If you’re a road-tripper or travel long distances for pleasure or work by cars, they need to meet certain prerequisites. These cars should be reasonably powerful, spacious enough to accommodate both passengers and luggage comfortably, and fuel efficient enough to form mile munching enjoyable and straightforward on your wallet. Above all, they ought to be reliable and safe enough to place you comfortable during your long distance travels. Here’s a glance at the simplest cars to think about for long drives across different categories.
One of the biggest perks of owning a car is enjoying long drives and the lengthy roads in India make it perfect for leisurely driving around for hours. But not all cars are made the same and not every vehicle is built for long-distance trips. Here is a list of the most popular cars designed for long drives.
Honda Jazz
Picking a car from this segment wasn’t easy. Hatchbacks aren’t usually known for his or her road-tripping capabilities. However, we settled on the diesel Jazz due to its decent set of features, cabin space and frugal yet punchy engine. The one drawback is that the Jazz’s diesel can get a touch clattery once you hustle it.
A close second during this category is that the Volkswagen Polo. The Polo GT TSI features a smooth engine, a superb gearbox and handles well. The rear seat isn’t the foremost comfortable, though. This shouldn’t be a priority if you continue long drives alone, but if your family or friends accompany you, their experience might not be as comfortable because it would be in, say, the Honda Jazz. After the BS6 update, the Polo is now available only with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated MPI engine in two states of tune. We’d recommend choosing the more powerful 1.0-litre TSI unit that creates 110PS and 175Nm though it’s limited to the Highline+ and GT variants. There’re a replacement 6-speed manual and 6-speed converter automatic drive to settle on from — again, only with the TSI units.
Honda Jazz Specs
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| ARAI Mileage | 27.3 kmpl |
| Transmission Type | Manual |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 40 |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 98.6bhp@3600rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 200Nm@1750rpm |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 1498 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 354 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Service Cost (Avg. of 5 years) | No |
Honda Civic
That’s what the Civic is. It handles excellently and offers a cushty cabin. Any qualms we had about its diesel being underpowered were quashed once we drove it during our trial . It does high triple-digit speeds with remarkable ease. You won’t just like the Civic if outright power is what you seek. However, if a cushty cabin, excellent ride quality, highway manners, and therefore the capability to form that chassis obey every whim of yours on ghat sections is what you seek, the Civic will forge a special place in your heart immediately.
The Skoda Octavia is our second choice during this category. it’s a lot of power to supply , but in terms of ride comfort and handling, it comes second to the Civic.
Honda Civic Specs
| ARAI Mileage | 16.5 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 1799 |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 139@6500rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 174@4300rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Transmission Type | Manual |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 430 re |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 47.0 |
| Body Type | Sedan |
Toyota Innova Crysta
Toyota sells cars that are durable and very reliable – especially on Indian roads and therefore the Innova Crysta is certainly one among the simplest in their lineup. The car houses a 2.4L diesel, 2.8L diesel, and a 2.7L petrol engine that’s mated to a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and a 5-speed manual transmission respectively. The petrol variant produces 163bhp with 245Nm of torque while the two .4L diesel offers 147bhp/343Nm and therefore the 2.8L produces 171bhp/360Nm.
Toyota Innova Crysta Specs Overview
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 2393 |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 171.5bhp@3400rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 360Nm@1200-3400rpm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 55.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Body Type | MUV |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 300 |
Kia Carnival
The Carnival may be a well-equipped MPV. It features three-zone climate control, dual-panel sunroof, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 10.1-inch touchscreen display for middle-row entertainment. just like the Seltos, the Carnival too comes with Kia’s UVO connected car technology.
The Kia Carnival has 1 diesel on offer. The diesel is 2199 cc . it’s available with the automated transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Carnival features a mileage of 14.11 kmpl. The Carnival may be a 7 seater and has length of 5115, width of 1985 and a wheelbase of 3060.
