Best 5 cars for road trips in the Philippines

When vacation comes and road trips are in order, what are the best cars for road trips to consider? Whether it is going to the beach or anywhere and it should carry everyone in comfort of course and more.

I. Road trip time, load em up!

Vacation time is upon us! Time to start planning road trips and everything else that needs to be done. But, let’s not forget the most important detail. What are the best four-wheeled models for road trips and why it’s that important. After long months of working and keeping the maintenance schedule of the car constant and best of all is the well-deserved rest and relaxation ahead. Or maybe having the new car put in its paces, on a long freeway drive too.

Vacation time is upon us! Time to start planning road trips and everything else that needs to be done

Before going out and hitting the road; there are some points to go over for a good preparation for your long journey by car. They are just a few, to cover all the relevant concerns that should be considered too.

1. What is the destination and how long will it take to get there?

2. How many will go there? Will everyone fit inside the car?

3. Is there enough room for all the bags?

4. Is the car in condition for a long drive?

5. Are the all the necessary tools available for emergencies?

6. How much fuel will it take to get there?

7. Is the playlist or movies ready to keep the kids entertained?

8. Last rule is “nobody says are we there yet!”, or they walk the rest of the wat there.

Simple but practical points to over before hitting the road in the best cars for road trips.

II. Don’t have the car specs and expect grumbling going there!

Going on long road trips is all about a car that can haul a number of people, without complaints. Road trips will be the year’s highlight unless everyone is pampered like puppies or will be the most “butt-hurt” hours ever spent. Surely, this could be avoided by renting or having a car that is specialized for travelling long or short distances. Here are the car specs that should be equipped for road trip cars.

#1. Size is king; big cars are perfect for freeways, not small cars that have a hard time catching up in the fast lane. Nothing is worse than sitting in a small car while everyone is passing by! The car struggles to keep a good pace, and it would take it longer to arrive at the destination.

Going on long road trips is all about a car that can haul a number of people, without complaints

#2. Running at high speeds on the freeway will need at least a mid-size engine about 2.5L to maintain speed without a sweat. If the car struggles to keep a good pace and it would take it longer to arrive at the destination. If fuel economy is a problem for big cars like sports utility vehicle and full-sized trucks. Highway running will have better mileage and be getting to the destination is sooner.

#3. Cars on a road trip should have excellent suspension, and a soft ride or someone might need to puke out. This happens because the suspension is not so good and can be a bit stiff. The vehicle does the jumping jack, even if with more than enough people inside.

One of the best car suspensions that are soft and self-adjusting for a softer ride. Air suspension is available on premium sports utility vehicles, cross-overs, and luxury vehicles. Avoid spring suspension or torsion bars that can be a bit stiff, for long trips.

#4. When it comes to wheels, bigger tires are better than small tires. They have better road contact and help soak up all the bumps from the road. Small tires can’t handle differing terrain as well as big tires; in some cases, however, small tires turn out more beneficial.

#5. Driving long distances will involve driver fatigue, especially without a companion. These safety features are usually found in mid-size to large cars, which are sedans to sport utility vehicles. Smaller cars may not have them, but some smaller cars are equipped with them like the Jazz and luxury sub-compacts.

Vehicle Stability Control

Similar to electronic stability control that keeps a car stable by controlling the engine and braking power. This prevents rollovers and serious stability problems.

Traction Control

What it does is control the wheels to maintain traction which functions like AWD too. It works in a variety of situations to keep all tires on the road.

Having good car specs in the best cars for road trips will be safe for everyone while travelling

Autonomous Emergency Braking

This is a fail-safe that activates when the driver does not step on the brake. If the driver does not respond to the haptic and aural warning, the CPU fires the AEB. It prevents collisions at high speed and protects the pedestrian in the road as well.

Blind Side Monitor

Drivers have blind spots that can be deadly when changing lanes, this system lessens accident associated with it. This yet to equipped with cheaper cars for sale but is equipped with more expensive ones. It warns of incoming traffic when changing lanes.

