Choosing a car for long trips can be difficult. For professional travelers, there is a separate category of vehicles – “house on wheels”, or auto-campers, but they are very expensive and have restrictions on entering the central parts of a city. Therefore, those who want to save money have to look for alternative solutions among standard models. If you are looking for a company that accepts junk cars for cash to make room for a new car that is suitable for comfortable travel, then this article is for you.

Which car to choose for travel – basic characteristics

There are several criteria that will help you choose a budget car for long trips. As a basis, two basic requirements will be taken.

Comfortable interior

Going on a car tour, the driver and passengers are forced to be in a sitting position for a long time. Therefore, the cabin must be roomy and comfortable, so that you can move freely in it and not feel discomfort.

Particular attention is paid to the seats. A useful bonus is the folding design of the seats, which allows you to change your position and relax while lying down.

When choosing a car, you need to consider the following parameters:

• cabin height.
• the distance between the front and rear seats.
• the convenience of the driver’s seat.

In the “most comfortable car” category, the leading positions are occupied by SUVs and minivans. As for passenger models, the most spacious interiors have:

1. Chevrolet Tahoe.
2. Ford Explorer.
3. Honda Pilot.

At the stage of choosing, it is worth evaluating the parameters of the cabin and making sure that they meet your requirements. Additional attributes of comfort include a climate complex or air conditioning. Both devices have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The air conditioner is less expensive and more reliable, but it involves manual adjustment. Climate control changes the temperature in the cabin on its own but is more expensive. Buying a car without effective ventilation and air conditioning is impractical.

Roomy trunk

Since you need to take a lot of things on any trip, you can not ignore the volume of the luggage compartment. And if we are talking about a family vacation with children, this part should be quite roomy.

Some of the best cars with large trunks include:

1. Chevrolet Tahoe (26,6 cu. ft).
2. Cadillac Escalade (24,5 cu. ft).
3. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (23,5 cu. ft).
4. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (21 cu. ft).
5. Honda Pilot (20 cu. ft).

Sedan models are not distinguished by a spacious interior and a spacious luggage compartment, but if you plan to go on a road trip with a small company, then the following cars will be great: 

1. Renault Logan (18,01 cu. ft).
2. Kia Rio (17,6 cu. ft).
3. Volkswagen Polo (16,9 cu. ft).
4. Ford Fiesta (16,1 cu. ft).

Other criteria

The criteria discussed below do not apply to the basic ones. They depend on the duration of the trip, the type of road surface, the company, and the preferences of the driver.

Savings in fuel consumption

Fuel consumption indicators are individual for different car brands. The level “above average” is typical for the following body types:

• crossovers and SUVs.
• minivans.
• sports cars.
• convertibles.
• universals.

If low fuel consumption is a key selection criterion, it is better to buy a sedan or a hatchback. In comparison with other types, such machines are much more economical.

Maintainability

Elite car models with advanced on-board equipment, complicated electronic complexes, and systems are often difficult to maintain and repair. Even such an ordinary procedure as replacing a battery can be accompanied by a complete disassembly of important components and mechanisms. Therefore, such brands are not very suitable for long trips, in which anything can happen. In some cases, it is better to sacrifice prestige in favor of simplicity.

Noise isolation

To feel comfortable in the car, you should choose cars with good noise isolation.  Representatives of the S-class have the best noise protection:

1. Mercedes-Benz.
2. Audi.
3. BMW.

In a more affordable segment, the following cars stand out with good sound insulation:

1. Ford Focus.
2. Kia Cerato.
3. Hyundai Elantra.

Wide view of the road

To make the trip not only comfortable but also safe, the driver must receive as much information as possible through the windshield. Therefore, the issue of visibility is one of the most important. The best features are minivans and convertibles.

In the first case, a high landing is provided, which helps to expand the view of the road, and in the second, an open roof configuration for viewing all objects and attractions.

The best cars for long trips and travel

The car in which you plan to drive a long distance should have several features:

1. Roomy interior, which will be comfortable for both the driver and passengers.
2. A good margin of dynamics with restrained fuel consumption.
3. Stable handling both on a flat road and in rough terrain.
4. Spacious luggage compartment.
5. Advanced security systems.

Nissan X-Trail

The first and second generations of the Nissan X-Trail stand out for their design and powerful powertrains. Subsequent modifications made the model smooth and streamlined. The cabin is designed for landing up to 5 passengers, due to thoughtful ergonomics and dimensions. The trunk holds 17,5 cu. ft.

Due to the high landing of the driver’s seat, the visibility of the road remains at the highest level. The main purpose of the model is driving outside the city and occasional off-road trips.

Pros:

1. Spaciousness.
2. Ground clearance 210 mm.
3. Nice design.

Cons:

1. Low noise isolation.
2. Vulnerability to corrosion.

Mazda CX-5

The Japanese crossover has a well-tuned suspension and a fairly high ground clearance of 192 mm. By car, you can overcome various road bumps, moving along country roads and forest paths. Ergonomic chairs with a comfortable fit and adjustment, climate control, and high-quality sound insulation – all this contributes to maximum relaxation during travel. The trunk holds up to 14,1 cu. ft of cargo.

Pros: 

1. Comfortable salon.
2. Soft suspension.
3. Reliable engine

Cons:

1. High price.

Kia Sorento

This crossover is produced by a South Korean concern and belongs to the category of mid-size SUVs that are well suited for travel. The interior design looks simple but practical. It uses high-quality finishing materials, and any discomfort for the driver or passengers during trips is minimized. The trunk volume is 18,7 cu. ft. 

Pros:

1. Low cost.
2. Reliability.
3. Maneuverability.

Cons: 

1. A small ground clearance (185 mm).

Summary

Knowing the features of choosing a car for traveling, you can safely sell your old car and buy a new car with which you can discover even more interesting places on our planet. JunkCarsUs is a reliable buyer of old, damaged, drowned, totaled cars. With this company, the process of selling your car will be quick and hassle-free.