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Best cars and SUVs for Australian road trips: EVs, hybrids, petrol and diesel
RACV
RACV names the best SUVs, sedans, wagons and small cars for Aussie road trips, covering EVs, hybrids, family cars, towing rigs, off-roaders and more.
If you’re ready to hit the road to explore Australia’s great outdoors, we’ve got you covered with this guide to the best cars for the trip – whether it’s a long-distance tour or simply a weekend getaway.
And with fuel prices threatening to disrupt such a coveted Aussie pastime, we’ve nominated a broad mix of cars including highly efficient EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), as well as traditional petrol and diesel models fit for purpose.
These range from small and large family cars and SUVs to the best vehicles for a weekend escape, towing a caravan, trailer or boat, or venturing into the bush for camping and off-road trekking.
“Just a few years ago, EVs and plug-in hybrids would not have figured prominently in a list of the best cars and SUVs for Australian road trips, but times are changing fast and there are some fabulous electric cars now available,” says RACV Motoring Editor Terry Martin.
“So much so that we’ve also created a separate category for standout models that have a claimed driving range of up to around 800km.”
More: Research and compare new cars, SUVs and utes on sale today in Australia
In this article
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Best small family cars for road trips
Small is a hard term to define in modern motoring. The contemporary ‘small car’ is almost as large as a family car from your childhood (if you’re over the age of 30). For families with smaller children, often a small or medium SUV will be big enough to do the job. Here are three of our favourites to consider.
1. Hyundai Kona
For those families that simply don’t need or want even a mid-size car, the Hyundai Kona SUV offers enough room for smaller families but drives like a bigger car – which is important for longer road trips.
The Kona has a thoughtful cabin, with plenty of space, storage facilities and appealing presentation. But what really expands its appeal is the ability to buy a hybrid, petrol or fully electric Kona, depending on your budget and needs.
The efficient Kona Hybrid is a particularly solid choice for those who regularly embark on road trips.
Research & compare Hyundai Kona SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Kia EV3
If you’re set on electric, the Kia EV3 is also well worth consideration. It may be small on the outside, but because this SUV sits on a bespoke electric vehicle platform (rather than a petrol model converted to use electric motors), the EV3 has the interior space of a bigger car.
It offers up between 436km and 604km of claimed WLTP driving range, depending on which model you choose.
Research & compare Kia EV3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
No list of excellent small cars for Australian families would be complete without the Toyota Corolla. While small SUVs are the more popular choice these days, if you don’t need the extra height, the Corolla hatchback and sedan offer similar space but for less money.
These days, the Corolla is an all-hybrid line-up, using the Japanese brand’s proven petrol-electric powertrain tech, so it offers excellent fuel economy and has a reputation for getting you there and back.
Research & compare Toyota Corolla models on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best large family cars for road trips
If you just need more space, whether for older children or their friends and relatives, there is no shortage of larger family vehicles ideally suited for road trips.
1. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
The Hyundai Santa Fe ticks a lot of boxes for a family-friendly road trip chariot. For starters, it’s available with a six-seat or seven-seat layout, so you can choose between maximum capacity and three-row luxury.
In either configuration, the cabin is one of the most user-friendly SUVs on the market, with loads of well considered storage spaces.
The Santa Fe is also available with an excellent hybrid powertrain – in addition to the regular petrol engine – to help make sure those longer trips are more frugal, while its local suspension tuning means it’s well suited to Australia’s unique roads, both in the city and out in the country.
Research & compare Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Tesla Model Y L
If you want to take the family but prefer to go electric, the Tesla Model Y L is a new six-seat option that expands the appeal of the popular SUV.
Being a six-seater (three rows of two), the Model Y L won’t appeal to every family, but for those looking for more space for their family of five or six to spread out, it will do the job.
Of course, it also benefits from Tesla’s experience with EV battery technology to provide over 680km of claimed WLTP range. As well as that, it’s available with Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised), which is a semi-autonomous system that can assist with long-distance driving.
Research & compare Tesla Model Y EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. Kia Carnival Hybrid
When it comes to finding the biggest and best road trip car for large families, it’s hard to go past the Kia Carnival. With room for up to eight occupants, plus a big enough boot to swallow a vast amount of luggage (something seven-seat SUVs struggle to manage), the Carnival is an obvious choice for bigger families.
The long-serving diesel engine is still available, but there’s also now an efficient petrol-electric hybrid option. Kia offers a broad range of Carnival model varaiants, so you can go with a budget-friendly option or splurge on a fully loaded flagship to make your road trips feel like a Business Class holiday.
Research & compare Kia Carnival MPVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best cars for a weekend getaway
A weekend getaway means you need a car with space for both the family and their luggage, but also something you’ll enjoy driving there and back again. With that in mind, we’ve picked a trio of hybrids that are ideal with that short trip away.
1. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been one of Australia’s favourite new vehicles for years – with good reason. It has grown in size over the years and now finds itself in that ‘Goldilocks’ spot between small and large SUVs. It has enough space in the cabin for pre-teen kids, plus a generous boot.
The latest generation introduces a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, but for most buyers the non-plug-in hybrid offers the best balance of efficiency and upfront cost. And as a bonus, the latest RAV4 is a genuinely enjoyable SUV to drive, with direct steering and a responsive chassis.
Research & compare Toyota RAV4 SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV may not garner the same attention (or sheer volume of sales) as the RAV4, but it is a stalwart for many Australian families. It stretches the definition of even a ‘mid-size SUV’ with a very spacious cabin and big boot.
