving.
The D-MAX can effortlessly take on rough roads. While the body is lightweight, it offers superb stability and protection from noise and vibration. Its toughness is made possible by its bigger and stronger chassis.[1]
In case you come across a shallow stream on the way to your destination, the D-MAX can drive through it, thanks to its 800-mm water-wading capacity. Important safety features include SRS airbags, ISOFIX, and anti-lock braking system.
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🚗 Honda City
- Price: ₱973,000 to ₱1,128,000
- Honda City specs:
- Seating capacity: Five
- Transmission type: CVT
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.5L
- Performance: 119 Hp @ 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
- Fuel type: Gasoline
A sedan isn’t just a car for city and suburban roads. It can also take rural freeways and winding pathways. If you’re buying a sedan for road trip duties, the City is an option to consider.
One of the most fuel-efficient cars for road trips, the City boasts a robust driving performance. It can churn out 119 Hp of maximum power and 145 Nm of torque, allowing it to navigate unfamiliar terrains.
All variants of the City come with SENSING Technology, is a suite of safety features. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist system, auto high beam, and collision mitigation braking system, among others. All of that ensures you’re safe and sound while driving in and out of the city.
🚗 Mitsubishi Xpander
- Price: ₱1,068,000 to ₱1,216,000
- Mitsubishi Xpander specs:
- Seating capacity: Seven
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.5L
- Performance: 103 Hp @ 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
- Fuel type: Gasoline
The Mitsubishi Xpander is one sporty-looking MPV fit for young urbanites and families. Its generous space can accommodate up to seven people, large bags, ice chests, and other road trip essentials.
Comfort and convenience are some of the Xpander’s best selling points. Its upper trims come with manual air conditioning with rear vents and leather upholstery for cozy seating. For a livelier journey, hook up your music with the car’s seven-inch touchscreen entertainment system with four speakers.
🚗 Nissan Navara
- Price: ₱1,071,000 to ₱1,811,000
- Nissan Navara specs:
- Seating capacity: Five
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.5L
- Performance: 161 Hp @ 3,600 rpm and 403 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
If you and your friends always take the roads less traveled, the Nissan Navara should be part of your group. Its combination of five-link suspension and maximum power output turns rough terrains into smooth freeways, making it one of the best, most comfortable cars for long-distance driving. Moreover, you can navigate rocky roads worry-free with its high ground clearance.
Inside, you’ll realize why the Navara is one of the best cars for road trips. Its zero-gravity front seats, inspired by the weightless posture of astronauts in space, provide fatigue-reducing support. The back seats, meanwhile, are outfitted with springs and urethane foam pads for ultimate comfort. The car’s glass is designed to reduce noise, allowing drivers to focus more on the road and passengers to appreciate the journey better.[2]
The Navara’s truck bed is also spacious. You can mount your bikes, barbecues, folding tables, and other road trip implements.
🚗 Toyota Corolla Altis
- Price: ₱1,135,000 to ₱1,730,000
- Toyota Corolla Altis specs:
- Seating capacity: Five
- Transmission type: CVT
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.8L
- Performance: 138 Hp @ 6,400 rpm and 172 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
- Fuel type: Gasoline
With its advanced hybrid engine, The Toyota Corolla Altis is one of the most fuel-efficient cars for road trips. If you’re going on multiple journeys, this machine, considered one of the best hybrid SUVs for long-distance driving, can save you a lot of money.
The Corolla Altis’ interior is nothing short of stylish. It’s outfitted with leather seats and soft-touch panels. Its beauty is complemented by intelligence, as seen in its infotainment system with T-link and steering wheel controls.
Enjoy peace of mind when you travel with the Corolla Altis’ safety features. It comes with airbags, electronic brake distribution system, anti-lock brake system, and electronic door locks, among others.
Read more: Driving the Hybrid Dream: Best Hybrid Cars in the Philippines
🚗 Toyota Innova
- Price: ₱1,261,000 to ₱1,823,000
- Toyota Innova specs:
- Seating capacity: Seven
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.8L
- Performance: 168 Hp @ 3,600 rpm and 343 Nm @ 3,400 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
With its versatility, the Toyota Innova has always been one of the best MPVs in the Philippines. But it also doubles as one of the best cars for road trips with families.
The Innova is designed to easily carry different kinds of load, from luggage and groceries to camping and sporting equipment. This particular quality is supported by the car’s powerful engine that churns out a reliable performance.
Depending on the trim, the Innova boasts hill assist control, a useful feature when navigating inclined roads. High-end variants are built with airbags, security alarm, electronic door locks, speed-sensing door locks, and ISOFIX.
🚗 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
- Price: ₱1,568,000 to ₱2,428,000
- Mitsubishi Montero Sport specs:
- Seating capacity: Seven
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.4L
- Performance: 179 Hp @ 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm @ 2,500 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
Looking for the best SUV for road trips? Check out the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
The Montero Sport is one of the best cars for road trips for a few reasons. First, it has a fuel-efficient turbo diesel engine and a 4WD system that make it a breeze to drive on dirt roads.
