Planning a family road trip soon? Choosing the right car can make all the difference. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a long cross-country adventure, you’ll want a comfortable, spacious, and safe ride.
Let’s look at some of the best family road trip cars for our South African roads.
1. Toyota Corolla Cross
If you’re after a practical and efficient ride, the Toyota Corolla Cross is a solid choice. It’s compact but has a spacious interior that comfortably fits your family and their luggage.
Equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, it has all the safety features you could want, like lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, and pre-crash braking.
Its fuel-efficient engine and hybrid-model option means you’ll spend less time at the petrol pump and more time enjoying the journey. Plus, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there are entertainment options for everyone.
2. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has been a favourite family car for many years now and for good reason. It’s got everything your family needs. From a roomy interior, excellent safety features, and a reputation for reliability. Whether you’re driving around town or hitting the open road, the RAV4 is up to the task.
It’s got enough boot space for all your bags and a hybrid model option to help you save on fuel. Additionally, the RAV4’s safety features include car stability control, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, giving you that extra peace of mind on the road.
3. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is an all-around great choice for families. This SUV is spacious enough to comfortably fit five passengers, with ample room in the back for everything from suitcases to sports equipment. It’s known for its reliability and smooth ride – perfect for those long family road trips.
It comes equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system and Honda Sensing safety technology with features like forward collision warning and lane keep assist. Plus, its fuel-efficient engine ensures fewer stops on your journey.
4. Haval Jolion
If you’re after a car that’s affordable, practical, and stylish, the Haval Jolion might just be your ideal match. This SUV has a spacious cabin with plenty of room for your family and all their luggage. Plus, its efficient engine ensures good fuel economy.
The Jolion comes with all the modern infotainment features you’d expect, and the safety features are top-notch too, with traction control, car stability control, and driver fatigue detection – all helpful for those long holiday road trips.
5. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a stylish, compact SUV that’s perfect for families who want a car that’s fun to drive yet practical for road trips. The CX-5 offers a premium feel with a comfortable, quiet cabin and high-quality interior materials.
It has a decent amount of boot space and rear-seat room, making it an ideal car for long trips. Every edition comes with six SRS airbags, emergency brake assist, dynamic stability control, and electronic brake-force distribution.
6. Ford Explorer
For larger families who need a little extra space and performance, the Ford Explorer is an excellent choice. It seats up to seven people comfortably, so it’s perfect for those with lots of kids or if extended family or friends want to join in for the trip.
The Explorer also has plenty of boot space and has a range of tech features to keep everyone entertained. You get a blind spot information system and lane-keeping assist, making this a great option for families yearning for both space and safety.
7. Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a versatile and compact SUV with a premium feel. It’s spacious, safe, and, fun to drive – perfect for long trips. Its advanced safety features, like a lane-keeping system, traffic jam assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking, ensure you feel safe while driving.
With a solid amount of boot space, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon Sound System, you have the perfect setup for an enjoyable road trip.
8. Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is perfect for larger families. It has three rows of seats and plenty of space for everyone to spread out. With a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system option and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it’s easy to keep the kids entertained with music or podcasts.
The Sorento is equipped with advanced features like smart cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.
9. Nissan X-Trail
The Nissan X-Trail is a spacious SUV with 4WD and seven-seater options, making it one of the best cars for families who love to get out there and explore. It has a roomy cabin with comfortable rear seats, which is great for long trips.
The X-Trail also has a good amount of boot space, with the option to fold down the rear seats for extra boot room. It also comes with useful safety features like lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking, offering your family decent protection on the road.
10. Toyota Fortuner
This robust SUV can seat up to seven passengers, has a large boot for luggage. The interior is spacious, and features like rear air conditioning vents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an infotainment system make for a pleasurable ride.
With a four-wheel drive (4WD) option, the Fortuner can tackle challenging terrains, whether mountains or the beach. The Fortuner also comes with a full suite of safety features, including active traction control and a pre-crash system, so it’s great for families who enjoy both city driving and outdoor adventures.
11. Subaru Outback
Families who love adventure and exploring beyond paved roads shouldn’t overlook the Subaru Outback. Its standard all-wheel drive (AWD) makes it a fantastic car for those who want to venture off the beaten path.
Packed with safety features thanks to Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, it comes with pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. With its spacious cabin, ample cargo space, and fuel efficiency, the Outback is an all-around reliable choice for families looking for practicality on their adventures.
12. Renault Duster
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that still delivers on space and practicality, the Renault Duster can be a great choice. It has a roomy interior, ample boot space, and a reliable engine that’s great for long trips.
With its simple design and strong performance, the Duster is ideal for families who need a no-frills car for their road trip. Plus, it’s fuel efficient, so you won’t be spending too much time (or money) at the pump.
So, which is your family’s best road trip car?
Choosing the right car for your family road trip in 2024 means finding something that will meet your family’s unique needs. But rest assured, when opting for one of the options above, you’ll hit the road with comfort and safety.
Before you drive off, remember to the right car insurance to protect your new investment. You can even get a quote online and buy your car insurance online without the fuss of phone calls or having to wait in line.
Disclaimer
The article aims to provide South African motorists with a quick overview of the best cars for family road trips in 2024. However, always do your independent research.
Please get professional financial advice from a certified financial advisor to ensure you select the appropriate financial services product. Only get car insurance from a reputable car insurance provider.