Spring is here. And that means explosive growth, new beginnings and excitement about things to come.
We are fans of being on the road. The road trip is a quintessential American experience, and one that we find especially charming, given our interests of an automotive nature.
When the weather is good, and you’ve got the right wheels under you, a good road trip is tough to beat. Well, you may not be able to control the weather, but according to a 2013 survey by the automotive review site Edmunds, the best cars (with the percentage of survey respondents that chose the vehicle, stated in parentheses) for taking your tribe on a long haul are:
BMW 3 Series Wagon (36%)
This entry-level luxury wagon has a long list of strengths, including sporty driving and top-shelf appointments that make the driving fun.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel (15%)
Well-rounded midsize SUV fits five passengers and is graceful on- or off-road.
Volkswagen Passat TDI (13%)
Refined style and diesel efficiency, a respectable family sedan option.
Chevrolet Impala (7%)
Roomy, solid, modern update for the 2014 full-size sedan, with a comfortable ride and modern features.
Honda CR-V (6%)
Roomy, fuel-efficient, with high safety scores. Good driver and passenger experience and features.
Mazda CX-9 (6%)
Fits the family vehicle profile and offers punchy handling and performance.
Ford Mustang Convertible (4%)
Classic fun-maker that always rates well among modern muscle cars.
Nissan Altima (4%)
Refined, efficient and very nice to drive. Performance that will not be ignored; refreshing for a family driver.
Toyota Prius V (3%)
The Toyota Prius V is the first alternate model offered in the popular hybrid line, and gives a larger, more family-centric alternative to the Prius hatchback.
Hyundai Santa Fe (3%)
An upset in the crossover division, bringing high quality, comfort, style and power to the driver
Ford C-Max Hybrid (2%)
A compact crossover with a twist, filling the gap between small commuters and minivans. Economical, with good handling.
Kia Forte (1%)
Always a good value, full-featured for a compact sedan, well-styled, and competitively priced.
Honorary mention: We’d like to give special shout-out to the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country for the Stow ‘n Go® seating that allows all seats rear of the front row to fold flat into the floor of the cabin. You can ride to a destination with a vehicle full of passengers, and when you get there, the Town & Country can become a spacious and adaptive part of the adventure.
This spring’s road trips are only a few clicks away. Get financing for your new car purchase from RoadLoans.
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