For families that need efficiency during the week but want the freedom to explore far and wide on the weekends and holidays, the Outlander PHEV offers that balance. Topping it off, the frugal SUV is also available with either a five-seat or seven-seat layout.
Research & compare Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. BYD Seal 6 Touring
If you don’t want to join the SUV crowd, the new BYD Seal 6 Touring is a plug-in hybrid wagon that not only looks stylish but is enjoyable to drive and has the ability to travel more than 1000km on a full tank and fully charged battery.
And that’s not just a manufacturer claim – when we test-drove it from Sydney to Melbourne, we managed to cover 995.9km with 195km of range still remaining.
Research & compare BYD Seal 6 PHEVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best cars for towing road trips
Whether it’s towing a caravan, trailer or boat, many Australians love to take big toys with them when they head off on a road trip. And that means there are plenty of choices when it comes to looking for the best towing rig.
1. Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
The obvious place to start is the venerable Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, which has earned a reputation as the dependable workhorse for those on a long road trip to the remote parts of Australia.
It’s officially rated to tow up to 3500kg (braked), which the LandCruiser does with ease thanks to its torque-rich and efficient turbo-diesel engine. There’s also a powerful new Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid now on sale, which is a superlative long-distance tourer but does carry a premium in both purchase price and fuel consumption compared to the diesel. See the RACV review here.
Research & compare Toyota LandCruiser 300 SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Ford Ranger Super Duty
While the Toyota LandCruiser has a long history of hauling, the Ford Ranger Super Duty is hoping to create its own reputation.
This enhanced version of the popular Ranger ute features a specially tuned V6 turbo-diesel and uprated chassis that allows it to tow up to 4500kg – one tonne more than the standard Ranger.
Research & compare Ford Ranger utes on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. Ram 2500
For those who need even more space and have extreme towing needs, the obvious place to turn is to the growing cohort of full-size American pick-up trucks.
The Ram 2500 is one such vehicle, with a standard braked towing capacity of 4500kg when using a conventional 70mm tow ball hitch. With an auxiliary gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch and a trailer equipped with air brakes, its maximum towing capacity increases to a mammoth 8000kg.
Research & compare Ram 2500 pick-ups on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best cars for 4×4 off-road and camping trips
For those who want to take the family off the beaten path, there is no shortage of choice. But we’ve narrowed our list down to three of the best options for you to consider when you’re looking for the ideal transport to the campsite.
1. Toyota Prado
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado is an obvious choice, thanks to Toyota’s reputation for building dependable and capable off-roaders.
While it isn’t quite as big or rugged as the LandCruiser 300 Series, the Prado is a better all-rounder for the weekly family duties if you live in the city or suburbs – where a 300 can be a bit too big sometimes.
Research & compare Toyota Prado SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Ford Everest
The Prado’s arch-rival is the Ford Everest, and with good reason. While based on the same basic underpinnings as the Ford Ranger ute, which means it is very capable off-road and towing, Ford has given the Everest a more sophisticated rear suspension set-up which makes it more comfortable for family duties.
The Everest really stands out for its balance between doing mundane daily commutes and seriously challenging off-road adventures.
Research & compare Ford Everest SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. Subaru Outback
If you don’t want to perhaps go quite as far off-road as you might in the Toyota Prado or Ford Everest, and spend more time on the school run than running through mud, the Subaru Outback is worth consideration.
The latest Outback manages to blend elements of its wagon past with a more capable SUV, striking a nice balance for those who like occasional adventure on less challenging off-road trails.
In other words, it is the ideal choice if you spend the bulk of your driving time in the city but enjoy heading out to remote campsites during the year.
Research & compare Subaru Outback SUVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best EVs for road trips in Australia
While we’ve included electric vehicle options in most road trip categories, there are a few standout EVs for those who are looking to prioritise electrification over anything else.
1. Kia EV4
The Kia EV4 may be a slightly odd-looking sedan, but that’s because it’s so streamlined to extend the claimed WLTP driving range to more than 600km on a single charge.
That’s when specified with the Long Range battery available on higher-grade variants, but the unorthodox styling has another benefit, too. The extended roofline and long body means space in the rear seat compartment is above-average for a mid-size sedan like this, so if you want to take the kids away and keep them happy, the EV4 is a solid option.
Research & compare Kia EV4 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
2. Lexus ES300e
If you’re looking for something more luxurious that’s well set up for an all-electric road trip, the new Lexus ES300e impresses. From its sleek exterior to its stylish and spacious interior, the ES300e is a genuine premium sedan.
The slinky styling isn’t just for looks, either. It helps the car slip through the air and return a claimed range of more than 500km on the WLTP cycle. Couple that with the roomy and well-appointed cabin, and this is a dream EV for touring.
Research & compare Lexus ES EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
3. BMW iX3
If you want the ultimate EV for a road trip in Australia, the new-generation BMW iX3 is hard to beat. That’s because while the standard claimed driving range is rated at 650km (WLTP), when you engage the ‘Efficiency Max’ setting BMW claims you can get up to 805km of driving from a single charge in the flagship iX3 50 xDrive. (A more affordable iX3 40 is also now available.)
That makes the latest iX3 one of the longest-range EVs on sale at the time of publication, so it’s ideal for an electric road trip that shouldn’t require as many stops to charge the battery.
Research & compare BMW iX3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
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Best Australian road trips and travel tips
Going on a road trip? Check out these great drives and advice:
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The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
