Forget flying – holidaying in a car means your own space to stretch out and your own tunes on the stereo.
And, thanks to modern, efficient engines, most of the UK and Northwestern Europe can be accessed on just a tank or two of fuel.
We've chosen 10 of our favourite summer holiday cars – five if you're travelling with just one passenger and five for family buyers. Most are available as great-value used cars from Motorpoint.
Summer holiday cars for solo and couple travellers
Mazda MX-5
If you only need one other seat, why not truly embrace the joy of driving in summer with the Mazda MX-5? Whether you buy the traditional soft-top or the folding hard-top, infinite headroom is just a few seconds away, letting you properly experience the sights, the sounds and even the smells of wherever you're roadtripping to. The handling is sublime, the performance is entertaining but not overpowering, and you'll still find all the mod-cons in the cabin so you can keep the tunes flowing on your journey. You might just need to pack light.
Check out our range of used Mazda MX-5 cars or read our Mazda MX-5 review
BMW 2 Series
If you want a sporty car, but with a more premium image and presentation, check out the BMW 2 Series. This continues the brand's long tradition of performance coupes, with planted handling and reassuring high-speed stability. Basic 220i versions are swift and relaxed, while 230i models pin you to your seat more insistently under full throttle. However, the biggest thrills are found in the six-cylinder models – either the speedy M240i or the mighty M2 – both of which are hugely fast and accompanied by a sonorous wail from the engine.
View used BMW 2 Series cars or read our BMW 2 Series review
Mini Convertible
If your driving holiday includes nipping through tight urban streets, you might want a fun car with familiar hatchback-like dimensions. Perhaps, something like the Mini Convertible, which is essentially the same as the standard Hatchback but with the added benefit of a proper fabric drop-top roof. You lose a little cargo space over the hard-top model but that car's boot was pretty small already, so simply treat the token back seats as extra storage and you'll have more than enough room for a couple of suitcases.
Find a used Mini Convertible at Motorpoint
Toyota GR Yaris
If you're driving for your summer holiday, why not enjoy it? A regular Yaris is easy to drive but won't cut it here, so we're looking at the GR Yaris, which is a totally different beast. This 257hp pint-sized monster has a rally-bred turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. All that power and grip in such a small, agile car makes it hugely fast and fun on real-world roads. It even gets a unique three-door body that's not available on the standard Yaris, which means the back seats are better used as storage than for carrying passengers.
Search used Toyota GR Yaris cars or read our Toyota GR Yaris review
Audi TT
The Audi TT is an automotive icon, and kicked off a step-change in design and popularity for the brand. Available as a coupe with (fairly pointless) rear seats or a two-seat convertible, the TT uses proven VW Group parts under its attractive metalwork. It's not as focused as out-and-out sports cars like the Mazda MX-5, instead delivering an exciting but controlled driving experience. It's plenty of fun when you drive it hard, but it'll happily settle back down into a cruise – especially if you get an S Tronic automatic version.
Browse used Audi TT cars or read our Audi TT review
Summer holiday cars for families
Volvo XC60
Families have flocked to Volvo for years thanks to the brand's focus on comfort, safety and practicality. Models like the XC60 show why the brand still enjoys that reputation today. It has a plush, spacious cabin, a serene driving experience and a suite of passive and active driver aids to keep an extra eye on the world around you. The back seats are especially generous, outclassing the competing BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, and giving you loads of space to wrestle a bulky child seat into the easily accessible Isofix points.
Find a used Volvo XC60 at Motorpoint or read our Volvo XC60 review
MG HS
Perhaps you want your family car to be affordable, so you have more money to spend enjoying your driving holiday. Consider the MG HS then, as this is a very spacious two-row family SUV that's thousands of pounds less than virtually all its main rivals. Like other Chinese-built cars we've tried, the HS prioritises back-seat space over outright cargo area, so your rear passengers have palatial space to stretch out. As an added bonus, there's lots of standard kit to keep you and the fam' entertained, and the suspension is relatively soft.
Shop used MG HS cars or read our MG HS review
Tesla Model Y
Rapid charging speeds, an ever-expanding charging network and constantly improving battery performance means it's easier than ever to road trip in an electric car. Especially so if that car is a Tesla Model Y, with long-range versions claiming well over 300 miles on a full charge. Your passengers will appreciate the accommodation too, with acres of rear-seat room and lots of cargo space for luggage. The best part, however, is the fact all Model Ys come with a full-length panoramic glass roof, so you can enjoy the scenery as you drive.
Take a look at used Tesla cars
Skoda Superb
SUVs might be the automatic choice for family cars these days, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones. Estate cars were once king and models like the Skoda Superb remind us why – it has limo-like passenger space and a cavernous boot, but also the refinement and driving dynamics of a lower, smaller car. You probably won't be attacking mountain roads in your Superb but it's noticeably more athletic than most family SUVs, and its lower centre of gravity means your passengers won't feel like they're getting thrown around.
Check out used Skoda Superb cars or read our Skoda Superb review
Cupra Formentor
If you're after a family car that can do everything – carry passengers and cargo, be fun to drive, and also look good doing it – the Cupra Formentor might be for you. This squat SUV has enough space for adults in both front and back seats, plus a boot that's large enough for a couple of big suitcases. Spend some time with the Formentor and you'll realise this is a properly well-sorted car – its handling is keen and confidence inspiring, the suspension controlled and well-judged, and range-topping models have plenty of power, too.
View a selection of used Cupra Formentor cars or read our Cupra Formentor review
Your perfect summer car for less
Find massive savings on thousands of nearly new and used cars at Motorpoint. If you're planning to catch the rays on your summer holiday, check out our essential guide to driving in hot weather.
