Top 10 Vehicles With the Longest Range For Your Labor Day Road Trip

It’s Labor Day weekend, and for many of you that means a nice, long road trip. To some, road trips are about the journey, while others just want to get there. After bathroom breaks, nothing stands in the way of progress more than having to fuel up. For those individuals who want the fewest stops at the pump during their trip, we present to you the top 10 vehicles with the longest highway range.

A quick note before we begin: this list was compiled using the EPA’s “Miles on a Tank” metric. In the EPA’s words, this is “The distance the vehicle can go from a full tank…down to 90% empty.” We could’ve multiplied the highway mileage by fuel tank size, but the EPA’s Miles on a Tank number is probably more accurate for real driving, considering no one is going to willingly let their tank run dry for the sake of range.

Another quick note: some new-for-2013 vehicles like the Ford Fusion Hybrid or Energi, Ram 1500 with the V-6 and eight-speed auto, and Mercedes-Benz GL350 Bluetec didn’t make the cut because their fuel economy numbers aren’t yet finalized. With that in mind, here we go.

10. 2013 Lexus GS 450h – 485 Miles: The new Lexus GS 450h hybrid is the first of many hybrids to make this list. It just edged out the two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Suburban to earn the number 10 spot, thanks to its 34-mpg highway rating and big 17.4- gallon fuel tank.

9. 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec 4Matic – 487 Miles: The all-wheel-drive ML350 Bluetec made it on this list thanks to its 240-hp, 455-lb-ft 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 and 24.6-gallon tank, which, combined with its 27-mpg highway rating, gives it an impressive 487-mile range.

8. 2013 Audi A6 2.0T/2013 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid/2013 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid (Tie) – 499 Miles: The Audi A6 made this list thanks to its pipsqueak of an engine, while the Porsche and VW SUV twins made it thanks to their respectable 24-mpg highway rating and 26.4-gallon fuel tank. The front-drive A6 is powered by 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 making just 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT.

7. 2013 Audi Q7 TDI – 523 Miles: The Audi Q7 TDI is the only seven-seater to make the cut. The Q7 TDI has a big fuel tank and 28 mpg highway rating to help it go the distance.

6. 2013 Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec/2013 Toyota Prius (Tie) – 536 Miles: Our tie for sixth place couldn’t be between two more different vehicles. One is a VIP private jet on wheels with a diesel engine, while the other is the bane of enthusiasts, a hybrid suited for basic commuter duty or as a fashion statement for C-list celebrities. One returns 31 mpg highway, while the other gets 48 mpg. Nevertheless, both earn their place in the number-six slot with a 536-mile range.

5. 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel/2013 Volkswagen Touareg TDI (Tie) – 546 Miles: It’s not surprising that the new Porsche Cayenne Diesel and VW Touareg TDI tied on this list since they’re mechanically identical. Both SUVs boast an identical 29-mpg highway estimate and have a 546-mile range.

4. 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid – 576 Miles: Just missing out on the bronze medal is the all-new Ford C-Max Hybrid. The C-Max Hybrid is the only minivan on this list, and made it not due to fuel tank size (it only has a 13.5-gallon tank), but thanks to its impressive 47-mpg highway rating.

3. 2012 Ford F-150 3.7L 4×4/2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI 6M (Tie) – 583 Miles: Well, look at that – our 2012 Car of Year and Truck of the Year tied for third place. The Passat earned its spot thanks to its 43-mpg highway rating and fuel-sipping 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4. The four-wheel-drive F-150, on the other hand, made it thanks to its relatively fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6, and its massive 36-gallon fuel tank. (Rear-drive models only have 22-gallon tanks).

2. 2013 Lexus ES 300h – 626 Miles: We may not have loved the new Lexus ES 300h when we drove it in our First Test, but we can certainly respect its 626-mile range. The Lexus does it thanks to its hybrid drivetrain, 39-mpg highway rating and 17.4-gallon fuel tank.

1. 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid – 627 Miles: It may not be the most thrilling choice for a road trip vehicle, but the Toyota Camry Hybrid beat out the competition with its 627-mile range. The Camry Hybrid managed to earn the gold medal for long-distance cruising thanks to its large fuel tank and 39-mpg range.

The Camry might have the longest range on this list, but which above vehicle would you rather drive on a road trip? Sound off in the comments below.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov