It is always a good idea to think about the type of driving you do when looking to purchase your next car. This is because certain car types are better for certain types of driving.
Do you do a lot of motorway driving and looking for a suitable set of wheels that will be cost-effective and a nice comfortable drive for those long journeys? Below we take a look at a number of factors you may want to consider when purchasing your new car.
Best small car for motorway driving
Audi A1
This is at the premium end of the small car market, but we think is a great choice if you do a lot of motorway driving but want to take advantage of the smaller car.
Multiple petrol engines are on offer, from a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine to hot-hatchback like 2.0-litre versions, there’s sure to be something that suits everyone’s needs. Fuel economy is also efficient even the higher-powered examples can reach figures of 44mpg.
The Audi brand does benefit from the vast range of gadgets, but entry-level offerings can sometimes only provide the basics. However, plenty of used car examples are of higher spec and have features such as cruise control and the pricey technology pack, which includes satellite navigation, which are all handy for those motorway journeys.
Best electric car for motorway driving
Tesla Model 3
This electric car will give you up to 374 miles on one charge, meaning it could be a good choice for those motorway miles.
The Model 3 is Tesla’s cheapest model. There’s plenty of the brand’s tech to be found on board, too. Standard equipment includes a 15-inch high-resolution infotainment system, a keyless entry system that can recognise your phone as a key, heated front seats with 12-way electric adjustability, four USB ports and docking for two smartphones.
Best city car for motorway driving
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is one of those all-rounders, hence why it is one of the best-selling cars in the UK. It is praised for its reactive handling around corners and for being great fun to drive, though that hasn’t come at the expense of comfort and usability.
The Fiesta is quiet and comfy enough to be relaxing on longer motorway drives. Most of the engines are fine for motorway drives, too – the 1.5-litre diesels return good fuel economy, and the 1.0-litre petrol engines are smooth and punchy when needed, making this a good choice for motorway driving.
Best family car for motorway driving
Nissan Qashqai
When you have a family, the biggest issue is having enough space for the kids, dog, and luggage. So, you’ll need a vehicle that doubles up as a family-friendly option – as well as dealing with the rigours of a long, daily commute.
Features include comfortable front seats, which are a must for anyone spending a lot of time driving. The 1.5-litre dCi diesel is the ideal pick for fuel economy (74.3mpg), which will likely be lower in the real world depending on your driving style – but is still incredibly economical.
Best hybrid car for motorway driving
Toyota Yaris
It is labelled as one of the most sensible superminis in the market.
The only engine available in the standard car is 1.5-litre petrol with ‘self-charging’ petrol-electric hybrid technology. This little car is usually good for around-town driving but will also hold its own on the motorway, too. It’s a sensible all-rounder and at the lower end of the price market for a hybrid, hence why we have chosen it as one of our favourites.
Are hybrid cars good for motorway driving?
If you are using the motorway, it usually means you are travelling long distances. The range of miles you can cover is always going to be a concern with anything electric but, because you can switch between the two, hybrids could still be a good option for the motorway.
Combined with wider availability of superfast charging infrastructure, long-distance motorway driving in hybrid cars has become a common occurrence of many motorists’ day-to-day driving.
Best automatic car for motorway driving
Image credit: Free Stock photos by Vecteezy
Skoda Octavia
Labelled as one of the best all-round family cars on sale. You can have the option for hatchback or an estate. Both are extremely practical, offering more space inside than almost any other car in their class.
It also has a rather good automatic gearbox. Petrol and diesel models can be equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch unit, while the hybrids get a six-speed. They have proved dependable, too – the same gearboxes are used across the entire range of Volkswagen Group cars, also featuring in everything from SEATs to Audis.
Best car for long-distance driving
Long distance means comfort is going to be a key factor in your decision-making. An automatic gearbox may be seen as more desirable with long journeys.
If you are thinking electric, then you will need to look at charge time and how long you can go on a single charge. Charging times can be quite long so if you do a lot of miles electric may not be the best option at this time.
It could be suggested that at the moment, because of charge times, that a diesel or petrol car may be more suitable together with an automatic option to ensure maximum comfort.
For more help on what car to choose when looking for your next car purchase why not check out our recent blog posts – Car Buyers Guide and What to consider when buying a used car.
