If you live in a rural area, certain cars might fare better than others. These are ones that tend to get good gas mileage, are reliable on winding or uneven roads, and will last a long time.
Unless money is no object, you might also want to get a vehicle with cost in mind — and not just the sticker price. How much you’re spending on things like fuel, repairs, maintenance and insurance all impact your budget and play a role in how much the vehicle costs over time.
So what are some of the best cars to buy if you live in a rural area? Keeping in mind that everyone’s preferences, needs and price points are different, here are just a few cars that you may want to consider if you live in a rural area.
Toyota has had a good reputation for building long-lasting, reliable cars. The Corolla offers a safe, predictable ride for short and long trips.
While not necessarily a powerhouse in terms of speed and performance, it comes with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. There’s also an all-wheel-drive hybrid model. If you’re navigating winding rural roads or slick dirt paths, all-wheel drive can be a lifesaver.
In terms of fuel economy, the front-drive hybrid gets 50 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. The nonhybrid 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine option gets an estimated 41 mpg on the highway, which might impact your purchase decision.
The ride quality of the Corolla is also standard. You might still feel particularly high bumps in the road, but you’ll get a smooth ride otherwise.
And if space is a concern, the hatchback version gives you quite a bit. Legroom might be a bit limited in the back, though.
Trucks tend to be more expensive, but the base model 2024 Ford F-150 is fairly reasonably priced. It comes with several engine options, including a V-8, hybrid and EcoBoost V-6 engine. It also boasts a decent infotainment system and modern safety features.
This vehicle is great for country roads and can tow up to 13,500 pounds — so you’re good to go with a small boat or trailer. You may need to opt for the 400-horsepower, twin-turbo, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, though. The hybrid model comes with a lower towing capacity of 12,700 pounds.
The 2024 Ford F-150 gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which isn’t bad for a truck. You can get higher fuel efficiency with the hybrid model if you’re willing to give up towing capacity.
For those of you who are looking for a reliable vehicle you can use to drive to and from town, the 2024 Ford Escape has a lot to offer — not least of which is its spacious interior. This SUV has great driving dynamics, plenty of legroom in the front and back, and plenty of storage space. It can store up to eight suitcases at once.
The standard model comes with a textured cloth seat upholstery, but you can also upgrade to faux-leather seating if you want something a bit more stylish. There are also premium trim options to choose from, though the base model is already stylish in a simple kind of way.
The 2024 Ford Escape also has several powertrain options. One is the 181-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine, which has either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. The front-wheel drive (nonhybrid) gets 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Luxury might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect vehicle for rural living, but it doesn’t hurt to check out some of the entry-level options. Take the 2025 BMW 2-Series as an example.
It’s fuel-efficient, as the rear-drive 230i version gets an estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive version has a slightly lower fuel economy — 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway — but is still decent for longer commutes.
While still a luxury vehicle, this BMW doesn’t stand out in quite the same way as, say, a Porsche or Lamborghini. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, nor does it make this vehicle any less worth considering — especially if you want to get into this class of vehicles without breaking the bank.
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