Kelley Blue Book names best road trip cars

Despite the rising cost of fuel, road trips are one of the defining elements of summer, and as the Northern Hemisphere heads into the hottest months, Kelley Blue Book has named its top 10 road trip vehicles. Although many are solid choices, one stands out from the crowd, and not just because it's a looker - the Bugatti Veyron.

You might be wondering how an ultra-limited production (fewer than 300 examples will ever exist) incredibly expensive, 1,001hp, sixteen-cylinder quad-turbo-powered 250mph beast is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chevy's Malibu and Toyota's Prius. Well, so is everyone else. But logic aside, if you have the resources, the Veyron is an excellent way to travel in style. With proper route selection - at least in parts of Germany - you can make time that would impress even those traveling by air.

After all, you can just buy whatever you need - clothes, toiletries, small nations - once you arrive at your destination. Who needs luggage space? Fuel bills are likewise a concern irrelevant to those lucky enough to travel via Bugatti's flagship, so if either of these thoughts popped into your mind as you read this, the other vehicles on the list might be more your style.

The Infiniti EX35, Ford Flex, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid should all provide ample luggage space for a traveling family of four, while not hitting the wallet too hard at the fuel pump. The Tahoe Hybrid may only get about 40% of the highway fuel mileage of the Toyota Prius, but it's the best in the full-size SUV class.

MINI's Cooper Clubman is a great compromise car, offering excellent efficiency and more space than the standard MINI Cooper. Chevrolet's Malibu and Toyota's Prius are the only two sedans to make the list, though both are good choices for both moderate size and good fuel economy. The Volkswagen Eos and Audi S5 add some style to the journey, with the Eos's retractable hardtop really getting to the essence of summer on the open road: top-down cruising. For those that prefer the back-country canyons, the S5 will deliver elegant precision and a properly quick arrival, thanks to its 354hp V8 and AWD.

But really, given the choice - and a healthy expense account - who wouldn't choose to arrive at their destination cocooned in carbon fiber, aluminum, hand-stitched leather and pure speed? For a real touch of style, make the trip in one of the handful of super-limited edition Veyrons like the Hermès, Pur Sang or Sang Noir.

Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès

Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang

Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir