7 Best Cars For Road Trips In Australia

There are few better ways to explore the beauty and diversity of Australia than a road trip.

But choosing the right car for your trip can be a challenge. Travellers heading into the outback will need good off-road ability while campers will need lots of luggage capacity. And since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, it makes sense if it’s spacious and comfortable to drive as well.

Since we love a good adventure ourselves, we've come up with a shortlist of the 7 best cars for an Australian road trip. The criteria for our list was simple: the car needs to have excellent off-road ability, be easy to drive, and have plenty of luggage space.

So get your bags packed and your route planner ready and check out our 7 best cars for a road trip across Australia.

1. Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Price from: $89,990 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 14L/100 Km

Towing capacity 3500 Kg

Seating: 7

We had to start this list with the ultimate luxury off-roader. The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 was king of the hill for more than 14 years, but it was starting to feel a little long in the tooth. So we, like everyone else, were keen to see how the new 300 model stacks up against the old one.

The new car is a giant step forward in dynamics and comfort. It’s easy to drive both on and off-road. The 3.3-litre V6 engine provides good fuel economy for a vehicle of this size and the interior is comfortable and has plenty of room for seven. So, if you can afford it, the mighty Land Cruiser remains the ultimate luxury off-roader.

Pros

Excellent off-road ability.

The interior has lots of space and is a nice place to be.

Easy to drive both on and off-road.

Cons

Expensive compared to the old 200 series.

Cheap plastic on the underbody is not very durable.

The third row of seats is tight on legroom.

Find A Toyota Landcruiser On Only Cars

2. Nissan X-Trail

Price from: $28,990 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 7.9L/100 Km

Towing capacity 1650 Kg

Seating: 7 (With the optional third row of seats)

The Nissan X-Trail is one of the most popular SUVs in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. The car is compact, making it easy to drive. But it’s also spacious, seating 7 comfortably. The X-Trail also comes well-equipped, has a range of engine options and it’s good-looking as well.

With a base price of $28,990, the X-Trail is also one of the more affordable cars on the list. However, in the standard configuration, it is missing some items you may expect to be standard. For example, while it can seat 7, you’ll have to pay extra for the third row of seats. And by the time you specify 4-wheel drive and leather trim, it starts getting pricey.

Pros

Smart styling.

Plenty of space for all the family.

Easy to drive.

Cons

Expensive options.

Seat 7 but the third row of seats is an option.

It's a little bit dull to drive.

Related Reading: Top Tips For Road Trips In Australia

3. Kia Sorento 2022

Price from: $46,850 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 9.7L/100 Km

Towing capacity 2000 Kg

Seating: 7

The original Kia Sorento proved very popular. This was thanks to its cost-effective pricing, reliability and excellent driving dynamics. The new model, clad in sexy new clothes, aims to step things up. As a result, it feels more upmarket and refined than before. The updated engines also include a range of petrol and diesel options.

However, while the new Sorento comes very well-equipped, it has jumped in price compared to the old model. This is part of Kia’s move into the premium market segment, alongside cars such as the Mazda CX-9. But the new Sorento is nice to drive, has plenty of room and promises excellent fuel economy.

Pros

Upmarket styling

Well equipped

Nice to drive

Cons

Expensive compared to the old model

No hybrid option available in Australia

Dual-clutch transmission feels clumsy

Limited luggage space

More: 2021 Kia Sorento Review

4. Jeep Gladiator

Price from: $65,450 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 12.4L/100 Km

Towing capacity 2721 Kg

Seating: 5

The Jeep Gladiator is the car die-hard Jeep fans have been crying out for. The Gladiator is a dual-cab pick up that takes inspiration from the original Willys Jeep. Pickups like this are great for road trips because they allow plenty of space for camping gear.

This is a competitive market space in Australia, however. So what makes the Gladiator stand out? Well, excellent off-road ability for a start, and it comes well equipped compared to rivals. Oh, and one final thing, you can remove the doors and windscreen for a truly unique driving experience.

Pros

Cool evocative styling

Removable doors and windows

Excellent towing capacity

Cons

Not the most economical

Not as manoeuvrable off-road as the Jeep Wrangler

Steering is a little vague

Learn More About The Jeep Gladiator

5. Ford Ranger 2022

Price from: $30,190 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 12.4L/100 Km

Towing capacity 3500 Kg

Seating: 5

The Ford Ranger has long been a favourite thanks to its excellent off-road ability. For 2022 Ford is launching an all-new Ranger. This comes with bold new styling, more fuel-efficient engines and updated suspension.

The new model has some big shoes to fill, the original Ranger is one of Australia’s best-selling off-road pickups. Fortunately, they haven't done anything to break the mould. It uses the same trusty formula of a V6 engine mated to a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. So expect the same trusty Ford mechanicals in a sexy new body.

Pros

Bold styling

Great off-road ability

Excellent towing capacity

Cons

Some plastics feel cheap

Not as cheap as it used to be

No plug-in hybrid available at launch

Search For Ford Ranger's On Only Cars

6. Mitsubishi Triton

Price from: $29,190 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 11.7L/100 Km

Towing capacity 3100 Kg

Seating: 5

The Mitsubishi Triton is often overlooked by buyers of off-road pickups. The more popular Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux dominate the sales charts in this segment. But the Triton is worth a look. If nothing else because it offers good value for money and comes with a 10-year warranty as standard.

The Triton is available with a choice of diesel and petrol engines. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual but an automatic transmission is also available. On the road, the Triton is quiet and handles town and country roads well. But it can’t quite match the Ford Rangers pose off-road. All things considered, this is a great all-rounder that is easy to live with.

Pros

Competitive pricing

Good fuel economy

10-year warranty

Cons

Not as good off-road as the Ford Ranger

Long rear overhang

Cramped rear seats

7. Hyundai Tucson

Price from: $23,700 Plus on-road costs

Economy: 8.1L/100 Km

Towing capacity 1600 Kg

Seating: 7

The mid-size SUV sector is a crowded one, so why did we choose the Tucson? Well, because with prices starting at $23,700, it’s one of the best value SUVs on the market. Especially when you consider the car comes equipped with lots of safety equipment as standard.

Despite its budget price, the Tucson doesn’t look or feel like a cheap car. The exterior is stylish and the interior feels like a car costing twice as much. While on the road the Tucson handles well both on and off-road, especially the 4x4 versions. The only real downside is that it feels a little underpowered compared to some of its rivals.

Pros

Competitively priced

Well equipped

Stylish

Cons

Not as economical as some rivals

Feels a little underpowered

Small cabin

Read Our Full Review Of The 2022 Hyundai Tucson

Final thoughts

So which is the right car for your road trip? That decision comes down to the size of your group, and whether you are camping or staying in hotels.

Our advice is for campers to go with a dual-cab pickup and families to go with an SUV. After that, it comes down to personal preference and of course, budget.

Ready to set out on your next road trip with a new car? Get an obligation-free financing quote with Credit One - Australia's best-rated finance broker.

For a great deal on financing your new purchase, contact Australia's best reviewed finance broker on 1300 Credit (1300 273 348) today or visit CreditOne.com.au