The best car for an around Australia road trip

There are few cars better than this one to travel across this wide brown land in than this luxurious SUV and this is why.

I’m after a prestige SUV, budget around $100,000, to last me the next ten years. After 40 years of basic cars, I’m keen on things like heated leather seats, premium audio and decent power. We’ll tour Australia but no off-roading or towing and only grandkids would use the rear seats. Diesel, petrol or hybrid’s fine, but not electric and reliability concerns me. I’ve tested a Porsche Macan (great fun) and Lexus NX 350 (very luxurious). I’d also consider a Genesis GV70, Audi Q5 or BMW X3, but not a Mercedes.

Paul Brown, email

The Lexus NX350h is a luxurious and reliable SUV. Source: Supplied

ANSWER

Reliability’s key – you want to keep your SUV a long time and prestige brands aren’t cheap when they go wrong. The well-respected J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study ranked Lexus and Genesis first and second this year. BMW was mid-table; Porsche and Audi lower still. It may be US data, but reliability is global. Your budget’s good and so are your choices. Let’s spoil you rotten.

CHOICES

Lexus NX 350h Sports Luxury 2WD, about $83,000 drive-away

The NX’s hybrid tech is very efficient over long journeys.

Hard to look past for pure luxury. This is the hybrid with 5L/100km economy – incredible for a medium SUV – and there’s no plugging in required.

Your trips don’t warrant all-wheel-drive: the money you save with the 2WD can go on the Sports Luxury pack. Highlights include power heated and ventilated leather seats, a giant 14-inch infotainment screen with navigation, 17-speaker audio, wireless phone charging and a digital driver display. Pick the cream/black or hazel/black interior for a proper palatial feel. It’s comfy to drive and whisper quiet inside but its 20-inch wheels don’t like rough surfaces. The 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain combines for an ample 179kW but it’s no thriller. There’s a five-year warranty, the first three services are capped at $495 and Lexus offers spoil-yourself owner benefits.

Porsche Macan T, about $110,000 drive-away

Few SUVs can match the Porsche Macan’d thrills.

Slightly over budget, but it’s worth picking the T for $3400 over the base Macan.

It has 20-inch dark alloys, power and heated leather seats instead of fabric, pumping Bose audio and, for more driving joy, adaptive dampers and switchable drive modes.

It’s sports-car special inside and the drive is dynamically joyful with a popping exhaust soundtrack.

Cornering balance trumps all else here, it cruises well and the 195kW/400Nm turbo petrol is rapid enough. But you pay for it. Economy’s 9.5L/100km, expect five years of services to be $4500 and the warranty’s a very stingy three years.

Safety’s not great either. The heart over head choice and you won’t tire of staring at that Porsche badge.

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury offshoot.

Genesis GV70 Luxury, about $87,500 drive-away

Striking design, good value and a less sheep-like choice.

A 279kW/530Nm 3.5-litre turbo six-cylinder’s available but it’s much pricier and I reckon overkill. The 2.5-litre turbo offers a mighty 224kW/ 422Nm going through the rear wheels, but at 9.8L/100km, it likes a drink.

I found the ride a bit firm but cabin comfort and quietness were exceptional. The optional Luxury pack is spoil-yourself sumptuous, with quilted Nappa leather heated and ventilated massage seats, 16-speaker audio, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, 3D digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof and self parking. Safety, too, is incredible. Great owner benefits include free first five-years/75,000km of servicing and free body colours.

BMW X3 20d, ABOUT $94,000 DRIVE-AWAY

If you’re looking for a diesel option, BMW’s the master of refined, efficient oil burners. It drinks only 5.9L/100km – great for touring – and the 140kW four-cylinder, while not quick, is very responsive. The X3 is BMW’s bestseller as it’s a superb all-rounder. There’s ample luxe, a smart cabin and a dynamic drive that has you seeking out twisty roads. It lacks the wow factor of the others but you do score a 12.3-inch screen, wireless everything and lovely leatherette trim. The warranty is now five-years/unlimited km, while a basic five-year service pack is a palatable $2400.

VERDICT

The Genesis trumps all for utmost luxury but the Lexus hybrid isn’t far behind and uses half the fuel. It’s the cheapest to drive away too, securing it the win.

Originally published as The best car for an around Australia road trip