Summers are usually full of family vacations and road trips with friends, and summer 2021 is expected to be an even more popular year for road trips due to many shutdowns last summer from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that everyone is itching to get back on the road, Carfax released their picks for the “10 Best Road Trip Cars & SUVs in 2021″ to help people in the market for a new car decide on one that makes driving long distances fun. Interestingly, only one luxury vehicle made the list, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Learn more about this popular luxury sedan, and other road-trip-ready vehicles, below. 

Carfax’s list of best road trip vehicles

Carfax released its picks for the best road trip vehicles based on its set of criteria, including comfortable seats, excellent safety ratings, plenty of cargo room, superior fuel efficiency, and more. The list features a healthy mix of automakers, and it contains a good mix of cars, SUVs, and even a truck. 

At the top of the list is the 2021 Honda Odyssey, a minivan that has been a family favorite for years. It gets excellent gas mileage for a minivan, 28 MPG, and you can go almost 550 miles before needing to fill up again. Parents and kids will both love this vehicle, as it offers a rear-seat entertainment system and a Wi-Fi hotspot to keep everyone entertained on long drives. 

The other vehicles on the list after the Honda Odyssey include the Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas, Subaru Outback, Honda Ridgeline, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Ford Mustang GT Convertible. 

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the only luxury car on the list

Coming in ninth place on the list is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which is the only spot given to a luxury carmaker. Carfax called this vehicle “one of the most luxurious road-trip-ready cars on the market.” Not only does this car get excellent gas mileage, with 31 mpg on the highway, it can also go nearly 540 miles before needing to stop for gas. 

U.S. News also praised the 2021 E-Class for its beautiful and comfortable cabin that was refreshed this year. The 2021 E-Class also got an infotainment system upgrade that brings a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and more. You can also opt to add a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging, voice commands, and a premium 23-speaker Burmester surround-sound system. 

Carfax mentions the four trim options for the 2021 E-Class, though it recommends the E-Class wagon for people who want the most passenger and cargo room for their money. 

An overview of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Whether you’re planning a summer road trip or not, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an excellent choice for individuals and families for everyday use. Perhaps the best part of this car is the impressive engine options. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that can produce 255 hp.

This is plenty for most drivers, but those who want a bit more power can upgrade to the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 363 hp, or the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 429 hp. If that’s still not enough, you can splurge on the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 603 hp, but this option starts at $107,500, almost double the price of the base. 

When it comes to safety, the E-Class is also hard to beat. It comes standard with Mercedes Pre-Safe, a feature that tightens seatbelts and rolls up the windows if it detects a rear-end collision. Also, expect forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Plus, you can add advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Overall, you can’t go wrong with the 2021 E-Class for road trips or daily commutes. This incredible luxury sedan starts at $54,250.