Forget flying – it's way more comfortable to set off on your summer holiday in a car, than cramming into a metal tube with someone else's kid kicking your seat!
Holidaying in a car means you get the space to stretch out and your own tunes on the stereo. And, thanks to modern, efficient engines, most of the UK and Northwestern Europe can be accessed on just a tank or two of fuel.
We've chosen 10 of our favourite summer holiday cars – five if you're travelling with just one passenger and five for family buyers. Most are available as great-value used cars from Motorpoint.
Summer holiday cars for solo and couple travellers
Mazda MX-5
If you only need one other seat, why not truly embrace the joy of driving in summer with the Mazda MX-5. Whether you buy the traditional soft-top or the folding hard-top, infinite headroom is just a few seconds away, letting you properly experience the sights, the sounds and even the smells of wherever you're roadtripping to. The handling is sublime, the performance is entertaining but not overpowering, and you'll still find all the mod-cons in the cabin so you can keep the tunes flowing on your journey. You might just need to pack light.
Check out our range of used Mazda MX-5 cars or read our Mazda MX-5 review
BMW 4 Series
If you want something a little more substantial than the MX-5, without losing the sporty character, take a look at the BMW 4 Series. Available as a coupe, convertible or five-door Gran Coupe, it's pricier than the Mazda, but you get more of everything – more space, more seats, more tech and much more power, especially if you choose the red-eyed BMW M4. Stick with one of the standard models, however, and you get a car that's fun and balanced on a twisty road without losing the ability to settle down on longer trips, eating up the miles to your destination.
View used BMW 4 Series cars or read our BMW 4 Series review
Mini Convertible
If your driving holiday includes nipping through tight urban streets, you might want a fun car with familiar hatchback-like dimensions. Perhaps, something like the Mini Convertible, which is essentially the same as the standard Hatchback but with the added benefit of a proper fabric drop-top roof. You lose a little cargo space over the hard-top model but that car's boot was pretty small already, so simply treat the token back seats as extra storage and you'll have more than enough room for a couple of suitcases.
Find a used Mini Convertible at Motorpoint
Toyota GR Yaris
If you're driving for your summer holiday, why not enjoy it? A regular Yaris is easy to drive but won't cut it here, so we're looking at the GR Yaris, which is a totally different beast. This 257hp pint-sized monster has a rally-bred turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. All that power and grip in such a small, agile car makes it hugely fast and fun on real-world roads. It even gets a unique three-door body that's not available on the standard Yaris, which means the back seats are better used as storage than for carrying passengers.
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Audi A5
If your idea of a great summer road trip is more about enjoying the journey than the driving experience itself, try out the Audi A5. This chiselled cruiser comes as a coupe, convertible or five-door Sportback and is more about effortless composure than outright driving thrills. It might not entertain on a back road like a BMW, but it'll crush hundreds of miles of autobahn without even noticing. Plus, the quality of the A5's build and the cabin materials, along with its slick infotainment setup makes this an extremely easy coupe to live with all-year round.
Browse used Audi A5 cars for sale or read our Audi A5 review
Summer holiday cars for families
Volvo XC60
Families have flocked to Volvo for years thanks to the brand's focus on comfort, safety and practicality. Models like the XC60 show why the brand still enjoys that reputation today. It has a plush, spacious cabin, a serene driving experience and a suite of passive and active driver aids to keep an extra eye on the world around you. The back seats are especially generous, outclassing the competing BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, and giving you loads of space to wrestle a bulky child seat into the easily accessible Isofix points.
Find a used Volvo XC60 at Motorpoint or read our Volvo XC60 review
Citroen C3 Aircross
Driving holidays tend to involve a lot of, well, driving. Thankfully, the Citroen C3 Aircross has soft suspension that isolates you from rough roads and nasty bumps, letting you cover hundreds of miles without needing a chiropractor. It's trimmed in tough, hard-wearing materials so your little ones won't tear it to pieces while you're trying to find l'hotel. You'll hear no complaints about space, either, with lots of room for passengers and cargo. It's also as light as air on your wallet, with low used-market prices and featherweight fuel consumption.
Shop used Citroen C3 Aircross cars
Ford Galaxy
If you have a big family to cart around, it's hard to argue with the people-carrying icon that is the Ford Galaxy. This is a seven-seater like many MPVs, but this one is big enough to carry tall adults in every single seat – something very few rivals can claim. It's easy, comfortable and competent on the road, with diesel and hybrid options to keep fuel bills relatively low. You could also consider the mechanically similar Ford S-Max or, if you're on a tighter budget, a van-based family hauler like the Ford Tourneo Connect.
Take a look at used Ford galaxy cars
MG HS
Big SUVs often present a stumbling block when you go to sign on the dotted line – they're usually quite expensive. That's why the MG HS is so compelling. This large, five-seat SUV has enough rear space to rival the Volvo XC60 above while costing less than half the price. Like the pricier Swede, the MG also has a large, square boot that's perfect for suitcases or pushchairs. Entry-level petrol models are easy to drive, or you can hunt down a plug-in-hybrid version, which'll cut your emissions while you're touring around your destination.
Check out used MG HS cars for sale or read our MG HS review
Mercedes GLC Coupe
You'll notice that the holiday cars we've chosen for families don't have as much of a focus on excitement as the cars for just one or two people. The Mercedes GLC Coupe, however, might be able to bridge the gap. Its long, elegantly curved body hides a fairly spacious cabin and a boot that's large enough for a quartet of travellers. Under the skin, however, you'll find powerful Mercedes engines shared with the C-Class, including fire-breathing six and eight-cylinder AMG models that'll race from 0-62mph as fast as some serious sports cars.
View a selection of used Mercedes GLC Coupe cars
Your perfect summer car for less
Find massive savings on thousands of nearly new and used cars at Motorpoint. If you're planning to catch the rays on your summer holiday, check out our essential guide to driving in hot weather.
