Road trips
Best family road trip vehicles: top 5 guide
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Every year, more and more Kiwi families are taking to the streets and highways of New Zealand for a family road trip. It should come as no surprise then that the demand for family road trip vehicles in 2022 is hot!
To help you pick from the best of the bunch, our camping and travel experts have compiled this list of the best family road trip vehicles for 2022. In doing so, we looked at the comfort, size, quality, price and features of each vehicle.
Making our shortlist for the best family road trip vehicle in 2022 is the:
Carado T-Series - Best Family Road Trip Vehicle Overall
KEA Horizon - Best Value Family Road Trip Vehicle
Roller Team Zefiro - Best Road Trip Vehicle for Sporty Families
Roller Team Auto-Roller - Best Road Trip Vehicle for Large Families
Dethleffs Trend - Best Luxury Family Road Trip Vehicle
Regardless of whether your family is big or small, you’re bound to find the best-suited road trip vehicle on this list - all of which are available for hire through Camplify!
Best Family Road Trip Vehicles
1. Carado T-Series - Best Family Road Trip Vehicle Overall
Why It’s the Best Overall
Carado vehicles are best sellers in Europe and New Zealand because they are purposefully designed for family road trips. In particular, the T-Series is popular for offering sleek German design and ingenuity at a competitive price. Many view it as the perfect vehicle for the average family road trip in summer or winter.
The exterior of the Fiat Ducato chassis is compact to make the vehicle maneuverable and easy to drive upon its 2.3L Multijet engine. But don’t be fooled - the interior is equally impressive, boasting tonnes of living and sleeping space for a 2-5 person family. A range of fixed and pull-down bedding options means that parents can either sleep near their kids or further away. Plus, the fully ergonomic kitchen and bathroom mean that all cooking and washing-up can be done on board.
The T-Series is also decked out with a range of features that will make your family road trip easier and more comfortable. A Combi 6 gas heating system and insulated walls mean that your family can sleep comfortably through even the chilliest of NZ nights. Plus, the huge rear garage storage space means you can keep bulky items out of sight and out of mind.
Best For
The average family (4-5 people) looking for a comfortable and spacious road trip vehicle with all the essentials and more.
Cost
Hire on Camplify from about $195 per night:
Muscles T449 (Papakura)
Te Hiiri T449 (Papakura)
Brand New Carado T449 (Christchurch)
Brand New Carado T447 (Christchurch)
2. Kea Horizon - Best Value Family Road Trip Vehicle
Why It’s the Best Value
There’s a reason why Kea is the leading motorhome brand in both Australia and New Zealand - they provide outstanding value. In particular, the 2.5L turbo-diesel Horizon model has been a favourite for many years. Thanks to its spacious interior and wide array of added features, this motorhome has now earned the title of best value family road trip vehicle.
Although compact on the outside, the inside of the Kea Horizon can seat and sleep up to 6 people. Everyone can enjoy a comfy night's rest thanks to the massive fold-down beds in the rear lounge and the dinette area. Plus, the large Luton bed above the driver’s cabin comes in handy for little kids or extra storage space.
Features on the Horizon include a microwave for quick and easy meals, dual dining tables for large family dinners and a separate shower cubicle to keep your bathroom dry. Additionally, the Horizon has electric/gas heating and an external storage bin for carrying bulky goods.
Best For
Small and large families (up to 6 people) wanting a road trip vehicle that is affordable, spacious and packed full of convenient features.
Cost
Hire on Camplify from about $135 per night:
R2 D2 (Auckland)
3. Roller Team Zefiro - Best Road Trip Vehicle for Sporty Families
Why It’s Best for Sporty Families
Roller Team motorhomes have quickly become renowned in New Zealand due to their reliability and quality. Their Zefiro range is particularly popular for coastal trips or trips into the Southern Alps of NZ. This is largely due to its underfloor storage system which is purposely designed to carry large items such as surfboards, skis and finishing rods. The Sports Edition even features 1.37m tall garage doors for easier access to your oversized cargo.
