Fresh Coffee and a Back-Seat Cinema: How To Level Up Your Next Road Trip

Back in the day, road trips were fairly light on entertainment. You’d be playing I-spy, listening to the radio (when reception allowed), reading a book or napping in the back seat, and that was about it. In 2025, the experience looks very different. Kids travel with iPads and gaming consoles, playlists run endlessly, and the car itself can now become part of the entertainment system.

With the Hyundai PALISADE Hybrid’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature, there’s literally a powerpoint in your car that you can plug into, meaning you can power devices and appliances directly from the car’s battery. And its spacious interior means there’s room to stretch out and pack the little luxuries that make the road feel almost as good as the destination. Picture brewing a coffee overlooking the ocean, streaming movies in the back seat on a rainy night, or plugging in a hair straightener before dinner at a regional restaurant.

Plus, driving a hybrid means fewer fuel stops, so you can keep the adventure moving without interruption.

Ready to power up on the road? Here’s what we’d be packing.

Kettle and coffee set

Pit stops for coffee are a great excuse to take a break and stretch your legs – if there’s actually somewhere to buy decent coffee. When you can plug in your own kettle, those picturesque stretches in the middle of nowhere – rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean, winding mountain drives, red dirt desert – make idyllic spots to stop for a cup, whether you’re using that hot water for the Aeropress, a pour-over, French press, a pot of tea or even a freshly whisked matcha.

Laptop

Sure, smartphones can do just about everything a laptop can, but can they do them well? From watching movies in the back seat to researching destinations and sending emails (ideally not work-related), a laptop just makes everything easier out on the road. For most of us, charging is the big sticking point but, if you’re able to tap into your car’s battery power, you’ll be road-tripping in technological style.

Blender

Forget the esky – with a compact blender you can whip up smoothies, protein shakes or even a fresh juice anywhere the trip takes you. It’s perfect for mornings on the road when you’d rather blend your own breakfast than grab something packaged, or for a midafternoon pick-me-up after a long stretch of driving. Just stock up on fruit, yoghurt or protein powder before you set off, and you’ve got a fresher, healthier alternative to roadside snacks that will keep everyone feeling energised for the journey ahead.

Hair straightener

It happens to the best of us – you’re hitting the highway on a road trip to a seriously good regional restaurant but need a last-minute freshen up. Something as simple as plugging in a hair straightener is usually out of the question when you’re out on the road – but not if you’re tapping into your car’s battery power. Honestly, the spruce-up options are endless. It might be plugging in an electric shaver to sharpen up that five o’clock shadow or charging an electric toothbrush. Just don’t be late for your reservation, okay?

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Hyundai. The Hyundai PALISADE Hybrid is built for all of life’s major moments. Thanks to its spaciousness and smart design, the PALISADE transforms everyday errands and milestones into smooth, well-packed adventures.