Published December 18th, 2025

Photos by Jay Kana unless otherwise noted.

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Whether you’re travelling across town or across the country, road trips can be fun, exciting and adventurous.
What’s the best car for a road trip? Well, that depends on where you’re going and who you’re with.

As Canadian travel continues to increase, so does the popularity and freedom of the road trip. It can be well-planned or spontaneous; by yourself or with others; overnight or over a month.
There are dozens of vehicle options in 2026 that can be your chariot for adventure, each with something that suits your needs and lifestyle.

The best cars for road trips reference guide is categorized by vehicle size/class and every single one has been personally tested by me. There a links to my reviews in the description of each vehicle reviewed.
To see all of my car reviews, Modern Motoring has them all!

From the captivating east coast to the precious prairies to the majestic west coast of our country, keep your elbows up and hands on the wheel with the best cars for road trips in Canada in 2026.

Full-Size SUV

Nissan Armada

All-new last year, the Armada makes a repeat appearance here as Nissan is investing heavily in their flagship vehicle. There's a regular, off-road-ish and performance version available, a robust drivetrain, oodles of power, towing capacity up to 8,500 pounds and a cavernous interior.Following the trend of bigger, the Nissan Armada also boasts two massive screens for a tech-heavy presence.

Photo via Ford Canada — Ford Expedition

Decked out with a new exterior and interior, the 2026 Ford Expedition goes digital-heavy with supersized screens, seating for up to eight and a towing capacity of up to 9,600 pounds.
Ford's largest vehicle comes with at least 400 horsepower and a cavernous interior, suitable for both short and long road trips.
Photo by Ford Canada.

Mid-Size SUV

Hyundai Palisade

I racked up over 2,000 km on the all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade to and from Mauricie National Park in Quebec and I say with certainty that this is a borderline luxury vehicle without the elevated price tag. From an upscale interior to smart tech, modestly-sized screens and an excellent drive feel, the Palisade is poised to be the segment leader.
There's also, for the first time, a hybrid version, which also drives exceptionally well with minimal road noise and respectable handling given its size.
Expect to see a plethora of these on Canadian roads this year.

Honda Pilot

My 11-day kayaking excursion in Nova Scotia was done with a Honda Pilot to the tune of nearly 2,000 km. If you're looking for simple and sensible, the Pilot certainly takes flight. Physical climate control buttons, a smaller (compared to competitors) infotainment screen that's still effective and scores of space increase its appeal. An old-fashioned naturally aspirated V6 engine with ample power and good handling and a long list of standard safety make this an easy choice.

Compact Crossover

Volkswagen Tiguan

The all-new Tiguan has gone upscale with its interior and tech in hopes of distancing itself from competitors. A sleek cabin, modern technology and an excellent drive feel will keep everyone happy and comfortable.
It now has more power, less weight and lower fuel consumption, along with a smooth drive feel, all key elements for a good road trip vehicle.

Toyota RAV4

Canada's best-selling vehicle is all-new for 2026 and after spending some time with it, it's bound to be a hit and likely retain its popularity crown.
It's hybrid-only, which helps reduce fuel costs, has ample power, plenty of cargo space and the technology and safety are quite good. There's a regular version, off-road inspired version via a Woodland trim and a high-performance version; all of which are solid choices for the Toyota RAV4.

Hyundai Tucson

Available in both gasoline, plug-in hybrid and hybrid forms, the Hyundai Tucson is a comfortable road trip companion. Captivating styling throughout, a long list of standard safety and a smooth drive feel make the Tucson a solid choice. Plus, there's an XRT off-road inspired trim. No wonder it's one of Hyundai's best-selling vehicles.

Subcompact Crossover

Subaru Crosstrek

Already a leader in the segment, there's finally a hybrid version! It shares the same engine as the larger Forester and could be what elevates it to class-leader. Great standard safety, full-time all-wheel drive and capability galore mean that you can go further and do more adventuring.
I did a 2,000+ km winter road trip with it to Quebec City last year and it was thoroughly impressive all around. Add in the Wilderness extra-off-road-capable trim, along with the gasoline version and the trilogy is complete for road trip adventure seekers.

Lexus UX

The smallest crossover from Lexus is hybrid only and with 487 litres of cargo space, that's plenty for a couple of carry-ons and a bit more. The UX's agility means parking is a breeze, the responsive touch screen and audio system are impressive and of course, Lexus' high reliability adds peace of mind to long journeys.

Two Door/Coupe

Mazda MX-5

The legendary roadster is an easy choice for exhilarating road trip experiences. It's small, light, stylish and has gobs of power relative to its weight. Available in automatic and manual, I think Mazda will be the last car company to offer stick-shift transmissions and keep reading to see another Mazda entry or two here. Keep that top down as you take tight twists and turns with ease. Here, the journey is as good, if not better, than the destination.
Use minimalism with your luggage as the trunk has enough space for two soft shell carryon bags in the Mazda MX-5.

BMW M4

If you want superb driving dynamics, the BMW M4 churns that out through a three-litre turbocharged, six-cylinder engine with a whopping 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque through an eight-speed M xDrive gearbox. Available with hard top or as a convertible, the M4's luxurious interior adds advanced technology for a well-balanced ride, complete with best-in-class handling.

Sedan

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Back after a two year absence, the Hyundai Sonata hybrid comes in one jam-packed trim with all the goodies, safety and convenience on your needs list. Sure, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and also good sedans but with the Sonata being nearly $10,000 less than them, the value proposition here is astounding.
My Mississauga to Montreal and back snow-filled road trip was a breeze and if you don't want the hybrid, there's a gasoline and performance version. The hybrid really is the best of both worlds and the one I'd easily pick.

