The 4 Best Used Vehicles for Traveling Up North this Summer
It’s that time of year again. The long days, warm nights, and endless possibilities that come with summer vacation. For Michiganders, summertime often means road trips to northern Michigan, or as we simply say: up north. From Traverse City to Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula, northern Michigan offers breathtaking getaways for the entire family. With everyone eager to embark on a vacation this year, popular destination sites may be extremely busy. However, with a little preparation, a road trip is a great option for an easy and affordable getaway.

Here at Car City, we have a vast inventory of quality, used vehicles perfect for your summer road trip up north. We rounded up our top picks of used vehicles with the following features perfect for up north travel this year:
- Great gas mileage
- Comfortable cabin
- Ample cargo space
Regardless of your budget or credit situation, you deserve a safe and reliable vehicle. At Car City, we understand this need and have over 600 quality used vehicles in our inventory. Car City specializes in supplying our customers with newer used vehicles. Our promise at Car City is that no one else provides better quality used vehicles to people of all credit types.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our top picks for the best used vehicles for summer road trips:
For the adventurer: Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee made our list because of its beautiful interior, powerful engine, and off-road abilities. The 2016 model saw a redesigned V6 engine, increased fuel economy, and an engine stop-start system. The Cherokee gets 13-22 mpg in the city and 19-30 mpg on the highway with a 240-475 horsepower engine. According to U.S. News, the 2016 Grand Cherokee received a high safety score (9.1 out of 10) and critics’ rating (8.7 out of 10).

Perfect for: adventures in the great outdoors. Try northern Michigan’s east side, known for its rustic features.
For a trip to the U.P.: Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V made our list due to its large cargo area and spacious cabin. A family of five can comfortably fit. Additionally, the CR-V gets impressive gas mileage with 22-23 mpg in the city and 30-31 on the highway with a 185 horsepower engine. The 2014 model has a standard rearview camera. According to U.S. News, the 2014 Honda CR-V received an overall score of 8.5 (out of 10) with its highest scores in the total cost of ownership and safety categories.

Perfect for: a family trip to the upper peninsula with its great gas mileage and stellar safety ratings.
For the family camping trip: Chevy Equinox

Enjoy up to 32 mpg on the highway with a 182-301 horsepower engine with the Chevy Equinox. This SUV won the J.D. Power Dependability Award for most dependable compact SUV in 2015 and received a 9.2 (out of 10) safety score according to U.S. News. Your family will enjoy the roomy seating space, smooth ride, and the highest possible reliability rating. You can also haul lots of equipment in its 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

Perfect for: a family camping trip. You’ll have plenty of room to seat a family of five along with your tent, sleeping bags, and more.
For the couple’s getaway: Toyota Camry

Pack a few bags and head up U.S. 131 North with the Toyota Camry. This reliable and roomy sedan gets an impressive 32-41 mpg on the highway with a 203-301 horsepower engine. With Apple CarPlay, a comfortable ride, and a strong engine, this sedan is perfect for a road trip up north. According to U.S. News, the 2019 Camry received an impressive 10 (out of 10) safety rating, 8 for interior, and 8.6 for total cost of ownership.
The 2019 Toyota Camry won numerous U.S. News awards, including:
- #1: 2019 Affordable Midsize Cars
- #7: Used Midsize Cars $15k and Up
- Winner: 2019 Best Midsize Car for the Money
- Winner: 2019 Best New Cars for Teens
- Finalist: 2019 Best Midsize Car for Families

Perfect for: a solo or couple’s getaway to the cabin.
Your summer road trip starts at Car City

Car City is your first stop to a great summer ahead. We have hundreds of quality, used vehicles ready for your road trip. From spacious SUVs to fuel-efficient sedans, we have them all. As a family-owned, Michigan-grown business, we understand that our customers want excellent customer service, quality products, and a welcoming atmosphere.
At Car City, our wide inventory makes it easier for customers to choose a newer ride. If your credit is not perfect, or if you are simply looking for a quality used vehicle, look no further! At Car City, all vehicles come with a six month/6,000-mile warranty, GAP coverage, and a three-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, Car City offers a minimum of $1,000 for your vehicle trade. Simply bring your trade-in vehicle to any Car City location and apply the trade-in value towards your newer ride! Start your application today to drive away in a quality, used vehicle this year!
Please Note: We turn our inventory daily, please check with the dealer to confirm vehicle availability, verify price, options, and other vehicle details.