5 best cars for highway driving
We choose our five favourite highway cruisers and spread our selection across sedans, SUVs and crossovers, ensuring that there is an offering that will suit you particular needs. Our selection ranges from BMWs, Volvos and Land Rovers, to Toyotas and Peugeots.
South Africa is an interesting place with wonderful geography and it only takes you a few minutes to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and make your way into the bush. Our city centres are fairly widely spaced and the area in between offers amazing vistas and landscapes. From the stark Karoo to the beautiful Garden Route, there are amazing things to see when you leave the city.
Related: Best cars for highway driving
This also means that South Africa has a rather extensive network of highways that connect the various centres. Not only will you encounter these highways when doing a destination drive but you may very well encounter them on your daily commute as more and more people move out of the city to outlying areas. A vehicle that is suitable for the urban commute may not always be the best suited for these highway journeys.
We've selected our 5 best vehicles for highway driving and while this isn't a definitive list, it consists of vehicles that we think make great highway tolls be it for the commute or for that long-distance journey.
1. BMW 5 Series
Depending on how much spice you'd like, there's a BMW 5 Series model that will suit you. While we're naturally fond of the high-performance M5, even the more sensible 520d ticks the right boxes. The compliant suspension and creature comforts make the 5 Series a sensible choice. You will be able to eat up mile after mile of highway on the long journey and have more than enough packing space for the entire family. The 5 Series is also easy enough to live with on a daily basis and the semi-autonomous driver aids work exceptionally well.
2. Volvo XC90
If you require seating for seven and are safety conscious, the Volvo XC90 is an excellent choice. Volvo's premium SUV can be had in a variety of flavours but they all offer the same levels of comfort, convenience and more importantly, safety. If fuel consumption is a concern (Volvo no longer sells diesels) you can opt for a Plug-in hybrid model such as the T8 Recharge. The electric motor will supplement the 2.0-litre petrol engine to give you 340 kW but manages to keep your fuel bill nice and low, especially in and around town where it's possible to run the XC90 in full-electric mode and not use a drop of fuel.
3. Peugeot 5008
If there's one thing that the French know how to do, it's building a suspension. For many decades, the French have been the leaders in suspension and comfort technology. It stems from cobblestone roads that can still be found in many French towns. The Peugeot 5008 is no different and its approach to ergonomics and interior trimmings is commendable. The 5008 has the capacity to seat 7 as well, making it a great tool for larger families. This one is often overlooked but should most certainly be considered.
4. Land Rover Discovery
With the flexibility to go off-road at a whim, the Discovery will appeal to the adventurous spirit yet it will manage to do the daily commute with ease. A raft of technology and connectivity means that you will have no qualms when it comes to hitting the open road. The raised driving position and boxy design makes it easy to see out of and judge the extremities of the vehicle. We love their diesel engines and the D300 is both powerful and efficient for its size.
5. Toyota Corolla Cross
The newcomer to the market, the Toyota Corolla Cross takes the best of the Corolla, and places it in a high-riding crossover body giving you an improved sense of safety and a better view of the road. It's the more affordable highway machine for those that are looking to spend their money in a sensible way. Spring for the XR model and enjoy a host of creature comforts as well as Toyota's Safety Sense System. There's even a hybrid model for those looking to save on their fuel bill.
