Top 10 cars for long commutes and journeys

If you’re frequently travelling long distances, then the type of car that you’ll need is quite specific. It needs to be quiet and comfortable enough to take the strain away from big stints behind the wheel and it’ll also need to deliver good levels of in-car entertainment to help while away the hours. A good stereo is a must-have too.

Efficiency is a big factor when looking for a car that’ll do long distances as well. Here, we’ve picked out 10 of the best cars that offer all of these attributes - and more - so that you can be as ready as can be for your next big trip.

Volvo V90

It’s hard not to like a big, comfortable Swedish estate car. The V90 is Volvo’s latest big load-lugger and it’s got some of the firm’s best technology on board, such as a large central screen that is simple to operate when you’re on the move. Most importantly, the V90 seats are large and comfortable, with the vast majority of used V90s coming with heated chairs for an even cosier feeling when you’re doing a long-distance trip in the wintertime.

While used V90s do hold their value well - owing to their solid construction and reliable engines - you can get high-mileage examples for around £10,000. However, we’d be looking in the region of £15,000 for a good V90 with decent mileage on the clock.

Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E-Class is a large saloon or estate car that offers limousine levels of comfort and refinement. It is remarkably hushed inside the cabin of the E-Class and that can help to make those longer trips more comfortable. It’s also a great place for a family to travel as there’s loads of space and a well-sized boot (particularly in the estate version) that can easily accommodate all kinds of equipment and luggage.

While it’s not hard to find big-mileage E-Class models - and these are a good option if you’re on a budget, though we’d recommend a full vehicle check in these instances - we’d recommend spending around £18,000 for a decent, good-condition model.

Tesla Model 3

Electric cars get a lot of bad press for not being much use on longer trips, but that doesn’t have to be the case. American EV giant Tesla is a great example of this, as the firm has a dedicated network of ‘Superchargers’ that offer quick, reliable and cost-effective chargers up and down the country, and also across Europe.

Used electric car prices have come down significantly in recent months, which makes them an even more enticing used buy. Take the BMW 3 Series-sized Model 3, which offers a real-world 300 miles between charges on Long Range versions, making them great for longer trips. They’re also quick and brimming with technology. Used Model 3 prices currently start from less than £20,000.

Volkswagen Golf

Just because you want a car that’s great on longer journeys, it doesn’t mean you want something large. If that’s the case, we highly recommend the superb Volkswagen Golf. Across the decades, this has remained a great choice for big journeys, but the seventh-generation Golf (sold between 2013 and 2020) in particular is an excellent choice.

Stay clear of the sporty versions on the larger wheels, and the Golf is exceptionally comfortable and refined, while the diesel engines are excellent on fuel. High-mileage examples start from as little as £4,000, but it could be worth spending a bit more for something with fewer miles. An Estate version is also available if you need a bigger boot.

Peugeot 208

If you want an even smaller car that will be great for longer trips, we highly recommend the latest Peugeot 208, introduced in 2020. At a little over four metres long, it’s considerably smaller than other cars here, but with a compliant ride and refined interior, it punches well above its size.

Used prices for the current generation of Peugeot 208 are available from around £10,500, though this is considerably less than the price of a brand-new model. Avoid the entry-level engine and instead go for one of the turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engines with either 100bhp or 130bhp, or the 100bhp 1.5-litre diesel, all of which are very impressive on motorways.

Audi A1

You might not think that a car as compact as the Audi A1 would be much use for long-distance journeys, but the reality is quite different. This is a small car which bucks the trend, with the A1’s well-made interior and smooth-running engines making this into a compact Audi that is far more accomplished over long distances than you might think. You can get it with an automatic gearbox, too, which would be our choice if you’re looking to truly make this into a go-anywhere model.

A1 prices have remained steady over recent years, too, but the previous-generation car is readily available via AA Cars for under £5,000, while you’ll be looking more in the region of £16,000 for one of the current-generation cars which come with the very latest technology. It’ll be very low mileage at this price, too.

Jaguar F-Pace

The F-Pace is Jaguar’s largest SUV and, as a result, it’s a good option for long-distance travellers that need a little extra space from their next car. Above and beyond just space, the F-Pace has comfortable seats which make those big stints behind the wheel nice and comfortable, while other functions like heated and cooled chairs - and a heated steering wheel - are a bonus, but ones you’ll find on many used F-Pace models.

With punchy diesel engines powering the whole affair, the F-Pace is a car which feels very well suited to those long-distance trips. Plus, thanks to good levels of sound insulation, the F-Pace remains impressively hushed even at motorway speeds, allowing you to motor along in a near-silent cabin. It makes for a very relaxing way of getting to your destination.

Volkswagen Arteon

The Arteon is a car which has passed through its time in Volkswagen’s line-up relatively quietly. While cars like the Passat sell well - and not to mention VW’s range of ever-popular SUVs - the large, luxurious Arteon hasn’t been quite so sought-after. However, this makes it an excellent used buy with prices for this kit-laden executive car now dipping close to £10,000 for a high-mileage version, or around the £20,000 for a very clean example.

Whichever you opt for, you’re getting a car which is solid from top to bottom and delivers the kind of cossetting ride that you’d expect from a car of this size. Plus, if you need a little more space, then the Arteon was also offered as a more practical Shooting Brake - or estate. However, these models are more sought-after, so expect to pay a slight premium for one over a standard model.

Honda CR-V

If you’re looking for a car that’ll give you a slightly more elevated view of the road ahead without the elevated running costs associated with a full-size SUV, then Honda’s CR-V could be right on the money. It was created with a real focus on comfort and as a result, you’ll find that the CR-V does a great job of removing those lumps and bumps in the road to create a near-carpet-like journey.

It’s a practical option, too, with plenty of interior space and a large boot that is easy to access. Honda equipped the CR-V with some efficient engine choices and it’s the diesel-powered models that’ll be most well suited to long-distance drivers as they deliver plenty of efficiency while still incorporating a good power range to help you get up to speed in no time. Our pick of the bunch is the fourth-generation car - made between 2012 and 2018 - and for these models you should expect to pay around £6,000 for a clean example.

Skoda Kodiaq

If your long-distance trips frequently require you to bring along more than four people for the ride, then the Kodiaq is the car for the job. Available with up to seven seats, the Kodiaq is a large and spacious SUV in which all occupants will be able to get seated comfortably. There’s plenty of on-board tech, too, and a number of charging points dotted throughout the cabin will ensure that everyone has a spot to charge up their devices.

You can get the Kodiaq with petrol and diesel engines and we’d be inclined to recommend the latter as it’s the better option for those travelling further afield - it’ll deliver its best-possible efficiency when running at motorway speeds for a long time. You’ll pay around £13,000 for an earlier Kodiaq model with reasonable miles but make sure you check - not all of these Skodas were seven-seat as standard, with some earlier lower-spec versions coming with five seats instead.

Prices correct at time of publication [11/2024].