The top vehicles for making road trips

Take, for example, the redesigned 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, which will offer what the automaker calls a “family room on wheels” when they debut this fall. Available highway-friendly amenities will include second-row seats that can swivel to face the rearmost row with a table that folds out between them; a dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time; real-time traffic reporting with the navigation system; iPod-like hard-drive media storage; anti-stain/anti-odor cloth seats; and a built-in 110-volt power inverter. It will also be the first model to offer the new Sirius Backseat TV system that will deliver three channels of satellite-beamed kids’ programming for in-vehicle viewing.

“Today's car buyers are very savvy shoppers who lead very active lifestyles,” says David Rooney, Chrysler’s marketing and global communications director. “They appreciate useful features that will make their lives easier, save them valuable time and make their experience behind the wheel truly pleasant.”

Other automakers, like Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion division, take a more basic approach to road-trip enjoyment. “We focus on providing our buyers with a lively powertrain, sporty driving dynamics and ample room for four passengers,” says Scion corporate manager Steve Haag, “then we add a great-sounding audio system to keep them entertained along the way.”

Just as there are many destinations that beckon from the open road, there is an equally large assortment of vehicles in which to make the journey. Based on our test drives of virtually every model on the market, we highlight 10 vehicles that ForbesAutos editors think are well suited to specific types of road-trips, from a family vacation to carting the kids off to college and taking that well-earned getaway as empty nesters.

More from ForbesAutos.com Find the right convertible for you Check out the new 2007 Toyota Prius Comfort for a long drive: Honda Element Ten ways to drive more ‘eco-friendly’ Great for any road trip: Land Rover LR3

Our list is not comprehensive (see slide show link for the full list). Being that ForbesAutos focuses on luxury, high-performance and high-interest vehicles, editors' selections skew toward those categories. And as Jamie Jensen reminds us, it's not all about the vehicles: One of the keys to achieving true road trip nirvana is to heed the words of a Yogi — Yogi Berra, that is — who suggests, “When you see a fork in the road, take it.”

Road trip tips:
The American Automobile Association suggests you follow the Boy Scouts’ lead and “be prepared” before you take to the road. Here are a few recommendations from the AAA’s travel experts to help you plan and execute what can be a truly memorable automotive excursion:

1. Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound. When in doubt, have your car checked by an automotive technician and have any necessary repairs or maintenance procedures completed ahead of time. Otherwise, you can perform these basic self-checks:

Examine the tires for uneven and excessive tread wear and use a tire-pressure gauge to make sure they’re inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Check the level of coolant in the radiator; if it’s low, replenish it with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water.