Driving in the city and driving in the countryside are two totally different experiences. You need to acquire different skills to be good at both. If you’ve been driving in a suburban or urban area all your life, heading out into rural roads is going to be a challenge. You will be met with a new perspective on what it takes to be a great driver. You’ll also realize that your normal city car might not be very suited to rural conditions. You need something that can withstand the bumps in the roads that are less well-managed. You need a vehicle that can power up hills from a standing start. You need a vehicle that can traverse wet muddy terrain and remain balanced through long fast winding roads. Here are some of your best options.
The Tried and True
The UK has spawned many world rally champions and vehicles that have been used in arctic record-breaking missions. The cream of the crop is the Land Rover brand. However, unless you’re planning on charging up a mountain, you will want something that’s a little more sporty and practical. A used range rover fits this bill perfectly. Look at the 5.0 Autobiography model, which has over 550bhp and 500 ft-lbs of torque. Its active four-wheel-drive system is the best on the market. Despite being a heavy vehicle, it achieves 0-60mph in around 5 seconds. For a car with a luxury interior, enough room for 5 adults, this is quite an achievement. This is the type of car you need if you’re a family, looking to head to a rural retreat for a domestic vacation.
Enjoying the Breeze
Rural driving is unlike any other. It’s when you really get to enjoy driving and even, enjoy taking life slowly. That’s why you may want to look for a top-down car, which allows you to put on some shades and enjoy the breeze in your hair. The best of the best is obviously the Ferrari California. With around 500bhp, it’s not too much car but offers you just enough punch to overtake a tractor that’s in your way. The Mercedes GT-S convertible is also an amazing option. With similar power, it too can change that gentle breeze into a merciless wind with a touch of your right foot. Both cars use a twin-turbo V8, so you can expect a grumble and a growl, as well as a few pops and bangs. If you need a car that seats just two, these two will tug at your heartstrings.
A Loved Classic
It may not look or sound like much, but the Mini Cooper is still one of the all-time greats which can be used anywhere. It’s not just an urban car, it’s lightweight and nimble handling makes it a joy to drive in the countryside. Look for the Cooper S model which has a more responsive gearbox and more power.
There are many options for the city car lover, but only a handful of cars make rural driving truly special. These are the three best options for different driving needs.
This is a contributed post, edited by Nik