Kia Carnival Specs
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| ARAI Mileage | 14.11 kmpl |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 2199 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 60.0 |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 197.2bhp@3800rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 440nm@1750-2750rpm |
| Body Type | MUV |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 540 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
Ford Endeavour
Ford Endeavour. There, we said it. The Endeavour is so good that if we had to select one car from the whole list, it might be a toss-up between this or the Honda Civic. Eventually, you’d need to decide between the Endeavour’s go-anywhere capabilities and therefore the Civic’s corner-carving ability. Ford has downsized the Endeavour’s engine to suits BS6 norms, which has led to an indirect benefit to its fuel efficiency. While we miss the facility the older Endeavour offered, the present engine does a sufficiently good job of cruising comfortably on the highway. And if you’re within the mood to require it off-road, it can do this too, quite easily.
It gets FordPass connected car technology as standard, allowing users to perform remote vehicle operations, track its live location, and obtain an summary of the car’s telematics via the smartphone app. Other features like active noise cancellation for the cabin, semi-autonomous parallel park assist, power-folding third-row seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof still remain on offer. It also gets an 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Ford Endeavour Specs
| ARAI Mileage | 13.9 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 1996 |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 420Nm@2000-2500rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 167.62bhp@3500rpm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 80.0 |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Service Cost (Avg. of 5 years) | Rs.6,315 |
Skoda New Rapid
Now, let’s get to my personal favourite car for long drives: the Skoda Rapid. Having driven this car extensively, I even have to mention its ride quality is great . The diesel including the DSG gearbox makes things interesting on long, open stretches. However, with the BS6 era, the diesel has been discontinued. I just hope the new 1.0-litre petrol TSI delivers the maximum amount punch because the diesel version.
Skoda offers the sedan with automatic climate control, control , height-adjustable driver seat, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. The top-spec variants get a replacement 8.0-inch touchscreen unit.
Skoda New Rapid Specs
| Transmission | Automatic |
| City Mileage | 13.67 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| ARAI Mileage | 16.24 kmpl |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 108.62bhp@5000-5500rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 175nm@1750-4000rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 999 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 460 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 55.0 |
| Body Type | Sedan |
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz houses a 1.3L diesel also as a 1.5L diesel option which is mated to a 5-speed and 6-speed manual gearbox. there’s a 1.5L petrol engine model also that comes with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic gearbox also . In terms of mileage offered, the Ciaz can go anywhere between 20.28kmpl to twenty-eight .09kmpl.
The Maruti Ciaz has 1 Petrol Engine on offer. The Petrol engine is 1462 cc . It is available with the Manual & Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Ciaz has a mileage of 20.04 to 20.65 kmpl. The Ciaz is a 5 seater and has length of 4490 mm, width of 1730 mm and a wheelbase of 2650 mm.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Specs
| ARAI Mileage | 20.04 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 1462 |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 103.25bhp@6000rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 138Nm@4400rpm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 43.0 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 510 |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Service Cost (Avg. of 5 years) | Rs.3,689 |
Volkswagen Polo
Powering one among the foremost used cars in India, the Volkswagen Polo is either a 1.0L petrol engine that produces 75Ps of power or a 1.5L diesel that gives 90Ps of power. Both the variants are available with 5-speed manual transmissions. The GT version of the Polo comes with a strong 1.2L TSI petrol engine also as a 1.5L TDI diesel that’s mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox and a 5-speed manual system respectively.
Volkswagen Polo Specs
| ARAI Mileage | 21.49 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Transmission Type | Manual |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 45 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 280 |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 230nm@1500-2500rpm |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 88bhp@4200rpm |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 1498 |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Service Cost (Avg. of 5 years) | No |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
BMW 5 Series
There are a complete of three engine options on the BMW 5 Series which include a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel , a 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel , and a 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol engine. While all offers different amounts of torque and power, all three variants accompany an 8-speed automatic drive system. As is with all BMW models, the interiors are extremely comfortable and excellent for long drives.
BMW 5 Series Specs
| ARAI Mileage | 17.42 kmpl |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 66.0 |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 261.49bhp@4000rpm |
| Max Torque (nm@rpm) | 620Nm@2000-2500rpm |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Engine Displacement (cc) | 2993 |
| Boot Space (Litres) | 520 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Body Type | Sedan |
