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Summertime is a great time for road trips. However, with the rising cost of gas prices all over the nation, taking a road trip can be expensive. Fortunately, there are new cars on the market that can comfortably get you to your far-off destination without making you cry at every gas station. Here are five of the best small cars for a summer road trip.

1. 2022 Toyota Prius

Rear angle view of a fourth-generation Toyota Prius in red, parked in front of a fancy brick house.
Fourth-generation Toyota Prius | Toyota

It shouldn’t be any surprise that the 2022 Toyota Prius is at the top of this list. The Prius can not only achieve up to 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway, but it’s also comfortable. There’s plenty of room for up to four adults and enough technology to keep everyone satisfied. Features like Qi wireless charging, navigation, and a JBL premium sound system should keep everyone’s devices charged and ears occupied.

2. 2022 Honda Civic

A red 2022 Honda Civic Sedan Touring on the highway
2022 Honda Civic Sedan Touring | Honda

When it comes to summer road trips, it’s hard not to automatically think of the 2022 Honda Civic. The Civic’s elegant interior style and plush seats make it comfortable for any long haul. It also has plenty of tech-savvy features like a wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay, wireless car charging, and a Bose 12-speaker sound system to keep everyone charged and entertained. Also, the Civics equipped with the turbocharged engine can achieve up to 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway according to the EPA.

3. 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

A side shot of a silver gray 2022 Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan parked by a rocky mountain cliffside
2022 Volkswagen Jetta | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offers a well-buttoned interior with supportive seats and enough room for five. It’s also fuel-efficient and comes with plenty of tech features like a BeatsAudio sound system, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and an 8-inch infotainment system. When it comes to road trips, the Jetta will make quick work of any long distance.  

4. 2022 Ford Mustang Convertible

2022 Ford Mustang Coastal Limited Edition
2022 Ford Mustang Coastal Limited Edition | Ford

If you like to be one with the world around you, then the 2022 Ford Mustang convertible is a great choice. The base Mustang comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine that pumps out over 300 hp and gets up to 28 mpg on the highway. It’s also available with a 9-speaker sound system and SYNC 3 voice-activated technology, which will make your journey as stress-free and entertaining as possible.

5. 2022 Mazda3

A red and blue 2022 Mazda3
Mazda3 | Mazda

The 2022 Mazda3 may be compact, but it has plenty of space for five adults and is very entertaining. We say that not just because it has a good amount of tech features to keep everyone happy, but its sporty driving dynamics make it fun to pilot. Best of all, the Mazda3 gets up to 31 mpg on the highway, so getting to your destination won’t cost you much.

The best compact cars for a road trip

If you’re taking a long road trip this summer, then you have plenty of options to get you to your destination. However, these five compact cars can get you there in style and with plenty of fuel left in the tank when you get there.

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