Best Cars for Long Distance Driving in India

Nothing beats the thrill and satisfaction of munching miles in a car across the country's highways. The phrase, "It's all about the journey and not the destination," is the best way to describe the experience. That being said, having the right car will make the journey a fond memory that will last for years.

We have chosen some of the best cars for long drives in India among every class of vehicles while focusing on the parameters that matter the most for long-distance drives—mileage, comfort, boot space and performance.

List of the Best 15 Cars for Long Drives

Here are the top contenders: 

1. Renault Kwid

The Renault Kwid is a peppy car you can enjoy on the highways. It has two engine options, an 800 cc unit that churns out 54 PS maximum power and 72 Nm of peak torque and a 1-litre engine that churns out 68 PS and 91 Nm. Regarding safety, the Kwid comes equipped with dual airbags, ABS and EBD. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 22 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 279 litres

Airbags: Dual

Price: Rs. 4.64 - 5.99 lakhs

2. Maruti Baleno

The Baleno is a fun-to-drive vehicle with many safety features and a relatively big boot for a hatchback. Being a Maruti, it is refined, built well and is a low-maintenance vehicle making it perfect for long drives. It can comfortably seat five people and offers a plush ride on long drives.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 20 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 339 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 6.42 - 9.60 lakhs

3. Hyundai i20

The Hyundai i20 comes with multiple power trains to choose from. The turbocharged unit puts out above 118 PS of maximum power and 170 Nm of torque making overtaking a breeze in this vehicle. The i20 also has one of the most comfortable rear seats in its class, making it one of the best cars for long drives. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 20 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 311 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 7.07 - 11.62 lakhs

4. Honda Amaze

Honda's legendary engineering needs no introduction. The Amaze has a free-revving and peppy engine that puts out 90 PS of maximum power and 110 Nm of torque.

Coupled with an amazing setup that soaks up bumps and high levels of sound insulation, driving the Amaze is an experience in itself. The Amaze also has one of the biggest boots in its class. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 18.5 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 450 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 6.63 - 11.50 lakhs

5. Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia, a premium mid-size sedan, is an amazing choice for open roads. It comes with four powertrain options, offering different driving experiences.

The Slavia also has a comfortable and spacious cabin, suspension that works on our roads and enough ground clearance to tackle anything. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 18.5 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 521 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 11.29 - 18.40 lakhs

6. Maruti Ciaz

The Ciaz is the perfect sedan around the Rs. 10 lakh price bracket to cruise the highways—it has the most comfortable and spacious cabin in its class, a massive boot and good handling. While it may be affordable, the sedan comes loaded with features in the segment.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 18.5 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 510 litres

Airbags: Dual

Price: Rs. 8.99 - 11.98 lakhs

7. Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia is a driver's machine. Its powerful engine puts out 188 PS of maximum power and 320 Nm of torque and is punchy all across the rev band.

The large and comfy seats combined with a well-judged chassis make driving long distances a joy in this vehicle. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 15 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 600 litres

Airbags: 8

Price: Rs. 27.34 - 30.44 lakhs

8. Honda City

With Honda's legendary refined engine and performance, expansive space, and a slick gearbox, the sedan has everything you will ever need to tackle the country's highways.

The taller gearing in the City allows you to sustain higher speeds at lower revs, making it a lot more fuel efficient in the process.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 18 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 506 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 11.57 - 15.52 lakhs

9. Tata Nexon

The Nexon's 1.2L Turbocharged Revotron puts out 118 bhp of maximum power and 170 Nm of torque, making it more than capable of cruising the highways at 3-digit speeds.

The SUV is one of the few vehicles on this list to receive a 5-star Global NCAP rating, making this one of the safest vehicles to drive in India. The suspension is also well-tuned for our driving conditions and the Nexon does a good job soaking in bumps at almost every speed.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 17.5 + kmpl

Boot Capacity: 350 litres

Airbags: Dual

Price: Rs. 7.69 to 14.32 lakhs

10. XUV 700

now. It delivers strong mid-range performance and is outfitted with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to make long drives much less stressful.

Aside from that, the Mahindra XUV700 is the only vehicle in its class to offer all-wheel drive. The XUV 700 is available in 5 and 7-seater versions and also has a 5-star Global NCAP rating.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 13.9 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 60 litres (with a third-row)

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 13.45 - 24.95 lakhs

11. Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner has everything you need for mile-munching—loads of space for all the occupants, road presence, Toyota's legendary bulletproof reliability, and a host of creature comforts to keep your journey as pleasant as possible.

While all that heft does affect the mileage of the vehicle, the Fortuner makes up for it with a massive 80-litre fuel tank, giving it a driving range of around 800 km.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 10 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 296 litres

Airbags: 7

Price: Rs. 32.59 - 50.34 lakhs

12. Mercedes Benz S Class

The Mercedes-Benz S Class is the epitome of luxury, plush ride and premium comfort features, making long drives a breeze in the S Class.

The luxury sedan offers an unmatched driving experience, and if you are being chauffeured around, nothing comes close to the rear seat experience.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 12.8 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 550 litres

Airbags: 10

Price: Rs. 1.60 - 2.17 Crore

13. BMW 5 series

The BMW 5-Series is one of the best cars for long drives in India. The Munich-based manufacturer has ensured the sedan is available with a variety of engines, all of which deliver excellent drivability and performance.

The BMW 5-Series also has one of the best rear seats in the segment, making it an all-around performer in its class. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 15 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 530 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 64.49 - 74.49 lakhs

14. Kia Carnival

Have a large family with a taste for adventure? If yes, look no further than the Kia Carnival. This premium people mover can seat 7 people comfortably. Its impressive ride quality makes this one of the best MPVs to cruise the highways. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 11 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 540 litres

Airbags: 6

Price: Rs. 29.99 - 34.98 lakhs

15. Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is India's legendary people carrier, and rightly so. It provides a proper "captain's seat" experience in its 7-seater avatar, but an 8-seater version is also available.

These vehicles run for years and are great for mile-munching thanks to their comfortable seating, relatively large boot, and bulletproof reliability.

Key Specs At A Glance

Mileage: 10.5 kmpl

Boot Capacity: 300 litres

Airbags: 7

Price: Rs. 18.09 - 23.83 lakhs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some common questions about cars suited for long journeys.

What should I look for in a car, especially if I plan on going on a lot of long drives?

When looking for a car for long drives, comfort, safety, mileage, reliability, and boot capacity should be at the top of your priority list.

What should I keep in mind before undertaking a long journey?

Get plenty of sleep before the journey, carry a lot of water, food, and a first aid kit, and most of all, follow the rules of the road to keep you and your family/friends safe.

How can I be safe on highways?

Here are some tips to be safe on long drives.

• Always stay within the speed limit and stay alert.

• Follow road discipline.

• Make sure your tyres and brakes are in good condition before you set out on your journey.

What would be the best insurance policy for cars?

Comprehensive Insurance Policy would be advisable if long journeys are a regular thing for you. As the name implies, this type of policy will cover you in many more scenarios than a standard third-party insurance policy.

Should I consider an add-on for my car insurance?

If you undertake long journeys frequently, you should not miss out on the Road Side Assistance add-on. It will come to your aid if your car suffers a mechanical breakdown or in case of an unfortunate mishap.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.

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