The weather is warming up, the barbecues have rolled out of storage, and the spring jackets have made their way back into the closet. That can only mean one thing – it’s finally summertime. And what better way to celebrate summer than to hit the open road.
After a year marked by lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, a road trip may just be the ultimate tonic. A road trip is everything this year wasn’t: a freeing, fun-filled, fresh-aired experience through new places.
But in order to hit the road right, you need the best vehicle for the job. If you’re on the market for a new vehicle and you love to road trip, then check out the vehicles listed below.
After extensive research and side-by-side analysis, this article has narrowed the field to three vehicles, each corresponding to a different type of road trip. Notably, each of these vehicles is made by Ford, who has emerged as the undisputed kings of road-tripping. Let’s hit the road.
If you’re the kind of road-tripper who loves outdoor activities, you will probably need a vehicle that tows boats, hauls camping gear and mountain bikes, and is tough enough to withstand some off-road driving. The Ford F-150 is that vehicle.
There’s a reason the F-150 has been the most popular vehicle in North America for decades. With a max towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a best-in-class available payload of 3,325 pounds, this truck is a workhorse. It can tow and haul whatever you need.
Normally, trucks don’t make for great road trip vehicles because of their spartan interiors, but the F-150 is comfortable, too, with an excellent infotainment system to keep everyone happy. To see if it’s right for you, test out a new Ford F-150 at your local dealer.
There is a particular subset of road trip enthusiasts that simply do it for the feeling of the open road. They hop on the I-95, Route 66 or the Trans-Canada Highway, and let their engines roar. In the grand tradition of this type of road trip, the pony car is king.
This past year, Ford did something unprecedented: They made an all-electric pony car. They took their iconic Mustang and swapped its gas engine for a powerful electric engine, thereby crafting a vehicle perfect for road trips. On the one hand, you get a sleek, fun-to-drive Mustang; on the other, you get a cost-effective alternative that saves you money on gas.
Finally, there is a separate kind of road trip experience – the family road trip. While either of the vehicles above make great family options, this article gives a slight edge to the Ford Explorer. A top safety pick from the IIHS, the Explorer SUV is a family car you can feel comfortable taking across the country. It has ample room (in case the kids get restless) and a top-notch infotainment system to keep the whole family entertained during long stretches of highway.
Road trip season is finally here. If you’re looking for a new vehicle that goes the distance, consider the options above. Happy trails!