The best cars for road trips in the UK

The best cars for road trips in the UK

The 2021 edition of April carries with it some incredibly exciting stuff for lockdown Britain. With the reopening of shops, pubs and gyms, the reintroduction of the “rule of six” and a general easing of restrictions as we head into summer there is hope we can get away on our holidays. But while the prospects of going abroad are still very much up in the air, domestic holidays – or staycations as they’re now better known - are set to be all the rage.

With that in mind, we’re also likely to see the resurgence of the road trip as we all scuttle around our island enjoying the best of Britain. That means, after months on the sidelines, our cars finally get to see some open road. However, is yours up to the task of supporting a family holiday or a long-haul drive across the country?

At Robins & Day, we’ve got options across both our new car and used car catalogues that make ideal fits for all types of domestic adventures. So, if you’re thinking about buying a car for a road trip, we’ve put together a list of our best cars for road trips and camping ahead of the unique summer we have ahead of us.

The best small car for road trips – Vauxhall Corsa

Small cars make the best affordable cars for road trips. If you’re looking for the best car for a solo road trip or maybe an option for a couple’s getaway, the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa is a small but highly capable choice that offers all-round appeal. A perennial favourite thanks to its ability to tick just about every box, the Corsa gives you everything you need from a road trip motor – reliability, comfort, space and economy – in a compact package.

Its 309 litres of boot space see it trump many other superminis for storage, while the top end 52mpg economy means you won’t be spending a fortune on petrol. Additional features like the immersive infotainment system will help keep you engaged on those longer journeys. If you’re confident you can find charging points when you need them, the all-new Vauxhall Corsa-e represents an equally suitable but more futureproofed alternative.

Honourable mentions

·         Peugeot 308

·         Citroen C3

The best car for family road trips – Peugeot 3008 SUV

If you’re planning on stuffing a family of five into a vehicle for a 400-mile trip, we reckon you can’t go too far wrong with the super stylish yet seriously sturdy Peugeot 3008 SUV. The 3008 sits right up with the best options in the highly popular SUV market, largely thanks to the substance it offers behind its obvious style.

Where road trippers are concerned, that substance comes in the form of a whopping 520 litres of boot space to complement a rear seating setup that should be comfortable for three restless teenagers, up to 56mpg WLTP economy and the lauded Peugeot i-Cockpit® for all the tech assistance you need. Just as with the Corsa and Corsa-e, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid is also available for those looking for a greener adventure.

Honourable mentions

·         Vauxhall Grandland X

·         Citroen C5 Aircross

The most reliable car for road trips – Vauxhall Mokka

When you’re talking about the best that the likes of Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroen have to offer, every car we talk to you about is bound to have excellent reliability traits. But, if we were to name one standout for those holding reliability as a priority above all else in their search, we’d mention the all-new Vauxhall Mokka.

Beyond the stunning, completely reworked design for the new edition and a plethora of forward thinking and intuitive technologies, the Mokka landed at number three on What Car’s “Most Reliable Family SUV” list, scoring a highly reassuring 97.7% reliability rating. This was based off a couple of key points - the first being the rarity of problems occurring with the Mokka, and the second being the continued usability of the Mokka even if a problem did occur.

In simple terms, it’s very unlikely something would go wrong with your Mokka. Even if it did, the issue would probably not be big enough to stop you from driving the car. That makes it one of the best cars for long road trips in our book, and the same goes for the Mokka’s electric sibling, the all new Mokka-e.

Honourable mentions

·         Vauxhall Crossland

·         Peugeot 508 Fastback

The most comfortable car for road trips – Citroen C4 Grand SpaceTourer

When you’re looking for the most comfortable cars for road trips, you’re really looking for the best big cars for road trips. Space and comfort tend to go hand in hand, and they certainly do with our top pick for those two features – the Citroen C4 Grand SpaceTourer.

Citroen’s mightily impressive work in the crossover SUV sector extends into the C4 SpaceTourer on a grander scale. The seven-seater offers heaps of space on every one of its three rows of seating, with individually sliding seats to make access even more practical. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom on offer regardless of where you sit. Citroen also put a lot of care and attention into the quality of their upholstery, giving the SpaceTourer that edge in comfort over other “big car” rivals.

Honourable mentions

·         Vauxhall Grandland X

·         Citroen C5 Aircross

Your car maintenance checklist for road trips

Now we’ve established what cars are good for road trips in the Robins & Day family, it’s time to think about getting set for your journey ahead. Bigger trips should mean bigger preparations on your part when it comes ensuring your car is in good shape to make the journey, especially if you’re using your vehicle properly for the first time in months.

Make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises get in your way of a much-needed holiday. Check (and, if necessary, address) the following car hacks for long road trips before setting off:

·         Oil levels

·         Tyre tread levels and pressure

·         Battery connections

·         Engine coolant

·         Wiper fluid levels

·         Operation of all lights and key electricals

Let us play a part in your adventure this summer

With a hopefully extremely normal summer to look forward to ahead, a road trip to remember could be on the cards. If you think it’s time to upgrade your car before the brighter months, we’ve got countless options that could be the perfect fit for you.

Search our new and used car catalogues today, or get in touch with us to find out more about our range and latest offers.