10 Cheap Cars For Highway Driving

When it comes to long highway drives, finding the right car can significantly enhance the experience. While fuel efficiency is crucial, comfort and safety also play essential roles in ensuring that both drivers and passengers arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and secure. For frequent highway travelers, choosing an affordable vehicle that balances these qualities is key.

Each of these vehicles is designed to excel on long trips, offering features like smooth suspensions, spacious interiors, and advanced safety technology. In addition to their comfort and safety, these cars are fuel-efficient, boasting impressive EPA highway miles per gallon (mpg) and range on a single tank of gas, which helps keep refueling stops to a minimum.

From reliable sedans like the Toyota Camry SE to more luxurious options like the Cadillac CTS 2.0 Turbo Luxury, this list covers a variety of cars that cater to different preferences and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a fuel-sipping compact or a more luxury-oriented sedan, these vehicles will ensure that your long-distance drives are as pleasant as they are cost-effective. Let’s explore each car’s standout features and why they are ideal companions for highway driving.

10 2019 Hyundai Sonata 1.6 Turbo

EPA Highway MPG: 37 / EPA Range: 574 miles

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata 1.6 Turbo is an excellent choice for long highway drives, with its impressive 37 highway mpg and 574 miles of range on a single tank. What sets the Sonata apart is its smooth ride and well-tuned suspension, making it particularly comfortable over long distances. Inside, you’ll find supportive seats and ample legroom, ensuring that both the driver and passengers stay comfortable, even after hours on the road.

Performance Specifications

In terms of safety, the Sonata comes equipped with features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. These systems are particularly beneficial for highway driving, as they help reduce fatigue by keeping the car in its lane and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.

9 2018 Mazda6 2.5 Signature

EPA Highway MPG: 35 / EPA Range: 476 miles

Mazda is known for making cars that are fun to drive, and the 2018 Mazda6 Signature is no exception. While it boasts an impressive 35 highway mpg, what really makes it stand out is the car’s driving dynamics. The Mazda6 handles winding roads with grace and composure, making it ideal for those who want a little excitement on their long trips.

Performance Specifications

The interior is refined and luxurious, with high-quality materials and excellent ergonomics. The seats are designed for comfort during long hauls, and there’s ample sound insulation to keep road noise at bay. Safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking come standard, giving drivers peace of mind on the highway.

8 2016 Cadillac CTS 2.0 Turbo Luxury

EPA Highway MPG: 30 / EPA Range: 475 miles

For those looking for a bit of luxury on the highway without breaking the bank, the 2016 Cadillac CTS 2.0 Turbo Luxury fits the bill. While it gets a solid 30 mpg on the highway, its comfort and performance are where it truly shines. The Cadillac CTS offers an incredibly smooth ride, thanks to its adaptive suspension, which adjusts based on road conditions to provide optimal comfort.

Performance Specifications

Inside, drivers and passengers are treated to plush leather seats, multi-zone climate control, and a well-insulated cabin that minimizes road noise. Long drives feel effortless in this car, and Cadillac’s array of safety features, including automatic forward collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning, ensures that you can relax knowing the vehicle has your back.

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7 2017 Audi A4 2.0T FWD

EPA Highway MPG: 37 / EPA Range: 474 miles

The 2017 Audi A4 2.0T FWD is a top contender for long highway drives, combining efficiency, luxury, and technology. Its 37 highway mpg and 474 miles of range make it a practical choice, but what truly makes it shine is its refinement. Audi has outfitted the A4 with high-end materials, offering a quiet and comfortable cabin that’s perfect for long-distance cruising.

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Performance Specifications

The seats are supportive yet supple, and there’s plenty of legroom for front and rear passengers. Audi’s optional virtual cockpit, an all-digital instrument cluster, keeps drivers informed, while driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assist make highway driving safer and less tiring.

6 2018 Acura TLX 2.4

EPA Highway MPG: 33 / EPA Range: 464 miles

The 2018 Acura TLX 2.4 combines sportiness with comfort, making it a great option for highway trips. Its 33 highway mpg ensures that you won’t have to stop often for fuel, while its 464-mile range provides plenty of distance between fill-ups. Acura’s attention to detail is evident in the TLX’s well-appointed cabin, which offers supportive seats, a user-friendly infotainment system, and high-quality materials.

Performance Specifications

The TLX is also equipped with a suite of safety features that make highway driving safer and more comfortable. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking all come standard. These features make it easier to maintain a safe following distance and stay in your lane during long drives.

5 2017 Toyota Camry SE

EPA Highway MPG: 33 / EPA Range: 459 miles

The Toyota Camry is a mainstay on American roads, and the 2017 Camry SE demonstrates why it’s such a popular choice for highway driving. With its 33 highway mpg and 459 miles of range, the Camry SE is both fuel-efficient and comfortable. Toyota has outfitted the Camry with a smooth suspension that absorbs bumps and imperfections on the road, making it ideal for long trips.

Performance Specifications

Inside, you’ll find a spacious cabin with supportive seats and an intuitive infotainment system. On the safety front, the Camry comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. These features, combined with the car’s stellar reliability, make it an easy choice for highway driving.

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4 2016 Lexus IS200t

EPA Highway MPG: 32 / EPA Range: 452 miles

The 2016 Lexus IS200t offers a blend of luxury, performance, and efficiency that makes it perfect for highway driving. With its 32 highway mpg and 452 miles of range, it’s efficient enough for long trips, while its turbocharged engine provides plenty of power for merging and passing on the highway.

Performance Specifications

Inside, Lexus has gone all-out to ensure driver and passenger comfort. The seats are supportive and well-padded, and the cabin is quiet and well-insulated, but rear legroom is not as good as some of its rivals. The car comes equipped with advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, making long highway drives less stressful and safer for everyone on board.

3 2017 Honda Civic LX

EPA Highway MPG: 42 / EPA Range: 446 miles

For those looking for maximum fuel efficiency on the highway, the 2017 Honda Civic LX is a fantastic choice. Its 42 highway mpg is the best on this list, and with a 446-mile range, you can cover significant distances before needing to refuel. The Civic’s interior is well-designed for long-distance driving, with comfortable seating and a relatively spacious cabin for a car of this class.

Performance Specifications

Honda has also made sure that the Civic comes with essential safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. While it may not have as many advanced driver-assistance features as some of the other cars on this list, its reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort make it a great option for highway driving.

2 2020 Ford Fusion SE

EPA Highway MPG: 34 / EPA Range: 446 miles

The 2020 Ford Fusion SE is a well-rounded midsize sedan that offers a comfortable ride and good fuel economy for highway driving. Its 34 highway mpg and 446 miles of range make it a practical choice for long trips. Ford has focused on making the Fusion SE a smooth and comfortable ride, with a suspension that soaks up bumps and vibrations.

Performance Specifications

Inside, the Fusion SE offers comfortable seats, plenty of room for passengers, and a straightforward infotainment system. Safety features like lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking all come standard, making it a safe choice for highway driving.

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1 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 2.5

EPA Highway MPG: 33 / EPA Range: 427 miles

Rounding out our list is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 2.5, a solid choice for those who prioritize fuel efficiency and comfort. Its 33 highway mpg and 427 miles of range are competitive, and the Malibu offers a spacious interior with plenty of legroom for both front and rear passengers.

Performance Specifications

The Malibu also comes equipped with a range of safety features, including forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist, and a rearview camera. Its comfortable ride and user-friendly tech make it an excellent option for long highway drives.