Cross Lane Sonar

Works the same way as parking monitors but this detects incoming traffic in all directions to warn the driver of oncoming traffic. This allows more safety, especially when driving fast on the freeway.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Activating it will keep a constant distance from the car in the front, even if a driver dozes off! Very helpful if a driver without anyone else is tired and is driving distractedly.

AWD or 4WD

Road condition can change along the freeway, and some deviations in terrain are common. Any car equipped with AWD or 4WD drivetrains, which can get a grip on the road, will negotiate these difficulties much better, than 4X2.

Having these specs in the best cars for road trips will be safe for everyone while travelling.

III. Creature comforts are important too!

Riding comfort for road trips is important, and without them, everyone will not be in the best of spirits!

1. Cool AC

Better to have a multi-zone AC that allows several cool zones, which is better for passengers.

2. Lots of room

Road trips would not be fun; if there isn’t enough room for passengers or luggage. The best 5 cars for road trips; have space to stretch not spend five-hours in cramped discomfort!

Road trips would not be fun; if there isn’t enough room for passengers or luggage

3. Heated and adjustable seats

Seating comfort is a key factor so that occupants inside the car will be relaxed, not stressed. Uncomfortable seats and vinyl that sticks to skin, and only with few adjustments, is not a good thing.

4. In-car entertainment

While on the way there, it won’t hurt to watch a video or two, but as long as the driver keeps eyes on the road! Add some convenient voice commands; then all is set up for a good road trip ahead!

5. More than enough pockets and cup-holders

While on the road, eating and snacking is inevitable so cup holders will come in handy!

While on the road, eating and snacking is inevitable

IV. Top 5 cars for road trip in the Philippines

The cars Philkotse.com names here will be perfect and satisfy any road trip craving and be a fun experience too! All of them have luxury comfort and safety features are well.

1. Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia

This van can sit more than eight people and has more than enough room for luggage too. Large families will enjoy the captain seats and comfort features it has.

This van can sit more than eight people and has more than enough room for luggage too

2. Ford Expedition

Seats about seven passengers with the best comfort and safety features that money can buy. This monster can be hard on city mileage, but freeway driving is a pure joy with this large sports utility vehicle.

This monster can be hard on city mileage, but freeway driving is a pure joy with this large sports utility vehicle

3. Kia Grand Carnival

Not as big as a van or large sports utility vehicle; but has more than enough premium comfort and safety features inside it! This full-sized minivan is tuned for both city and country roads, for a soft ride.

This full-sized minivan is tuned for both city and country roads, for a soft ride

4. Nissan Terra

A mid-sized sports utility vehicle has excellent safety and comfort feature, which is a match for long road trips. A bonus is that it does not guzzle as much gas as a full-sized SUV too.

A mid-sized sports utility vehicle has excellent safety and comfort feature, which is a match for long road trips

5. Mazda 6 sedan

Though a sedan, this is a mid-sized one that has more than enough space and with complete features. It gives super comfort and a run for the money against similar rivals!

It gives super comfort and a run for the money against similar rivals

There are other options, but these satisfy what a road trip car is all about! They have enough safety and comfort features which are important for a long drive, and keep relaxed till the destination is reached! To get more about them, check out our Review section.

V. Cars for road trips: Wrapping up time!

Roads trips are better with the best 5 cars for road trips, they will ensure a memorable and happy trip! But several conditions will need to be considered before it even happens. Get all the ingredients right, then prep up for a fun drive, and a whopping vacation as well!

1. Any vehicle with all the performance features recommended; are the best options for any road trip.
2. Driver and passenger comfort is optimized with all the required “comfort features”. Any less will be a trip to be remembered, not in the least!
3. Choose any of the five suggested options, but most of them are on the expensive side though. Higher bracket options are still the best when compared to cheaper ones.

The fun does not come cheap, but spending a bit and it will be a road trip to remember!

Get all the ingredients right, then prep up for a fun drive, and a whopping vacation

More helpful tips on road trips can be found in our following articles:

• Tips when going on a road trip towards the Northern Philippines
• 7 Tips on How to Enjoy a Provincial Road Trip