Which ultimate road trip car would you buy?

It’s almost Christmas once again, so it’s time to dream a little and hope Santa grants our wishes.

As many people wrap up their working year, a lot head off on a road trip either to be with family for festivities, or for a long-awaited holiday break.

With this in mind, the CarExpert editorial team has put together a list of its dream road trip cars. Whether it’s a low-slung sports car, comfortable executive tourer, all-terrain beast, or a mixture of all of the above, there’s no hypothetical budget holding us back this time around.

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While many of us lust over classic cars, for this challenge we’ve stuck strictly with new cars that you can currently buy in Australia. Here’s what we chose for our ultimate road trip cars.

Alborz Fallah: Rolls-Royce Cullinan

There is nothing like a Rolls-Royce, and when it comes to a road trip, I couldn’t think of a better car to eat up the miles in as you cruise from one destination to another.

Having spent a lot of time in both the Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga, my only reason for choosing the Roller is its presence on the road. Otherwise, either of these British super luxury SUVs is ideal for any road trip.

To be fair, my Genesis GV80 is 90 per cent as good as the Cullinan for about 1/7th the price, so that’s a far cheaper and more practical solution for a road trip, and you won’t look completely out of place the minute you leave the CBD.

Interested in buying a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Josh Nevett: BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring

The open-ended nature of this question forced me to think especially hard about my priorities, and I landed at adequate seating for family and friends, plenty of boot space to stack up presents, a luxurious cabin, and sweet driving dynamics for a beachside blast.

Pretty fussy, I know. But thankfully such a car exists, in the form of the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring.

Based on the BMW 3 Series Touring, the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring is like an M3 Touring with a prettier face, unique features, and arguably even more curb appeal.

Under the bonnet it packs a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 389kW of power and 730Nm of torque… healthy to say the least. The B3 also gains unique Alpina styling – just check it out in Alpina Green Metallic paint with the 20-spoke gold alloys!

Inside, I’d opt for the full merino leather package in brown, which dials comfort up to 11. You’ll be paying around $200,000 for a fully specced example of the BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring, but I can’t imagine a better vehicle in which to rack up kilometres over the Christmas break.

Interested in buying a BMW Alpina B3 GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything BMW Alpina B3 GT

Marton Pettendy: Ford Everest

My ultimate road trip car would need to be a large off-road SUV, to fit all my gear and allow me to head off the beaten track, and the hottest property in that market segment right now is the new Toyota Prado.

But as good as it looks and drives, the new 250 Series also brings mega price hikes, so much so it makes even the Ford Everest look cheap.

While the Prado now starts at a cool $72,500 before on-roads, you can get a rear-drive twin-turbo four-cylinder turbo-diesel Everest with more power and a 10-speed auto from just $54,240 before on-roads, or the 4×4 version from only $59,240 before on-roads.

Or you could get a lusty Everest Sport V6 from $74,640 before on-roads – about $2000 more than a base Prado – or even the go-anywhere Tremor V6 from $76,590 before on-roads, which is still less than a Prado GXL (from $79,990 before on-roads) and way more affordable than its 2.8-litre Prado Altitude equivalent (from $92,700 before on-roads).

Given it delivers similar off-road capability, seven-seat flexibility, technology and refinement for far more sensible money, it’s no wonder Aussies are voting with their feet for the locally designed and engineered Everest, which will become the nation’s favourite large SUV for the first time this year.

Interested in buying a Ford Everest? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Ford Everest

James Wong: Audi A6 allroad

Bit of a random one, but in a world dominated by SUVs, I didn’t want to pick something a little different.

The Audi A6 allroad is a forgotten gem, using the capable A6 Avant as a base, jacking it up and fitting adaptive air suspension for a cushy ride.

As standard, the A6 allroad’s ’45 TDI’ spec V6 diesel offers a healthy 183kW and 600Nm for effortless and refined cruising, while claiming to use just 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle – meaning nearly 1000km per fill of its 63-litre tank.

It’s a shame the allroad is now on its way out to make way for the new A6 e-tron coming in 2025. Perhaps we’ll see a hybridised A7 allroad at some point, or even an all-electric A6 allroad e-tron somewhere down the track.

Anyway, #savethewagons

Interested in buying an Audi A6? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Audi A6

Jack Quick: Defender 110 OCTA

Given I have no budget this time, I’m going all out.

My ideal road trip means long stints on the highway and the occasional off-road jaunt, which leaves me with a few options. One that stands out the most is the Defender, which soaks up highway kilometres like nothing and can also carve up virtually any off-road track.

In particular I’d go for the 110 OCTA which is a new twin-turbo V8 flagship, set to arrive in local showrooms from March 2025. I know it’s a little late for a Christmas present, but Santa knows no bounds.

At $355,588 drive-away for Victorian buyers in Edition One guise it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but it’s filled to the gills with standard equipment and unique touches. I’ll take it in Faroe Green exterior paint with the Khaki/Ebony perforated Ultrafabric upholstery.

Although it doesn’t feature JLR’s iconic 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, I’d still gladly take the keys to this BMW twin-turbo V8-powered off-road beast and go for a fang.

Interested in buying an Defender 110? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender

William Stopford: Audi A8 or Lexus LS

Both the Audi A8 and Lexus LS are large, comfortable sedans with air suspension and available fuel-efficient powertrains.

The A8 50 TDI and long-wheelbase 50 TDI L pack a 210kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 with a 48V mild-hybrid system, and fuel economy of between 6.6 and 6.7L/100km.

The LS, in contrast, offers an available 3.5-litre V6 hybrid with 264kW and claimed fuel economy of 6.8L/100km.

While I haven’t driven the A8, I have spent time with an LS which wafted down the road like a feather floating onto a cloud. And that was the “sporty” LS500 F Sport!

Ok, perhaps something with a bit more ground clearance than these two would be preferable if we’re road-tripping through regional Australia and its often shocking roads, but I’m a sedan man at heart.

So which is it, a German diesel or a Japanese hybrid? I’m not sure. Give me around $230,000 and I’ll try to figure it out.

Interested in buying an Audi A8? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Audi A8

Interested in buying an Lexus LS? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Lexus LS

Max Davies: Lexus GX

You’re going to want to be comfortable on a road trip, and there’s no doubt the Lexus GX is more than capable of meeting that criteria.

The luxury Prado is large outside, spacious inside, and equipped with everything you could possibly need like a 14.0-inch infotainment system, five USB-C ports, tri-zone climate control, as well as even a full-size spare wheel for some extra security.

Better yet, the “base” GX550 Luxury is a seven-seater capacity, which means all your friends and family can come along for the ride.

If you’re like me who would probably be taking a road trip through Victoria’s High Country and out to the state’s east coast, you’ll likely be travelling some rough rural roads and some steep inclines all on the same route.

I’ve found the GX is able to deal with each scenario fairly well, with its comfortable ride and quiet cabin making for comfortable hours behind the wheel.

It’ll have no problem with power either, because that 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 packs plenty of punch at 260kW and 650Nm. Fuel economy might be the only concern given Lexus quotes 12.3L/100km on the combined cycle, but expect that figure to be lower after prolonged stints on higher-speed roads.

Equally, there is quite the price to overcome at $116,000 before on-road costs. If you can get past that, why not road-trip in (GX550) Luxury?

Interested in buying an Audi A8? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

Jordan Mulach: BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring

A fast wagon. That’s just about every Dad’s dream, provided you don’t want to go off-road or look at any potholes.

As I get older, my desire for practicality has risen, but the love for performance hasn’t faded. The BMW Alpina B3 GT Touring takes what is an extremely capable performance car and adds extra space with minimal compromise to either its go-fast characteristics or luxury styling.

I’m not interested in going off the beaten path, I just want to get to my destination in comfort, but once there I want to explore the countryside and not regret passing up on a suitable car for the twisties.

I was fortunate enough to drive the B3 GT sedan back-to-back with an M3 a few years ago, and the Alpina reminded me of my old G6E Turbo – if it was all-wheel drive, even more powerful and lavishly equipped with modern technology.

I truly believe that so long as you’re not going off-road, it’s the jack of all trades, plus it has the ‘if you know, you know’ feeling which you just can’t get in the hot BMW M cars.

Interested in buying a BMW Alpina B3 GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything BMW Alpina B3 GT

Megan Spence: Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series wagon

Now this is a topic I can definitely weigh in on!

I plan on doing a lap of Australia in the near future, and while my BT-50 holds a special place in my heart, if I had to pick my ultimate road trip car, it’d be a Toyota LC70 Wagon. I know, shocker, right? But hear me out!

When it comes to outback reliability, Toyota really is unmatched. The LC70 might look and feel like it time travelled straight from the 90s, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect.

The basic electronics means you can splash through creek crossings without turning your rig into an expensive paperweight — and if anything does go wrong, every country town will have the parts you need.

Now, I’d love to brag about having the V8, but since Toyota has recently axed it, I’ll have to settle for the 2.8-litre four-cylinder (my left leg will thank me later).

And of course, I wouldn’t hit the road in a stock LC70 — where’s the fun in that? No, I’m dreaming big here.

Think roof conversion (when available for the new model), rear fitout, ECU remap, lifted suspension, 35s, bullbar, snorkel, and obviously an exhaust upgrade loud enough that you would be able to hear me coming from a mile away. Basically, if I won the lottery tomorrow, the mods list would be longer than the trip itself!

But in summary, tough as nails, packed with space, and impossible to kill – the LC70 is my perfect road trip rig!

Interested in buying a Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series

Sean Lander: Ram 1500

Money no object, I’d be climbing into a Ram 1500 Limited, with the Ram Box and a canopy fitted.

It’s the peak of comfort and practicality, it’s reasonably economical at highway speeds, and will handle virtually any terrain you could throw it at. Plus, it looks downright bad-ass in black-on-black.

Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

MORE: Everything Ram 1500

Paul Maric: Ford Ranger Raptor

I think this one is a no brainer. A vehicle that can go anywhere, is quick, makes noise and can be decked out with endless accessories is all that you’ll ever need for a road trip.