14 best cars for travel

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In our country, the number of fans of car travel is increasing every year. But not every car is suitable for long (and not so) wanderings. It all depends on the number of passengers, the quality of the roads, the volume of luggage and other nuances. Our experts recommend paying attention to several important parameters.

Selection recommendations

Comfort. Modern Russians like to travel comfortably, so many potential buyers put convenience, ergonomics and microclimate in the cabin first. The main options in a travel car today are air conditioning, a multimedia system, an easily transformable interior, and free space in the passenger area.

Profitability. Since many travelers cover thousands of kilometers, economical fuel consumption will be an important parameter of the car.

1. Traditionally, low fuel consumption is demonstrated by diesel engines. But in winter, there may be problems with starting the engine.
2. Hybrid power plants are becoming a modern alternative to diesels. Depending on the traffic situation, a gasoline power unit or an electric motor turns on. This combination can significantly save fuel.

Trunk size. Another important criterion for choosing a car for travel will be the volume of the luggage compartment. It all depends not only on the number of passengers, but also on the type of rest. For example, two active anglers can score even a roomy minivan to the eyeballs. In addition to tackle, they will need a boat, a tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, a gas cylinder, dishes, clothing and food. In any case, preference should be given to cars in which the rear seats fold to the same level with the boot floor.

Passability. There is a large category of travelers who prefer a vacation in the wilderness. To get to low-traffic places, you will need an all-wheel drive vehicle with high ground clearance (from 180 mm). Full-fledged SUVs can cope with this task. But you can visit museums or historical centers on ordinary sedans or station wagons.

Reliability. Since during the wanderings you have to overcome long distances and difficult sections of the road, the car must be reliable. Better to sacrifice the softness of the suspension, but return home on its own, overcoming broken tracks. And the engine must be unpretentious to the quality of fuel, which is not stable in the province.

We've selected 14 of the best travel cars for our review. You can buy them in Russian car dealerships. When allocating seats, the editorial board of the magazine relied on the opinion of the expert community, taking into account the reviews of domestic motorists.

Ranking of the best cars for travel

Nomination	a place	name	Min. price including MAX. discounts
Ranking of the best cars for travel	1	Mercedes V-class	RUB 3,799,000
	2	Volkswagen California	RUB 3,782,000
	3	Toyota Alphard	RUB 4 630 120
	4	Hyundai H1	RUB 1,855,050
	5	Land Rover Discovery 4	–
	6	Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	RUB 2,525,000
	7	Kia Sorento	RUB 1,348,900
	8	SsangYong Stavic	RUB 896,600
	9	Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer (Picasso)	RUB 1,277,100
	10	BMW 5 series	RUB 2,014,000
	11	Skoda Superb	RUB 1,432,773
	12	Toyota RAV 4 IV	RUB 1,815,500
	13	Suzuki SX4 II S-Cross	RUB 995,990
	14	NISSAN QASHQAI	RUB 1,046,990

Mercedes V-class

Rating: 4.9

Russian families who choose maximum comfort while traveling should take a closer look at the car Mercedes V-class. It combines the advantages of a commercial and an elite passenger car. The machine is equipped with a 2.1 liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 190 liters. with., which will economically consume diesel fuel on long journeys. Experts have appreciated the style and luxury of the interior, which will please even the most demanding passengers. The driver will not get tired of long driving, the route is clearly visible on the large display with gorgeous graphics. An important option for modern people will be the ability to access the Internet.

The main disadvantage of the model is the high price, so few Russians can afford such a purchase.

Advantages

• high-quality finish;
• luxurious materials;
• economical engine;
• rich equipment.

disadvantages

• high price.

Volkswagen California

Rating: 4.8

German designers have developed a multivan Volkswagen California especially for travelers. The car is equipped with such useful accessories during long driving as a dining table, cupboards for dishes, food and clothes, a refrigerator and a stove. The front seats rotate around their axis, which allows you to sit comfortably at the dining table without getting up from your seats. The back seat can be easily converted into a one and a half bed. For a pleasant stay on the road there is air conditioning, multimedia, navigation, on-board computer. A two-liter diesel engine consumes about 8 liters of diesel fuel.

Domestic motorists praise the car for its inexpensive maintenance and decent travel conditions. But the high price tag stops many potential buyers.

Advantages

• rich equipment;
• German quality;
• economical motor;
• inexpensive service.

disadvantages

• high price.

Toyota Alphard

Rating: 4.8

Toyota Alphard acquired a futuristic appearance after the 2019 update. But the cost of the car is approaching astronomical, even in the simplest Prestige ATB configuration. Experts criticized the Japanese manufacturer for a single powertrain. Russian motorists are offered a powerful (300 hp) 3.5 liter gasoline engine. It easily accelerates the minivan to 200 km / h. The interior is full of luxury and comfort, doors are opened and closed by an electric drive. The rear-view camera looks more modest with a sad resolution and no dynamic layout.