The Zefiro is a great choice for sporty families on a road trip and can comfortably seat and sleep up to 5 or 6 people. Inside, you have both fixed and drop-down bedding options so that everyone is comfortable and has a degree of privacy. The spacious kitchen and the bathroom are packed full of all the comforts that you find at home, including a hot shower and oven.
If you want to take the Zefiro into the alps for the ski season, you’ll be nice and snug thanks to the gas heating system. Alternatively, if you want to take this vehicle on a family surf trip along the coast, you’ll be equally comfortable under the shade of your external awning.
Best For
Sporty families (up to 6 people) who want to travel with oversized goods (e.g. sports equipment). Perfect for summer surfing trips or winter skiing trips.
Cost
Hire on Camplify from about $175 per night:
Weild’s Italian Roller Team 6 Berth (Christchurch)
Harvey RV1 (Auckland)
Little Pete (Papakura)
Kiwi Luxury Zefiro (Nelson)
4. Roller Team Auto-Roller - Best Road Trip Vehicle for Large Families
Why It’s Best for Large Families
Whilst the Zefiro is great for sporting families, the Auto-Roller range by Roller Team is a great choice for larger families of 5-6 people. This is another very popular model in New Zealand thanks to its spacious design and sleeping arrangements. What’s more, the Auto-Roller is as luxurious as it is comfortable, boasting Italian flair whilst maintaining a homely feel.
To create extra interior space, the exterior of the Fiat Ducato chassis is slightly longer than other family road trip vehicles. However, the extra space is well worth it for large families. There is a double bed at the rear of the vehicle and a huge dinette upfront that turns into a second double bed. If that’s not enough room, you’ll also find some Zefiro’s with additional overcab and bunk bed options.
Finally, the full kitchen and ergonomic bathroom have enough space to comfortably store all of your family road trip essentials. And if you want to head out and explore NZ in the middle of winter, the electric/gas heating system will keep you toasty all night long.
Extra tip: If you’re travelling with young kids, check out our ideas to keep toddlers busy on road trips.
Best For
Large families (5-6 people) who need a lot of living and sleeping space during their road trip.
Cost
Hire on Camplify from about $200 per night:
Weild’s Italian Auto-Roller 4/6 Berth (Christchurch)
Driving the Dream (Auckland)
5. Dethleffs Trend - Best Luxury Family Road Trip Vehicle
Dethleff vehicles are built in Germany and have long held a reputation as the world’s best motorhome. The Trend model is very popular in New Zealand because of the luxury experience it provides. Design features like high-quality insulation and extra-wide living spaces make this a 5-star family road trip vehicle.
The Trend can comfortably sleep anywhere from 3-6 people, making it great for both small and large families. The sleeping arrangement includes a king bed (with a 7-zone mattress) and a separate children’s bed so that everyone can get a good night's sleep. Many models available for hire also have additional bedding options for both kids and adults.
What makes the Trend a particularly great vehicle for family road trips is its clever features, including extra-wide doors, Airplus ventilation system and height-adjustable hot shower. Don’t forget about the gourmet kitchen with a large worktop, 3-burner hob and oversized fridge/freezer combo. Plus, the gas heating system and multiple external storage bins mean you can take this vehicle anywhere come rain, hail, sun or snow.
Best For
Families who want a 5-star road trip experience with extra added comforts.
Cost
Hire on Camplify from about $150 per night
Wendy (Wellington)
John’s Camper (Christchurch)
The Funmobile (Auckland)
Hiring the Best Family Road Trip Vehicle
Think about the size of your family and the kind of activities you’ll be doing during your family road trip. Do you need a vehicle with extra storage? Or luxurious features? Or simply something that has all the essentials at an affordable price. Whatever you need, you’ll find it in the list of best family road trip vehicles above.
Not sure what to take with you? Check out our family road trip packing list for all the essentials! We've also rounded up our favourite family campgrounds in New Zealand so you know exactly where to go!
However, if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for in a family road trip vehicle, you can always search through our other listings - please see motorhome hire in New Zealand.