10 Best Cars for Road Trips in Australia 2024

Top buyer demands are things like a comfortable platform and suspension package, a long safety equipment list, tonnes of interior space for the family and, for more adventurous families, a 4x4 system to hit the trail with confidence.

Thankfully for Aussies buying a new car in 2024, there’s no shortage of options, so let’s look at ten of our favourite cars to hit the ground running on your next road trip.

Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT

The Subaru Outback has long been a go-to option for Aussies, with its large, practical cabin and all-wheel drive system proving very complimentary for any long road trip.

In 2024, the Outback range comes with the option of a turbocharged engine that offers more effortless touring on the open road which, combined with Subaru’s lengthy safety equipment lists, makes for a great long-distance tourer.

Inside, the Outback’s cabin is impressively spacious and offers a large boot that proves you don’t need an SUV to transport your family in comfort, safety and style.

• Engine: 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Transmission: CVT automatic

• Fuel Economy: 9.0L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 522 - 1267L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Carnival GT-Line Diesel

If you need a car that can handle a family of eight and all their belongings, it’s hard to beat the Kia Carnival when it comes to sheer practicality.

Inside, the Carnival’s three-row cabin offers acres of space and a massive 627L of boot space, even in an eight-seat configuration, meaning it can confidently swallow up a large family and gear for your next road trip.

The Carnival is available with a petrol and diesel engine, the latter of which lends itself to more effortless high-speed cruising and significantly less fuel use to lessen the load on your wallet while you’re out on the road.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km

• Seats: 8

• Boot Space: 627 - 2,785L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Palisade Elite AWD Diesel

The Hyundai Palisade is another great option for Aussie families looking to hit the ground running on their next road trip thanks to its smooth on-road manners and immensely practical interior.

With Hyundai’s diesel powertrain and all-wheel drive system, the Palisade is comfortable and sure-footed on a mix of Aussie roads, making for a wonderful long-distance tourer that remains accessible around town.

Inside, the Palisade’s massive cabin is packaged with seven- and eight-seat layouts, the former offering a pair of luxurious captain’s chairs in the second row, with a healthy amount of boot space so no bags are left behind.

• Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 7.3L/100km

• Seats: 7 - 8

• Boot Space: 311 - 704L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X 3.0 LS-M 4x4

If you’re looking for an adventurous SUV that can handle the load of a boat or caravan in tow, the Isuzu MU-X range is hard to beat on the value front.

With a new entry point into the MU-X range powered by a smaller turbo-diesel unit, there’s more options than ever before for a wider range of budgets, though we’d recommend sticking with the larger 3.0-litre turbo-diesel for the most effortless towing and driving experience.

Thanks to its D-Max underpinnings, the MU-X feels tough on rougher roads and offers mighty impressive off-road performance when it’s time to tackle some off-road trails.

• Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 8.3L/100km

• Seats: 7 

• Boot Space: 311 - 1,119 - 2,138L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre 

Skoda Kodiaq Style 4x4

If you’re looking for a more refined European SUV experience that won’t break the bank, the outgoing Skoda Kodiaq remains a great option.

With its hearty turbocharged engine and snappy dual-clutch transmission, the Kodiaq feels at home on the highway and effortlessly chews up kilometres, while the 4x4 system helps to keep things stable in a mix of conditions.

Inside, the Kodiaq’s cabin looks great and offers seating for up to seven people, making it a versatile and impressive value proposition for a European road-tripper, particularly with its seven-year warranty.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic

• Fuel Economy: 8.2L/100km

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 270 - 2,005L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Ford Everest Ambiente 4x4

It wouldn’t be a definitive list of the best cars for an Aussie road trip without a mention of the almighty Ford Everest - perhaps the most accomplished, versatile and impressive of the whole bunch.

The Everest blends hardcore off-road performance with comfortable on-road manners and acres of interior space that offers a best-of-both-worlds approach for long-distance road trips without any sacrifices.

With effortless towing, a stable high-speed ride, immense off-road performance and a long list of entertainment and safety equipment, even in the base model, it’s hard to beat the Everest range for your next road trip.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel

• Transmission: Ten-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 7.2L/100km

• Seats: 5 - 7

• Boot Space: 259 - 898L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Kluger Hybrid GXL eFour Hybrid AWD

While the Kluger isn’t the most hardcore off-roader of the Toyota range, in hybrid form, the Kluger proves itself as a mighty impressive road tripper for large families.

With power supplied by a super fuel-efficient hybrid unit, the Kluger is a great option for families looking to hit the road and keep their fuel bills low, while its spacious seven-seat layout proves great when put to the practicality test.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol + three electric motor hybrid

• Transmission: CVT automatic

• Fuel Economy: 5.6L/100km

• Seats: 7 

• Boot Space: 241 - 552 - 1,150L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda CX-90 D50e Touring

Mazda’s flagship SUV experience with the CX-90 proves itself an impressive and premium option for families looking to hit the ground in comfort and style.

With a large platform with three rows of seating, the CX-90 offers a spacious and super premium cabin for the family, with its pair of hearty six-cylinder mild-hybrid engines offering a smooth and effortless highway cruiser.

• Engine: 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel with mild-hybrid tech

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Seats: 6 - 7

• Boot Space: 608 - 2,025L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance 162TSI

Volkswagen’s stretched-out, seven-seat take on the Tiguan is a great option for larger families looking for a premium SUV experience with a very reasonable price tag.

Stepping up to the 162TSI adds a more powerful turbocharged engine and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system that adds some stability into the mix, while the Tiguan Allspace’s cabin impresses under the family test.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic

• Fuel Economy: 8.6L/100km

• Seats: 7 

• Boot Space: 230 - 700 - 1,775L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power Hybrid

Our list wraps up with the latest and most affordable hybrid-powered version of the iconic Nissan X-Trail which offers a healthy blend of practicality, smooth on-road manners and fuel efficiency.

The X-Trail’s hybrid powertrain pumps out power to all four wheels via three electric motors which makes the driving experience smooth and power delivery instantaneous when you need a brisk push up to speed.

While opting for the X-Trail Hybrid means you’re limited to the five-seat package, overall, it remains a mighty practical SUV package that is more than up to the task of tackling your next family road trip.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol + three electric motor hybrid 

• Transmission: Single-speed transmission

• Fuel Economy: 6.1L/100km

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 575L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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