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HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP VEHICLE

Written by Menswear Style in Cars on the 13th August 2020

If you are going to be heading off on a road trip, then it’s important you have the right vehicle for the task. This is not a decision that you should make lightly, and you need to do extensive research to ensure that you choose the right vehicle for you. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some factors you should consider when making your choice, so keep reading to find out more.

Do You Need To Go Off-Road?

How rough and ready are you planning to be? Some people are happy sticking to the tarmac on their road trip but you might want to be a little more adventurous. Perhaps, you’re interested in driving through the forests or maybe up a mountain. You might even want to plow through some deep water. You won’t be able to do this with every car but some are great for this. For instance, you might explore a real 4x4 like a Range Rover. You can actually modify these to change the suspension as you drive, giving you more room to breathe. That’s great if you’re driving over logs or across muddy ditches. On the other hand, if you’re opting for a camper van, we recommend finding a nice car park. One wrong move and you’ll definitely destroy the underside of the vehicle.

How Much Can You Afford?

The budget is a definite consideration when you are choosing a road trip vehicle. If you’re on a super tight budget, you’ll definitely be better off with a motorcycle. The cost of these is far more manageable and insurance can be cheap, that is if you’re not scared of playing with the bigger boys on the road. You also have more freedom as to where you can go and you won’t need to worry about congestion either. Instead, you’ll be able to zip right through. Of course, if money is no subject - perhaps you’ve just won the lottery - you could select a Bentley Bentayga. The starting price for this vehicle is £133,255. Don’t worry, you can shave off a few thousand if you buy one used but since they are built to last, you won’t be saving much. The good news is that they spared no expense designing this one. There’s even a drinks preparation kit built in! According to Google, one of the cheapest cars perfect for road trips is the Volkswagen Golf 2016 model. We imagine that’s based on how much fun you’ll have in the corners as well as the MPG. You can get this one for just £9,000 when purchased used, but you might miss the lavish luxury that a Bentley can provide.

Hire Or Buy?

It’s always important to consider whether you want to hire your road trip vehicle or buy it outright. The decision here will come down to a few key factors. Are you planning on driving it more than for leisure experiences? Can you afford to purchase a vehicle for warm summer days? Do you have your heart set on an expensive model? There’s no doubt that hiring a car for a road trip is going to be a cheaper option. But - and it’s a big one - you do need to make sure that you understand your responsibilities. It will be important to get the right coverage if you’re not 100% certain you can keep the car on the road. If you crash, you don’t want to be stuck with a hefty bill. You will also need to be aware of the key requirements. Do you need to bring it back filled with fuel and how many miles can you put on it? These are key questions to ask if you’re planning a long road trip. You might even want to see if you can take it abroad - once the global health pandemic settles down of course.

Tech Treats

Have you ever considered what kind of tech you’re going to want in the vehicle? If not, then it’s definitely going to need to be pushed to the top of the agenda. You’re going to want to have the basics such as something to play your music on, because what kind of road trip would it be if there was no music? As well as this, you’re going to need air conditioning/heating depending on what the weather is like where you are going. But, there are vehicles that offer you a range of other tech treats to choose from. For example, there are some vehicles that have built-in navigation systems, there are others that have actual TV’s sat on the back of the front two chairs, meaning those in the back can enjoy entertainment on the way. You’ve got to consider whether you want something that has all the bells and whistles, or if you’re happy with something that is a lot more simplistic.

Let’s Talk About Space Baby

So far, we’ve forgotten a key question regarding your road trip. How many people are going? If you’re flying solo then that’s totally cool. Feel free to buy yourself a nice little Fiat 500. You’ll have great fun on the road but we wouldn’t recommend this if more than three people are going. Even the extra-large version of this car doesn’t provide a lot of space. Instead, you might be better opting for something like the VW Transporter T6. Unlike the T5 the urban dictionary of VW Transporter T6 is very positive. Indeed, road trippers seem to be totally in love with this vehicle and it’s not hard to understand why. You’ll get plenty of space in this one and we’re not just talking about when you’re driving. Some people are looking for a car that they can camp out in. The T6 will do nicely. It provides enough space for you and your friends to lie back in the evening after a long day filled with adventures.

Consider The Seats

If you’ve got a vehicle that has unsupportive seats, nobody is going to have a good time on this trip. Everyone is going to be uncomfortable. As such, you want to lean more towards a car that has seat adjusters, or even lumbar supports if you can find a vehicle suitable that has these included. Comfort is one of the most important parts of any good road trip so being able to adjust the seat to each specific person is important. The material that the seats are made out of is also going to play a factor. If you want to be able to slide around because you’ll be in the car constantly, then, of course, you’re going to want to go with leather. When you’re choosing a material, you’ve got to look at the colour as well. If you are planning on taking your road trip somewhere hot, then there is absolutely no way you want black seats. Black absorbs heat, and everyone in the car is going to be sweating a few hours into the journey.

Safety Comes First

One of the most important considerations is the safety of the vehicle. You need to know that everyone who gets inside is as safe as possible, which is why you need to think about what safety features are included with the vehicle. There are now more accident avoiding measures being placed in cars than ever before, and rather than just the standard airbag, manufacturers are taking this one step further. For example, some vehicles have electronic warning systems when you are driving out of your lane. The BMW Infiniti EX for instance has a system inside of it that lightly applies the brakes in a situation when the driver appears to be drifting into another lane without making his intention to do so clear such as by using the turn signals. Go through all of the safety features that each vehicle you’re considering can offer, and make sure that safety plays at least some kind of role in the decision of which one to purchase.

What’s The Fuel Consumption Like?

When you’re going on a road trip, fuel consumption is going to be super important. You don’t want to end up stopping constantly because you need more fuel simply because someone didn’t check out the miles per gallon (MPG) that the vehicle does. There is no point in purchasing a car that has a small tank if you’re going to be going on a road trip because you will spend more of your trip at fuel stations than anywhere else. This will make everything feel like it takes longer because of the extra number of stops you’re going to have to make. As such, it’s important that someone checks the MPG of the vehicle before purchase. A good MPG is going to be anything from 50-60, but the higher, the better it’s going to be for your purpose. Keep this in mind when you’re searching for the right vehicle for you because fewer stops means more time to enjoy yourself on the road.