The updated version attracts the attention of domestic motorists. They speak flatteringly about the air suspension and stylish alloy wheels. They consider an outdated multimedia system a disadvantage.

Advantages

• fantastic exterior;
• luxurious interior trim;
• air suspension;
• electric door drive.

disadvantages

• high price;
• inconvenient multimedia interface.

Hyundai H1

Rating: 4.7

Traditionally, South Korean manufacturers offer Russian consumers high-quality cars at a reasonable price. The updated minivan Hyundai H1 was no exception. The model is equipped with a 2.5 liter diesel engine, its power can be 136 liters. from. (manual transmission) or 170 hp from. (Automatic transmission). The experts liked the economical consumption of the engine; 6.4 liters (manual transmission) or 7.3 liters (automatic transmission) of diesel fuel are consumed outside the city. Many modern options are included as standard. The salon is efficiently ventilated with both warm and cold air, there are many different electric drives and security systems in the car.

Users praise the car for an affordable price, comfort, rich equipment. Among the shortcomings, there is an unsuccessful transformation of the cabin, a spring suspension and a rear-wheel drive.

Advantages

• 8 places;
• economical motor;
• comfort;
• high waist.

disadvantages

• ill-conceived transformation of the cabin;
• rear drive.

Land Rover Discovery 4

Rating: 4.6

The Land Rover Discovery legend car has been in production for 30 years. The fourth version was presented to potential buyers with all-wheel drive, a turbodiesel engine (249 hp) and an automatic transmission. Experts note the frame structure, which gives the body rigidity and safety. Wanderers will love the flat floor that the rear seats have been transformed. Also luggage capacity is 1260 l. The decoration is dominated by natural leather and wood. The suspension can be lifted up to 10 cm in maximum mode, creating a clearance of 38 cm.

Domestic users praise the English car for its excellent handling, economical fuel consumption and roomy trunk. They are unhappy with expensive maintenance and thoughtful automatic transmission.

Advantages

• four-wheel drive;
• high ground clearance;
• powerful motor;
• spacious trunk.

disadvantages

• high price;
• often you have to go to the scheduled maintenance.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Rating: 4.6

Another legendary SUV allows you to travel where conventional minivans cannot pass. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has undergone another update, while the Japanese manufacturer has remained faithful to the traditional layout. The frame structure in combination with all-wheel drive and differential lock leaves no doubt about the excellent cross-country ability of the car. In the cabin, passengers will not be bored, the multimedia system is equipped with an 8-inch screen. For the safety of all travelers, the Toyota Safety Sense system is responsible. The car takes a decent place in the TOP-6, despite a number of comments.

First of all, users note a weak 2.7 liter engine. After warming up, vibration is felt, which can negatively affect the well-being of passengers.

Advantages

• frame construction;
• four-wheel drive;
• reliability;
• good equipment.

disadvantages

• weak and noisy 2.7 liter engine;
• high fuel consumption (from 10 liters on the highway).

Kia Sorento

Rating: 4.5

In the budget segment, the Korean crossover Kia Sorento deserves attention. Auto managed to gain popularity among Russian motorists. Most often on the road you can find a gasoline model with a 2.4 liter (174 hp) power unit. Diesel versions (2.2 l, 197 hp) are also available on request. There is no special luxury in the cabin, inexpensive materials were used by the manufacturer for decoration. But the most necessary options for a comfortable journey in the car are there. Experts critically assessed the amount of free space at the rear of the passengers.

The owners of the crossover are satisfied with the behavior of the car on the asphalt, although the engine power is not enough for a dynamic ride. But to overcome off-road by car is dangerous, because the electronics includes all-wheel drive for a short time.

Advantages

• reasonable price;
• reliable motor;
• plug-in four-wheel drive;
• roomy trunk (530 l).

disadvantages

• little space for rear passengers;
• modest ground clearance (185 mm).

SsangYong Stavic

Rating: 4.4

The Korean minivan SsangYong Stavic can be an excellent option for traveling in Russia. The experts highly appreciated the off-road qualities and the roomy interior. The machine has a rear-wheel drive, but if necessary, you can rigidly connect the front axle and use a reduction gear. The car stands out in the stream with its overall dimensions and the solid front end that is usual for SsangYong. The salon is very large, the second row consists of 2 seats, the third row is a 3-seater sofa. The trunk volume is 875 liters. The diesel engine is successfully complemented by a gearbox, so that a heavy minivan (2.2 t) does not fall out of the city stream.

Of the shortcomings, users most often note a rather weak suspension and the use of budget materials in decoration.

Advantages

• spacious salon;
• four-wheel drive;
• large trunk;
• high-torque motor.

disadvantages

• weak suspension;
• cheap materials in decoration.

Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer (Picasso)

Rating: 4.3

The French style attracts Russians in everything, including cars. An example of this is the minivan Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer. The car has earned a lot of flattering words from experts for its high level of comfort and safety. Thanks to the panoramic glass that occupies half of the roof, the interior is well lit. In order to usefully spend time on a long journey, the front passenger seat is equipped with a pneumatic lumbar massager. The car is equipped with a gasoline (150 hp) or diesel (115 hp) engine, both are economical (on the highway, the consumption of 5.0 liters and 3.8 liters, respectively). There are many useful little things for passengers, from folding tables to sockets.

The owners include a short-lived suspension and low ground clearance among the weaknesses of the model.

Advantages

• stylish design;
• comfort;
• safety;
• profitability.

disadvantages

• weak suspension;
• low clearance.

BMW 5 series

Rating: 4.3

With each update BMW, the 5th series more and more resembles the flagship seven. The car attracted the attention of experts with its stylish aggressive design, very comfortable interior and a wide range of engines (184-462 hp). Customers can choose from powerful gasoline engines and economical diesel units. Diesel fuel consumption on the highway does not exceed 6 liters. The sedan is offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The experts gave high marks to the car for its high-quality assembly, rich equipment, luxurious interior with Nappa leather trim.

The car has a number of disadvantages. Despite the all-wheel drive modification, the five does not shine with cross-country ability, and its ground clearance is small (131-144 mm). For many Russians, a high price will be a limiting factor in purchasing.

Advantages

• reliability;
• wide range of motors;
• high-quality assembly;
• comfort.

disadvantages

• high price;
• low clearance.

Skoda Superb

Rating: 4.3

In the semi-premium class, the Skoda Superb could be a suitable travel car. The Czech manufacturer offers three body options: liftback, sedan and station wagon. Cars are equipped with 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 liter gasoline engines. The torque is distributed by a mechanical transmission or a robot. The interior looks strict, but modern, where Alcantara and combination leather meet. The experts liked the roomy trunk, depending on the body and the transformation option, its volume varies from 584 to 1719 liters. The asset of the car should include good dynamics and a cozy microclimate in the cabin.

As for the shortcomings, the owners are unhappy with the build quality, suspension stiffness and low ground clearance (164 mm).

Advantages

• economical motors;
• good acceleration dynamics;
• comfortable lounge;
• roomy trunk.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension;
• poor cross-country ability.

Toyota RAV 4 IV

Rating: 4.2

A stable demand in our country is observed for a Japanese car Toyota RAV 4. The updated version has approached the shape of SUVs, the ground clearance has increased compared to its predecessor by 15 mm (195 mm). The boot volume has increased significantly, reaching 580 liters with the rear seats installed. There are no expensive materials in the cabin, but there are reliability, ergonomics and comfort.

The Russian consumer is offered two gasoline engines 2.0 and 2.5 liters. Special attention of experts was attracted by a hybrid power plant consisting of a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, an electric motor and a planetary gearbox. Gas consumption in such a car is only 4.5-5.5 liters per 100 kilometers. Of the minuses, users note ineffective noise insulation and a stiff suspension.

Advantages

• smooth running;
• profitability;
• roomy trunk;
• comfortable lounge.

disadvantages

• rigid suspension;
• poor insulation.

Suzuki SX4 II S-Cross

Rating: 4.1

An interesting car for travelers was released by a well-known Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. The SX4 II is offered to the European consumer under the S-Cross name. Even experts find it difficult to unambiguously classify a car as a class. The model is a hybrid of a small crossover and a passenger car. It can be called a large 5-door hatchback. The boot capacity is 430 liters. Gasoline engines of 1.4 and 1.6 liters are used as a power unit. Depending on the nature of the journey, you can choose the front-wheel drive or the 4×4 version.

Users like low fuel consumption, increased ground clearance (180 mm), ergonomic interior. The weak points of the car are considered to be ineffective noise insulation, weak dynamics and tight door opening.

Advantages

• profitability;
• safety;
• reliability;
• ergonomic interior.

disadvantages

• modest dynamics;
• insufficient sound insulation.

NISSAN QASHQAI

Rating: 4.0

The updated Japanese crossover NISSAN QASHQAI is confidently leading in sales in its class in the European market. In Russia, the restyled version came with some delay. St. Petersburg's Qashqai are equipped with only gasoline engines. This is a basic turbo engine 1.2 L (115 HP) and an outdated 2-liter aspirated (144 HP). The all-wheel drive crossover is only in combination with a variator, although domestic motorists liked the 6-speed mechanics more. Experts drew attention to the appearance as an option of the Yandex. Auto. Its advantage is navigation with online traffic jams.

Travelers appreciated the increase in luggage compartment by 49 liters. So far, the car closes our review, because it falls short of the leaders in terms of build quality and comfort level.

Advantages

• profitability;
• stylish design;
• reliability;
• affordable price.

disadvantages

• the build quality is lame;
• noisy salon.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.