Top 10 cars for long commutes and journeys
Longer journeys are what expose the best and worst of a vehicle, with any faults or irritants really making themselves known after several hours at the wheel.
That’s why, if you have a longer commute or regularly do extended journeys, you want to make sure you’ve got the right vehicle for the job. Here we pick out the 10 best used cars for the job, for a range of price ranges.
BMW 5 Series
BMW’s mid-size 5 Series is widely considered one of the best executive cars around, and if you do a lot of miles, there are few more pleasant cars to be behind the wheel of. There have been several generations of 5 Series, and each is highly recommended, but for the best balance between modernity and value, we recommend the previous iteration, introduced in 2017.
Offering a high-quality and upmarket interior, we’d avoid the more performance-focused M Sport version in favour of an ‘SE’ trim, which gets smaller alloys and a more comfort-specific ride setup. Choose a 520d or 530d diesel and it will prove very economical on fuel. Prices for a 2017 5 Series start from £12,500 for a high-mileage car and around £15,000 for one with under 100,000 miles on the clock.
Search for a BMW 5 Series on AA CarsCitroen C5 Aicross
Citroen’s cars are renowned for their comfort, and that makes them ideal for those doing longer commutes or plenty of big trips. They’re relaxing and easy to drive, and none more so than the C5 Aircross. Introduced in 2019, it’s Citroen’s largest crossover, and an ideal choice for families thanks to its spacious and versatile interior.
All C5 Aircross models get a funky design, while there’s plenty of equipment included across the full line-up. You have a choice of petrol and diesel engines, but it’s the latter that is best for long journeys thanks to their exceptional fuel economy – Citroen claims up to 60mpg. With prices starting from around £11,000 for a 2019 C5 Aircross, you get a lot of car for your money with this crossover.
Search for Citroen C5 Aircross on AA CarsSkoda Superb
The Skoda Superb is a car that most certainly lives up to its name, and as this firm’s flagship model, it really delivers when it comes to comfort. Choose it with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine and not only does it offer strong performance but also excellent fuel consumption – you should see around 60mpg if driven carefully.
The Superb also offers a vast amount of interior space that makes it ideal for taller passengers, and a huge boot, regardless of whether you choose it as a hatchback or estate. We recommend the latest generation Superb, introduced in 2015. Used prices start from £7,500, and around £10,000 for a lower mileage example.
Search for Skoda Superbs on AA CarsVolvo XC90
If you want a car that can happily transport seven people over long distances in maximum comfort, it’s hard to beat the Volvo XC90. The Swedish firm’s flagship SUV comes with seven seats as standard, and with a particularly well-finished interior with all of the luxuries, it’s a great place to spend time. This Volvo also has an exceptional safety record, and if you opt for the second-generation XC90 – introduced in 2015 – it comes fully kitted out with a range of driver assistance technologies.
Though you can have the XC90 as a petrol and plug-in hybrid, it’s the diesel that makes the most sense for those doing lots of longer trips. We’d just advise staying clear of the stylish R-Design trim, as the large wheels on it don’t help ride comfort. Prices now start from around £20,000 for an XC90 with under 100,000 miles on the clock.
Search for a used Volvo XC90 on AA CarsTesla Model 3
Electric cars get a lot of bad press for not being much use on longer trips, but that doesn’t have to be the case. American EV giant Tesla is a great example of this, as the firm has a dedicated network of ‘Superchargers’ that offer quick, reliable and cost-effective chargers up and down the country, and also across Europe.
Used electric car prices have come down significantly in recent months, which makes them an even more enticing used buy. Take the BMW 3 Series-sized Model 3, which offers a real-world 300 miles between charges on Long Range versions, making them great for longer trips. They’re also quick and brimming with technology. Used Model 3 prices currently start from less than £20,000.
Search for used Tesla Model 3s on AA CarsVolkswagen Golf
Just because you want a car that’s great on longer journeys, it doesn’t mean you want something large. If that’s the case, we highly recommend the superb Volkswagen Golf. Across the decades, this has remained a great choice for big journeys, but the seventh-generation Golf (sold between 2013 and 2020) in particular is an excellent choice.
Stay clear of the sporty versions on the larger wheels, and the Golf is exceptionally comfortable and refined, while the diesel engines are excellent on fuel. High-mileage examples start from as little as £4,000, but it could be worth spending a bit more for something with fewer miles. An Estate version is also available if you need a bigger boot.
Search for a used Volkswagen Golf on AA CarsPeugeot 208
If you want an even smaller car that will be great for longer trips, we highly recommend the latest Peugeot 208, introduced in 2020. At a little over four metres long, it’s considerably smaller than other cars here, but with a compliant ride and refined interior, it punches well above its size.
Used prices for the current generation of Peugeot 208 are available from around £10,500, though this is considerably less than the price of a brand-new model. Avoid the entry-level engine and instead go for one of the turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engines with either 100bhp or 130bhp, or the 100bhp 1.5-litre diesel, all of which are very impressive on motorways.
Search for a used Peugeot 208 on AA CarsMercedes-Benz S-Class
Any car that’s widely used by the chauffeur market is always going to be a great choice for long-distance driving, so if you regularly do extended trips or have a big commute and want to arrive at the other end more relaxed than when you set off, you should take a look at the Mercedes S-Class.
Widely regarded as one of the best luxury cars ever made, it remains a force to be reckoned with. The best value on the used market comes from the sixth-generation S-Class, sold between 2014 and 2020. Its interior still looks modern today, while getting technology that can still compete with new cars today. Used prices start from £17,000. Given the high-end status of this Mercedes, we recommend having it independently inspected before buying.
Search for a used Mercedes-Benz S-Class on AA CarsFord Mondeo
If you’re looking for a more affordable car to do longer trips in, a fantastic choice is the Ford Mondeo. This large family car was once one of the UK’s most popular cars, and a big hit with those doing lots of motorway miles up and down the country. Today, you can pick up a third-generation Mondeo (introduced in 2007) for less than £2,000.
You’ll want to choose one of the diesel models for the best fuel economy, with these being well-suited to motorway miles. The Mondeo also offers a very roomy interior, whether you choose it as a saloon, hatchback or estate.
Search for used Ford Mondeos on AA CarsLexus RX
Lexus is a premium brand that does things a little differently from others, by putting the emphasis on quality, comfort and reliability. It’s why this Japanese firm’s models are a great option for those doing longer journeys, particularly the RX – Lexus’ flagship SUV.
With a quiet and smooth hybrid powertrain, it’s a very refined and comfortable place to spend time, while the interior feels especially upmarket. High-end versions are worth choosing with their incredible Mark Levinson sound system too. A fourth-generation model gets our vote. Introduced in 2016, used prices start from around £21,000.
Search for Lexus RXs on AA CarsPrices correct at time of publication [12/2023].