Best cars for long-distance driving 2026: seven motorway cruisers
For long-distance driving, the number that matters most is how far a car goes between stops. This list ranks seven cars by their range on one tank or one battery charge, calculated from the consumption that ADAC, Germany's motoring club, lists for the WLTP motorway phase. A diesel with a large tank still goes furthest; the best electric cars cover 450–570 km on the same basis and recharge to 80 per cent in under half an hour.
All seven are on sale new in Europe in 2026, have an automatic gearbox, five Euro NCAP stars from tests in 2023–2025 and a published model page on 1cars. Comfort on a long-distance drive also depends on seats, noise and driver assistance. No single figure captures them, so each entry notes the trade-offs.
Quick picks
- Furthest on one tank: Mercedes-Benz E-Class – about 1,500 km in theory.
- Most space: Volkswagen Passat – 690-litre boot and a 66-litre tank.
- Best electric cruiser: Mercedes-Benz CLA – 792 km WLTP, 320 kW charging.
- Best value electric: Tesla Model 3 – 750 km WLTP from €44,990.
| Model (version) | Tank or usable battery | WLTP motorway | Motorway range per fill | Boot | Germany, from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E 200 d | 66 l | 4.4 l/100 km | about 1,500 km | 540 l | €58,429 (06/2025) |
| Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TDI 150 | 66 l | 4.7 l/100 km | about 1,400 km | 690 l | €52,600 (06/2025) |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ electric | 85 kWh | 14.9 kWh/100 km | about 570 km | 405 l | €55,728 (04/2025) |
| Audi A6 2.0 TDI saloon | 60 l | 5.5 l/100 km | about 1,090 km | 452 l | €60,100 (07/2025) |
| Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S | 86 kWh | 17.2 kWh/100 km | about 500 km | 532 l | €59,495 (06/2024) |
| Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 4x4 | 58 l | 5.9 l/100 km | about 980 km | 910 l | €51,900 (05/2025) |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium | 79 kWh | 17.3 kWh/100 km | about 460 km | 594 l | €44,990 (12/2025) |
The range column divides the tank or usable battery capacity by the WLTP motorway consumption. It is a laboratory-based estimate for comparing cars, not a promise: real consumption depends on speed, weather, load and how much of the tank or battery a driver actually uses. For a load-lugging alternative, see the best used diesel estates.
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1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214
Furthest on one tank
- Production years
- 2023–present
- Body type
- Sedan, Station wagon
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
The W214 E-Class saloon pairs the lowest motorway fuel figure in this list with a 66-litre tank. The E 200 d has 137 kW (186 PS), 380 Nm and a nine-speed automatic, and ADAC lists 4.4 l/100 km for the motorway part of the WLTP test, about 1,500 km per tank on paper. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in July 2024, with 92 per cent for adult occupants. It may tow 2,100 kg braked. The drawbacks: €58,429 in Germany buys a car that needs 8.5 s to 100 km/h, and the warranty is two years.
Full review: Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214Pros
- About 1,500 km per tank (WLTP motorway)
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2024)
- 2,100 kg braked towing
Cons
- From €58,429 in Germany (2025), two-year warranty
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2. Volkswagen Passat B9
Best long-distance estate
- Production years
- 2023–present
- Body type
- Station wagon
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
- Power output
- 110–150 kW (150–204 PS)
The Passat Variant 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) and a seven-speed DSG nearly matches the E-Class for range: 66 litres and 4.7 l/100 km on the WLTP motorway phase give about 1,400 km per tank. It does so with a 690-litre boot, the second biggest here, and a 2,000 kg braked trailer load. Prices start at €52,600 in Germany in Business trim, almost €6,000 less than the E 200 d. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in July 2024. The drawback: 9.3 s to 100 km/h makes overtaking slower than in the other diesels.
Pros
- About 1,400 km per tank
- 690-litre boot
- 2,000 kg braked towing
Cons
- 9.3 s from 0 to 100 km/h
Spec sheet: Volkswagen Passat B9 1.5 l eTSI 110 kW (150 PS)
Full review: Volkswagen Passat B9 -
3. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class C174/C178
Best electric cruiser
- Production years
- 2025–present
- Body type
- Sedan, Station wagon
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Electric
- Power output
- 200–260 kW (272–354 PS)
The electric CLA 250+ is the most efficient car here. ADAC lists 14.9 kWh/100 km on the WLTP motorway phase and 792 km of WLTP range from an 85 kWh usable battery, which leaves about 570 km at motorway pace on paper. At up to 320 kW it charges to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes, and a heat pump is standard. Euro NCAP named the CLA its best performer of 2025. Prices start at €55,728 in Germany for 200 kW (272 PS). The drawback: the boot holds 405 litres, the smallest in this list.
Full review: Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class C174/C178Pros
- 792 km WLTP range
- 80 per cent in about 22 minutes (320 kW DC)
- Heat pump as standard
Cons
- 405-litre boot
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4. Audi A6 C9
Fastest diesel cruiser
- Production years
- 2025–present
- Body type
- Sedan, Station wagon
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
- Power output
- 150–270 kW (204–367 PS)
The new C9 A6 keeps a diesel: the 2.0 TDI MHEV plus with 150 kW (204 PS), a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and a seven-speed S tronic. ADAC lists 7.8 s to 100 km/h and a 244 km/h top speed, the highest here. Motorway consumption of 5.5 l/100 km and a 60-litre tank give about 1,090 km per fill. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in December 2024. The drawbacks: the saloon's boot holds 452 litres, and at €60,100 in Germany it is the most expensive diesel in this list.