BMW 5-Series

The best modern BMW offering for the past decade and then some, the elegant 5-Series does it all and does it with grace. I've driven dozens of them in my career and the one that stands out is the plug-in hybrid 550e, with astonishing power and up to 55 km of all-electric range.
The interior is brimming with luxury, smart technology and BMW's claim of "The Ultimate Driving Machine" certainly rings true here. Plan for longer road trips here to spend more time behind the wheel.

Pickup Truck - Hyundai Santa Cruz

Along with the Ford Maverick, the Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup truck are smart alternatives for those who want something with a bed. All these oversized pickup trucks are rarely used for what they're designed for, so this smaller, smart and sensible alternative makes a lot of sense.
I did a massive Manitoba road trip in the summer of 2025 with it and it had all the comforts and benefits of a compact crossover (Tucson) along with the covered and convenient cargo space of a bed. The audio system, infotainment, instrument cluster, seats and overall cabin scores very high. It's a breeze to drive, there's so much standard safety and from urban Winnipeg to rural parts of the province, the Santa Cruz did far more than expected of it.

Light Off-Road

Subaru Forester

I racked up nearly 3,000 km in the first-ever hybrid version of the Forester in British Columbia last summer. From Vancouver to the rockies to rough terrain and more, the Forester conquered it all with grace. Yes, there's a rugged "Wilderness" trim for more adventures but out of the box, this popular Subaru offering, with its full-time all-wheel drive, will be ideal for most adventurers.

Heavy Off-Road - Jeep Wrangler

This video from late 2025 of me off-roading with ease in a Jeep Wrangler tells you everything you need to know about its wild capability.

It's lonely at the top of the proverbial off-road trail, isn't it, Jeep?

Hybrid

Hyundai Elantra

The superb value propositions from Hyundai keep rolling here through the Elantra. Priced much lower than the competitors, it boasts a combined fuel economy of a measly 4.7 L/100 km.
Standard safety and features are plentiful and the drive feel is pretty comfortable.

Yes, the Honda Civic hybrid and Toyota Corolla hybrid are also excellent options but slightly higher priced when similarly equipped to the Elantra.

Plug-in Hybrid

Electric Vehicles

Keep this handy for How to Plan a Road Trip in an Electric Vehicle, with 17 ways to smartly plan a road trip in an electric vehicle/EV that can make the journey as memorable as the destination.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 - Up to 539 km of range

Hyundai's entry into the electric three-row SUV world is electrifyingly good. With a minimum range of 500 km across all trims, the IONIQ 9 blends futuristic design with smart technology, a spacious interior and impressive driving dynamics.
Having driven it at its Canadian launch, this EV checks all the boxes for an EV road trip.
Charging speed: Up to 350 kW via Level 3 DC fast charge

Nissan Leaf - Up to 488 km of range

The all-new third generation Nissan Leaf is a significant upgrade and a much-needed option in the world of "affordable" EVs. Large screens, an upscale interior and comfortable ride are highlights. It's easy to drive, easy to park and has a good amount of cargo space for three or four people to hit the open road.
Charging speed: Up to 150 kW
Photo by Nissan Canada.

BMW i4 - Up to 536 km of range

The BMW i4 won AJAC’s 2025 Electric Car Of The Year and is to me, one of the best three electric vehicles on the market. With up to 536 km of range, delightful driving dynamics and a plethora of power, the i4 comes in eight different variations.
User-friendly technology and a serene cabin feel make this an excellent electric choice.

Charging speed: Up to 205 kW

Porsche Macan - Up to 507 km of range

Road trip in style with unmatched driving dynamics with Porsche's small yet mighty electric Porsche Macan.
It looks and feels similar to the gasoline Macan, which is an excellent compliment. Porsche took everything successful from the Macan and electrified it. It's also a finalist for AJAC's Canadian Electric Car of the Year.
Charging speed: Up to 270 kW

Volkswagen ID. Buzz - up to 377 km of range

Good ol' retro vibes ring clear here with Volkswagen's modern, electrified version of their legendary bus. Balancing old-school design cues with current technology, my summer road trip in it came with plenty of smiles from others. The range isn't as high as others but if you want something unique to road trip with, this is it.
Charging speed: up to 200 kW

Convertible

Mercedes-Benz CLE 450

This is by far the best vehicle Mercedes has produced in over a decade. It's quick, agile, powerful, luxurious and blends the C-Class and E-Class. Get that top down and enjoy the open air in style. Both come with all-wheel drive and while the coupe is good but the cabriolet is far better.

Mazda MX-5

Between the hardtop (retractable fastback) and soft top, there are no bad choices. Mazda's magical MX-5, with over one million sold over the past 35 years, is a unicorn. Small, light, fast, fun, functional and just enough cargo space. Pick the right person to sit in the only other seat and love every kilometre of the drive. 10/10 - no changes.

Manual

Minivan - Kia Carnival

The current crop of minivans include the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Grand Caravan and this Kia Carnival. Available in both gasoline and as a hybrid, the Carnival is refreshed for 2026 and kudos to Kia for keeping this in their roster.
The gas version does well; the hybrid version is much better with a 4.1 L/100 km reduction in fuel consumption.
The features are fantastic, the space is admirable and you simply can't beat sliding doors for the height of functionality.

The Best Cars for Canadian Road Trips in 2026