What Makes a Great Road Trip Car?
A great road trip car needs four things: comfort for long hours, mileage to keep fuel costs low, boot space for luggage, and safety features for highway driving. Here are our top picks available on Carsavaar.
1. Toyota Innova Crysta — The King of Road Trips
If you're travelling with family (5-7 people), nothing beats the Innova Crysta. Captain seats in the second row, diesel torque for overtaking on highways, and enough boot space for a week's luggage. It's the most popular road trip car in India for a reason.
Best for: Family trips, 6-7 passengers | Mileage: 14-16 km/l | Luggage: 4 bags
2. Hyundai Creta — The All-Rounder
The Creta is the Swiss Army knife of Indian cars. Comfortable for 4-5 people, great mileage (both petrol and diesel), ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and ADAS safety features. It handles city traffic and highway cruising equally well.
Best for: Couples, small families | Mileage: 17-21 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
3. Mahindra Thar — The Adventure Machine
Planning a trip to Ladakh, Spiti, or any off-road destination? The Thar is your car. 4WD, diesel torque, and that open-top experience on mountain roads is unbeatable. Not the most comfortable for long highway drives, but for adventure trips, nothing comes close.
Best for: Adventure trips, off-road | Mileage: 12-15 km/l | Luggage: 2 bags
4. Honda City — The Highway Sedan
The Honda City has been India's favourite highway sedan for decades. Low centre of gravity, excellent ride quality at 100+ km/h, great AC, and a massive boot. The CVT automatic variant is a dream for highway driving — zero fatigue even after 500 km.
Best for: Couples, 2-3 people | Mileage: 18-22 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
5. Mahindra XUV700 — Tech-Loaded Beast
The XUV700 has ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features make long drives significantly safer and less tiring. Plus, the panoramic sunroof and 12-speaker Sony system make every drive feel premium.
Best for: Tech lovers, families | Mileage: 14-16 km/l | Luggage: 4 bags
6. Kia Seltos — Premium Compact SUV
Similar to the Creta but with slightly sportier looks and Bose audio. The Seltos is perfect for couples or small groups who want SUV comfort without the size of a full-size SUV. The diesel automatic variant is the sweet spot for highway driving.
Best for: Couples, 4 passengers | Mileage: 17-20 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
7. Toyota Fortuner — The Premium Highway Cruiser
If budget isn't a constraint, the Fortuner is the ultimate road trip machine. Massive, powerful, safe, and incredibly comfortable at high speeds. The 4WD variant handles any terrain — from Mumbai-Goa highways to Uttarakhand mountain roads.
Best for: Premium trips, large groups | Mileage: 10-14 km/l | Luggage: 4 bags
8. Maruti Swift Dzire — Budget King
Don't underestimate the Dzire. It's the most fuel-efficient car on this list, has a surprisingly spacious boot, and is perfectly comfortable for trips up to 500 km. The AMT automatic variant makes city exits effortless. Best bang for buck if you're watching your rental budget.
Best for: Budget trips, 2-3 people | Mileage: 22-26 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
9. Maruti Ertiga — Family Value Pick
Need 7 seats but don't want to pay Innova prices? The Ertiga is your answer. Light, fuel-efficient, and practical. The third row is usable for kids. For a family of 5-6, it's the best value MPV available for self-drive rental.
Best for: Large families, budget | Mileage: 18-20 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
10. Tata Nexon — Safety Champion
India's only 5-star Global NCAP rated car (at the time of testing). The Nexon is compact, affordable, and extremely safe. Great for couples or small families who prioritise safety on the highway. The sunroof and touchscreen system add to the comfort.
Best for: Safety-conscious renters | Mileage: 17-21 km/l | Luggage: 3 bags
Book Your Road Trip Car
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Written by
Carsavaar Editorial Team
Editorial Team, Carsavaar
Reviewed by Carsavaar operations
Articles published under the Carsavaar Editorial Team are researched by our content team and reviewed by senior operations members for accuracy on pricing, policy and process details. We update guides quarterly to reflect current rates, document requirements, and route conditions across India.