What makes a good distance cruiser?
Discussion
Comfort and ride have always been way down my list of priorities as I've tried to pick daily drivers that are somewhat fun to drive. Last year however, I decided to embrace the fact that my car is pretty much always used for ferrying people and dogs around, or long road trips, and it was time to get a car that suited that role.
I migrated to something big and wafty and we recently returned from its first big trip - an 800 mile round trip up to the Scottish Highlands (partly thanks to the Corran Ferry not running
).
When doing equivalent trips in my last car (Octavia VRS), the journey would start to drag after a few hours and I would just want to get home. You know when you're trying not to look at the remaining miles on the satnav too often because it barely seemed to change. That kind of thing.
I didn't get that at all this time. I felt absolutely fine going, and the same coming back. A nine hour trip that felt like no time at all.
During the drive I was thinking about when car reviewers say a particular car is great at eating up the miles. I'd never really understood what that meant before but now, I have some sense of what they're getting at.
So what is behind this effect? How does one car make the same miles feel like hard work, and another not?
Is it simply about a soft ride and comfortable seats (would a non-VRS Octavia be better?); a combination of lots of factors, or something more abstract?
I migrated to something big and wafty and we recently returned from its first big trip - an 800 mile round trip up to the Scottish Highlands (partly thanks to the Corran Ferry not running
). When doing equivalent trips in my last car (Octavia VRS), the journey would start to drag after a few hours and I would just want to get home. You know when you're trying not to look at the remaining miles on the satnav too often because it barely seemed to change. That kind of thing.
I didn't get that at all this time. I felt absolutely fine going, and the same coming back. A nine hour trip that felt like no time at all.
During the drive I was thinking about when car reviewers say a particular car is great at eating up the miles. I'd never really understood what that meant before but now, I have some sense of what they're getting at.
So what is behind this effect? How does one car make the same miles feel like hard work, and another not?
Is it simply about a soft ride and comfortable seats (would a non-VRS Octavia be better?); a combination of lots of factors, or something more abstract?
Long wheelbase, steering which centres well, doesn’t tramline and doesn’t have a very darty response, good isolation of wind and road noise, vibrations etc, the ease with which you can maintain your chosen speed- maybe without having to change your own gears. Nowadays there are obviously also a load of intelligent features which make driving on the motorway even easier as well.
I've got a bit of a list of non-negotiables and some strong preferences. My F10 and my current F13 640d were both great cars for long drives, and only the extra range in the diesel probably makes it my benchmark, but I once did 13 hours driving in a day in the E63 and felt fine at the end.
Comfortable seats obviously, but with electric adjustment so you can slightly adjust your position on the fly so you're not stuck in exactly the same place all day.
A decent amount of power and torque so you're not working hard to achieve or maintain whatever speed you want to do.
Easy to use controls
Head up display is right up there on my nice to haves. Not having to constantly look up and down makes a difference. The Merc doesn't have a HUD but does have the motorway relevant section of the speedo right at the top centre of the dash.
I like panoramic roofs or sunroofs as a way of changing the cabin ambience.
Good lights, preferably automatic, if you're driving unlit sections at night.
Comfortable seats obviously, but with electric adjustment so you can slightly adjust your position on the fly so you're not stuck in exactly the same place all day.
A decent amount of power and torque so you're not working hard to achieve or maintain whatever speed you want to do.
Easy to use controls
Head up display is right up there on my nice to haves. Not having to constantly look up and down makes a difference. The Merc doesn't have a HUD but does have the motorway relevant section of the speedo right at the top centre of the dash.
I like panoramic roofs or sunroofs as a way of changing the cabin ambience.
Good lights, preferably automatic, if you're driving unlit sections at night.
I think noise levels make a big difference. I had a recent-model 530d that was ultra quiet and comfortable but would still crack on a bit when I felt like it, however, I rarely felt like it as I was content to just sit there on the long and boring (250+ mile) journeys. I could usually get over 600 miles out of a tank as well, which meant “getting your head down and putting the miles in” seemed slightly easier too.
In the end I decided it was a combination of low noise levels, comfortable seats, long range and good sound system that made it a perfect mile-muncher!
Edited to add: I forgot about active cruise, really helpful!
In the end I decided it was a combination of low noise levels, comfortable seats, long range and good sound system that made it a perfect mile-muncher!
Edited to add: I forgot about active cruise, really helpful!
Generally ergonomics and some power to enable effortless wafting. A degree of engagement helps or (personally) I just find it incredibly boring.
My F10 M5 has been replaced by EVs in daily use but I still use it as my long distance car and it just excels.
I’m driving it to Berlin and back in a few weeks time with each journey undertaken as a single leg with minimal breaks. I’ve done it numerous times before and last year took a brand new A8 TDI which was a loan car. On paper the newer bigger diesel would be a better car but really it just left me wanting to fall asleep. It’s only virtue was decreased fuel costs and the fact it was somebody else's car.
My F10 M5 has been replaced by EVs in daily use but I still use it as my long distance car and it just excels.
I’m driving it to Berlin and back in a few weeks time with each journey undertaken as a single leg with minimal breaks. I’ve done it numerous times before and last year took a brand new A8 TDI which was a loan car. On paper the newer bigger diesel would be a better car but really it just left me wanting to fall asleep. It’s only virtue was decreased fuel costs and the fact it was somebody else's car.
