Smalls cars are cool on long distance, I did do my fair share on budget rentals although I noticed that they are geared abit high - you doing 120kmph most times over 3000rpm
I enjoyed doing the long distance on my bigger engined cars, more relaxed and on the open road the were very economical.
I cant wait to do my roadtrip on my first diesel, I noticed that it does highway speed 120kmph at 1500rpm in 7th gear.