Best Summer Road Trip Cars

For a summer that feels a little more 5-star than your average rental car, the Maserati Ghibli could be your knight in shining armour. This ‘affordable’ (around £60k) luxury car looks stunning and sounds even better, so you’re bound to turn heads. The Ghibli has thrilling driving dynamics, and with a Ferrari-sourced V6 3.0-litre petrol engine pumping out 350bhp, this is luxury and fun all in one. 

The brand new model is a timeless classic. It will make you feel like a Hollywood icon, with your soft top down, cruising in the sun. The stylish, M40i Roadster kicks out a cool 340bhp and will have you grinning from ear to ear when you drop your foot and it runs from 0-62mph in a cool 4.6 seconds. The soft top means you get to keep some boot space, and as it’s a 2-seater car it’s perfect for intimate getaways.

Available for a 24 hour test drive & PCP offers from £399 per month at 4.9% APR.

A relatively new addition to the Range line up, the Velar sits comfortably between the Evoque and Sport, but will still turn heads. The Velar is beautifully styled, and, as you would expect, boasts world-class off-road capabilities. The 3litre V6 engine pumps out a hefty 300bhp, and with a top speed of 155mph, it’s got plenty of oomph for those looking for excitement. Prices from £45,260

As soon as you start the engine in the New Ford Mustang, you’ll be filled with excitement. The most impressive model of the iconic muscle car is the 5.0 V8 Fastback which kicks out 450PS and will have you smiling when you put your foot down and it runs from 0-62mph in only 4.3 seconds. The 5.0 V8 engine has a specially-developed intake manifold that improves low-speed breathing for better fuel economy.
 

If you’re a die-hard sports car lover and can’t stand the SUV trend, then the Mazda MX-5 RF could be your hero. This hard-top convertible keeps you low to the ground while you enjoy the fresh air. Sleek styling isn’t all the RF has to offer, this is seriously fun to drive with comfortable seats with plenty of support while you fly around corners. Even though the MX-5 is a tin top, your boot space doesn’t suffer, with plenty room for some overnight bags. 

PCP offers from £279 per month at 4.1% APR.
 

There’s nothing mini about this MINI. The biggest of the MINI range, the Countryman is almost cavernous when it comes to space. The rugged design is a head-turner and will the option of comfortable all-wheel drive in Green mode, or fun-filled Sport mode, this is a great all-rounder. For comfort beyond the car, you can even add a roof tent, if you’re feeling adventurous. The Countryman also comes with an electronic tailgate and picnic bench, so there’s no muddy boots or animal claws on the back end of the car. 

The Countryman is available for a 48 hour test drive. PCP offers from £295 per month at 3.9% APR.

The BMW 530d xDrive M Sport Touring is a bit of a mouthful, but a beautiful choice for someone seeking a little bit of comfort. This model has been showered in accolades, and it’s easy to see why with its blistering performance and handling capabilities. This 5 series is rapid, but with all the comfort and storage space you’d expect, taking estate car practicality to a whole new level. The panoramic sun roof makes it perfect for soaking up some road trip sun in the comfort of your heated seat (because the UK is never really that warm). 

Available for a 24 hour test drive & PCP offers from £449 per month at 4.9% APR.
 

This brand-new revamp of the Dacia adds a little more pizazz to the UK’s most affordable SUV, starting at under £10k. The 5-door convenience is only one aspect of this family-friendly car, as some models come kitted-out with safety tech, including blind spot alerts, hill-start assist and rear camera and sensors. With the dCi 115 4x2 engine model, you can achieve up to 64.2mpg, making those pitstops with the kids a little fewer and far between. 

SEAT’s biggest SUV ever comes in the form of their new 7 seat Tarraco. The Tarraco might be one of the sportiest models out of all its competitors if that’s what you are looking for. Inside you’ve got a welcoming interior which orientates around a huge 10.2-inch touch screen display which appears to float on the dashboard, which is a standard feature. You  get quite a lot included with each spec level on the Tarraco, which starts from £28,550 - right in between the Skoda and Volkswagen competitors.
 

For a family who needs comfort, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a great choice. The PHEV enjoys a blissfully silent engine and its suspension easily irons out speed bumps with ease, so you might even avoid waking up the kids. The Outlander comes with an abundance of space with up to 7 seats. The switching between electric and hybrid is seamless, and the car actually charges itself through regenerative breaking. The large capacity battery will take you 28 miles in pure electric mode. Add the 2.4-litre engine to the numbers and you’ve got a combined range of around 400 miles.