by Gabrielle DeSantis

With so many cars to choose from, it’s hard to know which model would be best for long road trips. SUVs are an ideal choice for large families with lots of luggage, but these vehicles don’t always get great gas mileage. Large sedans can also accommodate at least five riders comfortably but obviously offer less storage space.

That’s why CarFax’s list of the top 10 road trip cars and SUVs is helpful. In particular, the top three models in the roundup are worth a closer look.

Carfax’s top 10 road trip cars and SUVs of 2021

On the lower end of the list of the best road trip cars, CarFax recommends the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Ford Mustang GT convertible. Both have powerful engines to make the drive more enjoyable, but they lack adequate passenger and cargo space. The Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, Subaru Outback wagon, and Volkswagen Atlas midsize SUV are far more accommodating.

The Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander also appear on the list, offering roomier cargo areas than the other models. But not even the lauded Telluride can break the top three road trip vehicles on Carfax’s list. Here are the big winners:

The Honda Odyssey is the number 1 car for road trips

Fit your whole crew. #HondaOdyssey pic.twitter.com/r4mdcQBy0N

— Honda (@Honda) June 22, 2021

A minivan is one of the most convenient vehicles for a road trip. A 280-hp V6 powers the Honda Odyssey deftly, even when it’s loaded with occupants and cargo. The fuel economy is also decent on the highway, up to 28 mpg. CarFax estimates drivers will get 546 miles on a single tank.

Although it can’t be optioned with all-wheel drive, the Odyssey can still power through most wintery conditions with traction control. Despite its larger size, it doesn’t excessively lean around corners, and the ride remains comfortable throughout the trip. The Odyssey can seat up to eight riders on supportive cloth or leather seats. And all three rows provide adequate stretch-out space.

The Odyssey’s cargo capacity is another big selling point for shoppers looking for a road trip hauler. It boasts almost 39 cubic feet of space behind the third row. That row also folds completely flat, freeing up about 53 cubic feet more.

One drawback is that the second row must be removed manually, but at least the seats are foldable once taken out. Every seat is a Magic Slide, allowing riders to reposition them easily as needed.

Though the base-model Honda Odyssey is relatively cheap, it doesn’t include a center touchscreen, which might annoy road-trippers. Higher trims offer nice perks, such as a rear-seat entertainment center, an intercom for the driver, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Mazda CX-9 is a close 2nd

The Mazda CX-9 doesn’t have as much cargo room as the Odyssey despite its higher starting price. And though it offers better fuel efficiency on the highway, its smaller fuel tank means slightly fewer miles between fill-ups on road trips. CarFax still recommends the CX-9 for its spacious interior, playful driving demeanor, and plentiful standard features.

The third row is definitely too cramped for adults on long road trips, but every seat is reasonably supportive. Front riders get heated seats among many standard amenities, and ventilation is available on some trims. And the infotainment system boasts a large 10.3-inch display screen, intuitive menus, and smartphone integration.

The Hyundai Sonata takes 3rd place

Being a sedan, it’s no surprise the Hyundai Sonata is the most fuel-efficient vehicle on Carfax’s list. It can get an impressive 37 mpg on the highway, allowing drivers to go 588 miles before refueling. The Sonata N-Line’s highway mileage drops to 33 mpg, but CarFax still recommends this performance model for its livelier engine and better handling.

Though the Sonata can seat only five, everyone still has plenty of space to move around. But it has only 16 cubic feet of trunk space, suitable for smaller travel parties. It also comes with a decent number of tech features for its $23,950 starting price, making it the best car for road-trippers on a budget.

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The post 10 Best Road Trip Cars and SUVs of 2021 According to Carfax appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Besides not selling it in the US, Fiat made the 500 an EV for 2021. It’d be natural, therefore, to think that this would spell the end for the sporty Abarth trim. But as it turns out, that’s not the case. The Fiat 500 Abarth is still alive and well overseas, where the hot hatch gets even hotter variants. And the limited-edition Abarth 695 EsseEsse is the hottest of them all.

Even before it was canceled in the US, we never got the fastest Fiat 500 Abarth models

To be sure, the US-market Fiat 500 Abarth is noticeably faster, sharper, and more powerful than the standard 500. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 160 hp, 59 more than the regular car. And compared to the standard 500, the 500 Abarth has sportier suspension, larger four-wheel disc brakes, sport seats, and more standard features.

But while the Fiat 500 Abarth offered more performance than the standard car, it wasn’t the most extreme 500 available. It’s just that US customers never got a chance to buy these spicier models. And there were more than a few of them.

Back in the 1960s, Abarth tuned a variety of cars, including Fiat 500s. In the 500’s case, Abarth gave it increasingly larger engines, turning it first into a 595 and later a 695. So, when it came time to make modern versions of those cars, Abarth reused the names.

Technically, the Abarth 595 is the same as the US-market Fiat 500 Abarth in terms of power output. However, the 595 Competizione makes 178 bhp and packs an optional limited-slip differential, Evo says, something the US-market 500 Abarth never offered. And it also offers Koni shocks and Brembo front brakes.

Then there’s the Abarth 695. Its 1.4-liter engine makes up to 187 bhp thanks to an upgraded turbocharger, intercooler, and exhaust, Autocar notes. And it offers two different LSD-equipped transmissions. With the six-speed manual, the Abarth 695 has 184 lb-ft of torque; with the dog-leg five-speed manual, it has 199 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it packs a reworked suspension system, wider track, larger brakes, grippier tires, and OZ wheels.

And now, the Abarth 695 is getting a new limited-edition trim: the 2021 Abarth 695 EsseEsse.

The 2021 Abarth 695 EsseEsse is “the fastest…Fiat 500,” Motor1 says

Even if they don’t know it, US-market Fiat 500 Abarth owners are already familiar with the term ‘EsseEsse.’ When the modern 500 Abarth first launched overseas in 2008, it only came with 133 hp. However, the optional EsseEsse kit bumped that up to 160 hp. Therefore, technically all NA-market 500 Abarths are EsseEsse-spec models.

The 2021 Abarth 695 EsseEsse doesn’t get more power than the ‘standard’ 695. Its 178 bhp and 184 lb-ft of torque are the same as the 595 Competizione, TopGear explains. But thanks to an aluminum hood and titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, it weighs 22 pounds less than the latter car, Motor1 reports. Plus, it comes with Koni FSD shocks, Sabelt sport seats, Brembo brakes, and an interior trimmed in Alcantara and carbon fiber. Even the shift knob is made of carbon fiber.

But the 2021 Abarth 695 EsseEsse’s most notable feature is arguably its rear spoiler. It’s adjustable from 0 degrees (flat) to 60 degrees, with the latter being the best setting for maximum downforce. Though if you want to hit the claimed 6.7-second 0-62 mph time, 0 degrees is the way to go.

It’s expensive, but (sadly) not for us

As of this writing, Fiat hasn’t released pricing details for the 2021 Abarth 695 EsseEsse. But Top Gear estimates it should start at roughly the equivalent of $41,500. And potential buyers will have to act fast because Abarth is only making 1,390 examples.  

Sadly, potential US buyers are out of luck, because the 695 EsseEsse, like the other new Fiat 500 models, isn’t coming here. To be fair, that doesn’t mean modifying a US-market 500 Abarth to a similar extent is impossible. It’s just that getting a similar sting fresh from the Fiat factory here isn’t possible.

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