![]() By “great,” we mean “practical.” The rear cargo space is dead flat with an industrial floor liner that can be hosed down when needed. But, that’s precisely what makes it a great road-tripping vehicle. The now-discontinued (as of 2011) Element never gained mass appeal, due in large part to its love-it-or-hate-it delivery-van-inspired design. If you’re incredulous as to how anyone could place the Honda Element and Porsche 911 on the same list of greatest road-tripping cars of all time, stay with me. Just drop the top and don’t think about it too much. Sure, the trunk is barely big enough for a duffel bag. Its biggest selling point is the convertible top - either a soft or power retractable hardtop. The seats are more comfortable than most other sports cars, and it also boasts decent fuel economy (if you’re shopping for sports cars in this stratum, we’ll assume gas mileage matters to you). Recent iterations of the MX-5 are excitingly fast and a blast to drive thanks to a short-throw shifter and rock-solid handling. For less savvy car folk, the Miata may seem a better fit for fast-talking, middle-aged realtors with bleach-blonde perms, but the latest Miata generation has vastly outgrown that image. Of course, for most mortal men, six-figure sports cars are rarely attainable. That the 6.3-liter V-12 engine boasts 680 hp and 514 lb-ft capable of pushing this 4WD beast past 200 miles per hour is, to put it mildly, a bonus. What it does have is four mostly usable seats - ideal for bringing along three friends or one friend and a reasonable amount of luggage for two humans on a high-performance, cross-country road trip. And did we mention it costs as much as a vacation condo in the Florida Keys? In short: It’s almost completely impractical for driving to Pottery Barn, let alone long distances. It gets abysmal gas mileage (11/17 mpg city/highway). At more than 4,233 pounds, it’s heavy by any standard. If a 911 isn’t disco enough for you, the curiously named Ferrari GTC4Lusso may do the trick. Ferrari GTC4LussoĪ $300,000 road tripper? Hey, in for a penny, in for a pound. For a legit sports car, it’s a damn-near-perfect everyday driver, which is what also makes it a fantastic road tripper. It even seats four, although we’d recommend using the cafeteria-tray-sized rears for storage or “friends” you’re not much fond of. Honestly, almost any model of the modern Porsche 911 will do as it’s still among the best sports cars to balance performance, handling, convenience, and comfort. Hardcore enthusiasts will tsk-tsk anything but a hardtop, but for pure road trip fun, it’s either a convertible or nothing. We’re not picky as long as it’s a Carrera 4S Cabriolet. Additionally, replacement and aftermarket parts are readily available, it has plenty of room for your gear and friends, and the bulletproof 4.0-liter engine will probably outlast you. That just means you can find an older model for a song. Don’t let the fact that it’s dated dissuade you. However, the older Jeep Cherokee XJ is the SUV for purists who plan to spend as much - maybe a little more - time off the pavement as on. Case in point: The latest generation of the Jeep Cherokee shares its platform with the previous generation Dodge Dart. Over the years, most SUVs - even hardcore models - have softened as manufacturers realize their customers rarely choose to venture off-road. ![]() If you’ve ever wanted to take a 36-hour, coast-to-coast road trip, your ride is ready. It’s neither practical nor affordable for most mortal men, but who really cares with a twin-turbo, 4-liter V8 under the hood? The 641 horsepower pushes the Urus to a top speed of 190 miles per hour, making it the fastest production SUV on the planet. This is an SUV that will not be mistaken for any other. The angular Urus highlights a steeply raked roofline, sleek LED lighting, and huge 22- or 23-inch wheels stuffed inside jagged hexagonal wheel wells. The company’s (pretty much) first foray into the SUV market is a dramatic one. The 2019 Lamborghini Urus is most likely the only road trip car on your wish list. If money is not something to be worried about and you’re a fan of very, very, very fast road trips, you can stop reading now. But at the end of the day, these are the best road trip cars, hands down. Choosing a car to take on a road trip is a highly personal decision. Of course, we didn’t forget about SUVs that have enough room for an entire family, including Fido. The vehicles you see here range from classic icons to exotic supercars.
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