Pros
- 0–100 km/h in 7.8 s
- About 1,090 km per tank
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2024)
Cons
- From €60,100 in Germany (2025), 452-litre boot
Spec sheet: Audi A6 C9 3.0 l TFSI quattro 270 kW (367 PS)
Full review: Audi A6 C9 -
5. Volkswagen ID.7 I
Roomiest electric saloon
- Production years
- 2023–present
- Body type
- Liftback, Station wagon
- Fuel
- Electric
- Power output
- 210–250 kW (286–340 PS)
The ID.7 Pro S liftback has an 86 kWh usable battery and 709 km of WLTP range. At 17.2 kWh/100 km in motorway driving it covers about 500 km per charge on paper, and DC charging at up to 200 kW fills the battery to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes. The 210 kW (286 PS) rear motor gives 6.6 s to 100 km/h, and the boot holds 532 litres. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2023, with 95 per cent for adults. The drawbacks: the heat pump costs €990 extra, and it weighs 2,226 kg.
Pros
- 709 km WLTP range
- 95 per cent for adult occupants (Euro NCAP)
- 532-litre boot
Cons
- Heat pump is a €990 option
Spec sheet: Volkswagen ID.7 I Pro 77 kWh 210 kW (286 PS)
Full review: Volkswagen ID.7 I -
6. Skoda Kodiaq II
Best SUV for long-distance driving
- Production years
- 2023–present
- Body type
- SUV
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
- Power output
- 110–195 kW (150–265 PS)
For drivers who want an SUV, the Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4x4 with 142 kW (193 PS) is the long-distance pick. Its 58-litre tank and a motorway figure of 5.9 l/100 km give about 980 km per fill. The boot holds 910 litres with five seats, and the car may tow 2,300 kg braked, the most here. It reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 s and costs from €51,900 in Germany. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in July 2024. The drawbacks: it is the thirstiest car here, at 6.0 l/100 km WLTP combined.
Pros
- 910-litre boot
- 2,300 kg braked towing
- All-wheel drive
Cons
- 6.0 l/100 km WLTP combined
Spec sheet: Skoda Kodiaq II 1.5 TSI mHEV 110 kW (150 PS)
Full review: Skoda Kodiaq II -
7. Tesla Model 3
Best value electric
- Production years
- 2016–present
- Body type
- Sedan
- Fuel
- Electric
- Power output
- 170–393 kW (231–534 PS)
The Model 3 Premium is the cheapest way into long-range electric travel here, at €44,990 in Germany. Its 235 kW (320 PS) rear motor and 79 kWh usable battery give 750 km of WLTP range and 5.2 s to 100 km/h. On the motorway figure of 17.3 kWh/100 km, about 460 km per charge remain. It charges at up to 250 kW, reaching 80 per cent in about 28 minutes, and the battery is covered for eight years, with a mileage limit of 160,000 or 192,000 km depending on version. The drawback: the shortest motorway range in this list.
Pros
- 750 km WLTP range from €44,990 (2025)
- Eight-year battery warranty
- 594-litre boot
Cons
- Shortest motorway range here (about 460 km)
Spec sheet: Tesla Model 3 RWD (2023 refresh) 208 kW (283 PS)
Full review: Tesla Model 3
How we chose
Selection. The list covers mid-size and large cars sold new in Europe in 2026 that ADAC lists with a WLTP motorway consumption figure, an automatic gearbox and a Euro NCAP five-star result, and that have a published model page on 1cars. The BMW 520d could not be ranked because ADAC shows no motorway figure for it; the Volkswagen Touareg left the German price list in May 2026. The Škoda Superb has no 1cars model page yet.
Data sources. Tank sizes, usable battery capacities, WLTP combined and motorway consumption, WLTP ranges, charging power and times, boot volumes, trailer loads, warranties, Euro NCAP results and German list prices come from the ADAC Autokatalog pages for the named versions, accessed in October 2026. The motorway range per fill is a calculation from two ADAC figures, rounded.
Ranking. The order is editorial: range between stops counts most, then space, charging speed for the electric cars and price. More on the leaders is on the 1cars pages for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Frequently asked questions
Which car goes furthest on one tank?
In this list, the Mercedes-Benz E 200 d. ADAC lists a 66-litre tank and 4.4 l/100 km on the WLTP motorway phase, which works out at about 1,500 km. The Passat Variant 2.0 TDI with 150 PS follows at about 1,400 km.
Is an electric car good for long-distance driving?
It can be, if it charges quickly. The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ reaches 80 per cent in about 22 minutes at up to 320 kW, according to ADAC, and the Tesla Model 3 Premium in about 28 minutes at 250 kW. On the motorway figures used here, they cover about 570 and 460 km per charge.
Diesel, hybrid or electric for motorway driving?
On long motorway runs a diesel still uses the least energy per kilometre among combustion engines: 4.4 to 5.9 l/100 km for the four diesels here. Full hybrids save most in town; on the WLTP motorway phase the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid uses 5.7 l/100 km, more than the E 200 d.
Which long-distance car has the biggest boot?
The Škoda Kodiaq, with 910 litres when five seats are in use, followed by the Passat Variant with 690 litres. The CLA saloon has the smallest boot here, at 405 litres.
How accurate is the WLTP motorway figure?
It comes from a standard laboratory test and is the same for every car, so it is useful for comparison. Real consumption at sustained high speed, in cold weather or with a roof box is higher, so plan stops with a margin, especially in an electric car.
