As owners of premium SUVs will tell you, there’s something luxurious about sitting up high, which all passengers of the LM get to do. In the top-spec model, everyone gets their own seat too (with legroom being truly vast in the four-seat version), while Lexus, already known for its high quality (and well-built) interior materials, has really pushed the boat out in the LM – everything you touch feels great. It’s…well, MPV-like to drive, but it’s smooth and refined virtually everywhere.
Audi RS 6
Another less obvious choice of long-distance machine, you might think, but Audi RS 6 owners will no doubt be able to inform you otherwise. Yes, the most powerful, pumped-up version of the A6 Avant rides more firmly than its lesser counterparts, potentially taking away one quality of a great cruiser, but in this case the RS 6 is far from uncomfortable, and makes up for it with other virtues.
One is speed. Not useful everywhere, admittedly – opt for Audi’s package to raise the limiter to nearly 190mph, and all you’ll be doing is making a 45mph crawl around the M25 even more frustrating than normal. But the RS 6’s blistering acceleration does make getting up to speed a lot easier, while Quattro all-wheel drive and impressive handling mean you can maintain it too, even on curvier roads. Not to mention a set of excellent seats, a big boot (565 litres minimum), and an interior you’d happily spend several hours at a time in.
Volkswagen ID.7
Like the other electric cars on this list, you won’t go quite as far on a charge in the Volkswagen ID.7 as you will in say, a diesel Passat. But when the longest-legged ID.7s can do up to 435 miles on a charge, does that really matter? All but the most dedicated drivers with the sturdiest bladders will have stopped for a break long before then anyway.
And the ID.7 makes a fine cruiser in its own right. Like all the ID cars the cabin is large, a benefit of the dedicated EV platform, while a drag coefficient of 0.23 helps it slip through the air relatively silently. The ride quality is also well-judged for long-distance comfort – perhaps a little floaty for some, but comfortable, with great motorway stability. It has good visibility too, so you won’t have the stress of large blind spots (just the stress of VW’s slightly iffy infotainment system, instead).
Need opulence and space? Click here to discover the best luxury SUVs money can buy…
