Best Cars For Long Drives In India

Indian roads offer a lot, providing diverse landscapes, and the highways are beautiful. However, a car is called for to ensure safety and comfort on the trip. Whether it is travelling with friends or family or an adventure out alone, one needs a car, ideally one that offers comfort, space, and good fuel efficiency for the fun of the journey. These are some of the best cars for long drives in India. These are sure to provide fantastic mileage for those long hours on the road.

1. Toyota Innova HyCross

When discussing longer drives, especially with your family, one of the top contenders has to be the Toyota Innova HyCross. The premium MPV is admired for its comfort, reliability, and interiors that fit lots of passengers.

The Innova HyCross with its petrol or hybrid engines, though, is a perfect choice for a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. Such a feature makes the hybrid variant great on mileage, especially when taking long drives. Up to seven or eight passengers and good legroom can help prevent the passengers from being overly cramped even in long drives. The features include automatic climate control, comfortable captain's seats, and suspension, making the Innova HyCross one of the top long-drive vehicles.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 19.77 lakh to Rs. 30.98 lakh
• Engine: 2-litre petrol, 2-litre petrol engine with an electric motor
• Power: 172.99 - 183.72bhp
• Torque: 188Nm - 209Nm
• Transmission: e-CVT, CVT automatic gearbox
• Mileage: 16.13 - 23.24kmpl
• Seater: 7, 8
• Boot Space: 991-litre with third row tumbled down

 

2. Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is a compact SUV that has gathered a great number of fan followers by its balanced design, practicality, and feature-packed interior. Features include several special ones for comfort and convenience during long drives on highways as well as for some rougher tracks.

It is available in petrol, diesel, and turbo-petrol variants with various aspects to match many different driving requirements. The roomy interior provides ample space for five passengers, and the large boot can hold all the essentials for a long journey. Its engine delivers effortless, smooth travel both on an everyday trip or a long journey. Other more modern features include ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and an extremely smooth infotainment system, keeping passengers entertained and comfortable throughout the journey as well.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 11 lakh to Rs. 20.30 lakh
• Engine: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre diesel
• Power: 113.18 - 157.57bhp
• Torque: 143.8Nm - 253Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic, 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17.4 - 21.8kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 433-litre 

 

3. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

For those who seek an economical MPV for road trips, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is a great choice. It's a 7-seater with good fuel economy and sufficient space for all to travel comfortably. The Ertiga is available in a petrol and CNG variant, one of the most economical long road trips from the several options available in the market.

Ertiga gives you a fair bit of space and foldable seats, which can extend to provide the needed luggage storage at any time. The rear AC vents will ensure that people behind you stay cool. Overall, Ertiga is very smooth and reliable in the drive. Though not the most luxurious of the premium MPVs, the comfort, value for money, and efficiency make it great for longer drives.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 8.69 lakh to Rs. 13.03 lakh
• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol with mild hybrid, CNG
• Power: 86.63 - 101.64bhp
• Torque: 121.5Nm - 136.8Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
• Mileage: 20.51 - 26.11kmpl
• Seater: 7
• Boot Space: 550-litre by folding the third row

 

4. Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is another variant of the SUV coming in compact sizes. However, about safety and comfort, it has a very great reputation. Excellent ratings through its 5-star Global NCAP guarantee you free passage of city and highway drives in confidence.

The Nexon comes in a variety of petrol, diesel, or electric variants, and a spacious five-seater has decent ground clearance along with well-tuned suspension that keeps the ride smooth even on tough roads. For entertainment purposes and convenience, it has Harman sound and an infotainment system suitable for both you and your passengers to enjoy the ride on board.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 15.50 lakh
• Engine: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre diesel
• Power: 99 - 118.27bhp
• Torque: 170Nm - 260Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual or 6-speed manual or AMT, 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 17.44 - 24.08kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 382-litre 

 

5. Honda City

The Honda City has been the favorite car of Indian sedan enthusiasts for over two decades with its smooth ride quality, refined engines, and ample interior space. When it comes to highway cruising, the Honda City boasts a quiet cabin, high-seating comfort, and excellent engine performance for long distances.

The Honda City comes with a petrol engine. Its fuel efficiency makes it a convenient choice for a long road trip. The sedan offers generous boot space; you can take in as much luggage as you might want. Apart from this, the comfortable seats keep the driver from getting too tired during his driving hours. The smooth suspensions and responsive steering of the car make the experience of driving a Honda City on highways a pleasurable one.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 11.82 lakh to Rs. 16.35 lakh
• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
• Power: 119.35bhp
• Torque: 145Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or CVT
• Mileage: 17.8 - 18.4kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 506-litre 

 

6. Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is best for those long drives if you are looking for a fuel-efficient hatchback. This car packs a perfect combination of comfort, practicality, and excellent fuel economy to make it a popular preference for budget-conscious travelers.