Edited by theboss on Sunday 16th April 13:43
I think cabin noise is 50% of this effect. Wheelbase/good ride, steering that isn’t fidgety, and enough power to do whatever you need to do, whenever you need to do it make up the rest. (Power also meaning less nouse because you can keep it at low rpm).
I have a 600 mil drive tomorrow in an electric car for the first time, so… yeah… we’ll see…
I have a 600 mil drive tomorrow in an electric car for the first time, so… yeah… we’ll see…
HGV’s are best for eating up the miles. Our new scanias at work at near silent in the cab, by far the quietest vehicle Iv ever been in. Massive suspension making the biggest potholes barley noticeable. Extra air suspension on the seat. Big arm chair seats with arm rests and endless adjustability to the position, lumbars and steering wheel position. Light steering that’s fairly lazy so it’s not darting about with each slight movement. Did 8+ hours a day actual driving 6 days last week no problem.
For family reasons I am having to commute between Yorkshire and Hampshire regularly for the foreseeable future and so wanted a new waftmobile shed replacement.
Chose a 250 diesel Merc e-class and I have to say, it makes the 270 mile journey effortless. Decent MPG, auto-gearbox, all the toys and it almost feels as though it drives itself. Comfortable seats too.
It's where petrolhead dreams go to die, and I will be replacing my weekend toy to supplement the Merc, but to operate as a utility to cover miles I am quite impressed.
Chose a 250 diesel Merc e-class and I have to say, it makes the 270 mile journey effortless. Decent MPG, auto-gearbox, all the toys and it almost feels as though it drives itself. Comfortable seats too.
It's where petrolhead dreams go to die, and I will be replacing my weekend toy to supplement the Merc, but to operate as a utility to cover miles I am quite impressed.
If we're talking about *really* long journeys, certain characteristics will become tiresome very quickly.
Nearly always the 'sport' variant of the model will be the worst - you want to be isolated from the road not aware of how terrible it is, especially in the UK.
Having loads of power is fine but racing to your destination is the worst way to relax into a long journey. You won't get there much quicke, you'll keep running out of fuel and after a few hours you'll be wishing the journey to end.
Best experiences I've had in slightly lower powered cars with a relaxed low-rpm top gear to find a nice cruising speed requiring little effort.
Some form of cruise control to gave your right foot a break.
Low NVH and comfy seats - both of these are very personal.
Excellent experiences:
Audi A3 SE TDI 130 (the old one)
Renault Megane Mk3
Ford Mondeo
VW Golf Mk6 SE
Awful experiences:
BMW 1 series (the absolute worst)
VW Golf Mk5 GT
Nissan Juke (revvy engine, noisy etc.)
HTH
Nearly always the 'sport' variant of the model will be the worst - you want to be isolated from the road not aware of how terrible it is, especially in the UK.
Having loads of power is fine but racing to your destination is the worst way to relax into a long journey. You won't get there much quicke, you'll keep running out of fuel and after a few hours you'll be wishing the journey to end.
Best experiences I've had in slightly lower powered cars with a relaxed low-rpm top gear to find a nice cruising speed requiring little effort.
Some form of cruise control to gave your right foot a break.
Low NVH and comfy seats - both of these are very personal.
Excellent experiences:
Audi A3 SE TDI 130 (the old one)
Renault Megane Mk3
Ford Mondeo
VW Golf Mk6 SE
Awful experiences:
BMW 1 series (the absolute worst)
VW Golf Mk5 GT
Nissan Juke (revvy engine, noisy etc.)
HTH
Mouse Rat said:
V6 or V8 turbo diesel. High gearing. Comfy seats. Low wind noise.
640d
Xf 3.0d
E350d
Excellent examples
I did look at the V6 but couldn't really see much of a case for it over the 250. Performance difference was negligible, still sounds s640d
Xf 3.0d
E350d
Excellent examples
te and its never going to be a fun steer so didn't really see why I would pay the mpg difference.Big engine so low revs and plenty of torque.
Long wheelbase.
Supportive seats (this is very personal so check it out first, one man’s meat and all that).
Insulated cabin.
Good stereo.
Auto.
Smaller wheels or tyres with a good sidewall and deffo no runflats.
NO sports suspension.
Adaptive cruise if possible.
Apple CarPlay or android auto.
Long wheelbase.
Supportive seats (this is very personal so check it out first, one man’s meat and all that).
Insulated cabin.
Good stereo.
Auto.
Smaller wheels or tyres with a good sidewall and deffo no runflats.
NO sports suspension.
Adaptive cruise if possible.
Apple CarPlay or android auto.
Having done several trips across Europe, the following are what makes the difference for me.
Comfortable seats and a soft ride, along with a quiet interior. A roomy cabin, so you don't feel claustrophic, also a light coloured interior makes it feel less cramped. Well placed cupholders and somewhere to place snacks. Good sized door mirrors, especially helpful in Europe. Finally I find the quality of the climate control makes a big difference to how refreshed I feel after an 8 hour drive.
Current car (Lexus RX 450h) is by far the best I've had for long distance cruising.
Comfortable seats and a soft ride, along with a quiet interior. A roomy cabin, so you don't feel claustrophic, also a light coloured interior makes it feel less cramped. Well placed cupholders and somewhere to place snacks. Good sized door mirrors, especially helpful in Europe. Finally I find the quality of the climate control makes a big difference to how refreshed I feel after an 8 hour drive.
Current car (Lexus RX 450h) is by far the best I've had for long distance cruising.
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