The 10 best cars for road trips in 2025

For most of these destinations, road tripping by car is the easiest, most relaxing way to get there. But which models are best at the job? A great road-trip motor should be big enough for your luggage, spacious so you can stretch out, and satisfying to drive so covering all those miles doesn't feel like a chore.

Here are our favourite road trip cars, all available as great-value used cars from Motorpoint.

Audi A5 Sportback

There are remarkably few areas the Audi A5 Sportback doesn't excel in. It's stylish on the outside and even better looking on the inside, with plush materials and a modern dashboard design. You also get extremely surefooted handling, a slick automatic gearbox and a selection of strong engines to effortlessly eat up the miles. Plus, five-door Sportback models have enough seat space for four adults to lounge in comfort and a spacious, easily accessible hatchback boot for your luggage.

Browse used Audi A5 cars or read our Audi A5 review

Mazda MX-5

If you're unburdened by the need to bring kids along for the trip, why not embrace the lightweight lifestyle with the Mazda MX-5? This is the definitive two-seat convertible – and also one of the very few left on sale that doesn't cost a fortune. Fizzy petrol engines urge you to rev them to redline while the darty, communicative handling makes every journey feel like a special event. You can drop the roof so you and your passenger can experience the sights, sounds and smells along the way, and there's enough boot space for a couple's holiday.

See used Mazda MX-5 cars or read our Mazda MX-5 review

Cupra Formentor

The Cupra Formentor is a great option if your road trip includes the whole family. This dramatic-looking coupe-SUV blends grippy and engaging handling, with enough suspension compliance that you can enjoy a twisty mountain pass without your passengers getting motion sickness. Plus, unlike many cars that try to mash coupe style with an SUV body, the Formentor still has enough space to seat grown adults and carry their cargo, or for families with kids who might need to drag a pushchair along for the ride.

Check out used Cupra Formentor cars or read our Cupra Formentor review

Ford Explorer

Despite sharing its name with a vast American gas guzzling SUV, the European Ford Explorer is actually a totally different car. This much more sensibly proportioned family EV actually shares parts with cars like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. Explorers in Select trim can travel a claimed 374 miles on a full charge – impressive given the mid-sized 77kWh battery and plenty to get you road tripping far from home. The practical cabin has space for a family of four and all their luggage, plus a nifty hidden compartment behind the screen for road trip sweets.

View used Ford Explorer cars or read our Ford Explorer review

BMW 3 Series Touring

The BMW 3 Series is a superb all-rounder, combining agile, entertaining handling with a practical cabin that's slightly larger than its direct rivals from Audi or Mercedes. Saloon models have a spacious boot with enough space for at least two large suitcases but road trippers might want to consider the cavernous 3 Series Touring estate, which is ideal if you need to bring pets or pushchairs. Nearly new examples can be had for less than £30,000, so you don't need to blow the bank to get a great road trip companion.

Shop used BMW 3 Series cars for sale or read our BMW 3 Series review

Range Rover Evoque

This second-generation Range Rover Evoque finally delivers on its original billing – to distill the full-fat Range Rover down into a more affordable, everyday package. Its cabin is properly luxurious, with soft, expensive-feeling materials and enough practicality that rear-seat passengers won't be complaining on long trips. It's also one of the best-riding SUVs on the market, let alone at this price point, with a softer edge to its suspension than its main German rivals – it floats over bumps and potholes, all without compromising the deft handling.

Browse used Range Rover Evoque cars or read our Range Rover Evoque review

Renault Austral

If you're not looking to be thrilled on your road trip but, instead, wafted gracefully to your destination, try out the Renault Austral. Compared to so many family SUVs that end up overly firm in pursuit of sporty handling, the Austral is genuinely softly sprung. That makes it easy to soak up hundreds of miles without any bumps, vibrations or noise disturbing your journey. It's easy to live with too, with a funky interior trimmed in classy materials, and a self-charging-hybrid engine that's both punchy and efficient.

Shop used Renault Austral cars or read our Renault Austral review

Mercedes C-Class

The latest Mercedes C-Class feels like a return to form compared to its slightly plasticky predecessor. Cabin quality feels much more robust, without losing the organic flowing styling that defines recent Mercedes interiors. Even better is the ride and handling setup. The well-judged suspension manages to tune most of the road harshness out without resorting to a wobbly, overly soft sensation. It's satisfying to drive too, with responsive engines, an alert automatic gearbox and deft, graceful handling.

Browse used Mercedes C-Class cars or read our Mercedes C-Class review

Citroen C5 X

The Citroen C5 X sits in the middle of a few Venn diagrams. For one, it has both the chunky styling and raised ride height of an SUV, but the sleek shape and long roof of an estate car. It also treads a line between feeling like an expensive car with leather upholstery and natural wood trim, but coming from Citroen – a brand focused on affordability – which means tempting prices, especially on the used market. It's in its element on a long road trip, with the soft suspension soaking up the miles and the big cabin swallowing all your passengers and cargo.

Check out used Citroen C5 X cars or read our Citroen C5 X review

Volkswagen Passat

The latest Volkswagen Passat is now estate-only and shares its platform with the already excellent Skoda Superb. It misses out on the Skoda's easy-to-use dashboard controls but scores points back on long journeys thanks to its slightly softer ride quality. Just like its Czech sibling, the Passat is vast inside. There's space for tall adults to get comfortable in both seating rows and a huge, square boot that'll handle a hefty shopping trip or a portly pooch with ease. Diesel models might've been dropped in the UK, but the plug-in hybrid can manage nearly 80 miles of pure-electric driving.

Take a look at used Volkswagen Passat cars or read our Volkswagen Passat review

Ready to take a trip with one of these cars?

Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of used cars for sale. For more inspiration, take a look at our picks for the best nearly new SUVs and the best cars for dogs and their owners.