0
Summer is the holiday season. Many people go to the seas in their own car, not because it’s cheaper, faster, or because circumstances have developed - there’s just something special about traveling by car with your family to the sea, something from childhood. This is a special type of vacation for which many prepare in advance. So I decided to make a selection of the best, in my personal opinion, cars for traveling with the family.
I determine the budget for the cost of the car in the range of 500,000 – 1,000,000 rubles. Regarding the body layout of the minivan, I give preference to the automatic.
Lifan Myway
This is the only car in the review that is initially offered with a 7-seater interior (trunk volume 295–2188 l). But the third row in it is designed only for preschool children - for adults it will be cramped. But Lifan flaunts a more modern design and generous equipment: there is a heated steering wheel, air conditioning, and multimedia with a touch screen. The price of the base car is 899,900 rubles.
There is no choice of engine - only a 1.8-liter 125-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, which is offered in conjunction with a manual or automatic transmission. This is good. It’s bad that the cars come exclusively with rear-wheel drive, which is not very suitable for winter use.
The best family cars for travel. Budget choice "Behind the Wheel"
Citroen C4 Picasso
Falling in love Citroen C4 Picasso.
Photo from Yandex Images A cosmically unreal salon where you get a lot of pleasure and impressions. Photo from Yandex Images I will say as the owner of this car - traveling in it is a pleasure! The glass area is so large that you and everyone who is inside will feel like you are in a convertible the whole way (especially with a panoramic roof). In terms of seating in the cabin, there are carriage seats, comfortable seats, suitcases will fit, dual-zone climate, and there is already a refrigerator on staff. For a family of 3-4 people this is a great option. Diesel is economical, but it doesn’t consume much gasoline on the highway either (data from my operation, highway consumption of the engine is 2 liters of gasoline, the automatic is 7-9 liters/100 km.)
With a budget of 500,000 rubles, you can find a good option, and for 650,000 rubles it will be in excellent condition.
Car size
For long trips you need a spacious car. Even if it will only be used by two people, there is never too much space when traveling.
My family of travelers recently traded in a C-Class sedan for a large crossover, and we immediately felt how valuable an extra couple of decimeters are on long journeys. The passenger next to the driver can sit cross-legged, put his legs on the door pocket or shelf near the gearbox, or climb onto the seat with his legs. If there are passengers behind, they are not disturbed by the lowered back of the person sitting in front. Previously, these pleasures were not available to us.
As for the number of seats, the main thing is that there are enough seat belts for all passengers. When traveling, sometimes you have to spend the night in the car, or wait a long time for passage at the border. It is advisable that the seats in the car recline into beds. A large trunk is also useful - both as a place to store things and as part of a sleeping area in case of an overnight stay. You can, of course, spend the night in a tent, but this is not always safe and convenient.
Therefore, when choosing a car for long trips, you should pay attention to D-class sedans or large crossovers. The choice depends mainly on operating conditions; both categories of machines have pros and cons. In short, a sedan is also suitable for urban tourism, but a crossover is better for off-roading.
Advantages of D-class sedans for long trips:
- All other things being equal, they are more economical than crossovers due to their lighter weight.
- They have better aerodynamics, which is reflected in driving comfort and fuel consumption.
- Their center of gravity is lower, which means they are safer at speed - they hold the track better.
- The suspension of D-class sedans is softer than that of crossovers; they are more comfortable in motion.
Cons of D-class sedans:
- Low ground clearance.
- Maneuverability is worse, but for driving long distances this parameter is not as important as for urban conditions.
Advantages of crossovers
- High ground clearance. This quality of SUVs is important in off-road conditions, as well as when parking on curbs. If trips are planned not only along ideal European roads, but also across the expanses of the CIS or in the wild, a sedan is not suitable.
- Connectable all-wheel drive is a nice option, but mandatory only for complete off-road use. Fans of urban tourism can easily do without it. In extreme cases, properly selected tires will improve the vehicle's cross-country ability.
- Big wheels. The larger the wheel, the more pleasant the ride and the less damage to the chassis from potholes. Sizes 18 inches and above are suitable for any operating conditions.
- Maneuverability. Due to their stiffer suspension, crossovers are more manageable than sedans. During active maneuvering, the driver of the crossover gets less tired. But, on the other hand, the stiffer the suspension, the less comfortable it is for passengers.
Disadvantages of crossovers on the highway
A noticeable disadvantage of tall crossovers on the highway is their strong windage. This affects fuel consumption, the driving comfort of the car, and, accordingly, safety.
The crossover has a stiffer ride than the sedan, but in larger models this difference is not particularly noticeable.
Lada Largus
The average price is 555 thousand rubles.
Another station wagon from Lada impresses with its low price, good cross-country ability, large capacity (7 seats) and high ground clearance (170 mm). Each of the three rows of seats has air ducts to warm the feet of passengers. And the driver's seat is height adjustable and has lumbar support. In the basic version, the car is equipped with air conditioning, ABS and heated front seats.
Lada Largus is perfect for a large family, or for those who often travel with friends.
Find a reliable travel companion
When going on a trip by car, you need to find a travel companion - a person with whom you always have something to talk about. After all, even truck drivers communicate with colleagues via walkie-talkie. According to statistics, accidents due to the fact that the driver fell asleep are more likely to occur to those who were driving alone.
Live conversation is the best protection against sleep. If long pauses begin to appear in the conversation, it’s time to change driving or stop and rest.
Group 2-3 car seats
Heyner MaxiFix Aero. Practical, very light and compact model. It has a pleasant fabric with a three-dimensional porous structure for optimal ventilation.