Baleno provides ample space within the cabin and features a large boot. This means ample comfort for passengers with loads of space for luggage. It is lightweight, has a slim body, and also has an efficient petrol engine, making it a convenient fuel-save car for journeying long distances and saving you a fair deal of fuel. Additionally, it is equipped with some pretty state-of-the-art infotainment and safety attributes to ensure a smooth driving experience without any hassle.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 6.66 lakh to Rs. 9.83 lakh
• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, CNG
• Power: 76.43 - 88.5bhp
• Torque: 98.5Nm - 113Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual or AMT
• Mileage: 22.35 - 30.61kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 318-litre, which is reduced to 55-litre in CNG 

 

7. Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia is a class of premium sedans, boasting refined designs with spacious interiors and excellent features. Therefore, this is perfect for any person seeking an easy vehicle to commute in for long drives while looking stylish.

The Slavia sports a turbo-petrol engine, which provides a strong performance, particularly on highways. It has a big cabin and comfortable seating that relaxes long journeys. Its infotainment system, climate control, and quality sounds make the voyage even more enjoyable. Its solid build and smooth handling make it an ideal companion for road trips.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 10.69 lakh to Rs. 18.69 lakh
• Engine: 1-litre turbo petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol
• Power: 114 - 147.51bhp
• Torque: 178Nm - 250Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or torque converter, 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.73 - 20.32kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 521-litre

 

8. Mahindra XUV700

Mahindra XUV700 is quite a powerful SUV with any kind of advanced features, so people buying it purely for performance and luxury on long drives are likely to get this one for sure. Available in 5-seater and 7-seater options, the flexibility is held depending on your needs.

The good engine options, be it petrol and diesel units, enable this car to glide well on highways. Incredibly, the list of features is impressive for a car, including an entire panoramic roof, a large touchscreen, and ADAS with various built-in safety features. The ride quality, roomy interiors, and great comfort provided by ample seating make for quite an enjoyable ride after traveling for extended miles.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 13.99 lakh to Rs. 26.04 lakh
• Engine: 2-litre turbo petrol, 2.2-litre diesel
• Power: 152 - 197bhp
• Torque: 360Nm - 450Nm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic
• Mileage: 13 - 17kmpl
• Seater: 5, 6, 7
• Boot Space: 240-litre

 

9. Toyota Innova Crysta

Another excellent MPV for long journeys is the Toyota Innova Crysta, renowned for its reliability, comfort, and ample space, which makes it the first choice among families and larger groups.

A long-distance comfort vehicle with a diesel engine. Soft, comfortable interiors, captain seats, and suspension create for the passengers a ride as smooth as silk, even on roads with a broken topography. The engine is hard-hitting, and on account of legendary Toyota durability, it promises to be a good vehicle for touring long distances across diverse terrains.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 19.99 lakh to Rs. 26.30 lakh
• Engine: 2.4-litre diesel
• Power: 147.51bhp
• Torque: 343Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Mileage: 11.33kmpl
• Seater: 7, 8
• Boot Space: 300-litre

 

10. Tata Altroz

Being a premium hatch, the Tata Altroz would give a suitable amount of comfort along with safety features, making it a good option for longer routes. Its modern design, coupled with quite robust performance, gives it an edge in the hatchback segment.

Both petrol and diesel variants of the Altroz, which will be offering good fuel efficiency, are available. It is quite spacious enough for the occupants and can accommodate five passengers. It is provided with a 5-star rating for safety, roomy interiors, and added features that comprise a touchscreen infotainment unit and automatic climate control for a safe, pleasant long drive.

Key Factors

• Price: Rs. 6.50 lakh to Rs. 11.16 lakh
• Engine: 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre diesel
• Power: 72.49 - 88.76bhp
• Torque: 103Nm - 200Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed DCT
• Mileage: 18.50 - 26.20kmpl
• Seater: 5
• Boot Space: 345-litre in diesel, 210-litre in CNG

 

Conclusion

The correct car depends upon your requirements for choosing one for long drives. It could be more space, comfort, fuel efficiency, or performance. The Toyota Innova HyCross and Mahindra XUV700 should work just fine for bigger families or groups, providing sufficient space and comfort. For compact SUVs, the Hyundai Creta and Tata Nexon are good options for features and utility. Sedan fans will prefer the options of Honda City and Skoda Slavia for a relatively comfortable drive; then travel-friendly good-budget hatchbacks are the options in the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz.

Each of these cars has something different to offer, blending comfort with safety and performance to give you a fantastic time on your next long Indian road trip.

Also Read: Best Cars for City Driving in India