You also have extra control over traction. Its Off-Road Mode setting comes with choices of road conditions, such as gravel, snow/mud, sand, or rock. After choosing a setting, the car’s transmission settings, engine output, and braking will automatically adjust to the road condition.
On top of that, the Montero Sport can accommodate up to seven people in its elegant cabin. You can also fold the rear seats to get more cargo space.
🚗 Toyota Fortuner
- Price: ₱1,769,000 to ₱2,563,000
- Toyota Fortuner specs:
- Seating capacity: Seven
- Transmission type: Manual or automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.4L
- Performance: 148 hp @ 3,400 rpm and 400 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
The Toyota Fortuner is also one of the best SUVs for long-distance driving. Its upper variants boast a powerful performance of 201 Hp and 500 Nm, which makes it easy to drive on both city and rural roads.
Just like other SUVs, the Fortuner offers generous cabin space. It can seat up to seven people, with the option to have foldable rear seats for more cargo space. And with upper variants’ leather upholstery, you get both style and comfort.
Other features for higher trims include automatic climate control for front and rear seats, eight-inch display audio with a JBL sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Read more: Upgrade Your Ride: 14 Best SUVs in the Philippines for Every Budget
🚗 Kia Carnival
- Price: ₱2,640,000 to ₱3,098,000
- Kia Carnival specs:
- Seating capacity: Seven
- Transmission type: Automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.2L
- Performance: 199 Hp @ 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
- Fuel type: Gasoline
Want the most comfortable SUV for long-distance driving? Consider the Kia Carnival.
Functionally speaking, the Carnival can be an MPV or a minivan since it has a large cabin space that can accommodate up to seven people. Its Luggage Mode allows you to fold the seats in the second and third rows to provide more cargo space. [3] Nevertheless, its SUV-inspired styling makes it a good candidate for people looking for a road trip SUV.
The Carnival comes with intelligent features. These include a remote one-touch power door and liftgate, a puddle light that helps you avoid wet areas when you get out of the car, and wireless charging for your devices. You can also integrate your smartphone into your car with the Carnival’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.
🚗 Toyota Hiace Super Grandia
- Price: ₱2,900,000 to ₱3,291,000
- Toyota Hiace Super Grandia specs:
- Seating capacity: 10
- Transmission type: Automatic
- Engine: Four-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.8L
- Performance: 174 Hp @ 3,400 rpm and 450 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
- Fuel type: Diesel
With its size and luxurious features, the Toyota Hiace Super Grandia is one of the most comfortable cars for road trips. This is highlighted by the captain seats in the second and third rows, giving passengers their personal space. It also comes with leather upholstery and automatic climate control.
Performance-wise, the Hiace Super Grandia’s entry-level variant has a maximum output of 174 Hp and a maximum torque of 450 Nm. Other features include cruise control, parking sensors for the front and rear areas, and push start button, among others.
Safety is a serious business for the Hiace Super Grandia. That’s why it has a complete set of airbags, an anti-lock brake system, immobilizer, electronic door locks, speed-sensing door locks, and ISOFIX.
Related:
- Bold and Tough: 8 Best Off-Road Car Options in the Philippines
- Go Tough, Get a Truck: Best Pickup Cars in the Philippines
Price List: 10 Best Cars for Road Trips
Compare the prices of the best cars for road trips to find the most practical choice:
Related: Need a Car ASAP? Check Out These Low Down Payment Cars
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Car for Road Trips
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When looking through cars for long-distance drives, use the following guidelines to pick the best choice:
✅ Fuel Efficiency
You’ll be driving long distances, so it makes sense to choose a car that doesn’t burn fuel fast. Fuel-efficient cars for road trips can save you a lot of money down the line.
✅ Flexibility
The best cars for road trips can take on both city and rural roads. They can also handle any type of weather and environment. That means you need to choose a car with a great power output and a tough build.
✅ Comfort and Utility
Road trips tend to take hours and hours, so get a car that can comfortably seat your passengers. Other creature comforts include easy-to-adjust air conditioning units, armrests, cupholders, a sound system, and smartphone-car integration, among others.
✅ Storage
If you plan to go on road trips often, consider the storage space. Your trunk should be able to accommodate large bags, boxes, camping equipment, and even sports implements. Also, check if the back seats can be folded to give you more space.
✅ Safety
Your car should have adequate safety features, such as air bags, anti-brake lock system, and emergency braking. You can also reduce driving fatigue by getting a car with adaptive cruise control.
Read more: Car Safety Features: Does Your Vehicle Have Them All?
Final Thoughts
Cars are made not only for getting you from Point A to Point B. They are also reliable companions when escaping the stressful grind of life. They can take you to destinations where you can recharge and reconnect with your loved ones.
With this list of the best cars for road trips, you can find your very own companion for your adventures. Once you find your perfect match, visit the dealership and test-drive your chosen unit.
🛡️ Get Financial Protection with Car Insurance
The roads you’re driving on are paved with risks and dangers, and a lot of them can affect you financially. Get more than adequate protection with car insurance. Comprehensive policies come with essential coverage, such as acts of nature, theft, personal accidents, and more.
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