By Matt Robinson - Updated 23/3/23
If you do lots of long-distance commutes, or have a sensitive back and need maximum seat support when driving, or maybe just prefer your car built for comfort over speed, these cars are for you. Lots of factors affect how comfy a car really feels. Soft suspension, acres of interior space, a tech-laden cabin designed to ease away the stresses of modern life all help. Plus, a whisper-quiet driving experience, thanks to an electric drivetrain or an especially quiet engine. These are our top ten most comfortable cars on the market today.
1. Volkswagen Up
It might have been around since 2013, but the Volkswagen Up still oozes class whilst remaining a cheap leasing option. It looks great on the outside, has a quality interior that’s made of the best possible materials at this price point, and it drives in really smooth fashion. They’re the reasons why this is the most comfortable small car you can get right now.
2. Hyundai i20
Hyundai has made huge quality and refinement strides in recent years, and nowhere is this more evident than in the affordable yet advanced i20. The previous two generations of i20 were arguably a bit dull, but this third-gen car, which launched in 2020, has a seriously upmarket cabin full of helpful tech, boasts plenty of space for its small footprint, and is remarkably quiet and refined to travel in. It’s probably better than a Ford Fiesta or a Volkswagen Polo – high praise.
3. Ford Focus
Ford knows how to sort a great driving experience and the Mk4 Ford Focus is no exception. Not only is the Ford hatchback (or estate, if you fancy it) loads of fun to drive in the corners, it’s relaxing and cosseting when all you’re doing is getting from A to B. Want maximum comfort from your Focus? Then specify an Active model. This has an off-road bias, which means taller, softer suspension and chunkier tyres so it has particularly velvety ride comfort.
4. Skoda Superb
It’s a complete no-brainer to go with the Skoda Superb, especially if what you want is comfort above all else. Not only does the Superb have some of the best suspension in the class, in terms of the way it soaks up lumps and bumps, but its long wheelbase helps its stability even more… and then there’s the simply vast amount of interior space. Tall adults can sit in the back with little difficulty, so it really is a great choice for those who want the utmost in luxury but at a reasonable price.
5. Tesla Model 3
We all know that electric cars are very quiet things to travel in, mainly because the lack of an internal combustion engine removes lots of the noise and vibration of an internal combustion engine. Tesla’s most affordable option, the Model 3, builds on that with exceptional ride comfort, minimal wind noise around the cabin and arguably the company’s best-built, highest-quality interior yet. So, you can travel many, many zero-emission miles in total peace and calm.
6. Lexus ES
Lexus cars always imbue their owners with a sense of security and relaxation, and the ES continues that fine tradition. It might be a front-wheel-drive car in a predominantly rear-wheel-drive sector of the market, but that doesn’t mean the Lexus ES feels cheap to drive. If anything, its smooth hybrid drivetrain and impeccable interior fit-and-finish go a long way to making the Lexus feel like a car from a class above many of its key rivals.
7. Mercedes EQS
We could have gone with the S-Class, which is a magnificent machine and full of touches that make it a comfort king – such as heated and cooled seats with massaging functions, or ionised air in the cabin, or multi-colour ambient interior lighting. But the brand-new Mercedes-Benz EQS is basically an electric S-Class. It drives without a noisy petrol or diesel engine, and is blessed with a huge battery pack, giving it up to 453 miles on a single charge. That means the EQS is now the ultimate in Mercedes-Benz wafting luxury.
8. Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen has a long and distinguished career of producing some of the most comfortable cars in history, and today it has a range-wide ethos called ‘Advanced Comfort’. This means its cars have softly sprung suspension, ergonomic and plush seats, and increased sound-deadening, all with the aim of making each and every one of your journeys as relaxing as possible. The funky-looking C3 Aircross is a great proponent of this approach. The way it effortlessly covers ground on a cruise is unmatched among smaller SUVs.
9. Volvo XC60
Sumptuous, light-coloured Scandinavian interior. Top-end technology and safety systems. Smooth driving manners and almost totalitarian noise suppression around the cabin. Yep, the Volvo XC60 takes some beating when it comes to comfortable, prestigious SUVs with five seats in the cabin. You can even ramp up the luxury further with optional air suspension, or go for the T8 plug-in hybrid model, which gets you up to 46 miles of EV-driving in near-silence. There’s a real feelgood factor when driving an XC60.
10.BMW X7
The BMW X7 is one of the most underrated vehicles in terms of sheer, all-encompassing luxury. For starters, it is such a physically huge car that seven adults can sit in incredible comfort, even back in row three where the rear-most two chairs have all the amenities of the five seats ahead of them. Want it to be plusher than that? An option pack equips six Captain’s Chairs in the cabin, instead of seven regular seats, for the ultimate private-jet experience at ground level. Air suspension on all models only goes and seals the comfort deal.
Comfortable Car FAQs
What is the most comfortable car for long distance drives? There are various attributes which make a car comfortable for long-distance journeys. Great seats, soft suspension, impressive sound suppression, and lots of comfort technology which can smooth away the frustrations of snarled-up traffic flow. Take a look at our guide to the best cars for long distance driving for our top picks.
Which cars are comfortable for tall people? Skoda cars typically have roomier cabins than most comparable options, so they are often a good choice for taller drivers. Anything with a high roofline is also a good choice, which is one reason why SUVs are so popular right now. And then high-end luxury saloons – typically vehicles from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes – tend to have seats with lots of directions of seat adjustment, meaning tall people can get comfortable. You can read more in our list of the best cars for tall people.
Which cars have the smoothest ride? Anything fitted with air suspension tends to have a smooth ride, but air suspension is typically an expensive option on pricier vehicles. Electric cars can also feel very smooth to ride in, because they don’t have a combustion engine which brings with it extra noise, vibration and harshness, no matter how good an engine it is. And finally, Citroen is a company that has always been renowned for having soft, pillowy suspension on its cars – that still holds true today, as the French manufacturer has a product-wide ethos called ‘Advanced Comfort’. This means it guarantees comfy, plush chairs in the cabin and supple suspension for smoothing out the road.
Will a comfortable car be expensive to lease? No, not at all - Citroen is known for its high levels of comfort and most of its cars are very affordable to lease, particularly the C3 Aircross. Another good company for comfort is Volvo, which has long been known as the carmaker with the most sumptuous seats – great for improved comfort levels for all people. And Volvos are typically no more expensive to lease or run than comparable premium brands like Audi, BMW, Lexus and Jaguar, for instance.
Find out more about how car leasing works or why lease vs buy a car in our easy-to-understand leasing guides. Or if you're ready to browse for your next we've got a huge range of car leasing offers at unbeatable prices. No, not at all - Citroen is known for its high levels of comfort and most of its cars are very affordable to lease, particularly the C3 Aircross. Another good company for comfort is Volvo, which has long been known as the carmaker with the most sumptuous seats – great for improved comfort levels for all people. And Volvos are typically no more expensive to lease or run than comparable premium marques like Audi, BMW, Lexus and Jaguar, for instance.
