Your favourite people, your favourite snacks and your favourite tunes – what’s better than hitting the road for a classic Aussie adventure?
The secret to an easy, enjoyable journey? The right set of wheels. Whether you prefer an agile EV or smooth sedan, need seating for eight or rock-solid off-road performance, there’s a world of options out there. Here’s a roundup of some popular options to make every journey effortless, memorable and a whole lot of fun.
The EV made for driving, not just arriving
If you enjoy the journey more than the destination, the all-new Nissan ARIYA is the ultimate road trip companion. Its dual motor system provides a truly dynamic driving experience, offering instant torque, precise cornering and confident control. From highways to winding country corners, handling is superb.
With a range of up to 504km, weekend getaways are a breeze in an ARIYA. Inside, the flat floor creates a spacious lounge-like feeling. There’s 466L of cargo space in the boot – enough for 4 suitcases – and with the Intelligent rear-view mirror, you’ll never have an obstructed view.
Nissan’s suite of driver assistance technology keeps your travels high-tech and low stress, reducing driver fatigue on long trips. ProPILOT automatically adjusts to traffic flow and keeps you centred in your lane. One-pedal driving keeps you relaxed on your journey, so you arrive fresh and ready to explore – and looking forward to the long drive home.
For family road trips with no limitations
The iconic Nissan X-TRAIL e-Power has reinvented the hybrid for today’s traveller. A high-output electric motor drives the wheels, while a highly efficient petrol engine generates the electricity to power it. The result is an EV driving experience – responsive, quiet and packed with EV tech like regenerative braking – without the need to plug in. With better fuel efficiency than a traditional petrol engine, the X-TRAIL e-Power can achieve 900km on a single tank of fuel. That means longer road trips with no limitations on range. Your only stops between Adelaide to Melbourne will be to refill your snacks.
Its trademark adaptability is everywhere, from its 575L boot to its modern, athletic exterior. It’s got all the cruising creature comforts like a large touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, and lots of USB ports for the family’s devices. The power tailgate and flat load floor make loading and unloading easy – whether high-end luggage or camping gear.
You can also take on any terrain thanks to its five driving modes including off-road with the innovation of e-4ORCE electronic 4x4 system. Another reminder that this isn’t your average hybrid. It’s an e-Power.
For big family holidays and group trips to remember
The Kia Carnival represents everything you love about those big family road trips or group adventures. Fun, comfortable and easy-going; it calls itself a Grand Utility Vehicle, and it’s not wrong. Large and spacious with comfortable seating for eight, it also delivers some impressive numbers – up to 1,107km on a single tank of fuel and a cavernous 2,827L of boot space with all seats folded flat.
The spacious, boxy body shape provides a short turning circle that makes it easy to manage in unfamiliar car parks and even with eight on board, you’ll get 627L of boot space – more than most five-seat SUVs!
Tech and convenience are visible everywhere, with a 360-degree camera, full safety suite, Head Up Display, and hands-free smart power sliding doors and tailgate that keep little fingers safe. There’s even the luxury of heated seats in the 2nd row on some grades. With nine cupholders and four drink bottle holders, you’ll only need to stop for bathroom breaks.
The Kia Carnival is big enough for everyone and clever enough to make every trip memorable – for all the right reasons.
The PHEV that takes elegant, everywhere
If your traveling style is more sleek luxury than ‘kids eat free’, the Mercedes Benz C350e could be your sedan of choice. It’s perfectly at home in the valet line of a five-star hotel, but it’s more than just a statement.
Powered by Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Efficiency technology, the C350e is engineered to optimise range through advanced drive management. In simple terms, it’s a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) designed to run as an EV wherever possible. Its all-electric range of 104km comfortably covers most daily trips, with DC recharging to 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
When the journey stretches further, the petrol engine seamlessly steps in, extending your range without sacrificing performance or refinement.
Inside, the cabin reflects timeless modern luxury with a sweeping dash, large central touchscreen, and ‘double-decker’ Nappa leather steering wheel for seamless control of the car’s myriad functions at your fingertips.
Perfect for luxury escapes, the C350e makes every journey effortless and elegant.
For family escapes on roads less travelled
The Toyota LandCruiser Prado is built for the explorer. If the easy way isn’t your idea of fun, the Prado is your guide to the rough stuff. Drawing design cues from the Landcruiser 70 Series and Toyota’s iconic FJ40, it looks every bit the full-scale off-roader it is. Purposeful. Powerful. Built to go the long way round. Tough terrain? No sweat. Acres of luggage? Too easy. Towing? Try 3,500kg.
Under the bonnet, the Prado’s performance is enhanced by new V-Active technology that gives an electric boost. The result? Quicker, quieter starts and stops, extra torque on demand and a responsive drive wherever the track leads. It’s also more efficient, which means that the 110L long range fuel tank will take you even further.
Inside, the LandCruiser Prado is built to take you anywhere in comfort. Choose from five or seven seat options and a variety of grades spanning hard-core off-road to refined touring. However you explore, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado is ready for the challenge.
