Top 10 Long-Distance Cars at a Glance

If you often have to drive long distances, you know the feeling: your shoulders and neck become tense, your back hurts, and eventually, your concentration wanes. In traffic jams, a manual transmission can also become tiring. The ideal long-distance car combines comfort and technical features with high range and environmental friendliness, ensuring you reach your destination relaxed. Discover our favorites among long-distance cars!

Selection of the 10 Best Long-Distance Cars

What makes a good long-distance car? It doesn't necessarily have to be a high-end limousine with massage seats, as comfort is also available for a smaller budget. Air conditioning is now standard and makes driving pleasant even in summer heat. Pay attention to a low interior noise level – this way, you can talk to your passengers or listen to an audiobook while driving. Good suspension protects your spine on uneven roads.

The fuel consumption of your long-distance car should be as low as possible, while a large range is advantageous. This way, you won't have to refuel or recharge as often. What’s good for your wallet also benefits the environment.

Speaking of semi-autonomous driving: The following assistance systems, even in more affordable cars, ensure lower consumption and more safety on long distances, making driving less strenuous:

• Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts the speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

• Steering Assistant: Keeps you in your lane and warns you if you unintentionally veer off course.

• Attention Monitoring: The system notices when you become inattentive due to fatigue and alerts you to take a break.

• Traffic Sign Recognition: The assistant reads road signs and displays the information on the dashboard.

Electric Cars and Hybrid Vehicles for Long Distances

The range of electric cars has become quite impressive. If you combine the recommended breaks on long distances with charging your car, there’s little to worry about. We recommend these long-distance electric cars:

• Kia EV6: High-end comfort with plenty of space makes Kia's electric car an ideal long-distance limousine. The 77 kWh battery offers a range of more than 480 km (all-wheel drive) and up to 528 km (rear-wheel drive) and can be charged in less than 20 minutes, depending on the charging station.

• Citroën C4: A range of up to 420 km at an affordable price with good energy efficiency and high-end comfort recommends the C4 for long distances. This five-seater is a compact limousine in the lower price segment and is therefore suitable for smaller budgets. Long-distance drivers will appreciate the Advanced Comfort suspension and comfortable seats. The C4 is also available as an economical petrol version with a large tank.

With a hybrid car, you combine economy, environmental friendliness, and range. These are our best hybrids for long distances:

• BMW 530d Touring: Even at high speeds, the Touring's quietness and comfort stand out. The mild hybrid diesel also impresses with its comfortable seats and ample luggage space. The 286 HP all-wheel-drive station wagon is ideal for any terrain.

• Mazda CX-5: Thanks to its aerodynamic design, the CX-5 consumes little and is pleasantly quiet at high speeds. The all-wheel-drive SUV is available as a mild-hybrid petrol or petrol version. The compact five-seater has an infotainment system and a comfortable interior.

Diesel Vehicles for Long Distances

Diesel cars are still among the favorites for long-distance driving due to their economy and range:

• Seat Tarraco: The SUV offers space for five people and plenty of luggage, and impresses with its balanced chassis. Thanks to the sliding rear seat, the interior space can be used flexibly. The Tarraco is also available as a plug-in hybrid.

• Opel Astra: In the diesel version, the station wagon offers space and comfort in a compact size. In addition to sports seats, it comes with a good range of extras and assistance systems.

Family Cars: Comfort and Space

Many family cars offer the comfort and space needed for a comfortable seating position on long drives. Passengers will also appreciate enough legroom and ergonomic seats. If there’s an entertainment system for the kids, long-distance trips with the whole family become much more relaxed – for example, in these vehicles:

• Škoda Superb Diesel: The station wagon impresses with its spacious and comfortably equipped interior. Its generous trunk space can hold a lot. Available as a petrol version as well, the Superb in the diesel variant convinces with a powerful engine and, depending on the version, with all-wheel drive.

• Opel Astra: The spacious sedan is also available as a station wagon with plenty of storage space. Additionally, it’s available in petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric cars, so everyone can choose their preferred drive.

For Professional Long-Distance Drivers

If you're constantly on the road for work, you need a car that offers comfort and makes a serious impression. Limousines from the luxury or upper middle class are popular for this purpose.

• Audi A3: The compact class sedan offers plenty of space and comfort inside. The adaptive chassis ensures a smooth ride, and the A3 is also available as a hybrid. Its impressive range of up to 833 km is particularly noteworthy.

• Mercedes S-Class: Whether as a convertible or sedan, the four-seater always makes a great impression. Its 476 HP, combined with all-wheel drive, handles any terrain, while the air suspension absorbs shocks. The insulated passenger cabin ensures peace and quiet, and the latest assistance systems allow for semi-autonomous driving.

Types of Drives and Their Suitability for Long Distances

As more vehicles with electric motors are on the road and other drive types, such as hybrids, are entering the market, the question arises: Which car is suitable for which driving style? We summarize for you which engine is suitable for long distances – and which is not.

Diesel: Traditional and Efficient

Diesel vehicles are still considered long-distance specialists with economical consumption. In times of rising fossil fuel prices, it’s worth looking at the pros and cons.

Advantages of Diesel Vehicles:

• Larger tanks and more energy density than petrol, giving diesel a range advantage.

• Higher torque makes it easier to tow loads or trailers.

Disadvantages of Diesel Vehicles:

• Diesel engines emit a lot of nitrogen oxide and are subject to driving bans in low-emission zones.

• Taxes and fees are often higher for diesel vehicles.

Electric Drive: Modern and Future-Oriented

Thanks to increasing ranges, shorter charging times, and a good charging infrastructure, electric cars or hybrids are now strong candidates for long-distance vehicles.

Advantages of Electric Cars:

• In traffic jams, electric cars regain energy by recharging their batteries through brake energy recovery.

• With an electric car, you travel more cheaply than with a combustion engine, even when using only public charging stations.

• Low-emission zones are no problem as electric cars have no direct emissions.

• Electric cars generate very little noise, which is pleasant on long distances.

• Subsidies and tax relief make electric cars more affordable.

Disadvantages of Electric Cars:

• The range of electric cars is limited.

• Charging takes longer than refueling.

• Long-distance trips with a purely electric car require some planning, even though almost every gas station now has charging stations.

• Batteries take up space that is not available for luggage.

Advantages of Hybrid Cars:

• Lower environmental impact, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

• Hybrids are very efficient and economical on long distances at low speeds.

• Higher range thanks to the optionally switchable electric and combustion engine.

• Hybrid models with a recuperation system use brake energy to charge the battery.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars:

• The additional weight of the combined motor increases consumption.

• At high speeds, the combustion engine switches on more frequently, and the battery drains faster.

Conclusion

Regardless of the engine and fuel type, long-distance vehicles must offer comfort and space for the occupants. Other important features include quietness and suspension, as well as minimal driving noise. Entertainment systems keep passengers entertained, making driving more relaxed. Assistance systems provide safety even when concentration wanes on long trips.

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FAQs

What is the best car for long distances?

Comfort and a good range of assistance systems are important for long-distance driving. In addition, a long-distance vehicle should have low consumption and quietness.

What car for long drives?

Choose a car with good suspension and ergonomic seats to relieve your spine on long drives. Depending on your needs, space, and entertainment systems are also important.

Which car has the most comfortable suspension?

Air suspension or adaptive damping systems provide good ride comfort, which pays off for long distances, especially for back problems. Although the best system is subjectively different, cars from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW are among those with the most comfortable suspension.

Which car for many kilometers?

If you have to drive many kilometers frequently, consumption is an important criterion. Among combustion engines