Peg-Perego Viaggio 2-3 Flex. The Italian family business delights customers with new models. The chair is comfortable on long trips thanks to its favorable tilt angle and excellent branded materials. The company is distinguished by its attention to detail and the presence of interesting, convenient features. For example, independent adjustment of the car seat in width and height. The model folds compactly for transportation and has a carrying handle.
Cybex Solution Q3-Fix. Premium model of the Solution series from Cybex. One of the most comfortable and safest car seats with a unique headrest depth adjustment feature. The chair is completely perforated. High-quality fabrics, comfortable armrests, excellent safety design - all this makes the model ideal for long trips.
Group 0+ car seats
SimpleParenting Doona+. A unique universal model that combines a car seat, a carrier and a stroller. It is installed in the car only in the rear facing direction and allows for various mounting methods - with a standard car seat belt or on an isofix base. Transformation into a stroller occurs with one movement of the hand, while Doona+ meets the highest modern requirements for quality and safety. The car seat is approved for air travel.
Cybex Aton M i-Size. A very comfortable car seat with a soft liner that provides a comfortable lying position for newborns. The model is ergonomically adjusted and takes up little space in the car. There is an adjustable sun hood. Importantly, the seat is ECE 129 i-Size approved and is part of the Cybex Modular System - M-Line - for maximum compatibility between seat, base and stroller. The optimal balance of the model's characteristics was noted during ADAC testing. The seat is approved for air travel.
Group 1-2-3 car seats
Heyner Multi Protect Aero. Modern universal car seat. Compact and lightweight model in its class. At the same time, thanks to the enlarged pillow and wide sides, it provides maximum space for the child. The chair folds easily and takes up minimal space in your luggage.
Britax Römer Advansafix IV R. Very comfortable universal car seat with isofix mounting and V-Teather anchor belt. Some restrictions are imposed by the need to have such mounting systems in the car, but the list of compatibility presented in the manual is quite extensive. SecureGuard technology, SICT side protection and V-shaped headrest provide superior protection in all conditions. The chair is roomy and at the same time compact. It has a large angle of inclination and provides a comfortable fit for children of almost all ages. Easily transforms from group 1 to group 2-3.
Volkswagen T5 Doubleback
@GearJunkie
Another brainchild of the German concern. If outwardly the “Doubleback” is almost identical to the first car on the list, then their internal differences are quite serious. Its main advantage is the electrically operated sliding compartment. It takes less than a minute to double the space. This car also has a bed, a wardrobe and a kitchenette. The front seats also swivel and the roof opens. The Doubleback costs more than a minibus, but less than a camper. The most important thing is that when the module is retracted, the car becomes an ordinary passenger van.
Subaru Outback
The average retail price is 2 million 319 thousand rubles.
First place in the ranking of the best passenger cars for family travel was taken by a brutal Japanese station wagon. It stands out from the huge variety of “brothers” with an impressive ground clearance of 213 mm and all-wheel drive. It doesn’t care about Russian off-road conditions, and the X-MODE intelligent system will allow you to control engine power, which improves car control in difficult conditions. Perhaps, in our rating, this is the best car for those who have to go where “Makar hasn’t driven calves.”
Inside the cabin there are comfortable leather seats with adjustable headrests and tilt angle. All seats are heated as standard, there is cruise control and two front and two side airbags.
Volkswagen Touran
@TuRbO_J
And again the “German” is recognized as the best car for traveling. Despite the fact that the interior is not nearly as luxurious and functional as in previous models, passengers will not feel inconvenienced. The car has enough space in width and height, as well as many shelves, pockets and folding tables. This car has a record-breakingly spacious trunk: from 695 to 1990 liters with the back of the sofa folded. Diesel consumption is low - from 4.3 to 4.7 liters.
Group 1 car seats
Britax Römer Eclipse. Comfortable chair with a wide angle of inclination. Its main feature is the ability to install it using a two-point lap belt, which allows you to fix the chair in the middle of the rear row of seats (in some cars). It is also approved for use in aircraft, where this type of fastening is the only possible one.
Britax Römer King 2 LS. This is one of the most famous car seats on the market. The model has a very comfortable fit and an excellent angle of inclination. What adds to its popularity is the traditional fastening with a standard belt in almost any car.
Cybex Juno M-Fix. A practical, comfortable and compact chair with a table. The protective table is adjustable, optimized in shape and leaves enough internal space for the baby to travel comfortably. The model is universal in terms of fastening type - can be used with isofix or with a standard car belt.
Car seats group 0-1-2
Daiichi First 7 and Daiichi First 7 isofix. Comfortable and ergonomic car seats from the world famous Korean manufacturer. For maximum comfort and protection of the child, an anatomical pillow with a memory function is used, as well as three-layer vibration-absorbing material in the body of the car seat. The materials of the covers are made of natural cotton of organic origin. Both models provide a record tilt angle of 146°, which ensures an almost horizontal position for the baby.
Take your time!
The main rule in road travel is that the average speed is much more important than the maximum speed. Driving at high speed is tiring and exhausting, and the optimal speed is about 90 km/h.
It is important to understand that any “5-minute” stop actually takes about 10 minutes. And if you need to reduce travel time, then it is better to relieve yourself, for example, while refueling your car, and not stop specifically for this.
And you shouldn’t expect that the average speed will be high. If there are many villages on the way, then the average speed is unlikely to be more than 70 km/h. It will be much easier if the driver is determined to comply with traffic rules, and if he needs to be there by a certain time, he will leave an hour and a half earlier.
