6 of the Best Road Trip Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of 2022

If you're planning a road trip this summer, these are some of the best new vehicles for covering long distances and seeing the country.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Aug 9, 2022 | 4 min read

Photos by Multiple Manufacturers

A road trip done well is a rite of passage, a great way to see the country while maintaining the freedom to explore whatever catches your eye along the way. Combine a fun itinerary with the right vehicle, and you've got a recipe for a good time over even the straightest highways.

Here are our picks for the best road trip cars, trucks, and SUVs you can buy in 2022.

Land Rover

The Best for the Path Less Traveled: Land Rover Defender 110

Not every road trip ends at a destination—sometimes, adventure is the goal. If you plan on taking a meandering route, the 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 is the perfect companion for dealing with whatever obstacles might get thrown into your way. Featuring exceptional off-road capability thanks to its advanced 4x4 system and excellent ground clearance, the Defender 110 also stays smooth on the asphalt through its available air suspension. The Land Rover is an inspired companion to your expedition with generous passenger and cargo space.

Lexus

The Best for Back-Road Thrills: Lexus LC 500

Balancing a comfortable, opulent cabin with the kind of pleasing driving dynamics typically reserved for sports cars, the 2022 Lexus LC 500 is a fantastic grand touring coupe that also provides the option of a convertible model. The LC 500 is one of the most beautifully styled autos on the market. Its eight-cylinder thrust and planted handling make it the perfect companion on road trips that eschew the dull confines of the interstate for the undulating ribbons of two-lane blacktop that connect us to our very souls.

Kia

The Best for the Entire Family: Kia Carnival

When it comes to family transportation, not much can beat a minivan, especially when it comes to filling all three rows with full-size adults. The 2022 Kia Carnival features one of the most opulent cabins in its class, with the availability of reclining middle-row seats and an upscale interior to go with its exceptional levels of interior storage and luggage space. If the entire clan is coming with you, a minivan is an ideal road-tripper, and the Carnival’s coddled cruising makes it one of the best road trip cars of 2022.

Bentley

The Best for Eating Miles: Bentley Flying Spur

There are plenty of ultra-luxury sedans out there that will gracefully devour however many miles of tarmac you place in front of them. However, far fewer prioritize driver engagement as much as the 2022 Bentley Flying Spur.

Able to shift from lazy loping to focused frenzy with a kick of the right foot, the Flying Spur is the kind of car where you'll snatch the keys out of your chauffeur's hands when the roads start to get interesting.

Ram

The Best for Hauling and Towing: Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

What if you need to take the entire family with you… plus a pair of bicycles, a kayak, a bale of hay, and maybe tug a camping trailer to boot? The 2022 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel full-size pickup features a luxurious cabin plus a generous 2,300-pound payload and 12,750-lb max tow rating, making it one of the best road trip trucks of 2022. You'll also appreciate an air suspension that lowers the truck at speed, resulting in a highway fuel economy estimate as high as 33 mpg.

Tesla

The Best for Road-Tripping Environmentalists: Tesla Model X

What if you wanted to cross the U.S. and not burn gasoline? Enter the Tesla Model X midsize SUV, the largest model available from the pioneering, battery-electric carmaker. The X can seat up to seven and be driven an estimated 348 miles between charges. And thanks to Tesla's Supercharger network (with more than 35,000 chargers globally), it's also one of the most practical EVs for long-distance driving.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.