In Australia, Christmas doesn’t arrive quietly. It comes with packed highways, sunburnt forearms resting on steering wheels, and cars loaded well beyond what their designers ever intended. From pre-dawn getaways to late-night returns, the annual Christmas road trip is as much a part of the season as backyard barbecues and beach towels draped on fences.
It’s also the toughest time of year for any car. Long distances, rising temperatures, stop-start traffic and fully loaded cabins have a way of exposing weaknesses quickly. The best Christmas road trip cars aren’t just about badge appeal or spec-sheet flexing; they’re the ones that make hours on the road feel manageable, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.
That’s what this guide is about. From all-round family favourites to indulgent highway tourers and vehicles built for getting off the beaten path, these are the cars that suit the way Australians actually travel at Christmas, not in theory, but in the way Christmas trips actually happen.
The All-Rounder Champion – Toyota RAV4
Starting Price: $42,260 (before on-road costs)
If there’s one vehicle that has become the default choice for modern Australian road trips, it’s the Toyota RAV4 SUV, which sits right at the centre of that conversation. It works just as well in city traffic as it does on long highway stretches or regional backroads.
The RAV4’s appeal is how neatly everything comes together. Ride comfort is well judged for long stints behind the wheel, safety tech is comprehensive across the range, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability gives peace of mind when you’re hundreds of kilometres from home. Hybrid variants add impressive fuel efficiency, which matters when holiday fuel prices spike.
This is the kind of car that suits almost anyone: families with kids, couples heading interstate, or solo travellers who want one vehicle that does everything without fuss.
The Long-Distance Highway Cruiser – Mazda 6
Starting Price: $36,290 (before on-road costs)
For drivers who plan to cover serious kilometres, a traditional sedan still makes a compelling case, and the Mazda 6 is proof of that. Its low-slung stance and refined chassis make it feel settled and relaxed at highway speeds.
Long drives are where the Mazda 6 shines. Road noise is well controlled, the seats are supportive for all-day journeys, and fuel consumption remains reasonable even when fully loaded. On sweeping country highways, it stays composed even after hours behind the wheel.
If your Christmas plans involve interstate travel or multi-day drives between major cities, this is a car designed to make distance feel shorter.
The Family Christmas Escape Vehicle – Kia Carnival
Starting Price: $50,150 before on-road costs
Christmas travel with kids changes the equation entirely, and few vehicles understand that better than the Kia Carnival. Space is its defining feature, but it’s the way that space is used that makes it a holiday favourite.
Rear-seat comfort is excellent, luggage capacity is vast, and there’s room for prams, bikes, gifts and everything else that seems essential in December. Sliding doors make life easier at busy rest stops, while modern safety tech helps reduce fatigue during long days on the road.
It’s easy to see why families gravitate toward this category at Christmas; the Carnival turns chaos into something far more manageable
The Adventure-Ready Road Tripper – Subaru Outback
Starting Price: $48,990 (before on-road costs)
Not all Christmas trips stick to sealed roads, and the Subaru Outback is built for exactly that kind of flexibility. With standard all-wheel drive and generous ground clearance, it handles beach tracks, gravel roads and campsite access without feeling like a dedicated off-roader.
What sets the Outback apart is that it doesn’t trade comfort for capability. The ride remains compliant on highways, cabin space is generous, and safety features are well-suited to long regional drives.
For coastal holidays, national parks and regional escapes where conditions can change quickly, this wagon-style SUV feels perfectly at home.
The Fuel-Efficient Christmas Traveller – Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Starting Price: $57,990 (before on-road costs)
Fuel costs are harder to ignore during peak holiday travel, and that’s where the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid makes sense. Short trips can often be completed on electric power alone, while longer journeys benefit from the petrol engine’s extended range.
For city-to-country or coastal touring, the Outlander PHEV offers flexibility without range anxiety. Cabin space is suitable for families, luggage capacity is competitive, and the quiet electric driving experience reduces fatigue in traffic-heavy holiday conditions.
Here, efficiency also means fewer fuel stops and smoother travel during the busiest driving period of the year.
The Comfort- First Luxury Tourer – Lexus ES
Starting Price: $65,540 (before on-road costs)
For some drivers, Christmas road trips are all about serenity, and the Lexus ES delivers exactly that. It prioritises quietness, ride comfort and a stress-free driving experience ahead of outright performance or excitement.
Long sealed highways are where this luxury sedan excels. The suspension smooths out rough surfaces, cabin insulation keeps noise to a minimum, and the hybrid drivetrain delivers excellent fuel economy for its size.
If your holiday driving is mostly motorway-based and comfort matters more than off-road ability, the ES turns long journeys into something genuinely relaxing.
The Budget-Friendly Road Trip Hero – Hyundai i30
Starting Price: $36,000 (before on-road costs)
Not every Christmas road trip needs a large or expensive vehicle. The Hyundai i30 remains a sensible choice for buyers who want reliability and low running costs without stretching the budget.
It is affordable to buy, especially on the used market and easy to live with day to day, economical to service, and surprisingly capable on long road trips. Modern safety features and decent cabin refinement make it well-suited to first-time road trippers or anyone keeping costs in check.
For shorter holidays or simple point-to-point travel, this hatchback proves that you don’t need excess size to enjoy the journey.
The Ute That Can Do It All – Ford Ranger
Starting Price: $37,130 (before on-road costs)
Utes remain a Christmas staple in Australia, particularly for towing and touring. And the Ford Ranger is one of the most versatile options on the market. Whether it’s towing a boat, carrying camping gear or handling long highway distances, it adapts easily to holiday demands.
Modern Rangers offer far more comfort than older work-focused utes, with advanced safety tech and refined interiors. Add a canopy or well-set-up tray, and it becomes a genuinely effective touring vehicle.
For families and adventurers who don’t want to leave anything behind, the Ranger continues to make sense.
The Enthusiast’s Christmas Drive – Mazda MX-5
Starting Price: $42,000 (before on-road costs)
Not every Christmas road trip is about space and practicality. For driving enthusiasts, the Mazda MX-5 offers something else entirely: pure enjoyment.
Scenic coastal roads, winding mountain passes and early-morning drives before traffic builds are where this lightweight roadster comes alive. The connection between car and driver turns the journey itself into the highlight.
Of course, there are trade-offs. Limited luggage space and seating mean careful planning, but for couples chasing memorable roads rather than maximum cargo, only a few cars make your driving experience feel more special.
The Nostalgic Aussie Favourite – Toyota LandCruiser 300
Starting Price: $97,990 (before on-road costs)
Some cars just feel right at Christmas, and the Toyota LandCruiser 300 is one of them. It blends emotional appeal with real-world practicality, especially for long-distance touring across varied terrain.
Comfort has improved significantly over previous generations, making highway travel easier, while its off-road capability opens up destinations many vehicles simply can’t reach. With its reputation for durability, it’s easy to see why Australians still trust this car for big holiday trips.
For families heading well beyond the bitumen, the LandCruiser remains a symbol of freedom and adventure.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Christmas Drive
There’s no single “right” car for an Australian Christmas road trip, because every journey asks something different of the car. Some trips are about efficiency and calm progress, others are about carrying half a household up the coast without drama, and a few are simply about enjoying the road itself while the rest of the country rushes past.
What matters is choosing a car that suits your version of the season, one that reduces stress rather than adding to it, and turns long stretches of bitumen into part of the experience rather than something to endure. Get that right, and the memories won’t just be about where you went, but how good it felt getting there.
After all, Christmas in Australia isn’t just a destination. It’s a drive.
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