If you’re planning a summer road trip this year, it would probably involve factoring in extra precautions to take during the pandemic. The present health crisis makes it essential that your vehicle is in mint condition before you hit the road, while ensuring a blend of traditional vehicle prepping and on-boarding the new restrictions.

Here are some primary factors to consider when buying a long-distance vehicle:

Size
If you’re traveling with family and as well as pets, it’s best to choose a large, roomy vehicle. This allows you to carry more luggage and equipment besides ensuring peace and comfort.

Safety
Country roads can be treacherous and safety is a big factor to consider. Modern SUVs and crossovers are designed with the latest safety features, such as emergency auto braking, electronic warning systems, collision warning, autopilot, driver alerts, and cruise control.

Fuel Efficiency
Long trips can guzzle a lot of gas, so look for a vehicle that offers top-notch fuel efficiency. Brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan are your best bet when it comes to the most rugged SUVs and crossovers for cross country road trips.

Comfort
Built-in luggage racks, heating, multi-zone air-con, high-position seating, noise-controlled interiors, and well-padded seats can improve the ride quality and make the long hours spent inside comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re into music, look for a vehicle that comes with top-notch entertainment systems.

Endurance
Look for a vehicle that has all-terrain capability, lots of torque and the best ground clearance. If you’re planning to tow a camper or boat, make sure that your vehicle can take the load.

Here’s our pick of the most rugged SUVs and crossovers for cross country road trips:

Subaru Outback
The grand-daddy of crossovers, the Outback debuted in the 1990s and has maintained its popularity across a generation. It has a standard all-wheel drive, roof rails for hauling your equipment, roomy interior and lots of ground clearance making it a vehicle that will partner you anywhere on that dream road trip.

Audi Q7
Luxury, superb design and amazing comfort are what sets the Audi Q7 SUV apart. You enjoy the comfortable classy interiors that Audi is famous for. Also, you can pack in enough gear with 770 liters of trunk storage without your maximum of seven passengers feeling cramped. This is the classic, big SUV that can comfortably accommodate a six-footer or two.

Landrover Discovery Sport
Why not play it safe and choose the ultimate rugged terrain vehicle? Known for its comfort, no matter what the state of the road, this is a great vehicle to ride in over snow, sand, slush, rock, and mud.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Fuel efficiency is the name of the game when you’re on an extended trip. And the RAV hybrid gives you that and more with its blend of electric and gas power/fuel sources. It’s also roomy and quiet with plenty of driver-assist features to make your experience easier and smoother.

Chevrolet Suburban
You may not think it’s the right vehicle for country road trips, but don’t let its classy looks fool you. Its amazingly roomy interiors make it a dream for long rides, it offers smooth handling with user-friendly driving features and its towing capacity cranks up to more than 6000 lbs.