If you often find yourself covering long distances in your car, then you might already be thinking about investing in a vehicle that’s better suited to the job. But exactly what makes a vehicle a good match for long drives? Let’s take a look at a few key features to look for.
Comfort and Convenience
When you know that you’re going to be spending hundreds of hours every year in the same space, it’s worth ensuring that it offers all of the comforts you need. This might mean looking for plush, or even heated, seating. Modern climate control features, and infotainment systems, might also contribute to a more enjoyable commute.
By investing in comfort, you might find that you perform better when you arrive at your place of work. Thus, for efficiency-minded professionals, it’s often an investment worth making.
Fuel Efficiency and Performance
The fuel efficiency of your vehicle will also make a difference. The further you’re driving, the bigger that difference will be. Today, hybrid and electric vehicles offer the gold standard for efficiency – and this can often justify the higher up-front price that these vehicles command. However, you’ll need to be sure that you can charge yours at a convenient (and cheap) location.
In many cases, however, traditional internal combustion-engine vehicles can still be very competitive. For those seeking a balance of performance and economy, the new Peugeot roster offers fuel-efficient models. It’s worth taking the fuel-economy figures presented by manufacturers with a degree of scepticism. Your mileage, as ever, might vary.
If you want a good idea of the way that the vehicle performs, of course, a test drive is obligatory.
Technology and Safety Features
If you’re going to be shopping for a new vehicle, then a number of special modern features might be worth investigating. Adaptive cruise control, for example, might maintain a fixed distance between you and the car in front – which can not only simplify motorway driving, but ease congestion and improve safety.
For the same reason, other assistive driving technologies, like lane assist and automatic emergency braking, can also be useful.
It’s worth thinking about how you use your existing vehicle. If you find yourself relying on your smartphone to navigate during rush hour, then you might look for a vehicle with an infotainment system that will easily integrate with your phone. This might allow you to focus your attention more fully on the road in front of you.
